And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. (Ephesians 6:18)

“In Jesus Name, I ask for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues to be manifested in (and then I speak each family member’s name), that they may pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests; and as their heavenly prayer language rises before your throne, their enemy’s plans are thwarted because he becomes confused and disoriented and flees from them in a thousand directions.”

Before we pursue the strategies contained in this particular portion of the prayer for our families, I want to take a few moments to share the clarification God has given me over the years concerning one of the most controversial aspects of our spiritual walk – the baptism of the Holy Spirit as evidenced by the supernatural ability to speak - both in an unknown (heavenly) tongue (or language) or in another tongue (a known language you have never previously learned, i.e., you are able to speak French when you have never before studied the French language).

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
The baptism of the Holy Spirit which is described in detail in Acts 2 has been a controversial subject within the body of Christ. The root source of the controversy seems to be fear, and since God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7) – that means the fear has to be the supernatural manipulation of our minds by guess who – the devil.  He is also the author of controversy, strife, quarreling and insults which explains why this topic has received such negative press. He doesn’t WANT you to acquire this power.

“The baptism of the Holy Spirit imparts a supernatural ability to the Believer that empowers them to effectively witness to the lost, to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, to understand the Scriptures, to pray in the Spirit, to praise God in the Spirit, to recognize and understand the voice of God as our spiritual ears are opened, and to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.”  (Gruits, Patricia Beall, Understanding God, PeterPat Publishers, LLC, Rochester, Michigan,48308-1816, ©2006, pgs 222-224)

In short, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a power transfer without which we would not be able to do the works Jesus did nor would we be able to destroy all the works of the devil.  

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is intended for EVERY ONE WHO BELIEVES IN JESUS AS THE ANOINTED ONE THROUGH WHOM WE RECEIVE SALVATION.  “I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” (Acts 2:17) “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:39, NIV)

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not the same as water baptism. Water baptism is necessary because it is a step of obedience that follows our conversion.  We are water baptized to identify with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is another baptism that does not necessarily occur in conjunction with water baptism – in other words, it can take place before or after water baptism.  “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers (believing Jews) who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, ‘Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.’ So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” (Acts 10:44-48, NIV)

If you are in the camp of those who say they don’t believe the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for our time – remember, God’s Word is living and active; it is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  There is no place in God’s word that says the baptism of the Holy Spirit was a one-time event that is no longer necessary.

If you are in the camp of those who say they don’t need the baptism of the Holy Spirit because they believe that they already pray effectively – remember, it is God who has made this power available to you because He intended for you to take full advantage of every opportunity He brings to you.

If you are in the camp of those who say supernaturally speaking in a spirit inspired language is not for them - remember, it’s not a good thing for you to pick and choose which parts of God’s word you want to agree with and those you want to refuse. God’s word is clear: the spiritual realm is actually more real than anything we can see, feel, hear, taste or touch in the physical realm.  Remember, we are a spirit being, with a soul, housed in a physical body. The spirit realm is our natural habitat, and we need to accept the truth that we have available to us a spiritual language.

The only prerequisite to receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit is to believe in the atoning work of Christ on the cross. If you are a Believer, but you have never received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and you desire to receive this gift God has made available for all who earnestly seek Him, ask Him for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Begin by submitting your will, your rights and all control to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Ask the Lord to show you if there is anything in your mind or heart that would hinder the Holy Spirit.  As He reveals those things to you, confess them as sin and repent.  “Then enter into praise, thanksgiving and worship through psalms and hymns until an atmosphere is created for the presence of the Spirit of God. When you become aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit, there will be a breaking in you as your spirit springs up to respond to the Spirit of God. When the Spirit of God fills you, your own words are not adequate to praise God. The Holy Spirit stimulates our organs of speech, prompting us to form new words of praise unto God. These words will not be understandable to us, because they are spirit inspired. The Holy Spirit leads us, encourages us and prompts us, but does not force us to speak.” (Gruits, Patricia Beall, Understanding God, PeterPat Publishers, LLC, Rochester, Michigan,48308-1816, ©2006, pgs 229-231)

