In the first part of our study, we learned the importance of Knowing Our God – Knowing Our Enemy – and Knowing Ourself. If you haven’t read that first part, please do before you read part 2. Understanding who we are, Who we serve and who we fight is foundational to our success in spiritual warfare.
Rule #4 – Know Your Role
It’s important that every believer knows the role they play in spiritual warfare. The Bible, God’s Inspired Word, is a Battle Plan for defending against Satan and his wicked plans and for overcoming evil.
God is the Ultimate Authority inside and outside the universe. Everything He does has order and purpose. He calls on His children to have the same order and purpose as they carry out their role in the Body of Christ and spiritual warfare.
The Apostle Paul often referred to Christians as “soldiers” (e.g. Philippians 2:25; 2 Timothy 2:3-4; Philemon 1:2). He told believers to endure hardship as good soldiers, not entangle themselves in the affairs of this life, and to please the One Who enlisted them. Our role as soldiers in the Lord’s Army is full time, not part time. The spiritual battle is waged every hour of every day and we need to be deeply committed to fighting the forces that come against us and people in our lives.
What is your role in family and community? Husband? Wife? Father? Mother? Child? Grandparent? Employer? Employee? Neighbor? Friend? Your relationships with other people are under attack! Satan does not want you to be successful in any of those relationships. He will do everything he can to steal, kill and destroy those relationships. We must fight back!
What spiritual gifts has God given you? Teacher, giver, server, encourager, mercy shower, prophet, evangelist, pastor, deacon, spiritual discerner? Your spiritual giftedness is under attack? Satan does not want you to be successful in using your spiritual gifts. He will do everything he can to steal, kill and destroy your giftedness. We must fight back!
What are your ministries? Praise team? Bible study group? Food pantry? Homeless shelter? Prayer? Men’s ministry? Women’s ministry? Children’s ministry? Hospital ministry? Senior ministry? Satan does not want you to be successful in ministry. He will do everything he can to steal, kill and destroy your ministries and your desire to minister. We must fight back!
You will find a great deal of direction about spiritual warfare in the Bible. I love to study about the great fighting abilities of Israel.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11-12
Rule #5 – Know Your Goal
The Apostle Paul made it clear that the goal of every believer is to glorify God.
“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:20
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
Paul also said our goal was to finish the race set before us – and that means running it in the proper way.
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.” 1 Corinthians 9:24
Paul had his eyes on the prize that God set before him and all believers.
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.” Philippians 3:13-15
Paul knew well that he was involved in a spiritual battle and that his Commander had special recognition for him and all who love the Appearing of Christ.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-9
Jesus explained clearly throughout His Ministry that loving God is to be a primary goal for all believers.
“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38
Jesus also said our goal is to “overcome” (Revelation 2 & 3). Here’s what our Lord promises for those who overcome.
“To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” Revelation 2:7
“He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” Revelation 2:11
“To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” Revelation 2:17
“And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations.” Revelation 2:26
“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” Revelation 3:5
“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.” Revelation 3:12
“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” Revelation 3:21
We are in a great and epic battle for souls and domination of the planet. God is our Commander. Satan and his host of evil powers is our enemy. God has all power and knowledge and will destroy Satan and his army in the end. Our job is to be faithful in love and obedience to His Command. If we do, we will overcome.
In Christ’s Love and Grace,
Mark McGee
GraceLife Ministries
“Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
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