Victor or Victim? A Battle Guide to Spiritual Warfare

Victor or Victim? 

A Battle Guide to Spiritual Warfare 

To be a victor you must win a contest, challenge, battle, or war, in doing so you defeat or conquer an opponent. In fact victor derives from the Latin word, vincere meaning conquer. The opposite of victor is, victim. A victim is someone who is harmed, injured or killed as a result of some action or event. A victim may also be someone who was tricked, duped, or fooled into believing opposite of the truth. In the late 15 century the word victim signified a creature killed as a religious sacrifice, derived from the Latin word victima. 

In our world it isn't very popular to go into combat and battle those who seek to do us harm, to protect ourselves from potential enemies, to be looked upon as conquers. It is however, very much okay to play the victim. Being a victim you're not held accountable for your actions, "because you didn't know." You can gain benefits for being a victim who has been harmed, or afflicted by some new disorder, indisposition, misfortune, or hardship. Does that seem upside down to you?

Whether you understand it or not, there is a spiritual realm around us that is very much affected by the convictions and attitudes we carry in our hearts about such things. In that spiritual realm, there is a battle raging. Just as our attitudes and convictions have an affect in the spiritual, the battle there has an affect in the physical. Ephesians 6:12 says, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

In the end, we know that Christ has already won the war, but as the battle rages on, we can have every day victories. Whether our battle is with drugs, alcohol, some sort of disorder, mental, or physical, or battles often disguised as anger, depression, anxiety and self harm, if we understand the battle and where it is coming from, we can obtain blessing and victory. We can't  just throw our hands up and decide to do nothing, wait and see what you end up getting in heaven. The battle is here, right now. Just as God's Kingdom is here right now, where ever you ask Him to reign and rule. Where He reigns, so does His power. You don't want to wait until heaven for what you can have now! 

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:3-4) Remember on this earth we may walk in the physical, what we can see, but the war is waged in the spirit that we can't always see. The strongholds, the things that keep tripping us up, that are fought in the mind, can only be defeated in the spirit, by The Holy Spirit. You have to allow Him into those places. You know, those places few know about; places you yourself don't want to admit are there. Where The Holy Spirit and His power reigns, so does His light and love. No darkness or stronghold can stay.  Will you let Him in? In the darkness the devil is on the prowl. You can stay in the dark, unwilling to fight and hope you receive that victory in heaven. You can sit there hiding out, not hurting any one, just biding your time, thinking it'll go away, until the devil devours you while your waiting. The devil can see in the dark, he created it. The darkness is just the absence of God, The Holy Spirit. Invite The Holy Spirit into the dark and He will fight the battle with you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1Peter 5:8

When your battle has been won and you've gained victory and blessing, continue to stay on guard, the war is not over until the Savior returns in full.   As we grow in our faith and take stands for Him, Satan will tremble and look for other weak areas to attack. We'll continue to be tempted, tested, and tried, but we won't have to fight alone. We'll continue to be victorious if we continue to fight. Being a victim is easy, it doesn't take work. Being a victim does hurt and it's often shameful, but once you decide to stand back up and get in the battle, you are no longer a victim, you will be a victor, a conquer!

"12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12-13

Get over it, just face it. You're not the only one it's happened to. You're not the only one hurting and caring those scars. As long as you're breathing on this broken and battered sphere called Earth, you're going to face trials. At times it may be so difficult, it may feel as the life is being sucked out of you. BUT if you keep moving forward, keeping your eyes on the One Who has already suffered far beyond what we could imagine suffering, His glory will be revealed. In His glory, you will rejoice. Don't give into fears of the what ifs, how comes, and why nots. Stay in the battle and stand your ground. Joshua 1:9 says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12 

While you're standing ground and living your life for the Lord in every way you can think of, winning battles and claiming victory, Satan will look for new ways to attack. Sadly, he will go after loved ones in attempt to turn your eyes to the battles of others, to distract and throw you off guard. That's when you take the strength you have and apply it to your loved ones in prayer. James 5:16 says, "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."

So much is written in the Bible about spiritual warfare and how to fight and stay strong.  In these times we're living, it is very important to stick to the battle plan He has set before us. 

As I write this I think of how many times I let the smallest battles trip me up. Usually they are the old thoughts or tapes that are completely irrelevant to anything in my life today. Yet, I let it pull me down, I don't pick up God's battle plan, His word, I fight blindly. Then I remember why He gave us His word. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”John 16:33

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." ( Ephesians 6:13 ) the whole armor means, the whole armor. Would a warrior march on to battle leaving any part unprotected? No. Then why do we often forget about pieces of our armor meant to protect us? Ephesians 6:10-18 lists what the whole armor includes: The girding of your waste with truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet shodden with the preparation of the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of The Spirit. 

The first piece of armor, I'm assuming is some sort of girdle like a belt or cord. But considering it is listed first it must be pretty important. This belt is not an ordinary belt but, a belt of truth. Very important I'd say when facing the father of lies and author of confusion. When we listen to his little whispers in our ear with out the belt of truth, how easily do we stumble? (sorry but my geeky side can't help but think of wonder woman's lasso here. OK now back on topic) We can't start stumbling around before the fight begins. We might believe the biggest lie, " it's impossible it can't be won." Fear and doubt. Fasten that belt of truth on tight! It will protect us as well as our testimony to others.

Second, the breastplate protecting those vital organs. The righteousness of Jesus Christ guards our hearts and keeps us free from the unrighteousness of sin Satan accuses us of. Unrighteousness, that would otherwise be the cause of our spiritual death and separation from our Heavenly Father.

Third, our feet are to be prepared for spiritual conflict. As we move throughout the world we will enter into Satan' territory. Just like any enemy territory filled with land mines and other types of IEDs or traps. 

Advancing into Satan's territory, we need to be aware that there will be traps. Those traps can be avoided by holding firm to and spreading the Gospel of Christ so that others might be saved. 

Fourth, when we're deep in the battle and our faith begins to shake, hold on to that shield of faith. Let it shine and reflect God's truth and love at the enemy, blinding them to the lies and doubt that make God's word  seem void. Let it reveal the truth in Christ who is the "author and perfecter." 

The fifth important part of our armor protects another vital part of our body. The helmet of salvation. Think of everything that goes on in our head. Our biggest battles are often fought in our mind, before it is fought anywhere else. Our mind is capable of storing so much important and some not so important information. The most important information it stores is the knowledge of salvation and the fact that you have eternal life through Jesus Christ. It stores the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus so that no other false doctrine can invade your heart and mind. It enables you to share the hope and truth of the gospel of salvation with others. With out this helmet, the truth can not be seen or understood.

The final piece of armor, the only offensive piece, is the sword of The Spirit. It's the one weapon Jesus used to defeat Satan while being tempted in the desert. Just speaking the Word of God, will defeat Satan every time. 

As the description of our battle armor concludes in Ephesians 6:18 we are told to pray always honestly and humbly in the spirit, being watchful to the end preserving praying with and for others. I think prayer is what helps keep our armor functioning properly. That constant connection with God keeps everything else running smoothly. 

These pieces of armor are entrusted to every believer so that we may continue through the battles and gain victory. They are to protect and strengthen us by building our faith, trust, and confidence in the "author and finisher of our faith", as said in Hebrews 12:2.

 It's already been written. In the end Satan will loose when the final battle has been won. We will be conquers in Christ. Romans 8:37 says, "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. Revelation 12:10

My future hope lies in the day that salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser. That's when the final battle will be over, the war won, and peace will reign for all eternity! Where's yours?