If you can’t comprehend it, it will defeat you!

Let’s look at the meaning of comprehend, it is to understand something.  To understand is a psychological process related to an abstract or physical object, such as a person, situation, or message whereby one is able to think about it and use concepts to deal adequately with that object.  Understanding is a relation between the knower and an object of understanding.

Let us look at the term Psychological process.  When we talk about “psychological”, we usually refer to certain processes which involve joint contribution of mental, physical, social, and physiological activities.  Sensation, perception, learning, memory, thinking, motivation, and emotion are considered key psychological processes.

Let us now look at the phrase “to deal adequately with” this means you need to spend a great deal of time, energy, and thought into understanding and accepting it.

With that being said, I will now adequately deal with presenting a true and accurate understanding of spiritual warfare.  That way one can psychologically process it so that they can say they now comprehend what spiritual warfare is and can adequately be prepared for the battle.

First I would like to dive into the scriptures and let’s see what the Good Word says.

“Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7  To resist the devil, what are we resisting?  We are resisting the desires, urges, and temptations he throws at our feet.  We resist his voice that whispers in our ears.  We resist the fleshly desires that come daily.  We must resist the devil and his demons which are in the spiritual world that are unseen, for there is a battle going on all around us.

“Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” 1 Pet. 5:8-9

Again the devil is prowling around seeking whom he might destroy.  He knows who is aware of his presence that is why he seeks out the blind, the carnal, and the weak, Christians who aren’t even aware of his presence.  He waits like a lion seeking whom he can bounce on and inflict with his demons and lies.  He is real and always waiting, his army of demons is vast and they all are at his beck and call.

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Cor. 10:3-5

“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.” Eph. 6:11-17

So here we are told to put on the full armor of God, this is our spiritual armor not physical.  We do this to protect ourselves from the devil and his schemes.  Then we are told that our struggle is not of flesh and blood but against spiritual forces, rulers, authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  I want to be clear here, everything that is going on now in this world is all part of this large-scale spiritual warfare.

Do you actually think that spiritual warfare goes on break or stops at some point?  Absolutely not!  It’s a continual battle for the soul.  Everything that happens, that is every single thing is all connected.  It is either from God or for God, or it is from the devil or for the devil.  Make no mistake about it, you cannot I’ll say that again, you cannot serve 2 gods.  The Bible says in Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

How can one serve money?  This is the trickery in the spiritual world.  The devil gets you to love money, rely on money, need money, become dependent on money for the Bible also says in 1Timothy 6:10:  “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”

Spiritual warfare is real and alive just as alive as the Word of God.  We read in 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.”  The deeper we go, the more truths pour out.  We have to be prepared for this battle because if you’re not, there is just no possible way you can overcome it.  It’s only through Christ this is possible.  When we equip ourselves with the Armor of God and are filled with the spirit of Jesus, if we are totally aware of the devil and his schemes then:

“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper, and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord.” Is. 54:17

He also has declared this: “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Exodus 14:14

When we walk around as Christ-filled Christians, we know that we have the spiritual powers to overcome the devil and his wickedness.

“In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Rom. 8:37

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 15:57

“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.” Zech. 4:6

“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thess. 3:3

“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” Luke 10:19

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” Matt. 18:18-19

“The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.” Deut. 28:7

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Cor. 10:13

“…the reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” 1 John 3:8

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Josh. 1:9

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart…” Ps. 91:1-4

“This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chron. 20:15

 So to be clear, do these things to be sure you’re not defeated by the devil.  Make yourself abundantly aware of the spiritual warfare we face and have your full armor of God on which you can read in the next chapter.