There are several ways God baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit.  The way I have just described above is identified as a sovereign act of the will of God.  This is how I experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  I had made a public profession of Jesus as my Savior when I was 11 years old.  When I was 38 years old, the Lord impressed upon me that I did not know Him, and the only way to get to know Him was by reading His word.  Then He put a passion in me to read His word just like I had read countless novels in my life.  I pursued this passion with great earnestness and a sense of Divine timing in my life.  Several years later, I realized that I had not experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. That’s when I began to ask Him for the baptism of the Holy Spirit because I wanted everything God had for me, everything He had shown me was available to me in His Word. He was faithful to answer my heartfelt prayer.  While sitting in my car one Sunday morning before the church service began, as I prayed and praised God, I received my prayer language.  The first thought that went through my mind was “that wasn’t God, you did that”.  Fortunately, I had a friend who was Spirit filled, and she assured me that I had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and that the enemy just wanted to discourage me so I wouldn’t use the gift and become proficient in it.

The other way God uses to baptize believers in the Holy Spirit is by the laying on of hands.  When the Apostles came to a city where the believers had not yet received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they laid their hands on them and prayed for them to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:14-19)

Speaking in Tongues
I believe that the phrase “speaking in tongues” actually describes two different spiritual realities: the first reality is what happened to the 120 gathered in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (or languages) as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.” (Acts 2:4-6)

This description is pretty clear.  One hundred twenty Believers spoke by the supernatural enabling of the Holy Spirit in languages they had never learned.  Their speech was empowered by the Holy Spirit to draw the attention of the visitors in Jerusalem, who confirmed the known languages these 120 Believers were speaking because they said, “How is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?” (Acts 2: 8).  The result of this empowerment by the Holy Spirit is that 3,000 people gave their hearts to Jesus as their Savior. All of this is evidence that speaking in a language you have never studied is possible through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. 

The second spiritual reality is identified and explained by the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:26 “And in the same way…the Holy Spirit helps us with our daily problems and in our praying. For we don’t even know what we should pray for, nor how to pray as we should; but the Holy Spirit prays for us with such feeling that it cannot be expressed in words.” (TLB)

 “For those who speak in a tongue do not speak to other people but to God; for nobody understands them, since they are speaking mysteries in the Spirit…He who speaks in a tongue edifies (builds up) himself.” 1 Corinthians 14:2, 4 (NRSV) 

“The Apostles taught when we pray and praise in tongues (spirit language), (1) we are empowered to communicate with God; (2) we are spiritually strengthened when we pray in tongues; (3) we are able to make intercession to God for the needs of others.  Even when we do not know the specifics, the Holy Spirit can pray through us according to God’s will, empowering our prayer.  When we pray according to God’s will, we know with confidence that God hears and will answer our prayers. (4) We can offer ‘high praises’ to God. ‘High praises’ are weapons for spiritual warfare.  In times of trouble, the Holy Spirit will give us this supernatural ability to knock down the Devil’s strongholds with God’s mighty weapons.” (Gruits, Patricia Beall, Understanding God, PeterPat Publishers, LLC, Rochester, Michigan,48308-1816, ©2006, pgs 232-234)

For these reasons, I daily ask the Father for the baptism of the Holy Spirit for every member of my family with the evidence of speaking in tongues.  This is about leaving a spiritual legacy. This is about empowering every member of my family. This is about exercising our authority and expanding our territory in the spiritual realm, walking in the fullness of our identity in Christ and fulfilling the destiny God designed us for. I want every member of my family to receive all God has for them.  I want every member of my family to be able to pray effectively and powerfully for the matters God brings to each of them. I am only one person, but if all in my family pray in the Spirit, can you get the picture of how the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit is increased, enabling us to dislodge the enemy combatants we face every day in every situation in our lives? That is how we bring glory to God in the earth. 

