Spiritual Warfare 8

In doing battle with the evil forces in the unseen world, we are challenged to realize our power and authority in Christ. Repent by word and action. Now, put on the armor to continue the breaking of demonization. Ephesians 6 encourages us to: "Stand firm then,
* with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, (consistent meditation and memorization of Scriptural truth that produces freedom as described in John 8:32)

* with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ( having a cleansed conscience - living out our position of holiness in Christ, I Corinthians 1:30)

* and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. (desire to bring peace to disrupted relationships, Romans 12:18)

* In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (unwavering trust in God’s Word, Romans 4:20-21)

* Take the helmet of salvation (the confidence of being a child of the Sovereign , John 1:12)

* and the sword of the Spirit, (which is the word of God, prepared to speak its truth, demonstrated by Christ combating satan’s temptations, Matthew 4:4)

* And pray in the Spirit.... (Continual communication with the Father, I Thessalonians 5:17)

satan often attacks with an insinuation that God is not good. That He is not for us. he seeks to alienate our affections from God. Consequently, another effective piece of armor in our arsenal is an ever deepening awareness of why we love God and how much He loves us.

The wearing of the armor is not only strategy for combating the evil one, but it also is an exercise of holiness. Holy living loosens and frees us from the enemy’s footholds he has gained through our sinful living. We are removing satan’s power source in our lives as we allow Christ to live His life through us. The daily discipline of holiness makes us well-muscled for spiritual grappling. Without it we get pinned to the mat.

Back to the pornography issue. As the flaming arrow of lust is flung at a man, the thrust is averted by “the belt of truth.” Truth is: a pornographic image can not satisfy deep needs for love and approval. It temporarily excites desires but meets no needs. Porn is a sham. Its titillation gives a false sense of reality. Truth goes on to say that real love and affection is gained only through intimacy that comes from deep relationship. The flame is extinguished in satan’s arrow. It does not penetrate the belt of truth. The Christ-life is lived through us as we believe in and cinch up the belt, instead of listening to satan’s lie.

John Wimber, a noted authority in ministry to the demonized, adds another dimension. He says that the most effective means of deliverance is for the person to accept the Lordship of Christ and live out this commitment to Jesus.

satan tempts. He flings flaming arrows. He can overpower the Christian. The Christian in combat realizes the victory has already been won. He/she appropriates and celebrates the conquest by verbal and action-oriented repentance. In conjunction, the armor is worn and the skirmish with satan produces triumph!