Warfare Spirituality part 13

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,  and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:10-18

Besides the armor of God there are other resources at the believers disposal, that include:

Corporate Connectedness: fellowship with other believers, not a luxury but a vital necessity.

Proclamation of Truth and Demonstration of the Spirit’s Power

I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." Luke 24:49
 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8
 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 1 Corinthians 2:4

and Deliverance from Strongholds, you may find some Affirmation Prayers helpful in this matter, the church has been using these for centuries.  Here are a few

Saint Patrick’s Breastplate

I bind unto myself this day the strong Name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same the Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever, by pow'r of faith, Christ's Incarnation;
his baptism in the Jordan river; his death on the cross for my salvation;
his bursting from the spic-ed tomb; his riding up the heav'nly way;
his coming at the day of doom: I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power of the great love of cherubim;
the sweet "Well done" in judgment hour; the service of the seraphim;
confessors' faith, apostles' word, the patriarchs' prayers, the prophet's scrolls;
all good deeds done unto the Lord, and purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today the virtues of the starlit heav'n,
the glorious sun's lifegiving ray, the whiteness of the moon at even,
the flashing of the lightning free, the whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,
the stable earth, the deep salt sea, around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead,
his eye to watch, his might to stay, his ear to hearken to my need;
the wisdom of my God to teach, his hand to guide, his shield to ward;
the word of God to give me speech, his heav'nly host to be my guard.

Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name, the strong name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same, the Three in One and One in Three;
of whom all nature has creation, eternal Maker, Spirit, Word;
praise to the God of our salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord.

St. Patrick's Breastplate, 5^th Century

 

Doctrinal Affirmation

Today I deliberately choose to submit myself fully to God as He has made Himself known to me through the Holy Scripture, which I honestly accept as the only inspired, infallible, authoritative standard for all life and practice. In this day I will not judge God, His work, myself, or others on the basis of feelings or circumstances.

I recognize by faith that the triune God is worthy of all honor, praise, and worship as the Creator, Sustainer, and the end of all things. I confess that God, as my Creator, made me for Himself. In this day I therefore choose to live for Him. (Revelation 5:9,10; Isaiah 43:1,7,21; Revelation 4:11)

I recognize by faith that God loved me and chose me in Jesus Christ before time began. (Ephesians 1:1-7)

I recognize by faith that God has proven His love to me in sending His Son to die in my place, in whom every provision has already been made for my past, present, and future needs through His representative work, and that I have been quickened [given life], raised, seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenlies, and anointed with the Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:6-11; 8:28-39; Philippians 1:6; 4:6,7,13,19; Ephesians 1:3; 2:5,6; Acts 2:1-4,33)

I recognize by faith that God has accepted me since I had received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior (John 1:12; Ephesians 1:6); that He has forgiven me (Ephesians 1:7); adopted me into his family, assuming every responsibility for me (John 17:11,17; Ephesians 1:5; Philippians 1:6); given me eternal life (John 3:16; 1.John 5:9-13); applied the perfect righteousness of Christ to me so that I am now justified (Romans 5:1; 8:3,4; 10:4); made me complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10); and offers Himself to me as my daily sufficiency through prayer and the decisions of faith (1.Corinthians 1:30; Colossians 1:27; Galatians 2:20; John 14:13,14; Matthew 21:22; Romans 6:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-3,11).

I recognize by faith that the Holy Spirit has baptized me into the body of Christ (1.Corinthians 12:13); sealed me (Ephesians 1:13,14; 4:30); anointed me for life and service (Acts 1:8; John 7:37-39); seeks to lead me into a deeper walk with Jesus Christ (John 14:16-18; 15:26,27;16:13-15; Romans 8:11-16); and to fill my life with Himself (Ephesians 5:18).

I recognize by faith that only God can deal with sin and only God can produce holiness of life. I confess that in my salvation my part is only to receive Him and that He dealt with my sin and saved me. Now I confess that in order to live a holy life, I can only surrender to His will and receive Him as my sanctification; trusting Him to do whatever may be necessary in my life, within and without, so I may be enabled to live today in purity, freedom, rest, and power for His glory (John 1:12; 1.Corinthians 1:30; 2.Corinthians 9:8; Gal 2:20; Hebrews 4:9; 1.John 5:4; Jude 24).