How often should we pray in the Spirit (tongues)? Ephesians 6:18 says “on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” We should pray in tongues every day.  God loves it when we praise Him in our spiritual language.  How often do you want to show God your love for Him? Additionally, the supernatural ability given to us by the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit is a powerful weapon in our war against the unseen forces of wickedness that daily bombard our lives and the lives of our families. 

If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. (1 Corinthians 14:14-15)  Satan cannot read our minds.  He is not omniscient.  But he is described as “the ruler of the kingdom of the air” (Ephesians 2:2, NIV) That means the atmosphere is his kingdom.  When we pray silently with our mind, the enemy does not know what we are asking God; our requests are considered as highly classified information and are marked “top secret - for your ears only”.  Unfortunately, if our desire is to change the atmosphere around us (i.e., we walk into a room where anger is definitely at work and is affecting everyone in that room) silent prayers do not necessarily impact the atmosphere around us. 

We need to understand that as Believers, our words have authority and power.  We can and should be changing the atmosphere everywhere we go by what we speak out loud.   When we pray out loud in our native language, the enemy can hear what we are asking God, so he gets a clue regarding our strategies, but our words directed by the Holy Spirit are also powerfully impacting the atmosphere around us and that can send him packing.  When we pray out loud in our spirit language, we are communicating in a secret code that only the Holy Spirit understands, and even though the enemy can hear us, he becomes confused and disoriented, forcefully slapping his hands over his ears shouting “no, no, not that!”

Now do you understand why he has fostered an atmosphere of fear and confusion surrounding this all important weapon of praying in the Spirit?  Now do you understand why the devil does not want you to receive this anointing? He does not want you to acknowledge this weapon exists, he doesn’t want you to pick this weapon up, nor does he want you to practice every day with this weapon.  He knows that when you pick up this weapon and start using it in your prayers, you will become proficient and powerful against him, your faith will grow, you will thwart his plans, he will become confused and disoriented, and he will have no choice but to flee from you in a thousand directions.

That is the kind of power our Mighty God has lovingly conveyed to us through His Holy Spirit.  Take hold of this truth, let your heavenly language rise before the throne of God, and watch the schemes of your enemy come unraveled.  Then praise God for His Mighty Power and His Goodness towards you!

Next: Binding and Loosing
​
Blessings,
Linda
 
© Linda Sue Harper 2018
 

Take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:17, NIV)

On behalf of myself and all in my family, I now take the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God – living and active, sharp and double edged, penetrating even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, judging the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12) – and I wield it with the pinpoint accuracy that comes from constant practice.

I picture in my mind a stainless steel sword with an ornately carved handle inlaid with gold and precious jewels.  Although the sword is heavy, an indication of how solidly constructed it is, it is also perfectly balanced. Every time I open my Bible, my sword is activated. Every time I pick it up, I am in awe of its power. The sword was not given to us so that we could hang it on the wall and admire it from a distance.  The sword was intended to be used against every assault of our enemy. My confidence in wielding the sword effectively grows as I practice with it every day. 

Let’s look closer at the capabilities of the weapon God has given us.

Living and active.  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1 , NIV) God exists outside of time and space. He cannot be confined to a season or a location.  Therefore, the Word existed outside of time and before the creation of the universe because God is the Word. The Word is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8).  So much for those worldly minded people who want you to believe that the Bible isn’t relevant today.  Every word is relevant and useful for building us up in our faith. If God spoke it, there is life in it because He is Life! And because He is eternal, so is His Word! His Word is at work every time we speak it out, and we can rest assured that His Word has the power and the authority to refute any accusations our enemy may launch at our minds. “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11, NIV)

