The Battle Is Not Ours To Fight

Friends, how many times have you found yourself in battles that you were not meant to fight? I hope this message will show you how to surrender your spiritual warfare to God and learn how to keep His perspective of it.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Psalm 18:32 NIV

"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect."

The Bible tells us there is spiritual warfare going on all around us whether we believe this or not and we must take it seriously. I want to encourage you to watch a series called "Hidden In Plain Sight" by Pastor Ron Carpenter. Click on link and listen to what he has to say about spiritual warfare, I believe this series will change your perspective of it.

Romans 12:21 NIV says

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Over the past four months I have personally witnessed spiritual warfare in my own life, and I can attest that it is VERY real. I quickly realized I could not fight it with my own strength, I needed God's Word and spiritual weapons to protect myself from it.

Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm."

Too often we are trying to fight battles with our own strength which leaves our souls depleted and we end up saying and doing things we regret later on, because we failed to realize we cannot fight spiritual battles with our own flesh. We must use spiritual weapons like prayer and God's Word.

What are spiritual weapons?

• Belt of Truth (Ephesians 6:14)

• Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14)

• Feet fitted with Readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace (Ephesians 6:15)

• Shield of Faith (Ephesians 6:16)

• Helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17)

• Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17)

• Prayer (Ephesians 6:18)

I know I've shared the spiritual weapons in a previous post recently, but I think it's crucial for us to remember these weapons and keep them in the forefront of our minds on a daily basis.

Psalm 25:20-21 NIV

"Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you."

I pray the Scriptures in this message will help you keep God's perspective when you face your own spiritual warfare. Remember, like in any war, we must be strategic about how we view, approach, and fight each battle. The most important weapon we can use is God's Word, which is why it is so critical for us to memorize Scripture.

James 4:7 NIV says,

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

James 4:7 is one verse that I find myself repeating often, especially when I sense that the devil is trying to deceive me (which is literally all day long because he is relentless) so we must be prepared and suited up with the armor of God.

1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

What verse do you rely on most to overcome your spiritual warfare? I hope you'll share so others can learn from you as well.

Psalms 25:4-5 NIV

"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."

Psalm 25:16-18 NIV

"Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins."

Psalm 18:39 tells us God will arm us with strength for our battles.

May you always remember that God will move mountains to protect you and He will strengthen you for every battle you face. Don't lose sight of the fact that not every battle is yours to fight, surrender it to God and allow Him to fight on your behalf.

James 1:5 NIV

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Written by: Jill Theriault

Crossroads Coaching - @crossroadscoachingongodstime