“For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

The Fight of My Life 

There are times in life when we have to fight with all our might and all our weapons against the enemy of our souls.

Recently, I experienced an all-out attack. This was no mere distraction. This was not an emotion. I was on high alert against Satan.

Let me explain: Several ministry opportunities have been given to me for the near future. In simple terms, Satan will try to stop these from happening, or at least deprive the ministry of God’s power. I know this, but I never really expect it to get bad. I expect distractions to try to keep me unfocused. I expect busy-ness to try to keep me from prayer and preparation. I expect frustrations in the ordinary events of a day, and I expect unkind (though innocently spoken) words from others to try to make me feel unworthy. I expect I may get sick or otherwise focused on my flesh. I expect something to disturb my peace. These things have happened so often, I feel they are tired, old, ineffective tricks of the enemy.

What I didn’t expect was for this battle to bring fear such as only a principality and power of darkness could bring. I didn’t expect it to be in my face 24/7. I didn’t expect out-of-the-ordinary, unexplainable events. I didn’t expect long-dead sins to tempt me again. I didn’t expect the intensity or relentlessness. I didn’t expect it to be so real, as if a fighter was battling me.

I knew this wasn’t about me, or even stopping me from ministering. It was about Satan’s ongoing attack on the Son of God. It helps to know this, because I could never fight such an enemy on my own, and I know God in me is a Power to be reckoned with.

Nevertheless, I am called upon to fight the good fight. I choose as my weapon the Word of God, that sharp, two-edged sword against which nothing can stand. I love the image of the two edges: no matter which way I swing, I hit the target. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

That is my part: remind myself what the Word says; tell the enemy out loud what the Word says, just as Jesus did; and bring my own thoughts captive to truth. I’m praying. I’m reading the Word and repeating it. I’m playing worship music. Satan wouldn’t want to stay in a room where God is being worshiped! “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

This is pro-active faith, using God’s Word as intended. It is real, active, and alive.

“Father, thank You for preparing our hands for battle, and for giving us Your mighty weapons to fight with. And most of all, thank You for being with us in the battle. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”