Sharp and double-edged. I want you to get a picture of what that looks like. The Word is deadly against the enemy.  It destroys his wicked schemes both as it is being driven forward and as it is being pulled back. Another way to look at it is the Word cuts both ways.  That idiom means that for every thrust something is affected positively and something is affected negatively.  What is good for us is not good for the devil.  God gave us His word for our good, so that means the devil will flee when we pull out our sword.  Jesus used the Word as His weapon against the temptations of Satan in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11)

Penetrating. There is absolutely nothing hidden from God. He made us. He knows what we are. He doesn’t just look at us; He looks intently into us. He sees our physical bodies and He also sees the unseen parts - our spirit and our soul. There is no place we can go to escape His gaze.  That is the most powerful protection available for us in all the universe. And what He knows about us is not only what we have been, not just what we are now, but also what we will become as we yield to Him and obey His instructions.  He looks at our potential, not at our faults.  He’s not concerned as much about where we are as He is about where He wants to take us.  His Word is how we get from point A to point B safely.

Dividing soul and spirit. Man is made in the image of God. God is Triune:  He is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  Because we are made in the image of God, we are also triune: we are a spirit being, with a soul, housed in a physical body. The soul and the spirit are the “unseen” parts of our being. 
The soul is the mind, will and emotions. The soul is the part of us that is self-conscious. God wants to separate us from looking at self where we see all our mistakes and instead, turn our eyes towards Him.  I remember a time during worship when I realized everyone else was lost in His presence, and I was still painfully aware of me.  I told Him I wanted to be lost in His presence.  His response drove this point home: “Then take your eyes off yourself and look at Me.” 

The spirit is our conscience, wisdom and communion. The spirit is the part of us that is God-conscious. We were created to be in relationship with God; everything we need for that relationship to be real in us is contained within our spirit. I believe that when God breathed the breath of life (the Hebrew word is “ruach” which means breath, wind, spirit,) into Adam, and Adam became a living being (Genesis 2:7), that is when God’s DNA became a part of our being. That is where we became God-conscious.  

It is our spirit that unites with His Holy Spirit at the moment of our conversion. God intended we would be separated unto Him – meaning, set apart for His purposes - that we be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16). God never intended for us to ever be separated from Him.  If we are separated from Him, it is because we have made a conscious choice to do so. If that describes you, now is the time for you to turn around and turn to God.  His love never fails. His forgiveness and grace are readily available. He is waiting to receive you and will not delay His response to your heartfelt request.

Dividing joints and marrow. This refers to our physical bodies which are made up of bones, tissue, and blood. Our physical bodies are only a temporary dwelling designed to house our soul and our spirit until we receive our immortal bodies when Jesus returns for His Bride.

The Word has provided us with a “how to” manual to understand our bodies and to know how to respond whenever our bodies get sick. God intends that His word separate us from those things that adversely affect our bones, tissue and blood.  If we are suffering from some sickness, disease or infirmity, God has written us a prescription for our healing.  It’s in His Word. 

“Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the LORD will raise him up.  If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (James 5:14-16, NIV) 

Judging thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Our thoughts and attitudes emanate from our souls – from our minds, wills and emotions. God knows everything we will think before the thought even crossed our mind, and He knows every motive behind our actions even before we realize what is going on. He knows when we are sincere, and when we are not. He knows when we are lying to ourselves and when we are lying to Him. He knows our thoughts and attitudes even when we are afraid to acknowledge them.  There is no way we can get anything past our omniscient (all knowing) God!

Our thoughts and attitudes affect our words and actions - as a man thinks, so is he (Proverbs 23:7, NIV). Our thoughts and attitudes affect our relationship with God – “you have not lied to men but to God. When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died.” (Acts 5:4-5, NIV).  And our thoughts and attitudes also affect the health of our bodies! “I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” (3 John 2,NKJV)

God wants to teach us another way to think; He wants to change the attitudes of our hearts. “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” (Isaiah 55:6-9, NIV) He wants us to get in tune with His thoughts.  How do we do that? Every time we pick up our sword, the Word of God, we come into alignment with His thoughts and His ways. The blessing is there and it is ours for the taking!

