KNOWING THE ENEMY
Why
is it important to 'know the enemy'? Do you think when this world's military
engages in a conflict they are ignorant of their enemy? "Of course
not," you say. "They need to know their enemy's purposes, strengths,
and weaknesses, tactics, weaponry, and any advantages that are available."
Do
you not think then, because of these same reasons, it is important for Prayer
Warriors to also be aware of their enemy?
The devil IS real! And he opposes every spiritual
life. But the Scriptures tell us "we are not ignorant of his
devices." ~2 Corinthians 2:11. Though our focus is to be heavenward, we
still need to have information about the devil's tactics and strategies to
prepare ourselves confidently for our warfare against him and his cohorts. The
more we know, the greater our advantage on the battlefield.
The
Father, who knows all, knew that "intelligence of the enemy" is vital
and provided much Scriptural data about this subject. The following are 8 FACTS
that will help us to be prepared and ready at all times:
FACT
1: The devil, also known as satan
(notice I do not capitalize his name, for that is a sign of respect), rarely
comes out in the open, or appears as himself. Most frequently he works through
people, and he gains control through their choices/habits, desires, and/or
appetites.
FACT
2: The devil and his evil associates are created beings. (see
Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28:14). They are not
all-powerful. Only GOD is!
FACT
3: The devil and his cohorts are limited in knowledge. They do not know of a
certainty what people will say or do, not even those seemingly under their
power. They cannot read minds.
FACT
4: The devil is limited in presence. Because he is created, he cannot
be in more than one place at a time. Only the HOLY
SPIRIT has that capability. Since the devil does not have this ability, he is
dependent on his demons...and they are in the same situation.
Because
of this limitation, we may never, ever have satan, himself, personally involved with us. However,
the adage "like father, like son" holds true for the devil and his
demons.
FACT
5: Though the other four facts are true, we must never underestimate the
devil's cleverness and his power to deceive. He, and his companions, will do
anything to stop you from praying to and praising GOD. They will try to destroy
you spiritually (through disunity, doubt, depression, worry, a critical spirit,
stress, etc.) or physically (through accidents, diseases, appetite, or through
danger, such as crime). The one and only purpose for all this is to hurt our
heavenly Family.
FACT
6: Likewise, we must never overestimate the devil and his cohorts
either. JESUS won the victory over him and all evil on the cross and at the
resurrection. This victory is ours
as Christians. Evil's doom is sealed. The devil and his demons are the defeated
foe, but only if we remain "in CHRIST." And they are well aware
of this fact, which is the reason for their frantic and desperate acts.
FACT
7: Many people even Christians, if they give it any thought,
have some misconceptions about satan and his cohorts.
When asked they seem to think that the devil and his demons are red, green, or
black ugly creatures with wicked-looking teeth, horns on their heads, forked
tails, part animal with split hooves. And according to some religious
denominations, they go around carrying pitchforks so they can toss unrepentant
sinners into hellfire. Viewed in such a light, would you not keep as far away
from such a creature as you could?
How
satan gloats when we think
of him and his kind looking like that. Though the Bible describes him as a liar
(John
They
use people, non-Christians, or professed
Christians who are not fully committed. These people can be family members,
friends, neighbors, or...people who are admired: movie, music, or sports
celebrities... The enticements extended are intended for one purpose only: to
keep Prayer Warriors from praising and praying to their GOD.
FACT
8: Our enemy cannot invent a problem, test, trial, situation, or circumstance,
for which our Commander-in-Chief has not already provided a way of
counter-attacking, and driving them from the battlefield.
STRATEGY
What
is strategy? The dictionary defines it as the science of planning an operation
before engaging the enemy. A more simplistic explanation is: it is a plan for
winning the war.
The
most important strategy for prayer warfare is TIME. We can pray for anyone,
anywhere, for anything, but making the time to do it is of utmost importance.
The
devil, and his cohorts, know this. There is no
question whatsoever that each day the forces of darkness are directing subtle
influences to keep Christian soldiers, and particularly Prayer Warriors, from
prayer and praise. A thousand disguised death traps have been planted all
around us to keep us entranced, preoccupied, and blinded to the necessity of
free, quiet TIME.
The
truth is, our deep devotional prayer time, apart and
alone with our heavenly Father, stands as our source of power and strength
throughout the day. Our example is JESUS. If He felt the necessity of time with
the Father, do we not need it more?
When
to pray, depends on personal choice; but the morning hours are usually the best
for prayer and praise. Then the body is rested and the mind clear. Loved ones,
or roommates, are less likely to distract. The radio, TV, computer, are off and
usually, unless it's an emergency, the phone is silent.
We
must learn to schedule a particular time and then ask the HOLY SPIRIT to help
us keep our appointment. This is the only way we can do it. It is easy
to think we can discipline ourselves to meet with our loving Father at the time
scheduled, but we are inviting the spirits of darkness to interrupt...unless
our prayer time has the presence of the HOLY SPIRIT to guard it.
Then
the question becomes, how much time?
A
poll taken awhile ago in the
One
Christian writer suggests beginning with fifteen minutes of personal prayer
time each day. Then as you grow in CHRIST and develop that one-on-one
relationship, your time spent with the Father will grow as well.
GETTING
STARTED.
1. The first step is to kneel, or sit if
kneeling is uncomfortable for you, and become quiet in your mind, so the voice
of the Father, through the HOLY SPIRIT, can be heard.
