Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual Warfare…

THERE is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk NOT after the flesh, but after the Spirit…(R0mans 8:1)

After serving God for over thirty-five years in the ministry alongside of my husband, I have come to the conclusion that many of the trials we often refer to as Spiritual Warfare are actually battles of self-will…whether or not to please the flesh or not please the flesh.  Even though it is an extremely complicated process while going through the trials of Spiritual Warfare, it is actually quite black and white; the choice between good or evil; right or wrong.

Several years ago I was told about a preacher friend suffering from a nervous breakdown.  Without giving too much thought, I quickly asked, “What’s her name?”  The person whom I was conducting the coversation looked quite surprised by my response.  I realized that I had shocked her with my comment.  But, over the years I have witnessed time after time both men and women suffering from all kinds of ills, ailments, disorders, issues, confusions, and trials brought on by evil attacks of lusts and sins of the flesh…In other words, “I want that, but I know I can’t have it, but I want it anyway!” So, the battle is on….And, it can be a very intense battle to say the least!  (Please note that I am NOT saying that all matters of illnesses or breakdowns are brought on by sins of the flesh, I am just saying that warfare of the flesh can bring on at times such ailments and results within our lives.)

When we are being tempted by the desires and lusts of the flesh it’s like being squeezed out at the pumps…Around and around we go, where we’ll stop only God knows!  We dig in. We pray. We read our Bible more. We think we are doing everything right to get ourselves beyond the temptation, but wham-bam thank you ma’am we find ourselved knee-deep, no rather chest deep, right in the middle of it…Why?  Because we failed to do the one thing we should have done in the beginning…WALK AWAY FROM SIN AND WALK DIRECTLY TOWARDS GOD WITHOUT COMPROMISE!!!

All the Devil needs to attack our Spiritual lives is one ounce or less of good old-fashioned compromise.  Just a little thought here and a little thought there…a little look here and a little look there…a little relaxation here and a little relaxation there…a little time off here and a little time off there from our Chrisitan activities….a little pride here and a little pride there…and before we know it the little baby steps that we took AWAY from God turn out being giant steps miles and miles away from God!  Like the old saying goes, “Sin takes you farther than you wanted to go and kept you longer than you wanted to stay.”

The trouble with the consequences of “sin” is that it just doesn’t affect the one who compromises…it affects everyone around the compromiser…It can affect an entire family!  Sin comes with a price and it also charges interest.  If it took you seven years to get into a sin, it can take you fourteen years to get out!  If it took you one year to get into a sin, it can take you two years to get out!  And, the getting out part is not always easy…It takes great determination, dedication and focused faith upon God! Sometimes a person may need assistance and counseling to find their way back… Yes; God forgives our sins, but He doesn’t always take away the challenges and hurdles it will take to get us out of our “confessed” and “forsakened” sins…The choices are ours to make.

After a person has gone through a good old-fashioned battle of sin with the flesh, it’s easier to detect and take notice of the traps that got you there to begin with…If you learned and gained wisdom in your Spiritual battle, you will receive victory in your life the next time “sin” comes knocking…You simply will refuse to answer the door!  However If you didn’t learn through your prior mistakes and choices, the next round can be even more devastating on your life and those around you.  Sadly, too many times it takes some people several rounds of warfare before they learn not to compromise with the Devil and with the lusts of the flesh.

My friend, you may think that the issues you are facing right now won’t send you over-the-edge and that you actually have it all under control…But, you can NEVER outwit the Devil; don’t even think about it or entertain such an idea. Satan can win in a knock-out punch anytime He chooses when you have allowed Him to enter into your life through some venue of choice.  Satan knows how to take it to the mat! (As one would say in the sport of wrestling!)  And, we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the Powers and Rulers of Darkness…Never, take compromise lightly…It is of Satan’s team…Team Satan!  And, that’s a team you don’t want to fight!

Yes; greater is HE (Jesus Christ) who is in you than he who is in the world…And, that means making the right choices to begin with. Jesus doesn’t have to fight Satan; he’s already won the battle.  Jesus won’t go to the mats with Satan; he doesn’t have to…and neither do you…Choose wisely when given the choice…Choose right from wrong…The Bible clearly teaches, “To him who knows to do good and chooses not to, it is sin.”

When you realize that you have “sinned,” as we all do quickly confess it and turn away from your sins…No, rather run away from your sin….Take hold of your life and run to Jesus…In doing so you can save yourself and those around you a lot of grief, pain, and woe.   “THERE is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk NOT after the flesh, but after the Spirit…”(Romans 8:1)

Remember, God Loves You!

Lin T Rollins, Author