Spiritual warfare

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I've battled two huge spiritual wars this pass yr.
Robbing me of my peace, sleep and ability to hold thought. Let alone my appetite depleted greatly.
The enemy is strong and never underestimate its ability to place you at odds.
I have learned to stay still and calm remembering God's promises and focusing on them. Giving thanks to him that he is strong in our weakness.
Never let the enemy get a foot hold on your faith but remain vigilant in your stance even though it seems your fighting alone God is there to sustain you. After all it is a battle.
Calling upon the name of the Lord and waiting for his rebuke to end the attack is a lesson to learn.
I know exactly what you are talking about I have had to deal with this for several years now and one thing I found that is so powerful against it is worship like true worship when you are worshipping God in such times there is absolute joy and life in it and the enemy cannot do a thing
 
Satan is attacking us constantly with accusations. Conquer him through the blood of the lamb by putting to death the longings of the flesh; through the word of your witness that acknowledges the unseen truth of God's word by putting to death the longing of the eyes; and don't love (agape) your soul by putting to death the soul's longing for the praise and honor of men and seeking praise and honor from God alone (John 5:44).

For everything in the worldthe longing of the flesh, and the longing of the eyes, and the vain-glory of life is not of the father, but is of the world. 1 John 2:16
And I hear a great voice in heaven saying, "Now has become the salvation, ability, kingdom of our GOD, and authority of his Christ because the accuser of our brothers was cast, the one accusing them before our GOD day and night. And they conquered him through the blood of the lamb, through the word of their witness, and they loved (agape) not their life until death. Revelation 12:10-11
 
I do think permission is required but I wonder if there are times when they just outright attack even without permission.

Ya, that kind of puts a different spin on it if Jesus is allowing these attacks to happen. Why, for what reasons? I never question His will for me and my household, maybe it's just none of our business.
 
Ya, that kind of puts a different spin on it if Jesus is allowing these attacks to happen. Why, for what reasons? I never question His will for me and my household, maybe it's just none of our business.
I think the reason he allows it is because it is to refine us, it is always a reason and purpose he never allows us to go through something if it weren't for our good. in my instance for example it was to teach me not to take good things for granted.
 
I think the reason he allows it is because it is to refine us, it is always a reason and purpose he never allows us to go through something if it weren't for our good. in my instance for example it was to teach me not to take good things for granted.

Is the potters house teaching appropriate here?

We have the potter, Christ, and we have the clay which i would understand as being sealed called out ones.

The potter is continually beating, tearing, molding, working the clay over.

But does the clay ever say to the potter, hey, what are you doing to me? Or, i don't like what your doing there. No! A good legitimate hunk of clay is in a state of continual surrender to the potter. We have no rights as hunks of clay. The only power we have is which potter we will surrender ourselves over to.

I think this is kind of in line to what your expressing.
 
Is the potters house teaching appropriate here?

We have the potter, Christ, and we have the clay which i would understand as being sealed called out ones.

The potter is continually beating, tearing, molding, working the clay over.

But does the clay ever say to the potter, hey, what are you doing to me? Or, i don't like what your doing there. No! A good legitimate hunk of clay is in a state of continual surrender to the potter. We have no rights as hunks of clay. The only power we have is which potter we will surrender ourselves over to.

I think this is kind of in line to what your expressing.
Yes I believe it is appropriaye in this instance because he is continously molding and traching us. if we as the clay are in full surrender to him then we are of course going to be beat and molded by the hands that are doing the work in us. we never fully know or understand what he is refining us to be because there are all kinds of deigns and types of pots that are molded and created but there is always a design in mind/

Surender... that word has deep meaning to me and the beauty that comes with it is astonishing
 
I think the reason he allows it is because it is to refine us, it is always a reason and purpose he never allows us to go through something if it weren't for our good. in my instance for example it was to teach me not to take good things for granted.

Absolutely it is a type of refiners fire. It's sad to think that it takes obsession and infirmity for our faith to grow but I guess that's the way God designed it.
 
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I think it's important we understand that spiritual warfare is optional. It doesn't have to be a constant battle; just give it to Christ, he's our shield.
Actually I don't think it is optional we are always in a war whether we like it or not and especially if one is loyal and faithful to God because the closer and more we are surrendered to him the more the enemy attacks because if one becomes a threat he goes all out as much as he is allowed

it is important to understand that we are as believers in a chess game between God and satan even on cc we are the pieces of this game
 
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Yes I believe it is appropriaye in this instance because he is continously molding and traching us. if we as the clay are in full surrender to him then we are of course going to be beat and molded by the hands that are doing the work in us. we never fully know or understand what he is refining us to be because there are all kinds of deigns and types of pots that are molded and created but there is always a design in mind/

Surender... that word has deep meaning to me and the beauty that comes with it is astonishing

As for satan, that would make him the Lord's tool , right. (Pun intended) lol.
 
