There is a spiritual warfare that is happening in our life, therefore it is important to understand how this war is done.
In the book of Daniel chapter 10 we get a glimpse into what is happening in this war.
We will study what and how to win this war.
The Bible says we have this war against strongholds.
A stronghold is a deeply ingrained pattern of thinking and feeling that has taken on a life of its own within an individual.
You got the weapons to fight this war.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.
4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
5 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.
It matters how you think.
Your thoughts are a window into your spiritual heart.
The word “heart” is found between 500-800+ times in the Bible, depending on the version of the Bible you are reading.
Proverbs 4:23
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
This is a real war happening, and you need to know who is fighting you.
Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
There is a war, spiritually. And your mind/ heart is at the centre of that war.
In Daniel 10:12-14 we find the story about Daniel's encounter with an angel from the Lord.
12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel.
Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.
13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days.
Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.
14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”
In the realm of spirituality, there exists a constant battle, a war that rages on within our lives.
This battle is not fought with physical weapons or against flesh and blood, but rather it takes place in the depths of our minds and hearts.
Our job isn’t to curse the darkness but to shine a light into the darkness.
Romans 12:21
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good”
Nothing spoils the devil's plans quite like an individual who firmly believes in the goodness of God.
Be a light in a dark world!
Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”.
It is a war against strongholds.
What exactly are strongholds?
These are deeply ingrained patterns of thinking and feeling that have taken root within us.
They have become a part of who we are, shaping our beliefs, attitudes, and actions.
These strongholds can manifest in various ways, such as a persistent state of depression, a cycle of disbelief, or a habitual tendency towards anger.
But fear not, for the Bible tells us that we have been equipped with divine power to demolish these strongholds.
In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, we are reminded that the weapons we fight with are not of this world.
They are not physical or touchable, but rather they are spiritual in nature.
These weapons possess the power to tear down arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God.
Our mission is to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.
It is crucial to recognize the importance of our thoughts.
Our minds are battlegrounds where spiritual warfare takes place.
In Ephesians 6:12, we are reminded that our struggle is not against mere human beings, but against principalities, powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places.
This battle is very real, and it is fought on a spiritual level.
Daniel’s experience with a messenger of God (angel)
In the book of Daniel, we are given a glimpse into the unseen realm.
Daniel set his mind to gain understanding and humbled himself before God.
His words were heard, but an unseen battle was taking place.
The prince of the Persian kingdom resisted the angel sent to deliver a message to Daniel.
It took the intervention of another powerful angel, Michael, to overcome this resistance.
This passage reminds us that there are unseen forces at work, seeking to hinder our spiritual growth and understanding.
So how do we win this spiritual war in the heavenly?
It starts with renewing our minds and aligning our thoughts with the truth of God's Word.
We must be on fire of capturing every thought that contradicts the knowledge of God and replacing it with the truth.
This requires discipline, prayer, and a deep trust in the Holy Spirit.
We must also be aware of the strongholds that have taken hold of our lives.
Declarations
The words we speak hold immense influence over our lives and have the ability to connect us to the unseen spiritual world.
In the book of Proverbs, it is written that "the power of life and death is in the tongue, and those that love it will eat the fruit thereof."
This means that there are consequences to the words we choose to speak.
The Passion Translation even goes as far as saying, "Your words are so powerful that they will kill or give life."
This highlights the significance of our words in shaping our reality.
Furthermore, in the New Testament, 1 Peter 3:10 advises us to refrain from speaking evil and deceitful words if we desire a fulfilling and prosperous life.
It suggests that the quality and length of our lives are directly influenced by the words we speak.
The Bible also reveals in Hebrews 11:2-3 that the worlds were framed by the word of God.
This means that God created the visible world we live in by taking what already existed in the invisible spiritual world and bringing it into existence through spoken words.
Genesis 1:2-3 provides a clear example of this, stating, "Then God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."
By speaking words, God transformed the formless and dark void into a world filled with light and life.
While we may not possess the ability to create something out of nothing like God, we can still bring forth what already exists in the invisible spiritual world into our natural world through the power of our words.
Ephesians 1:3 tells us that the Father has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places.
These blessings, such as the presence of God, joy, peace, freedom, authority, and healing, already exist in the spiritual realm.
Through our words, we can activate and manifest these blessings in our own lives, influencing our environments, changing our circumstances, and even experiencing miracles.
Ephesians 2:6 further reinforces this idea by stating that we are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
This means that we have authority, presence, and victory because of our union with Christ.
By speaking words in alignment with God's word and will, we can turn these spiritual realities into real experiences in our lives.
Job 22:28 declares, "Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways."
This verse teaches us that we have the power to pronounce something and see it come to pass.
When we decree something in alignment with God's word and will, it becomes established in the spirit realm, and what we have spoken will be reality.
Decrees are the privileges of kings, and as believers, we are called to be kings and priests.
Therefore, we have the authority to make decrees according to the word and will of God.
When we exercise this authority and speak forth God's promises, a spiritual law is established, and what we decree will manifest in our lives.
Seek God's guidance
Finally, surround yourself with a community of believers who can support and encourage you in this battle.
Together, you can pray, study the Word, and hold each other accountable.
Remember, we are not meant to fight this war alone.
Conclusion
Winning the spiritual war in the heavenly requires an active participation on our part.
It is a battle fought in the depths of our minds and hearts, against strongholds that seek to hinder our spiritual growth.
But with the power of God, the truth of His Word, and a community of believers, we can overcome and demolish these strongholds.
The power of declaration is not to be underestimated.
The words we speak hold tremendous power and influence.
They can shape our reality, connect us to the spiritual realm, and bring forth blessings, miracles, and transformation.
As we align our words with God's word and will, we activate the power of declaration and experience the fulfilment of His promises in our lives.
Let us take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ, for in Him, we find victory.