The Apostle Paul speaks about the ongoing battle between the flesh and the Spirit in Romans 8. I see life as an ongoing conflict between good and evil. I would like to know what does spiritual warfare mean to you. How do you prepare for spiritual warfare? Can we win our spiritual battles every time?

JazzMan

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Answers

The scriptures says Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Ghost to be tempted of the devil. He resisted the devil, as the the word tells us to do and it says satan left for a season. Which tells me there is an ongoing battle.

Paul mentions the war and concludes "O wreetched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord, so then with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law sin."

Because of the continuous battle, I believe there may be those we do not win. But I believe we will be confronted with the battles until we win. Because there is victory. If we sow to the flesh we will reap of the flesh, if we sow to the spirit, we will reap spiritual things.

How can we prepare? I believe Paul explains it best in Ephesians 6th chapter. Put on the whole armor of God. We need to take it serious and wear it everyday to guard ourselves against the enemy. It doesn't keep him from coming, but we will be guarded.

Another thing we can do it guard our thoughts. Phillipians 4:8 list some things to think on. Whatsoever things are True, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report.

One bit of encouragement; if we do loose a battle, we are to learn something from that, therefore become stronger for the next.

In Christ, Carmen

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Two tools specifically called out by our Lord in reference to spiritual warfare are "prayer and fasting." Prayer establishes the communication needed with the Father, anf rom that you can ascertain your marching orders. Fasting prepares your vessel to hear that communication clearly, breaking the cycle of self-indulgence that consumes so much of our time and dulls our spiritual sense with its focus on physical gratification.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

You are right Jerryl. Fasting also teaches us the discipline required to continue until the war is won. We are not trying to win battles but to win the war. Tn Texas, the Texans lost more battles with the army of Mexico but they won the war and we became a free country. (Why did we ever join the US?) Blessings

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2001

Jazz, now this is my area I love to talk about!! We, meaning humans made in God's image are spirit enclosed in an earth suit. Everything that is manifested in the natural, it first took place in the spirit realm. We think that many of our problems face from day to day is really a human or natural problem, but actually it is also fought in the spirit. Paul clearly states in Ephesians 6:10-14 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood.." etc. We are in this world but we are not of this world. I took some time from my busy schedule to rent a movie, and I rented "The Matrix." This movie is a clear cut example of how there is a world, a parallel world, that we haven't taped into yet. The Spirit World is a totally different horse of another color, however, it is so close to us, that we dont even realize that we are pass in and out of this realm. I am a deliverance worker at my church. I must stay in constant prayer and fasting due to the fact I am heavily involved in deliverance. Sometimes, when I operate in deliverance, demons do manifest and as a spirit filled believer they must be casted out in Jesus name. As we go deeper in the Lord Jesus our eyes will be open to the realm of the Spirit.

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2001

Dear Minister Crawford, I was delighted to hear you say that spiritual warfare is your area. You know we as christians need to be educated more about who the Holy Spirit is and how He works in our lives. As a personal project for my edification, I intend to find every scripture in the Bible related to the Holy Spirit and record them in my 3BY5 card book. Please teach me more about spiritual warfare by posting mini- lessons on this site from time to time. I sincerely believe that if christians were more focused on the spiritual aspects of living than the physical that we would have more peace and love amongst us.

JazzMan

-- Anonymous, March 16, 2001

Almost every area of life touches the war. When I give in the offering it is like kicking the devil in the knee. When I say no to sin I hit him with a stick. When I tell some body Jesus loves them it is like a chop to his neck. The devil kicks me when I am down, lies to me, and accuses me so I do not want to miss a chance to put barb wire in his Cheerios any time I can. The best thing you can do to win in the war is keep the commands of Jesus. Pray for the lost too.

In Christ, Nathan Paujo

-- Anonymous, March 18, 2001