We are on the Winning Side!

None of us relish the idea that there is an ongoing battle being staged against us that is invisible to the eye and that threatens our welfare, security, and peace of mind, as well as that of our families. But we must realize that we have no choice but to join the fray if we don’t want to become victims of the relentless attacks of the enemy. Whether we fight or not, the battle is there and will never cease until we see Jesus.

From the beginning, when Lucifer made his ill-considered attack on the Father, he has been a loser who tries to convince the people of God he is a winner. Although the war has been won against him we should be aware that he won’t go down without a struggle. Since he can do nothing substantive against the Father he has chosen to direct his attack against us whom our Father loves, thereby thinking he can indirectly affect God through us.

He never learns his lessons, however. The scripture clearly teaches that God is constantly seizing everything directed against us and changes it for our good and His glory.

We are equipped to face whatever the enemy has to bring against us. It is necessary, however, that we realize who we are and what we have as believers, learning the skills and disciplines that are necessary to activate and maintain our victory.

As we explore our options as believers, we will soon realize the overwhelming power of God in our behalf and how well He has seated and equipped us for the battle. As John said, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Understanding Our Advantages.

First, it is necessary that we know that the battle we are facing is in the spiritual realm. Paul made that very clear, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh” (2 Corinthians 10:3). “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).

Second, we are not alone in the battle. Jesus promised in John 14:18 “I will not leave you comfortless (literally, as “orphans”); I will come to you.” “And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20b). The writer of Hebrews promised that Jesus “will never leave you, nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5b). We have the wonderful and powerful presence of the Holy Spirit ministering to, for, and through us at every given moment. Likewise the Father sends his angels as ministering spirits to war in our behalf.

Third, we should understand who we are in the Spirit and what we have: We are joint heirs with Jesus Christ (Romans 8:17). We are seated with Him right now in Heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). We have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16b). We have been given all things which pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3a). Jesus is our Lord (Romans 14:8). We have the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9). We have the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:13). God always causes us to triumph in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14). We are more than conquerors through Christ (Romans 8:37).

Fourth, we are the best equipped army in the universe. Everything that we will ever need has already been supplied for us. We have the greatest and most powerful commander-in-chief in existence. We have the sovereign and compassionate plan of our Heavenly Father. We have the anointing of the Holy Spirit. We have the gifts and manifestations of the Spirit. We have a measure of faith. We have the advantage of holy living. We have the unity of the Spirit. We have the promises of God. We have the whole armor of God (see Ephesians 6:10-18), While putting on our armor we must realize that each piece is Christ. We should “put on Christ” (Galatians 3:29). This does not mean He isn’t already in or with us but it does mean that we should be conscious of the fact that HE is our protection.

It would be well for us at this point to emphasize the warfare weaponry that we have as we go against the enemy:

Knowing the weaponry made available through Christ

• The blood of Jesus cleanses all sin, the presence of which otherwise provides the grounds for Satan’s attack. Furthermore, the blood of Christ is in itself a shield against Satan’s activity and presence. Notice the order in which I listed these. Cleansing must come first. It should be consciously appropriated and applied. Coupled with the cleansing of the blood should be repentance from known sins. To repent is to have a complete change of mind turning from the very presence of sin and its activity. To do so on a daily basis removes Satan’s advantage.

• The name of Jesus is a powerful deterrent and a powerful weapon. It gives us assets through prayer, access to the throne, active, powerful weaponry against the enemy and authority for obedient living.

• A good and faithful testimony by us is an affront to the enemy crippling his insidious whispering, and emboldens us to stand and go on.

• Faith with its resultant obedience is an absolute imperative in the Christian walk and warfare. Obedience requires us to get up and try again while faith enables us to do so. Faith means we go on when there seems to be no way – against the apparent lack of resources, comfort, encouragement and many other things we feel are important. Faith links us powerfully with the endless resources and power of the resurrected Christ.

• The word of God is a powerful and active sword. We should remember that if we challenge the word, we cannot use it to challenge Satan. The word is true, reliable, pertinent, powerful, relevant, and effective in our stand against the enemy.

• Prayer is the link between us and the Father, giving us instruction, inspiration, leadership, fellowship, anointing, and courage. It is a privilege worthy of our investing significant time daily in His presence.

It is imperative that we be more cognizant of the enemy’s silent, insidious attacks, knowing that he never ceases, and the more we threaten his kingdom, the more he strikes back. We must be prepared and ever grateful that our Father has so abundantly equipped up to victoriously prevail in this battle. Jeff

• Jefferson H. and Norma R. Floyd, CO-directors • Jubilee International • P. O. Box 572 • Noblesville, IN 46061