2. Make it a habit to always use the Scriptures
when praying. This will encourage you to develop
unlimited confidence in our Commander; and it will push back the forces
of darkness.
3.
Pray a few seconds for the HOLY SPIRIT to give you wisdom and understanding as you
apply the Word.
4.
Choose a verse or text that fits what you are seeking or interceding for
someone else for. Ask the Father if this is the one? Often another or two or
more will come to mind--write them down and look them up. Meditate on them.
5.
Talk to the Father about the texts, and who or what you are praying for. And
then, listen. Remember, prayer is like talking with your best friend. We talk,
then our friend talks. Don't monopolize the conversation! Let the Father
respond.
The
Bible says the Father is eager
to answer, if our request is according to His will. And if it is, be prepared
for His answer, nothing wavering.
6. Make
sure to practice prayer protocol...
a. ASK
THE FATHER. John 16:23.
b. IN JESUS NAME. John 16:24.
c. IN THE SPIRIT. Ephesians 6:18.
if you want supernatural heavenly
power added to your prayers.
TIME is the most important strategy
our Commander-in-Chief has for His elite force. As we grow the HOLY SPIRIT will
bring others to light.
PART 2 GOD's
armed forces are not like this world's militaries. Our enemies are alien
spirits to us, and they can only be fought using our Commander-in-Chief's
methodology. Another important strategy in prayer warfare is
FASTING.
Many
Christian soldiers are reluctant to fast because they think it is obsolete and
old-fashioned to do so; or it is painful; or they fear it is fanatical. But the
Bible, our Manual of Arms, often talks about fasting, usually in connection
with some kind of prayer warfare. Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast when the enemy
approached (2 Chronicles 20:1-3). Esther requested a three day fast, without
food or drink, before approaching the king with the problem of Haman (Esther
Fasting
is the GOD-ordained strategy for extra supernatural power. What does it mean,
though, to fast? In his book God's
"...The
man (woman) who prays with fasting is giving heaven notice that they're truly
in earnest; that they will not give up nor let God go without the
blessing." pp.41,42.
The
fasts in the Bible are always of food and/or drink. It does not speak of any
other kinds of fasts. Why fast? Scripture answers:
"Is not this the kind of fasting I (GOD) have chosen: to loose the chains
of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke to set the oppressed free..."
~Isaiah 58:6.
Fasting
and prayer warfare, in addition to setting free the oppressed, can also obtain
direction and discernment for other strategies and tactics to use against the
enemy of souls.
So,
when you fast, be sure to pray
and use GOD's Word, your sword, in your combat. And
expect opposition from satan
and/or his cohorts. Ask the Commander for special strength to overcome any
attacks of weakness, exaggerated hunger pangs, nausea, or headaches. Just as
JESUS responded, so can we: "...Man does not live
on bread alone, but on every Word that comes from the mouth of GOD."
~Matthew 4:4.
NOTE:
"If for health reasons you cannot go on an extended fast, you can try a
modified fast. Or you can give up a favorite food as an act of denying yourself
during a specific period set aside for prayer. Start with one-day to three-day
fasts before attempting a prolonged period, and drink lots of water or diluted
clear juices while fasting." ~The Spiritual Warrior's Prayer Guide, 69, Sherrer & Garlock.
It
is the motive of the heart for doing a fast that is more important than the
length, which brings us back to our day-by-day relationship with our heavenly
Commander-in-Chief. The whole point of fasting is to have more TIME with Him.
The Prayer Warriors who fast (for the right reasons) are, in effect saying, Our dependence upon our heavenly Commander is more vital to
us than even food and drink.
Christians
are to reflect CHRIST; and for Him nothing was more important than His
communion with His Father. He gained strength through His time spent alone with
GOD, and when we choose to do likewise we also will have the power the Father
gave to Him.
REMEMBER,
your motive is important. What fasting is not:
1.
It's not an automatic way to miracles. It isn't a
spiritualized form of magic. Fasting is not a secret of power for just anyone;
it has power only for those Prayer Warriors who have an intimate relationship
with their GOD.
2.
It is not a way of earning our Commander-in-Chief's blessing. He provides His
help and blessing because He loves...
3.
It is not a way of bypassing obedience. Our heavenly Commander will not hear
our prayers, even if we add fasting, if we are not in obedience to His Word and
will.
4. It dosen't
accumulate power to us personally,
so that we can display it at will.
We cannot and do not use the HOLY SPIRIT--He uses us! The moment a Prayer
Warrior decides to brag or boast about his or her power, it is gone. The same with fasting. Check out JESUS words:
"Regarding fasting, don't do everything the scribes and Pharisees do. When
they fast, they want everyone to see their distorted faces. Their goal is to
impress people, and they've achieved it. When you're fasting, dress and act
as you always do. People don't need to know that you're fasting. Your
heavenly Father knows, and that's what really matters. He will bless you."
~Matthew 6:16-18. (The Clear Word, used by permission)
One
other very important bit of information to remember is this: You may not be
able to stop all your normal every day activities to pray while you are
fasting, BUT if your soul is continually crying to the Father as you go about
your work, or whatever, if every moment you are mentally reaching out to Him to
fulfill the need you have laid on His altar, then our merciful and loving
Father accepts what you can give at that time.