Having confessed that God is worthy of all praise, that the scriptures are the only authoritative standard, that only God can deal with sin and produce holiness of life, I again recognize my total dependence upon Him and submission to Him. I accept the truth that praying in faith is absolutely necessary for the realization of the will and grace of God in my daily life (1.John 5:14,15; James 2:6; 4:2,3; 5:16-18; Philippians 4:6,7; Hebrews 4:1-13; 11:6,24-28).

Recognizing that faith is a total response to God by which the daily provisions the Lord has furnished in Himself are appropriated, I therefore make the following decisions of faith:

For this day (Hebrews 3:6,13,15; 4:7) I make the decision of faith to surrender wholly to the authority of God as He has revealed Himself in the scriptures - to obey Him. I confess my sin, face the sinful reality of my old nature, and deliberately choose to walk in the light, in step with Christ, throughout the hours of this day (Romans 6:16-20; Philippians 2:12-13; 1.John 1:7,9).

For this day I make the decision of faith to surrender wholly to the authority of God as revealed in the scripture - to believe Him. I accept only His word as final authority. I now believe that since I confessed my sin He has forgiven and cleansed me (1.John 1:9). I accept at full value His word of promise to be my sufficiency and rest, and will conduct myself accordingly (Exodus 33:1; 1.Corinthians 1:30; 2.Corinthians 9:8; Philippians 4:19).

For this day I make the decision of faith to recognize that God has made every provision so that I may fulfill His will and calling. Therefore, I will not make any excuse for my sin and failure. (1.Thessalonians 5:24)

For this day I make the decision of faith deliberately to receive from God that provision which He has made for me. I renounce all self-effort to live the Christian life and to perform God's service; renounce all sinful praying which asks God to change circumstances and people so that I may be more spiritual; renounce all drawing back from the work of the Holy Spirit within and the call of God without; and renounce all non-biblical motives, goals, and activities which serve my sinful pride.

I now sincerely receive Jesus Christ as my sanctification, particularly as my cleansing from the old nature, and ask the Holy Spirit to apply to me the work of Christ, accomplished for me in the crucifixion. In cooperation with and dependence upon Him, I obey the command to "put off the old man" (Romans 6:1-14; 1.Corinthians 1:30; Galatians 6:14; Ephesians 4:22).

I now sincerely receive Jesus Christ as my sanctification, particularly as my enablement, moment by moment, to live above sin, and ask the Holy Spirit to apply to me the work of the resurrection so that I may walk in newness of life. I confess that only God can deal with my sin and only God can produce holiness and the fruit of the Spirit in my life. In cooperation and dependence with Him, I obey the command to "put on the new man" (Romans 6:1-14; Ephesians 4:24).

I now sincerely receive Jesus Christ as my deliverance from Satan and take my position with Him in the heavenlies, asking the Holy Spirit to apply to me the work of the ascension. In His name I submit myself to God and stand against all of Satan's influence and subtlety. In cooperation with and dependence upon God, I obey the command to "resist the devil" (Ephesians 1:2-23; 2:5; 5:27; 6:10-18; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 2:14,15; James 4:7; 1.Peter 3:22; 5:8,9).

I now sincerely receive the Holy Spirit as my anointing for every aspect of life and service for today. I fully open my life to Him to fill me afresh in obedience to the command to "be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18; John 7:27-39; 14:16,17; 15:26,27; 16:7-15; Acts 1:8).

Having made this confession and these decisions of faith, I now receive God's promised rest for this day (Hebrews 4:1-13). Therefore, I relax in the trust of faith, knowing that in the moment of temptation, trial, or need, the Lord himself will be there as my strength and sufficiency (1.Corinthians 10:13). 

Composed by Dr. Victor Matthews, Grand Rapids Baptist Bible College and Seminary