Spiritual Warfare

Why would Satan want your marriage to be strong? Your friendships to be filled with grace? Your parenting to be careful, wise and above reproach? Why would he want your ministry team or church to be of one mind? Why would he want unity in the body?

He doesn't.

So - let's turn our minds to that spiritual truth when we're talking about "Interpersonal" things - communication, growth - especially conflict... no wonder it's so hard... we're in a war!

I have a hard time focusing on the spiritual battle when my feelings are hurt. I feel wounded. I feel defensive. (Do you hear these war words?) I need to step back and look at how I'm not fighting against someone - it's not against flesh and blood. Only then can I get to the truth of the matter. What healing - what victory - what glory - awaits for us!

I made a little form to use... I keep it in my beside table so that anytime I feel negative towards someone I can stop the yucky thinking (that usually says that I'm the Good One and that the other person is Oh So Bad) and remember that the devil wants to win this moment for his glory instead of letting the Lord have it.

So when a situation arrives - I need to put on the full armor of God from Ephesians 6. Here's how I do that:

Lord, I want to be strong in You and in Your mighty power. Help me put on Your armor right now so I can take a stand against the devil’s scheme. Right now he is tempting me with anger at Marcy because she messed up the project. This struggle is not against Marcy but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Help me to remember that! Help me stand my ground… and keep standing. The truth is that the only thing that is really hurt is my pride. And that I was lazy in helping her get ready for the project. Help me be righteous in how I talk to her during the meeting tomorrow. Help me not feel like I need to never ask for her help again. Help me be ready to offer peace by not being grumpy with her - inwardly or outwardly as we debrief the project... and help me encourage her by remembering what she did well and talk kindly about how we can do it better next time. I can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one by having faith that You are maturing me through this... and that You will keep me from sinning and that You will grow in me a humble and kind love for Marcy. Lord I believe – help my unbelief! Let me remember that You provide salvation … You have saved me again and again. One time was when I messed up that project for Tom - and he was full of such grace and kindness. I could have gotten fired for that. Thanks for saving me that day. Thank you that I have the word of God as my sword. One scripture I need to remember right now is that a kind word turns away wrath. Oh, help me not to whine or worry – but help me to pray in the Spirit! Will you please help me be your salt and light at work. Help me realize that You are working through me. Help me be alert to how You are moving in Marcy's life. And how You are growing me. Help me keep praying!

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So...

Here's the blank form. Copy and paste it and then print it out. Maybe you need to really fill it out. Maybe you can just go over it as you pray...

But don't let your mind live in the muck - stand up in the armor! Stand up for your marriage, your friendship, your family, your church!

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Lord, I want to be strong in You and in Your mighty power. Help me put on Your armor right now so I can take a stand against the devil’s scheme. Right now he is ___________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________. This struggle is not against _________________________________ but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Help me to remember that! Help me stand my ground… and keep standing. The truth is ___ _______________________________________________________________

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Help me be righteous in _________________________________________________________________

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____________________________________________________________________________________. Help me be ready to offer peace by ________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________. I can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one by having faith that You ________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________. Lord I believe – help my unbelief! Let me remember that You provide salvation … You have saved me again and again. One time was when ____________________________________________________________________________________. Thank you that I have the word of God as my sword. One scripture I need to remember right now is __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________. Oh, help me not to whine or worry – but help me to pray in the Spirit! Will you please ______________

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____________________________________________________________________________________. Help me be alert to ____________________________________________________________________. Help me keep praying!