Standing through the storm
Borrowing Light from the past, wounded healers, Jesus’ presence
Eph. 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
We are in a spiritual war zone with an enemy
Rev. 12:12 He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short
There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve their existence. The other is to believe and to feel an excessive an unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight. C.S Lewis
A life modelled on Christ will therefore combine a sober recognition of the demonic realm with an earthly dose of good humor in common sense. Pete Greig
What are they here to do?
Delay God’s work
Daniel 10:12-13 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.
It is entirely possible therefore that some of our prayers currently remain unanswered because of direct satanic resistance. Peter Greig
Steals/Distracts away from God
Matt. 13:19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart.
Targets Christian Leaders
Luke 22:31-32 Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.
What do we do when all hell breaks loose?
Eph. 6:16-18 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil…. take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Using God’s Word as a Weapon
Alert and Persistent in Prayer
1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
A time to fight in the storm: prayer and the Word