Fight the good fight

Psalms 18:33-40
(33) He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights.
(34) He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
(35) You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great.
(36) You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip.
(37) I pursued my enemies and overtook them, and did not turn back till they were consumed.
(38) I thrust them through, so that they were not able to rise; they fell under my feet.
(39) For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me.
(40) You made my enemies turn their backs to me, and those who hated me I destroyed.

Friends we are in a battle. God has been emphasising lately the urgency of this battle and that we need to be ready to fight and make war. It is firstly a battle for the souls of people. There is a lost and dying world out there that needs the Good News of Jesus Christ and the devil is not willing to let them turn to Jesus, so he blinds their minds with deception. The good news is that the devil has been placed under our feet and that we have authority to trample on his works. This means if someone is bound by the devil we can unbind him or her.

The second major war we are in is for our destinies, or our purpose. Satan wants us to miss the mark for which Jesus created each one of us. He does this by standing in our way when we try to pursue what God laid on our hearts. He also deceives us by making us think that there are other things we need give our energy to, such as the making of money or some sport. We then go hard after those things and loose sight of what God called us for.

Ephesians 6:10 onwards clearly tells us that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the evil forces in the spiritual realm around us. You need to be aware that there is a spiritual realm and that there is a war, but more than that you need to know that the Name of Jesus is above every other name. In His Name you silence the enemy and command demons to flee. Don’t be afraid anymore of evil spirits or of the devil. Get into the Word of God and see who you are and what your authority is and lay hold of your victory.

Annihilate your enemies; those things inside and outside that are holding you back from a fruitful life. Don’t let any of them remain in your life to pester you. I am not speaking of people here but rather of personal hurts, bitterness, failure and also demonic forces. In order to conquer your human enemies you must love them and pray for them to be blessed. You don’t pray against them or accuse them.

So let us enter into battle with the sure knowledge that God is personally involved, we stand in His name and He will always cause us to triumph in Jesus Christ. Don’t be intimidated or fearful of life – you are more than a conqueror.

Schalk Steyn
www.koinoniaoutreach.co.za