Bible and Prayer Nuggets 0604

MAXIMUM DAMAGE

Bible Nugget 0604 [2 Corinthians 10:3-6]

3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

 4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

 6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Spiritual warfare is a battle every Christian is enlisted into whether he wants to or not. Once you have decided for Christ, you automatically become a soldier for Christ and the opponent is Satan who opposes everything good. The bible says be strong in the grace of God as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. The comparison would be physical warfare. In warfare, a soldier better be ready or the enemy could be lurking around to strike and inflict maximum damage. Similarly, the contestants in a wrestling match often looks at the legs because they know if they can grab one of them and pull it,  the opponent will be out-of-balance and the winner will score a pin fall.  

 One of the strategies in warfare is to know your opponent and how powerful they are. The Bible says our wrestling is not with flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness and against spiritual wickedness in high places. All the hierarchy of the kingdom of darkness is headed by one commander, Satan himself.

 Another strategy is to know what your own weapons are and which arsenal will inflict maximum damage on the enemy. Yet another strategy is to know who you are as a believer. Today we will look at some very potent spiritual weapons to go with the strategies. The first weapon is Thanksgiving and praise. Thanksgiving and praise are weapons of spiritual warfare energized by God to do maximum damage to the kingdom of darkness.  One of the reasons thanksgiving and praise is effective is that the enemy does not understand the angle you are coming from. He thinks he has caged you and probably defeated you. Instead when he sees you praising God he gives up because he says this is too hot for me to handle.  Praise strengthens your faith. Instead of fear and doubt, you fill your spirit-man with confidence that God is handling your situation for you. Praising God also transforms the spiritual environment that we have. Praising God makes God happy that you remember that he is the ruler and general over all creation.

The Name of Jesus is another weapon. However powerful the enemy thinks he is there is a greater power. After the death and resurrection of Jesus, before his ascension Jesus said all power in heaven and on earth has been given unto me (Jesus). It means there was a battle. Those 3 days when he was in the belly of the earth were 3 days of wrestling with the kingdom of darkness.  He triumphed over the kingdom of darkness in that battle, the greatest battle of the ages. Now the devil fakes around carrying himself as a force to be reckoned with to the unwary. Jesus has given us the weapons to put the enemy where he belongs. The word of God is that potent weapon. Jesus used it to silence the devil when he came tempting him (Jesus) after his 40 days prayer and fasting. The enemy prefers to come when he thinks you are most vulnerable either physically or spiritually. Jesus was sharp in the spirit and quoted scriptures to the enemy when he came from 3 different angles of temptation.

1.    Oh Lord, I recognize your power. You are Jehovah Elohim, Jehovah Nissi, Jehovah Shammah, and  Jehovah Shalom. Let my heart be filled with thanksgiving to you and my lips with praise in Jesus Name.

2.    I over come the enemy in every battle. I give the enemy a pin fall in every challenge in the Mighty Name of Jesus.

3.   I receive divine strength, I receive divine power. I receive divine ability. I am triumphant in all areas of my life in Jesus Name. Satan you cannot tamper with my blessings in Jesus name

4.   I command the enemy to stay under my feet. All your powers and all your forces, I command them to bow and surrender to me in the mighty Name of Jesus.