Spiritual Warfare

And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state]...And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always] (Colossians 3:15).

You are waging spiritual warfare when you give radical praise to God in the midst of your need and lack. When you are thankful to God for all He has done and is doing, you are defeating the enemy. When you hold your peace in the midst of the storm, you are warring with spiritual weapons (see 2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you...[Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled]" (John 14:27). Jesus has given you peace! Put it on, and wear it everywhere you go.

Stand!

[Earnestly] remember the former things, [which I did] of old; for I am God, and there is no one else; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end and the result from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure and purpose (Isaiah 46:9-10).

There may be times when it seems that you cannot go forward, but at least you do not have to go backward. You may not know how to forge ahead, but you can stand firmly on what you know of God.

Instead of passively yielding to the enemy, you can say, "This is the ground I have gained, and I am not giving it up, devil. You are not driving me back into the hole that God pulled me out of. I am going to stand strong in the power of God until He delivers me."

Submit Yourself to God

My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him (Psalm 62:5).

James 4:7-8 gives the best advice on how to wage spiritual warfare: "Be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. Come close to God and He will come close to you."

When you humble yourself in the presence of the Lord, He will exalt you and lift you and make your life significant (see James 4:9-10). God will show you how to resist the devil. Spend time in God's presence, and do whatever He tells you to do!

Excerpt from Joyce Meyer's book, Starting Your Day Right. Copyright © Joyce Meyer. Used with permission.