The dinner table was eerily quiet as we all sat around as if nothing ever happened. Yet if our walls could talk, they’d probably share a story I would not be too extremely proud of. Our emotions were embracing mad and messy, blood pressure was escalated, and the tension in the room was so thick it was practically suffocating. We all felt it. We all knew an unwanted presence had entered our home and was wreaking havoc on our family. The mission was to destroy our marriage, the relationships with our children, and their bonds with one another and unfold chaos in its wake. Sadly, this furious force seemed to be winning.
Quite frankly, it made me angry as I felt defeated! Yet, after an ugly brawl, we all gathered around the table, and my little one broke me out of my disillusioned trance by sweetly saying, “If we love Jesus so much, why does everyone seem so angry all of the time.” Crickets. The awkward glances that were exchanged held both guilt and remorse. The silence grew, filling up every nook and cranny. I knew this wasn’t just a battle between our own flesh and blood; this was a spiritual attack (2 Corinthians 10:3-5), and we needed an intervention.
"We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ." - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Photo Credit: ©Pexels/August de Richelieu
1 Peter 5:8 proclaims that the devil is like a prowling lion waiting for someone to devour, while John 10:10 says the enemy is always out, ready to steal, kill, and destroy. This is why James 4:7 tells us to resist the devil, and he will flee from us; Proverbs 4:23 commands us to guard our hearts and minds, and Ephesians 6:11-12 calls for us to put on the full armor of God. We must recognize that we do not wrestle with flesh and blood but against cosmic forces, present darkness, and an evil spiritual realm.
"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." - 1 Peter 5:8
"The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." - John 10:10
"So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." - James 4:7
"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." - Proverbs 4:23
"Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." - Ephesians 6:11-12
The Bible doesn’t gloss over the issue of spiritual warfare. In fact, it tells us that there is a continual war going on between good and evil. Satan may have chosen to be sinfully prideful, but his rebellion against God has cost humanity a great deal of turmoil ever since. The evil agenda consists of slowly leading us away from God, distorting His plan and purpose in our lives, and holding the malicious intent to gain our souls. Satan and his minions do this by getting into our minds, binding up our hearts, torturing us physically, and breaking us until we crumble spiritually.
This is a very serious matter, so we must remain vigilant and be aware of the enemy’s tactics. If you are wondering if you (or your family) are in the midst of spiritual war, maybe start with the simple question my youngest posed at the dinner table, “If you love Jesus, why are you behaving differently, believing lies, or feeling overwhelmed and exhausted all (or most) the time?” The truth of the matter is the devil has his eye on you because of your faith, not your lack of it, so don’t succumb to is trickery.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Llona Pietrolongo
The good news is that our God does not take this lightly and knows what we are up against, which is why He calls us to come to Him (Deuteronomy 28:7). We must seek God through fervent prayer and allow Him to intercede on our behalf.
If you or your precious family is under spiritual attack today, first recognize that you are dealing with something far greater than what this world holds. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 warns us that we cannot fight the enemy alone, as we will surely lose. However, we have a divine power to demolish the strongholds. It’s called prayer! So, let’s place our hands together and fight the enemy with spiritual strength that comes from our invincible God.
"We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ." - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Photo Credit: Getty/Kamonwan Wankaew
“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
Gracious God,
Thank you for the blessing of our home. We humbly ask that You be present in our dwelling, making Yourself fully known. Allow our house to be a safe and secure place that strives to live out Your truths as we cling to Your precious promises. Help us live in unity, embracing love, peace, patience, and welcoming grace. If there is anything that is not of You, I command it to leave. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio
“And the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” - Mark 10:8-9
Faithful Father, we are so grateful that You are our protector and intercede on our behalf. In a world riddled with lies about marriage, remind us of who we are in You and that Your design for our union is based around a sacred covenant that welcomes Your presence and love in a unique and special way. Create in us a heart that longs to treasure, respect, and honor our spouse as we submit to You first, then serve one another with generosity. Guard us from the enemy as we remain tethered to You, O God. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Sandy Millar/Unsplash
"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." - Proverbs 22:6
Lord,
I am so thankful for the blessings of my children. The sacrifices that come with parenting also bring forth such a great reward, and the children You have graciously placed in my care are one of the greatest gifts of all. But, God, I need You. I need Your guidance and seek Your wisdom in raising my children to follow and obey You. As they grow in their faith, grant me the confidence and courage to lay down a solid foundation. I also earnestly pray for You to stand between them and the enemy, as his tactics are clever and targeting our children in such a malevolent way. Please let no weapon formed against them prosper. I ask this in Your holy name.
Amen.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/jacoblund
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7
Jesus,
I look to You as battles wage on in my heart, mind, and soul. I desperately need You. It is so easy to fall for the lies, succumb to the pressures this world offers, and grow weary and faint. Grant me strength to fight back with Your truth and lean into Your promises, for when I am weak, You are strong, and I believe that! Give me the will and self-control to not give into temptation or fear and allow me the courage to stand firm in my faith. You alone are my refuge. Thank you for being so close, help me abide in You.
Amen.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/KevinLeah
"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." - Ephesians 6:11-12
O God, I will follow Your command, put on my full armor, and stand against the evil forces and brutal attacks from the enemy. Give me courage to put on my belt of truth, and do not let me sway to the deviousness of this world. As I attach the breastplate of righteousness, protect me from Satan’s accusations, hurling insults, and ferocious lies. When I strap on my sandals, allow me to walk in peace. With the shield of faith, do not let the evil forces penetrate my soul with their flaming arrows. Protect my mind with the helmet of salvation, my heart with Your truths as I take up my sword of the spirit. I long to be Your mighty warrior! Help me be strong and courageous. Amen.
May these prayers be your first response as you stand against the enemy and pledge your allegiance to a God that is good, faithful, just, and right. Let your full confidence in God be the power that drives you to conquer the schemes of the enemy!
Although we do not always acknowledge that we are in a spiritual war, most of us do understand that there is something very off in this world. Perhaps, as my guest today explains, we need to realize that we are in a wilderness between the perfection of the Garden of Eden and the perfection of the New Jerusalem. And, as we travel through this wilderness, there is a very real enemy that seeks to destroy all that we hold dear. If this episode of March or Die helped your spiritual perspective, be sure to subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/JTGrafix