“(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)” 2 Corinthians 10:4

“Spiritual warfare is the putting aside of passive attitudes towards faith which keep us from commitment and cause us to pursue only those things that will benefit us. Instead of seeking our own agenda, we submit our will to God and accept the sacrifices He calls us to make.”  -Spiritual Warfare Ministries

The Great Commission was given to the Apostles by our Lord to spread the gospel throughout the entire world. We are still under the auspices of His command to spread His gospel message today. The work that we do opposes our spiritual enemy. Satan and all his demonic forces fight against us and our progression to spread the gospel. He does not care about anything but destroying our spiritual influence in this world. Therefore, he attacks us just where it hurts the most; his objective is to discredit our witness and to vilify Christ. The Apostle Paul warned in 2 Corinthians 11:3 “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

It is paramount that we fervently pray for God to tear down every demonic stronghold that come against us. Our first recourse is to humble ourselves and recognize that we are soldiers in this Christian army. Satan is quite pleased when he can deceive us in seeing things from a worldly perspective and thinking that we are weak, alone, and that failure is our only option. It is imperative that we stay focused on our God given purpose. It is only then that we can see through the devil’s smoke screen of lies. Philippians 4:13 reminds us “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Remember that Satan deceitfully uses things, people, and every circumstance possible to shake our faith in God. Watch out for the tendency to contend with others and the use of outward force, which is certainly not the gospel way or example set by our Lord. Our object should be to stay mindful of our real enemy, grounded in the truth and living peacefully with all men. The only way to live in peace and persuade others to the gospel is through our strength in the Lord. Others should see His good works in us, it is His life, crucifixion, and resurrection that draw dying men to the cross.

So, stay on guard, the enemy of our souls will always place landmines in our pathway to deter or stop us from pursuing a closer walk with the Lord; but know this . . . we may appear weak in the outer man but the scripture clearly points us to the source of our strength in 2 Corinthians 4:7 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” We can and do cast down strongholds of the mind and soul through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Let us remain faithful and consistent in prayer; standing on God’s truth and leaning on His everlasting arms of safety, resting in the comfort of Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

We have the victory in Jesus…a mighty fortress is our God!

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing: For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; His craft and pow’r are great, and, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same, And He must win the battle. – Martin Luther