Days of Prayer to Overcome StrongholdsSample

Know Your Enemy

We would never ignore an enemy in a natural war, so we would be foolish to ignore Satan and his deceptions.

Jesus has gained the ultimate victory for us. The devil has lost the war. But Satan and his evil forces have been allowed enough power in this world to engage in spiritual battles; they are trying to capture us in their strongholds of sin.

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible reveals Satan’s identity. The Old Testament tells us he was an angel whose false pride and ego made him rebel against God. In the New Testament, Jesus describes Satan as a murderer and a liar. Paul alerts us that Satan doesn’t work alone. He has some powerful forces in his kingdom. But they don’t have more power than the King of Kings!

Satan is still a formidable foe on earth. He can use his tactics on every human being who has ever been born because we were born in Adam’s sin. Even Christians can’t get too cocky. Remember, the apostle Peter warns us, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Satan’s relentless temptations can be destructive even against believers if they do not submit to God and resist the enemy’s lies.

Now, we know that Satan can never possess a Christian; our spirits have been born again in Christ. However, he can oppress or influence us with relentless thoughts of depression, anxiety, fear, unbelief, lust, anger, unforgiveness, insecurity, and addictions that can create strongholds in our lives. The darkness that exists in the world today, and the temptations of the enemy, need to be recognized and resisted. Once you open yourself up to Satan’s lies and give him permission to come in through your choices, the demonic influence can be very strong. Only God’s love and power can break those strongholds.

The spiritual warfare around us is real. But don’t let it make you afraid. Fear doesn’t come from the Lord. Never forget that the almighty God, the Creator of the universe, is stronger than Satan. And the Holy Spirit living in you is stronger than the ruler of this world.

Let us thank the Lord for His Holy Spirit that resides within us and pray for His guidance and wisdom against the wiles of the enemy.