The Warriors Lifestyle

THE WARRIOR'S LIFESTYLE

Spiritual warfare is part of the victorious Christian lifestyle. After the anointing of the Holy Spirit came on Jesus, He rebuked evil spirits, faced Satan, healed the sick, raised the dead, rebuked storms, and spoiled principalities and powers. Spiritual warfare is part of Christianity, and the spiritual warfare is not over. Historically, the rise and fall of spiritual power within the Church of Christ have been related to the acknowledgment and opposition toward demonic principalities and powers. As leaders recognized the spiritual warfare caused by demon powers they equipped believers to use their delegated spiritual authority to fight back. When leaders ignored the dark rulers of this world believers and the Church suffered. You are in a spiritual war whether you want to be or not. Jesus did not ignore demon powers, and he didn’t teach his apostles to ignore them either (Matthew 10:1). The Apostle Paul taught the church in Ephesus how to battle saying, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God that ye may be able to withstand (fight back) in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:10-13) Warriors wear armor. Armor is for the fighting man. Paul likens spiritual opposition to warfare. He teaches five important truths. Christ’s followers should be strong in the Lord. Be full of spiritual power. Evil spirits have methods and strategies. The battle is spiritual, not natural. Spiritual warriors wear the armor of God. A battle ready lifestyle. The Apostle Paul knew much about the spiritual opposition against him. “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me and there are many adversaries” (1 Corinthians 16:9). He continually uses warfare terms when teaching and training leaders. FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:12) A GOOD SOLDIER “Thou, therefore, endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (2 Timothy 2:3) STAY FREE “No man that warreth entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” (2 Timothy 2:4) WAR A GOOD WARFARE “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare.” (1 Timothy 1:18) WAR NOT AFTER THE FLESH “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:” (2 Corinthians 10:3) SPIRITUAL WEAPONS  “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. “ (2 Corinthians 10:4) You are a warrior. Speak to those storms, mountains, and giants that get in your way. Occupy till He comes.