She was only too familiar with this neighborhood and had no problems finding the house. Clipboard in hand, she rang the doorbell.
A middle age couple answered the door and welcomed her into a well-furnished home. They asked her why she was there, and she explained she was an agent of the court and had a summons from drug court for their daughter.
From the back room, their daughter slowly entered the hallway. It was obvious she was scared – it was even more obvious that she was addicted to heroin. Her parents anxiously watched from as a short distance as their daughter trembled in fear. The agent conducted herself respectfully and professionally.
Then something changed.
The agent looked first at the parents and then to the daughter. Speaking with confidence, she said, “God doesn’t want this for you!”
Within a matter of minutes, the atmosphere of that home was filled with a fragrance of hope and faith. They moved closer together as the agent asked to pray for them. In a sea of tears the agent leaned in on God to intervene on their behalf -no longer an agent of the law but an angel in the court of the Lord.
Eventually, the prayer ended and they breathed a sigh of relief. The agent gained the daughter’s signature, assured them she would continue to pray for them and then she quietly walked to her car. Without hesitation, she whispered a heartfelt prayer of gratitude as she drove away.
Thank God for people who obey the Lord.
If you could seen into the spirit world, you would have noticed the demons slowly moving away wounded by the assault. God had intervened, and He is always the Victor.
Spiritual warfare? You betcha!
Aren’t you curious as to what made this agent different from any other agent who would have knocked on that door?
This agent knew the principles of spiritual warfare. You don’t have to be a preacher, teacher, or even a worship leader to be used of the Lord.
Spiritual warfare is not running around strategically rebuking the enemy or is based on your own calculated plan. You don’t have anything to do with the where, when, how, or why
“Believe and trust in the Lord your God, and you will be established (secure).
II Chron 20:20b AMP
The principles of spiritual warfare begin and end in the Secret Place – behind closed doors.
The Principles of Spiritual Warfare:
- The Seeking-God Principle
- The Knowing-God Principle
- The Depending-on-God Principle
- The Believing-God Principle
- The Worshiping-God Principle
A Principle, by its very nature, is a comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption. For a Christian, it’s our code of conduct or “habitual” devotion to doing what is right in God’s eyes. It’s the primary source of our faith.
Seeking-God Principle
Seek first the Lord. Fellowship with the Lord is vital before the battle or before you see it coming. Conflicts are not won by soldiers who are ill-prepared or ill-trained.
It’s no different in God’s Army.
The Holy Spirit is in the training and equipping business. What light can extinguish the darkness if its source is not The Light?
God knows and understands the enemy. What you can’t see, He can. What you don’t know, He knows. Your position in the battle is critical. You need only hold that position, and He will fight for you.
The Seeking-God Principle is effective because we seek God before the battle for strength, during it for confidence and after it with thanksgiving.
A soldier never goes into battle alone. We are a community of collective conscience, and that conscience is the Holy Spirit.
Seek God in confidence, together with other believers. Asking others to pray with you is not a sign of weakness.
When you fight spiritual battles, make sure your heart is wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord.
Regardless of how hard it’s shaken; a secure foundation will not crumble.
Trust the Lord you seek. Don’t be afraid or troubled. The Lord your God, who redeemed you, will also keep you safe. He who values your “reconciliation” values what happens to you.
No matter how strong, fortified, or out-numbered the enemy, God is greater. He is the Victor in Christ Jesus.
Fear is faith in the enemy!
Knowing-God Principle
When we enter the Secret Place (behind closed doors), we enter God’s presence. He makes Himself known to those who seek Him wholeheartedly.
Who is this God you seek?
We are unable to know God completely. But what we know is sufficient to build our confidence in Him. God is greater than we can imagine and far more capable than we can understand.
What are God’s promises?
God reveals His person in His word. He is a God of His Word and the original Promise Keeper. If He said it then it is so.
The Great Commission is surrounded by the truth of Christ’s character:
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me…. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28 18,20 NIV
In spiritual warfare, you pray based on God’s character and His promises.
The mysteries – the big picture – belongs to the Lord. He is all-knowing, and His power is unlimited.
Any battle you face is not sent to harass you or even cause you harm. On the other side of this battle, you will gain confidence in God. No experience in the Lord is empty “happenstance,” but something He uses to make us mature and give us an enduring faith.
Don’t be afraid – the battle belongs to the Lord.
You may not experience the betrayal of Joseph, but you belong to the God of Joseph. You may not face the lions with Daniel, but your God is the God who closes the jaws of the enemy. You may not have leaned on the bosom of Jesus like John, but Jesus allows you to lean on Him. You didn’t here Jesus say, “It is finished!” or see the empty tomb but the same Christ that was victorious over death is your resurrection and life.
Pray with confidence. God is consistent in His character. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Even in battle, He leads us in greater confidence in Him.
I assure you that you will face a battle. Non of us are exempt. But rest assure that what He has done in the past He will do in the future. He will not go against His revealed will in Scripture.
Prayer leads us into God presence, and His presence leads us to victory.
Depending-on-God Principle
After you seek the Lord and acknowledge His character, then you can depend on Him. Even in our most desperate situations, God is in charge.
When we don’t have faith in God, our faith shifts to the enemy.
God is victorious against all human odds.
Entering the Secret Place is a game changer. It garners our faith in God.
“Do not be afraid or dismayed…, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
2 Chron 20:17 AMP
Believing-God Principle
We live by faith. The more we fellowship with the Lord, the more we know Him and experience what it means to have an enduring faith.
To stand victorious means to stand our ground victorious in Christ Jesus.
No soldier ever enters the fight knowing all aspects of the battle. He must trust others in their position, equipment, and mission. The commander alone knows the big picture. We can depend on God – our Commander-in-Chief – that our position is secure and our orders accurate.
“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”
2 Chron 20:15b
Confidence, peace, and assurance come in believing God. We can be grateful even in the midst of the battle. We stand victorious because we are united with Victor.
Sadly, anyone who allies themselves to the enemy is a traitor and lives in the losing lane.
Worshiping-God Principle
The spirit of thanksgiving is the greatest weapon forged against the enemy.
Bow humbly before your God and praise Him before anything else.
At the moment of praise, God moves. As we praise God, He begins to work and intervene on our behalf.
Praise and give thanks to the Lord your God, for His mercy and loving-kindness endures forever, take your positions, stand and witness the salvation of the Lord who is with you… Do not fear or be dismayed…for the Lord, your God is with you.
2 Chron 20:20b
In Conclusion
In conclusion, allow me to recap.
Spiritual warfare is real. We never know when, where, or how it will come. But we can be prepared and equipped. We don’t need to succumb to it.
The principles of spiritual warfare are:
- The Seeking-God Principle
- The Knowing-God Principle
- The Depending-on-God Principle
- The Believing-God Principle
- The Worshiping-God Principle
The battle begins and ends in the Secret Place. A yielded heart always finds victory in the Lord.
Once the battle is won. Stand victorious. With lifted hands and a grateful heart, praise the Lord.
Are you ready?
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work with us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen
Ephesians 3:20-21
If you want to see these principles in action read what happens to King Jehosaphat in 2
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