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 3:15CloseColossians 3:15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

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 10:4-5Close2 Corinthians 10:4-5 *We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

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 14:27CloseJohn 14:27 "I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ). 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 46:9-10CloseIsaiah 46:9-10 Remember the things I have done in the past.  For I alone am God!  I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future  before it even happens.Everything I plan will come to pass,  for I do whatever I wish. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

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 (Psalms 62:5ClosePsalms 62:5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God,  for my hope is in him. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

James 4:7-8CloseJames 4:7-8 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) 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 4:9-10CloseJames 4:9-10 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ). 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.