Fresh Anointing for Spiritual Warfare

It’s amazing the revelation one can get once we allow the Holy Spirit to be our Teacher. 

Fresh anointing for spiritual warfare is one of the topics that came to me amongst the several others, and I put it off until these last few days because I quite frankly thought it was a bit above my head. 

But as we continue this season of inviting the Holy Spirit to anoint us afresh each morning, I was reminded of John 14:26, reading from the NLT version: “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” 

Growing up a Methodist and later going to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, spiritual warfare was not something I heard much about. But over the last 10 and a half years, through this ministry, I have learnt that spiritual warfare does not only refer to literal demons or evil spirits, but to more subtle areas as well.

But what was so encouraging for me is learning about the authority we have as believers, through faith, to rebuke and overcome such forces. 

So what is spiritual warfare? Spiritual warfare refers to the ongoing battle between good and evil, that seeks to hinder a believer’s faith and relationship with God. 

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 states: "We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 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."

Every day, Family, there are people who struggle with recurring temptations, such as addiction, lust, or dishonesty. The enemy uses fear to paralyze some persons emotionally or spiritually, where for example a believer facing financial hardship might feel tempted to give in to despair or stop trusting God's provision. 

Spiritual warfare - Constant thoughts of worthlessness, self-doubt, or guilt that tells you “You’re not good enough” or “God doesn’t love you.” 

Spiritual warfare, where the enemy uses misunderstandings, unforgiveness, or pride to create discord and division in marriages, families,  friendships and in ministries.

Other incidences of spiritual warfare occur when someone loses a loved one whom they’ve been praying for and they begin to doubt God; where a person is ridiculed or victimized for expressing their Christian beliefs; where leaders and servants of God often face oppression, discouragement in ministry, burnout; and where the enemy uses societal norms, entertainment, or peer pressure to distract or deceive believers. 

We are talking about spiritual warfare - ever find that when you are growing in faith that everything just seems to go wrong at the same time or one after the other? Before starting or advancing in ministry or after committing to fasting. Spiritual warfare. 

These battles Family, aren’t fought with physical weapons. Don’t lash out. Don’t fuss and fight through arguments and separation from one another. Don’t let pride, anger, unforgiveness, stubbornness, or vindictiveness take over.

Today, we invoke the Holy Spirit’s anointing to prepare us for battle, through prayer, faith, the Word of God, and a determination to resist temptation. 

Ephesians 6:10-18: “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”

Family, the anointing sharpens our spiritual weapons. Through the anointing, our spiritual weapons become powerful tools to destroy strongholds and align our thoughts with Christ.

Let’s talk about these spiritual weapons, these tools, these weapons for spiritual warfare.

1. Prayer: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – "Never stop praying." Regular communication with God builds spiritual strength.

2. Scripture: Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires."

3. Faith: Ephesians 6:16 - "He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection." We are encouraged to trust God to shield us from the enemy’s attacks.

4. Community -  Hebrews 10:24-25 "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." This account underscores the importance of us surrounding ourselves with fellow believers for encouragement and support.

5. Praise and Worship - 2 Chronicles 20:22 "At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves." Worship shifts the focus to God and disrupts the enemy's plans.

Today we are seeking fresh anointing for spiritual warfare, recognising that the forces of evil are all around us, but we don’t have to be defeated.

Fresh anointing renews our strength to overcome and stand victoriously against every weapon and accusation of the enemy.

Isaiah 54:17 - “But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

Hallelujah. 

James 4:7 tells us “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Psalm 18:39 “You have armed me with strength for the battle; you have subdued my enemies under my feet.”

1 Peter 5:8-9 “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.”

With the strangest of things taking place before our very eyes, the boldness of the enemy with his attacks, we need to stay prayed up, we need to stay in The Word, we need to avail ourselves to receive this fresh anointing from the Holy Spirit. 

That’s the only way we can remain steadfast in our faith. By staying spiritually vigilant. And that’s only possible through the anointing.

Fresh anointing for spiritual warfare. We all face it and we must know what it is and how to deal with it. For indeed, we can overcome through the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.

aub - 27Jan25

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