One tactic the enemy likes to use is to get us to focus on our problems, and not on the answer (Jesus).

For those who are teaching, it is good to teach on the weapons of spiritual warfare, the armour of God etc – but what’s our motive for this knowledge?  Who is this focussed on?  You or God?  Are you trying to “architect” your own sanctification?

In 1Cor2:4-5, Paul says “and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.”

It is far too easy to fall into the trap, when walking out of brokenness, to put our hope in our prayer ministers, or church organisation, or the tools/power/authority that God has given us.  We need to want to know Jesus more than any of these things!

I sometimes wonder if the battle to get free is so hard, because we lower ourselves to Satan’s level, and then have to fight him at his level, where we lose our advantage.  (Ephesians 2:6 “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,”).  We then start to try and strategise in our own flesh – How has Satan has obtained rights into my life?  Why did I have that ungodly dream?  What makes me want to do that ungodly thing?  And then we focuss on shutting those access points down.  (Is it generational iniquity?  Do I have personal sin in my life?  Do I hold unforgiveness?  etc) But who does this focus on?  You or Jesus?

It’s only when we know Him that we will know when to use the tools he has given us.

In short, it’s a “both” “and” situation.  We can use the tools and authority God has given us to fight the enemy, but trying to do it without a true and personal relationship with God is going to produce a long drawn out battle.  It feels like a paradox, but it’s not.  We must be surrendered to Jesus that these issues are far more powerful than ourselves, and trust that He will deliver us from these things, but at the same time, we must take personal responsibility and use the tools, weapons and authority He has given us.

Hebrews 2:12 “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”