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Absolutely it is a type of refiners fire. It's sad to think that it takes obsession and infirmity for our faith to grow but I guess that's the way God designed it.
God has always been the type to do things that is not easy. take our own bodies for example the way our muscles grow is to tear them and wear them down then they grow back tougher and thicker than before
 
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Yes I believe it is appropriaye in this instance because he is continously molding and traching us. if we as the clay are in full surrender to him then we are of course going to be beat and molded by the hands that are doing the work in us. we never fully know or understand what he is refining us to be because there are all kinds of deigns and types of pots that are molded and created but there is always a design in mind/

Surender... that word has deep meaning to me and the beauty that comes with it is astonishing

The word tribulation comes from the Latin word tribulum. A tribulum is the rod used to separate the wheat from the chaff. God scourges those He loves.

My gifted teacher was very animated when he taught on this. He would say because God loves us, He keeps whacking on us. And it's best just to kiss the paddle.
 
The word tribulation comes from the Latin word tribulum. A tribulum is the rod used to separate the wheat from the chaff. God scourges those He loves.

My gifted teacher was very animated when he taught on this. He would say because God loves us, He keeps whacking on us. And it's best just to kiss the paddle.
Inyeresting I had no idea that is what tribulation meant
 
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Inyeresting I had no idea that is what tribulation meant

I think there is a newer version of a tribulum that you drag. But back in the earlier days, it was a rod used to beat the wheat, separating the wheat from the chaff.

That gives me comfort when I wake up in the morning and feel like I've been beaten with rods, lol.
 
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God refines us like fine gold or silver. It's written in the bible. He will chastise us, to save us, so we don't die like the world is going to die.

And it's true, God uses the devil to reprove man. He will use the devil to test a man.
 
God refines us like fine gold or silver. It's written in the bible. He will chastise us, to save us, so we don't die like the world is going to die.

And it's true, God uses the devil to reprove man. He will use the devil to test a man.
That makes sense after all Job had to deal with the devil attacking him and it wasn't optional
 
Some people count bad circumstances as spiritual warfare when it could just be a test or refining from God and maybe it is even the outcome of their own actions. an attack from the enemy comes in many forms but some of them are more plain and vivid than others sometimes it can be an attack on the body other times he may even appear in dreams I was attacked by ihm in my sleep just last week my very first night terror not even a nightmare but true terror I was even yelling in my sleep get away from me satan and I told him even in terror my Lord is going to win you are going to lose.

This is an example of a true situation of spiritual warfare and we are in warfare everyday just not to such a degree. but prayer is the key and standing in the authority in Christ is how we stamp out these attacks once you understand the authority given to you in Christ nothing can touch you. But think deeply on this what actually counts as spiritual warfare? what is the best way to discern it from normal circumstances? has anyone else dealt with true spiritual warfare? how did you handle it what was your response?
Spiritual warfare is part of my daily routine. The world is under the control of the evil one (1 John 5:19). So we need to ensure that we are attacking the right target. We have the authority to bind Satan's evil host. We have the power to drive out demons.

My wife is especially diligent with this. She won't go into a shopping centre without binding demons first.

Believers are God's "police force". We have been given the power and authority to enforce the victory that Lord Jesus has already won. But like a cop watching a robbery and doing nothing, if we do not exercise that authority, it is useless.

As an example, I see Islam as the direct opposition to God's kingdom. The Kingdom of God should be established all over the world. Islam is Satan's attempt to thwart that. To those who are indifferent, look at the way believers are treated in Pakistan or Afghanistan. "Can't happen here," you say. In fact, it is happening. Some nations refuse to accept Islam. Funnily enough, it is nations that are have no Christian heritage. China and Japan are the main examples.

So I pray against the wicked spirit of Islam daily. I ask God to destroy Islam as one of Satan's works. I do not curse Muslims. Their dead religion is self inflicted punishment.

Individually, we need to see that temptation is not sin. We do not have to give in. We also need to realise that Satan has access to our minds and that not every thought we have is of us or from God. (2 Corinthians 10: 3-6)

This is only a most superficial look at spiritual warfare. If you want to know more, I suggest Jesse Penn-Lewis, "War on the Saints".
 
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My pastor long ago said, that sometimes you will go thru a tribulation, until you have learned what God wants you to learn.
I agree in fact I have had to go through a very long dark and hard tribulation just to learn one lesson. God knows me well I always have to learn things the hard way