DEVELOPING AUTHENTIC SPIRITUALITY FOR THE BATTLE YOU ARE FACING

By Ps. T. Motsepe

Great battles are not always won on the battle field but on the strategy table. Strategies are devised on the intention to counter the strengths of the enemy and capitalise on or exploit on his weakness. Since we are engaged in an unceasing spiritual warfare we should keep as a mental front the facts that: There is no de-militarised zone. There are no innocent citizens. Every casualty is an intended target however random the selection may seem.

 

What do we know about the devil?

His strengths

§  He lies - John 8:44

§  He steals, kills and destroys

§  He accuses - Revelation 12:10

§  He divides

He uses

• Afflictions and torments – doubt, fear, sicknesses, diseases, lack (poverty), death, etc.
• Temptations: Lust (of the flesh and eyes), sexual immorality, greed, etc.
• Emotional torment: Anger, depression, loneliness, discouragement (despondency), etc.
• Catastrophes: plagues, natural disasters, accidents, etc.

His weaknesses

• He fears a fervent prayer of a righteous man
• He fears tenacious Spirit-led, truth-filled and un-hypocritical worship
• He recognises Jesus from far and is timid in his presence
• He is scared of the spoken Word of God by a genuine Christian
• He is scared of authentic Christians

NB: Church going or involvement does not make you authentic. The reverent fear of the does, unwavering faith in the Lord does, wholehearted love for the Lord does, and surrendered worship does.

What does the devil know about you (us)?

Your (Our) strengths

• God listens to you (us) and answers you (us)
• You (We) have the authority of the Name of Jesus Christ
• You (We) have the Holy Spirit

Your (Our) weaknesses

• You (We)are easily distracted and discouraged
• You(we) like being too busy with things that have no eternal value
• You (we)prefer to be secretive about your failing private life
• You (we)are generally spiritually lazy. No spiritual disciplines.
• You (we) are inconsistent in your fervour for God
• You(we) always want to fight for our rights

What are fatal approaches in this battle?

• Passivity and assuming your enemy has ceased fighting just because you choose not to.
• Engaging the enemy with inferior weapons
• Utilising your most potent weapon against the weakest constituency of the enemy’s camp
• Under-utilising your  great armoury during the fiercest heat of the battle

The Bible gives one of the many Divine strategies if you want to enter the battle with a winning approach: “Submit yourselves, then, to God,. Resist the Devil and he will flee you” - James 4:7

How do you develop authentic spirituality for the battles you are facing?

• Let your doctrine determine your conduct
• Remain in the Word of God
• Keep in step with The Holy Spirit in all your activities
• Let your Pneumatology be the guide of all you do