Wielded with pinpoint accuracy. This phrase is not found in the Biblical description of the sword of the Spirit, rather, this is an understanding God has given me.  All of the Divine weapons in our arsenal are tactical weapons. The word “tactical” means weapons or forces employed at the battlefront. We are combat soldiers in a spiritual battle against unseen forces. Our weapons are not just for show - to make us look good; they have an intended purpose – to destroy all the works of the devil in the lives of our families.

God expects us to be trained and ready to respond whenever the enemy launches his assault against us or our families. Would you hire a lawyer who had not practiced law before? Would you go see a doctor or a surgeon if he had never practiced medicine or operated on anyone before? Of course you wouldn’t! And that is because they are not ready. The same applies to our practice with our tactical weapons.    To wield our weapons with pinpoint accuracy requires constant practice. Therefore, we must know the Word and use this sword for it to be powerful and effective in our hands as we engage the enemy of our souls.

Every day, as I pray this prayer for my family, my faith grows.  I pray that as you have read this post, your understanding of the power of the weapon God has given you  - His Word - will increase and you will be victorious over all of your enemies!

Next time: Praying in the Spirit
​
Blessings,
Linda
 
© Linda Sue Harper 2018

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (Ephesians 6:16, NIV)

God has given me this prayer regarding the shield of faith:

On behalf of myself and all in my family, I now take up the shield of faith, oiled by your Holy Spirit, washed by the water of your Word, with which we can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one – his accusations, insinuations, distortions, and temptations launched against our minds have been snuffed out, and they lie fallen on the ground, unable to rise.

The shield of faith. I used to visualize this shield as a small round object worn on the left forearm.  Because it was small in size, it was easily maneuvered to “catch” the arrows sent my way regardless of where they had been aimed at my body.  You’ve probably seen movies where the soldiers were fighting with a sword in their right hand and a shield on their left arm.  They would move their shield as needed to deflect their opponent’s blows while at the same time attempting to drive their own sword through their opponent. They spent most of their time simply trading blows.

I don’t think that is what God had in mind. I believe He wants us to know that our shield is our faith in Him and the size of our shield has to do with the level of faith we have developed over time as we have chosen to trust Him with everything in our lives.  I’ve come to realize that the shield of faith being described here may begin small, but God intends that our faith grows through our consistent union with Him until it becomes a full-sized body shield. I would rather have the biggest, full-body shield I could have if I’m going into battle.  Wouldn’t you?

Oiled by your Holy Spirit. Oil is often a symbol of the Holy Spirit.  “Get up, you officers, oil the shields!” (Isaiah 21:5, NIV) Now you know where I got the idea to pray this way.  Back in Isaiah’s time, the shields were made of leather stretched over a wooden frame. The enemy would shoot arrows or throw javelins whose tips were soaked with a combustible at the shields.  If the leather of the shields was dry, the arrows would cause the shield to catch on fire and the soldier would be vulnerable to the next wave of arrows.  Another reason for keeping the shields oiled was that the soldiers could aim the shield in such a way that it would reflect the bright sunlight into the eyes of the oncoming enemy, blinding them and giving the soldier time to get his own arrows and spears launched. It was important to keep the shields oiled.  And it is important that we keep our shield of faith oiled through an ongoing (moment by moment) communion with the Holy Spirit.

All of this is a picture of the glory of God as our protection against the attacks of the enemy.  Years ago, while I was still living in San Antonio, I was driving home one day in a heavy thunderstorm.  I was stuck in traffic when all of a sudden, the storm clouds parted and a shaft of sunlight pierced the dark clouds, hitting the sheeting rain which acted like a prism and produced such a brilliant light that I was blinded for a few moments. That experience gave me a picture of another way to pray  – Father, I pray that the eyes of my enemy would be blinded (by the glory of the Lord – just as my eyes were blinded by the brilliance of the sun shining on the rain drops) so that he could not see to hit his mark.

