TODAY’S MODERN reality is super complex. There are so many moving parts. New layers of decision-making keep getting added to everyday life. We’re all trying to adjust, but it stresses us out because we feel like we can’t keep up sometimes. And the world stirs up conflicting dialogs inside us. We hear dozens of opinions – about health, race, politics, and religion – and we can’t fit all the pieces into the puzzle. Everyone’s brain fizzles a bit these days.

Then something happens, maybe a major crisis or a loss hits home. We reach our limit, and we’re tempted to lose hope. We worry ourselves in circles instead of seeking God. It’s at those times when you must grit your teeth, pull yourself up, and dig into prayer.

The enemy will throw everything he can at you to stop this from happening. Every tiny concern grows into a scary giant. These moments can be incredibly intense. It is a true fight, even brutal sometimes. But when you give in and give it all up to God, the heavens open up to you. And almighty God takes over the fight.

In those moments of combat and prayer, fundamental truths are revealed to you. You don’t deny the chaos and friction, but it doesn’t consume you either. You learn to let go of your anger or fear. Hope is restored, and it’s miraculous. No, your reality doesn’t change at that instant, but God focuses your heart and mind. You accept that you don’t have all the answers. And in the middle of your doubts and fears, your faith grows stronger.

As you continue to pray, the obstacles in your mind come tumbling down. You rest in Him. Then you can continue forward with confidence.

You might pray something like this…

“Lord, I will not walk without you. I need you. Rise up. Cast out the evil one. Defend me!”

These are miracle making words. They are based on profound trust in God. And these words have great power when it comes to spiritual combat.

Still, this isn’t the only type of spiritual battle. Those tough moments, when you face your limits, are actually part of much larger campaigns, and the bigger picture might not be what you imagine. It’s not all about demons and evil spirits. Instead, the real fight is much more down to earth.

The idea of spiritual combat has been made popular by sensationalists and religious denominations for years. Motion pictures add to the hype. What is spiritual combat then? Is it fighting against the devil and black magic? Is it about rallying against the forces of evil at work in society? Many who talk about spiritual combat might not fully grasp the true struggle that takes place every day in heaven and on earth.

Some might fight within a religious context, but they might lose ground in the more important spiritual war. And this can lead to serious problems. So what’s the key mistake we want to avoid? Problems occur when we place too much emphasis on the external. That is, sometimes we’re too busy fixing things on the outside, but our inner lives are a mess.

One example is the debate over abortion. Every life is unique and unrepeatable – yours, mine, everyone’s. Every life is precious and should be protected from the moment of conception. But some people turn their anti-abortion stance into a crusade of manipulation or control. Or maybe they just want attention. Meanwhile, they bully, harass, or even threaten people to get their way.

They might even make a lot of money from the effort. Or they become one-dimensional figures instead of human beings. They might alienate people, and this behavior spills over into other areas of their life. So, while the cause (protecting the unborn child) may be noble, the inner spiritual battle is lost. Any worship of a cause is just another form of idolatry.

Meanwhile, others think spiritual combat is only about casting out demons through exorcisms or liberation ministries. Yes, it’s true that demonic forces can wreak havoc in people’s lives. If you leave the door open, nasty things can invade your life. But to be truly effective in the delicate activity of spiritual liberation, a more basic struggle must be mastered first.

On the outside we might think we’re fighting a spiritual battle, but on the inside, Satan might be winning the war. But if it’s not fighting for a worthy cause or casting out demons, what is spiritual combat?

The truth about spiritual combat, part 2

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