Spiritual warfare is a reality that many believers experience, often without realizing it. It is a battle between the forces of light and darkness, and every day, we must engage in spiritual warfare to stand firm in our faith and overcome the attacks of the enemy. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Understanding the nature of this battle is crucial. Spiritual warfare manifests in different areas of life—our health, finances, relationships, and even our faith. Evil forces are constantly at work to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), but we have the assurance that through Christ, we can emerge victorious.
Spiritual Altars and the Battle for Authority
In the sermon, it was emphasized that altars are key places in the spiritual realm where battles are fought and won. These altars represent places of consecration to deities—whether to God or to the enemy. In the context of spiritual warfare, evil altars are set up by the enemy to harm believers, their families, and their ministries.
The speaker mentioned, "Altars are consecrated places to deities where human beings meet with spirits. It is there you submit your weakness and collect the strength of the deity. It could be clean. It could be nasty. The wicked go there to collect powers, to hurt the righteous, to fight pastors, their wives, and their children." As believers, we must actively destroy these altars and replace them with altars consecrated to the Lord.
The Bible provides a powerful example in Judges 6:25-26, where God instructed Gideon to tear down the altar of Baal and build an altar to the Lord in its place. This signifies the importance of replacing evil with good and establishing God’s authority in every area of our lives. It is not enough to simply be passive; we must actively destroy the enemy’s strongholds through prayer, fasting, and declaring the Word of God.
Midnight Warfare and the Power of Prayer
The enemy often operates under the cover of darkness, launching attacks when we are unaware. The speaker highlighted the reality of witchcraft and demonic activities that take place during the night, especially between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m., when "they shoot arrows, evil arrows of sickness, and afflict people." However, the Bible shows us that we can meet the enemy head-on, especially through midnight prayers. In Exodus 12:29-31, God executed His judgment on Egypt at midnight, leading to Israel’s deliverance from bondage.
When we engage in midnight prayers, we step into a time of spiritual warfare where we can frustrate the plans of the enemy. The Bible says in Psalm 119:62, "At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, because of Your righteous judgments." By praying at midnight, we disrupt the enemy’s agenda and align ourselves with God’s power to bring breakthrough.
Spiritual Weapons: The Word of God and Praise
One of the greatest weapons in spiritual warfare is the Word of God. Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword." Speaking the Word over your life and your situation brings the power of God into action. When the enemy comes against you, respond with the Word, just as Jesus did in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). His declaration, “It is written,” brought victory over every temptation Satan presented.
In addition to the Word, praise is another powerful weapon. The story of Paul and Silas in Acts 16:25-26 shows how praise can break chains and open doors. Despite being beaten and imprisoned, Paul and Silas praised God, and "suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed." Praise shifts the atmosphere and invites God’s presence to intervene in our circumstances. As the speaker mentioned, "The prison doors could not keep Him away. The chains could no longer stay in the hands of the prisoners."
The Battle Belongs to the Lord
In the spiritual realm, battles are being fought constantly. But we are not alone in this fight. 2 Corinthians 10:4 assures us, "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds." As we stand firm in faith, equipped with God’s Word, fervent prayer, praise, and fasting, we will see the forces of darkness defeated.
As the speaker declared, "Let the sword of the Lord respond any day they mention your name. Let the sword of the Lord answer for you and devour them in the name of Jesus." Trust that through Christ, we are more than conquerors, and every battle we face has already been won by His victory on the cross.
Romans 8:37 reminds us, "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Keep fighting in the Spirit, for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will surely deliver you.
Conclusion
Spiritual warfare is an ongoing battle, but we have been given all the tools necessary to be victorious. By standing on God's Word, engaging in fervent prayer, especially during the midnight hours, and lifting up our praise, we align ourselves with the power of God to defeat the enemy. Every evil altar must be torn down, and the authority of Christ must be established in our lives. Remember, through Christ, we have already overcome, for the battle is not ours but the Lord’s.
Let us continue to fight the good fight of faith and trust that God will lead us into victory, for He is faithful to His promises. Psalm 144:1 says, "Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle." Therefore, be steadfast, and the Lord will bring you through every spiritual battle in triumph!