Are You Practicing Spiritual Self Defense?

I notice lately in my desire to please God, I tend to constantly look for ways I may have displeased him so I can turn from these things. In Reen’s words, “I beat myself up a lot.” 😊In those moments I remember “There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 8:1).

But recently I felt like I needed to do something different. I needed to realize that not all difficulties are a result of something I have done wrong. Our very real enemy seeks to kill, steal and destroy and he is active today (just watch television for 30 minutes to see commercials alone for new programming flooded with the word “evil” and depicting actions only the devil could inspire).

Safety, security, and protection are some of our most important needs as women. Yet, while we consider all sorts of ways to keep safe, one area we overlook is “Spiritual Self Defense.”

The War is Real

It’s amazing how rarely we think about this. But here’s a scary reality…we are in the biggest war of our lives. Yet, it is not against an enemy we can run away from in our car. Ephesians 6:12 AMP emphasizes this:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural).

We  frequently face all manner of assaults from Satan. But the Bible clearly states that when we submit our struggles, humbly please God, AND resist the enemy….he will flee. This is one of the greatest promises in the Bible. When I am under attack, I take great comfort in claiming aloud as part of my spiritual defense James 4:7:

Jesus Example of Winning the Fight

When we align our lives with God and His Word, we build up our defenses and experience victory. In Jesus’ 40 days in the desert, He modeled how to drive off the attacks of the enemy. He didn’t call down legions of angels, instead He claimed scripture aloud by saying, “It is written” and then inserting specific scriptural promises. You can do this, too, if you bury His Word in your heart (Psalm 119:1). If you don’t know His Word, or His promises, you have no means to fight off enemy attacks. This is why scripture memory, even just a few key verses, is so imperative.

Two Powerful Weapons

When Jesus ascended to heaven, He didn’t leave us defenseless. He left us the two most powerful weapons to combat our enemy—The Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

But we need to take advantage of these resources. To draw upon the power of the Holy Spirit requires taking three key steps every day:

1. Every day confess all sins (ways you choose to do things your way rather than God’s) that you committed.
2. You may have grieved the Holy Spirit so repent by making a 180 degree turn away from these actions, thoughts, or attitudes, and ask for forgiveness.
3. Ask God to fill you completely with His power, presence, and purpose.

To apply the weapon of God’s Word:

1. Dive into God’s Word. Find a great devotional that helps you seek Him and read the chapter around the verses that are in each devotional.
2. Use a Bible reading plan, readily available online.
3. Start writing down and memorizing key Bible verses that you can use when attacked. The Bible Memory App is a great tool to easily begin memorizing verses.

We don’t have to be the enemy’s victim. Instead, we need to choose to intentionally resist these attacks by grounding ourselves in the Word of God, drawing close to the Holy Spirit, putting on the Armor of God, and firing back with God’s Word. 

Your Armor for the Battle

When we belong to Jesus, He gives us armor to fully clothe us for the fight. You dress yourself daily. God has already provided you with His armor to battle the enemy and defeat him.

1. The Helmet of Salvation
   Everything your salvation includes protects your mind when temptation and assault arise.

2. The Breastplate of Righteousness
   You are declared in right standing with God the moment you believe in Jesus. When Father God looks at you, he sees Jesus Christ His Son. No condemnation stands against you.

3. The Belt of Truth
   The devil is a liar and the father of lies. God’s truth reminds you of what is true as you fight off the enemy’s constant attempts to try to make you believe his lies.

4. The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
   The truth of the Good News of Jesus acts as a foundation for our lives so we can stand firm against the assault of the enemy. Faith is Jesus Christ offers the only genuine perfect peace available in this world. As we live in and extend His peace, we defeat the enemy’s attempts to bring anxiety, discouragement, and defeat.  

5. The Sword of the Spirit
   Your Sword is the Spirit’s power to do supernaturally what you can’t do without God. God’s Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, who lives within you when you believe in Jesus, He acts on your behalf in ways you may never know or imagine to protect and keep you.

6. The Shield of Faith
   Your faith acts as a shield to protect you against the enemy’s assaults and the darts of destruction.

To put on the armor of God, speak aloud and claim the promises found in Ephesians 6:10-18. Reen has done this every morning and every night for over 30 years and he says boldly this reduces the attacks. (I usually do it at night but with the world as it is, I’m adding a morning prayer as well now.)

When I do get attacked, I speak aloud specific promises from God’s Word. If you’ve never understood what the Armor of God is, please watch this impactful video on “How to Put on The Armor of God.” It will change your life!

So, dear co-warriors in Christ, it’s time to armor up and gear up for battle. If you want to learn more about this, please email Reen at reendwaterman@gmail.com. He is the specialist in this strategy!