Thought for the Day

Wise Christians are able to scale and destroy Satanic strongholds, whether they are in their own lives, their neighbors' lives, their cities, or their countries. The Holy Spirit is emphasizing the subject of spiritual warfare to the church in this hour. Warfare means waging an assault against an enemy. Spiritual warfare takes place in the invisible spiritual realm consisting of two kingdoms: God's kingdom of light and righteousness, and Satan's dark kingdom of wickedness. God and His people are at war against Satan and his followers. It is vital that we have a thorough understanding of the spiritual realm and be able to recognize the enemy and his tactics if we are to obtain victory.

"Do ye look on things after the outward appearance?" (1 Corinthians 2:9-14). If so, it will never suffice. We cannot rely on the appearance of things in the natural; the spiritual realm influences everything in it. We are not to walk after the flesh but the Spirit (Romans 8:4). If we walk close to Him, He will give us discernment in the spiritual realm and we will understand what is really happening in the natural. We will begin to see things correctly. At church, for example, we will properly perceive one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. Instead of focusing on other's faults and shortcomings, we will be set to help each other overcome any weaknesses, supporting each other with prayer and lovingkindness.

Warfare begins on a personal level as we learn to reign in our own lives, crucifying our old natures and yielding to Christ. Unless we are victorious in our personal lives, we will never be able to help others gain their victories, much less be able to battle spiritually for our cities and nation. To win our spiritual battles, we must learn to use God's armor and sword (Ephesians 6:10-18) and be aggressive against our enemy, Satan. We cannot be passive. We must take the offensive, casting down Satan's strongholds in our thinking and perceptions (lining up our thinking and speaking with God's Word instead of agreeing with Satan's lies) and overcoming evil with good.

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) casting 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" (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). We can do mighty things for God as we take the enemy's strongholds and bring them down through prayer and fasting. Truly, God is calling His people to rise up in this hour!