Washed by the water of the Word. The Word of God cleanses us from our worldly thinking and prepares our hearts for victory over all the enemy’s attacks. Ephesians 5:26 “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” (NIV)

We live in a hostile world.  If our families are to thrive, we must be careful not to become like the world around us in thought, word or deed.  It is crucial that we daily renew our minds through reading the Word of God (Romans 12:1-2), allowing His Word to transform our thought life, which leads to a transformation in our behavior. God’s desire is that we be holy, as He is holy.  It is impossible to please God if we don’t know what His Word says, or if we don’t apply it to our everyday lives.  He’s given us the tools and He intends for us to practice with them and use them every time the enemy taunts us with his lies or lures us with his temptations.  The Word is a weapon we use against the enemy; and it is also the shield that protects us from his attacks.

All the flaming arrows.  I’ve already drawn a word picture of what the flaming arrows might look like.  But recently, I’ve come to understand more about what those flaming arrows actually are.  How many of you know that the battle with Satan is a battle that occurs in the mind?  Our minds are part of our souls – mind, will, and emotions.  The enemy wants to destroy our souls and he does that by attacking our thought life.  How many of you hear a voice or voices going on in your head all the time – that harass you all your waking hours and keep you up for long hours at night?  Did it ever occur to you that you have been given the authority in the Name of Jesus to SHUT THEM DOWN?

Let’s consider what kind of words those voices might be speaking into your mind: are they words that accuse you of something? Blame you for something? Suggest you are not good enough, smart enough, or not worthy of a real kind of love? Or maybe they are speaking lies about you, about other people, or even about God? Or do they remind you that some of the activities you used to engage in are still available for you; do they tempt you to throw off the righteousness you’ve received in Jesus and enjoy a little dip into satisfying your physical desires? 

Accusations. Insinuations. Distortions.Temptations. All of these can be shut down as you exercise your faith in the God who loves you just as you are.  Put up your shield (your personal relationship with Jesus Christ), exercise the authority you have in Christ, and bind those accusations, insinuations, distortions, and temptations with chains – because what you bind is bound, and send them to the pit of hell. Then loose the sevenfold Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and power, and the Spirit of the knowledge and reverential fear of the Lord to wash over you, cleansing and purifying your mind.  Then replace what you just got rid of by restocking your mind with the Truth of the Word of God.

Psalm 36:12 “There they lie in the dirt, these evil ones, thrown down to the ground, never to arise again!” (The Passion Translation)

What I have shared with you today is not just for you. It is also for your children.  Our children are literally being bombarded by the gates of hell every moment of every day.  It is important that we parents learn how to use these weapons so that we may teach our children how to deal with the enemy who wants to steal, kill and destroy them through their thought life. The government will not do that. The schools will not do that.  And sadly, many churches are not doing that. The result is that our children’s identities, dignity and destinies are being stolen.  And that is why so many of the younger generation are ending up on the streets, passed out in their own bodily secretions. 

Parents, it’s time for us to take our stand against all the enemy’s wicked schemes for the sake of our children, for the sake of all children, and for the glory of God.

Next time: The Sword of the Spirit

Blessings,
Linda
​
© Linda Sue Harper 2018

Now that we’ve put our armor on -

1. The belt of truth,
2. The breastplate of righteousness,
3. The helmet of salvation, and
4. The feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace,

- all of which declare that our identity is found only in Christ and that our God-designed destiny is a sure thing, it’s time for us to pick up our divine weapons and allow the Lord to teach us how to wield them effectively against the enemy of our families.

The weapons of our warfare are purposefully designed just as each one of us is purposefully designed by God.  These weapons are not just window dressing; rather, they are tactical weapons, and we need to practice them every day so that we know what to do whenever we face difficulties of any kind. These weapons are not intended to make us feel superior or invincible over any other person; rather, these weapons are the tools God has given to us to destroy all the works of the devil.  That is the reason Jesus came from heaven to earth, and that is the legacy He has left for us to carry on after His resurrection and ascension into heaven.

