Spiritual Warfare – Arch. Nicholas Duncan-Williams

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Many believers ask why we must fight when Christ has already won the victory. Christ has already won the victory but we have to enforce this victory and superimpose it over the enemy.

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Many times, when God spoke to Israel about their possessions and inheritance, He says he has given it to them but then commands them to possess it. “Rise up, take your journey . . . behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, King of Hesbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.” (Deuteronomy 2:24)

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God states clearly that He has given the Land to the children of Israel but He adds that they must contend with the current occupants of the land in order possess it. We must go into spiritual warfare knowing that we are already victorious and the outcome shall not disfavour us. If we had to fight the battle all by ourselves, we could never do it. Jesus has already won the battle for us. We are victorious, it’s time to claim our prize.

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Jesus has obtained all authority in heaven and on the earth and the only way the world can fully understand and appreciate this is for us to exercise His authority as we are commanded to. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20).

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The word “authority” is translated from a Greek word which means the right to use power. It also means the right to have one’s words and commands obeyed.

The policeman is empowered by the government to enforce the law and to deal with lawbreakers. He has the power to arrest and detain those who disobey the law. When a judge declares someone guilty and passes out a sentence, it is the duty of the law enforcement agent to see to it that this sentence is executed.

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This is exactly how the believer stands in Christ. The believer has the power of attorney to use the name of Jesus to bring the devices of the enemy to a halt. This example of the policeman illustrates that the extent to which you utilize your God-given authority will determine how far the enemy can advance in your life.

The Scripture says, “Behold I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19).

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Friend, you and I have been authorized by heaven as God’s ambassadors to carry out and enforce the laws of Jehovah. We have the backing of the powers of heaven in this assignment. Just as the policeman is fully backed by the government of his nation, the believer has heavenly backing. The scriptures say, “Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-.edged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord.” (Psalm 149:5-9).

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Just as it is dangerous to defy the laws of the state, so is it dangerous for the enemy to defy the commands of the believer. Whenever the policeman takes off his uniform and cap, which are symbols of his authority and by which he is recognized and respected, he loses the authority. The believers who rebel against the laws of the kingdom of God lose their right and mandate to exercise authority over the devil (2 Cor. 10:3-6). Blessings! #SpiritualWarfare #ArchbishopNick