Spiritual Warfare: Part I
Some say that the moral fiber of America is rapidly decaying. If the root of this deterioration is not physical but a spiritual affliction, then man by his power alone cannot and will not defeat a spiritual entity.
In Prayer of the Warrior (Faith Publishing Company, 1993), author Michael Brown states that we are in the midst of a war... “a spiritual war.” He states that right now it seems as if the dark is winning, that evil is rising like never before.
If one accepts that there is a moral problem, then a spiritual dimension plays a major role in this phenomenon. If so, then it is only logical that such a phenomenon needs to be addressed in a spiritual fashion as well, "For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the rulers of this present darkness..." (Ephesians 6:12.)
Turning to God
In this regard, man must keep revisiting the concept of God, faith, and religion as a core weapon of defense against spiritual afflictions, against evil, and against the further erosion of morality in America. It is imperative that if the root of these social problems has a basis in spiritual evil then man must come to rely on Divinity for help, and employ those tools that Divinity has provided to defeat evil.
It should also be mentioned that there is a very powerful army in wait, an army which far surpasses all others. In the United States there are over 208 million Christian adults and 7.7 million adults of other faiths.... over 215 million believers. If unified in spiritual discipline, this is an awesome and powerful army to confront evil.
For Christians especially, their lives should not be seen as focusing on solely secular issues, but on spiritual warfare. Christians are soldiers of Christ in the war against Satan. They are called to fight for the glory of Christ the King. A Christian soldier is involved in a spiritual battle for the salvation of souls. All efforts must be spiritual and against Satan and his efforts.
Principles of Spiritual Warfare
First, recognize that evil exists. Satan is out for everyone’s soul. He is out to destroy all that is good. His plan also includes capturing the souls of children, for if Satan captures the souls of the children of only one generation then all future generations are his to own.
Second, man can and must actively protect himself, his family and his children from the trappings, maliciousness and evil of Satan. It is imperative that everyone become active and committed to both defending themselves and to the defeat of Satan, for only a unified spiritual defense can hope to thwart his evil.
Third, keep hope and faith despite all suffering and persecution. God is Love and has given His Word. Jesus has given His Life. The trials do pass.
Faith and Christianity in Defeating Evil
This has been a time of enhanced evil. The world has suffered incredible levels of war, violence, death and persecution in this last century. But the secrets of victory have been told by Heaven, and revealed in the gospels. The problem is, however, that many Christians have turned “lukewarm,” and “lukewarm” is not enough to instill a blanket of grace and spiritual protection over families and this country. It is not enough to be a “Cafeteria Christian” - picking and choosing what one wants to believe or practice. Nor is “relative morality” any longer an option.
If there is an underlying evil spirit causing human suffering, then society needs to reclaim their faith, to confirm it, to practice it, and to live it. A Christ united society will stand but if divided it becomes an anti-Christ society, and as such can fall.
(Continued) - Spiritual Warfare - Part II
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