Remember, we are fighting the enemy of our souls and the souls of each member of our family.

1. We fight from a superior position. 

 
Ephesians 2:6 “He raised us up with Christ the exalted One, and we ascended with him into the glorious perfection and authority of the heavenly realm, for we are now co-seated as one with Christ.” (The Passion Translation)
 
“The word of God to my Lord: ‘Sit alongside me here on my throne until I make your enemies a stool for your feet.’ You were forged a strong scepter by God of Zion; now rule, though surrounded by enemies! Your people will freely join you, resplendent in holy armor on the great day of your conquest.” (MSG)
 
    2. We fight with superior weapons.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 “For although we live in the natural realm, we don’t wage a military campaign employing human weapons, using manipulation to achieve our aims. Instead, our spiritual weapons are energized with divine power to effectively dismantle the defenses behind which people hide. We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One.” (The Passion Translation)

   3. We have been given the authority to act.

Luke 10:19 “I have imparted to you all my authority to trample over his (Satan’s) kingdom. You will trample upon every demon before you and overcome every power Satan possesses. Absolutely nothing will be able to harm you as you walk in this authority. However, your real source of joy isn’t merely that these spirits submit to your authority, but that your names are written in the journals of heaven and that you belong to God’s kingdom. This is the true source of our authority.” (The Passion Translation)

   4. We do not fight these battles alone. God is with us!

Psalm 91 “When you sit enthroned under the shadow of Shaddai, you are hidden in the strength of God Most High. He’s the hope that holds me and the Stronghold to shelter me, the only God for me, and my great confidence.

He will rescue you from every hidden trap of the enemy, and he will protect you from false accusation and any deadly curse. His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you. You can run under his covering of majesty and hide. His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm.

You will never worry about an attack of demonic forces at night nor have to fear a spirit of darkness coming against you. Don’t fear a thing! Whether by night or by day, demonic danger will not trouble you, nor will the powers of evil launched against you.

Even in a time of disaster, with thousands and thousands being killed, you will remain unscathed and unharmed. You will be a spectator as the wicked perish in judgment, for they will be paid back for what they have done!

When we live our lives within the shadow of God Most High, our secret hiding place, we will always be shielded from harm. How then could evil prevail against us or disease infect us?

God sends angels with special orders to protect you wherever you go, defending you from all harm. If you walk into a trap, they’ll be there for you and keep you from stumbling. You’ll even walk unharmed among the fiercest powers of darkness, trampling every one of them beneath your feet!

For here is what the Lord has spoken to me: ‘Because you have delighted in me as my great lover, I will greatly protect you. I will set you in a high place, safe and secure before my face. I will answer your cry for help every time you pray, and you will find and feel my presence even in your time of pressure and trouble. I will be your glorious hero and give you a feast. You will be satisfied with a full life and with all that I do for you. For you will enjoy the fullness of my salvation!’” (The Passion Translation)

   5. We have the assurance of victory.

Romans 8:31, 35, 37, 39 “If God has determined to stand with us, who then could ever stand against us?...Who could ever separate us from the endless love of God’s Anointed One? Absolutely no one! For nothing in the universe has the power to diminish his love toward us. Troubles, pressures, and problems are unable to come between us and heaven’s love. What about persecutions, deprivations, dangers, and death threats? No, for they are impotent to hinder omnipotent love…yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything!...There is no power above us or beneath us – no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One!” (The Passion Translation)

Revelation 12:11 “They defeated him (Satan) through the blood of the Lamb and the bold word of their witness. They weren’t in love with themselves; they were willing to die for Christ.” (MSG)

Now that we understand the purpose of our weapons, we will look at each tool individually – taking it apart, putting it back together – so that we may acquire the practical understanding of each weapon and know how to use each one effectively. 

May the Lord bless you today!
Linda
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© Linda Sue Harper 2018