The most important aspect of spiritual warfare – bar none

I hate the satan and I take every reasonable opportunity I can to make that clear.

When I was very young I used to sing a song that expressed it very well..

“Now satan and I, we do agree, I hate him and he hates me”. This is one of the very few things that he and I agree on. I hate him and I don’t want anyone to be confused about what side of the fence I devotion lies.

The satan is an arch enemy of the Messiah and that makes him an arch enemy of me.

He is vile, despicable, ruthless, and every other such adjective that you can imagine and many more that you can’t. He is an accomplished murderer, destroyer and thief.

The only thing positive that I have to say about him is that he is going to burn in hell for eternity when his demise finally comes. I am looking forward to that day with great anticipation.

His attacks start even before you are born
Often times, before we even have an opportunity to draw close to Yeshua, the satan will often activate a plan to prevent that relationship with Yeshua from even developing. This is part of the reason abortions have been so widely practiced over the last fifty years.

The subtle beast…

Genesis 3:1
“Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field ….”

Certainly our adversary is not above mounting a direct assault as referenced above. However, I can certainly attest to the validity of Genesis 3:1. If there is anything positive one could say about the devil, it is that he is really good at what he does.  

He often avoids straight on attacks.  More often he tries to knock us out of our game by way of a sideswipe.

In police work, there is a technique that can be used to stop a fleeing car by taking a patrol car and nudging a corner of the fleeing car.

This is what the devil will often do: Just give you a little nudge to cause you to careen out of control.

He might do this with the purpose of keeping us busy (for example by prompting a customer or employer to encourage us to work overtime), keeping us distracted, creating tension in a relationship, doubt in our minds, etc., etc., etc.

Consequently, we spend our time, “shadow boxing” with the enemy: Expending energy, time, and resources battling false fronts rather than devoting precious time and effort pursuing a genuine relationship with Yeshua, the author, and finisher of our faith.

The satan receives far more attention than he deserves
The satan is the recipient of far too much attention.

Certainly, he is a force to be reckoned with. He has been granted some power and some authority for this season.

So then the common perception is that if we are “really spiritual” (relatively speaking), we spend a lot of our time fighting the satan, rather than pursuing the King of the Universe who has already defeated the satan in a super powerful way and continues to do so every day.

However, it is easy to fall into the trap of spending far too much time focused on fighting evil, and not nearly enough attention to the lover of your soul: Yeshua.

Yeshua is worthy of your utmost

Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of anything earthly….
For the kingdom of God is not…. (earthly), but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. So then… pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.

From Romans14:20,17,19

Relatively speaking, few people give Yeshua much thought. The Bible tells us that this is the way it will be. However, of those who do, I have learned that many of us spend far too much time fighting evil, and not nearly enough time cultivating a loving relationship with the Messiah.

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
Proverbs 8:17

There is a time and place for fighting evil. However, if you were to develop an intimate relationship with Yeshua, you would find that your time fighting the enemy would be greatly reduced, and perhaps practically eliminated.

Beyond a doubt, unquestionably, with no hesitation, developing an intimate relationship with Yeshua is the best form of spiritual warfare… bar none.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

John 15:4

Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 1:8

Jude 1:24 tells us that Jesus (Yeshua) is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy: The satan knows this reality.

Not always, but often, if you stop focusing on yourself, the adversary, or your circumstance, and start focusing on Yeshua, eventually the adversary will flee from you and your circumstance will improve.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7

Many of us spend far too much time fighting evil and not nearly enough time pursuing Yeshua.  

Sometimes additional offensive strategies are necessary
An article of this nature is limited and so not every matter can be addressed in every article.

Still, I feel it necessary to at least mention that sometimes, “resisting” the devil requires far more than simply ignoring as this article suggests. However, none of the following will be as effective as they could be without abiding in the Messiah.

Resisting the devil can also include various means of spiritual warfare including offensive imprecatory prayers, confessions, cleansing bloodlines, various other types of prayer, attending the Courts of Heaven, fasting, seeking wise counsel from spiritual leaders, deliverance, healing in various ways, etc., etc., etc.

Conclusion: The satan is a formidable enemy who deserves due attention. He will attack in every means possible. However, He is often given too much attention and credit.

The primary way to resist the devil is to turn to Yeshua.

I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Psalm 18:1-3

Confession: I desire an intimate relationship with Yeshua, my Master and Savior. He is the Rock upon which I stand

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, help me to learn to pursue an authentic relationship with Yeshua. Please help me to not allow distractions to keep me from knowing Him in a real way. Thank You, Yeshua for wanting a relationship with me and accomplishing all that you accomplished so that, that could happen.  Amen

Dr. Rayphe
God’s Kingdom Realm

Join me on the Morning Watch at 6:30 AM PT M-F

Keys of the Kingdom: Daily Devotionals online and delivered to your inbox to help you unlock the Kingdom of God in your life.