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8 THINGS TO DO IN A SPIRITUAL BATTLE

Do you feel like you’re walking through the valley of the shadow of death? I know that valley well. I’ve walked through it in different seasons of life, and I’ve learned that it’s something we’re supposed to do just that in—walk. We’re supposed to walk until we’re out of it!

I learned this the hard way  I made the mistake of camping out in the valley for  years, not because I wanted to but because I had been taught that Christians could not be demonized. This teaching set me up to war against my flesh instead of the spirits that were attacking me every day. The truth is that the spiritual realm is real and angels and demons are very active on the earth whether we see them or not.

WHO’S THE ENEMY?

It’s so important that we understand we are not warring against our old man, but against principalities. The war is finally won when you recognize that these thoughts are not your own and you resist them. Ephesians 6:10-13 says “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” When we understand that our old man is dead, we don’t try to fight with him anymore.

Because these thoughts are manifestations of evil spirits and not just bad ideas, when you decide to resist them it becomes a struggle—an intense battle for land in the spirit realm. Most people retreat or digress to try and find peace or solace instead of pressing in and defeat the enemy.

SPIRITUAL CONFLICT

Spiritual conflicts most often occur when we advance into new territory that is inhabited by evil spirits. Much like Joshua’s promised land experience or Nehemiah’s rebuilding of the walls, the enemy defends his territory when we are pushing forward into the new land. Most Christians are completely unaware that these are real spirit wars, so they retreat at the first sign of conflict, failing to recognize the true source of the battle.

It is important to understand that evil spirits attack by giving you thoughts that are compelling. In other words, they make you feel like you want to do them, even though they are the opposite of your history and nature. Then those same spirits accuse you of having these thoughts and feelings. If you believe these accusations, you lose confidence in yourself and God’s ability to keep you. This starts a spiral down into depression, anxiety, and self-hatred.

PRACTICAL WARFARE

The truth is that evil spirits have no power over you (even though it feels like they do)! Rather, you have power over them. Secondly, these battles come in waves and they will not last forever. Remember: if it’s not good, it’s not the end! And lastly, you probably did nothing wrong to cause this battle. As a matter of fact, you are most likely experiencing this battle because you are doing something right. Here are a few more things to hold onto while you WALK through the valley:

1. Don’t be afraid, but instead remember the Lord. Nehemiah 4:14 “When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people: “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.”
2. Remember the testimonies in your life. They are weapons of warfare. Fill yourself with faith by holding onto testimonies from other people’s lives too. Revelation 19:10 says the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Meaning if God’s done it before, He can and will do it again!
3. Remember the work you are doing is noble. Nehemiah 6:3 (emphasis added) says, “so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?”
4. Remember who you are! The enemy will try and convince you that you are defeated but the truth is that you are a victor! He’ll try and convince you that you’re the worst person in the world but the truth is that you’re the apple of God’s eye, destined to change the world! Speak the truth about who you are over yourself with every assault that comes your way.
5. Trust Jesus to keep you! Jude 24 says, “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—”
6. Release the peace within you through singing and proclaiming Jesus. Remember the freedom within you will become the freedom around you. Acts 16:25 says, “But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.”
7. No matter what, nothing can separate you from God’s love… not even the valley! “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
8. Remember that God never leaves you and He’s walking through the valley with you! “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)

KEEP WALKING TODAY

This too shall pass! Even though we may feel crazy in the valley, we have been given a sound mind! Here again, we have to remind ourselves that how we feel isn’t always how we are. I want to encourage you with this verse: 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Hold onto this as you walk through the valley and remember the goal is to keep walking. Don’t set up camp and don’t give up!

I am praying today that you would have peace in this season, that God would protect you at night and that His voice would be the loudest one over you. I pray that irrational thoughts would be dissolved in Jesus name and that Holy Spirit would make clear the illusion and lie of the enemy. I pray that angels would surround you and that the right people would come around you in this season.