Spiritual Warfare

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV

I won't lie or pretend that I have everything together. I struggle every day. I write these blogs as much for myself as you, and my experiences heavily influence my content. Lately, an overwhelming sense of unworthiness has consumed me, casting doubt on my ability to impact others' lives through my platform. I've questioned the value of the entire Broken + Buried project, feeling it's a futile effort. Personally, I’ve felt attacked, questioning my worth to my family and my ability to lead my wife and kids, haunted by the ghost of my past failures. These are lies, and I know they are. I know who I am and what I am worth. But left unchecked, these thoughts could fester and grow, embedding themselves into my reality. Despite having no legitimate place in my life, they invade my mind. I know what's happening, but I feel powerless to stop it. There's nothing I can do to make it end.

If I'm being honest, my flesh craves the pain of these thoughts, relishing in my failures and celebrating them. All hope vanishes when my identity is bound to my failures and feelings of unworthiness. If Satan can get me to capitulate, to feel that no matter what I do, I can never break free of these feelings, he has won. I am not fighting myself; these feelings do not come from my spirit. They are an attack designed to silence my voice. Without my voice, I have no reach — I merely exist. Through my power alone, I will never win. I am not strong enough and could never hope to be.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

- Ephesians 6:12

We are waging an internal war, and Satan will stop at nothing to silence us. He infiltrates our thoughts, manipulates the voices around us, and weaponizes media and social media against us. In Ephesians 6, the Bible tells us to put on the full armor of God. My pastor recently spoke about this, highlighting that every piece of the armor, except the Sword of the Spirit, is for defense—the Belt of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Shoes of Peace, the Shield of Faith, and the Helmet of Salvation. These protect us from the devil's attacks. But the Sword of the Spirit, the word of God, is our weapon to combat him and his lies. We must know and meditate on the scriptures, resting on Jesus and His word, so intimately that we can discern the lies spoken over us. We must wage war with the scripture, declaring God's victory in our life. We are His!

As David said in Psalms,

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

- Psalms 119:11.

As Ephesians 6:18 instructs, we are commanded to pray in the Spirit. This means recognizing that prayer is not just a ritual but a vital lifeline in our spiritual warfare. It means engaging deeply with God, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and empower our prayers. Pray fervently and passionately for everything you face, from the smallest concerns to the most overwhelming battles. Prayer is a powerful weapon that breaks strongholds and brings divine intervention into our lives.

There will inevitably be distractions—thoughts that pull you away, responsibilities that demand your attention, and external noises that attempt to drown out your prayers. These distractions are often subtle attacks designed to weaken your resolve and interrupt your communion with God. You must be vigilant, fighting to silence these distractions with determination and focus. Create a sacred space and time for your prayers, where the world's noise is minimized, and your heart and mind can fully engage with God. Pour out your heart to God, sharing your deepest fears, struggles, and hopes. Trust that He hears you and actively works on your behalf, even when you cannot see immediate results.

Prayer in the Spirit is more than words; it is an intimate connection with God that empowers you to face challenges. It renews your strength, sharpens your spiritual discernment, and fortifies your faith. As you persist in prayer, you align yourself with God’s will, allowing His power to flow through you and transform your circumstances. Remember, the battle is not yours alone; it belongs to the Lord, and through fervent, persistent prayer, you invite His victory into every aspect of your life.

Do not lose heart; pray with the relentless determination of the widow who sought justice from the judge in Luke 18.

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily.

- Luke 18:1-8a

If you don’t know how to pray, I encourage you to pray Psalm 23; it vividly portrays the Lord as a devoted shepherd, providing, guiding, and protecting with unwavering care. It declares that with God, there is no lack. He leads to serene pastures and still waters, restoring the soul and guiding in paths of righteousness. There is no fear even in the darkest valleys, for His presence brings comfort and protection. The psalm climaxes with the assurance of God's relentless goodness and mercy, pursuing all the days of life, culminating in the eternal dwelling in the house of the Lord forever.

Prayer is immensely powerful, but its true potency is unlocked only when approached with the right heart. We must vigilantly guard the posture of our hearts and minds. As 2 Corinthians 10:5 commands, we must take every thought captive and scrutinize them against the unyielding truth of God’s word. This is not a passive act but an active, vigilant engagement. We must wield the Sword of the Spirit, the very word of God, as a formidable weapon to combat and dismantle the deceitful thoughts that infiltrate our minds. These thoughts seek to undermine our faith and sow discord within our souls, but we can fend off these insidious lies through fervent, heartfelt prayer and the relentless application of scripture. We stand firm, armored in truth and righteousness, relentlessly fighting back with the divine power of God’s word. Capture every thought that strays from God, and fix your mind unwaveringly on Him.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

- Philippians 4:8

Finally, do not fight this battle alone. It is crucial to share your struggles with those you hold in high esteem—parents, pastors, church leaders, mentors, or accountability partners. In Matthew 18:19-20, Jesus assures us that where two or more gather in His name, He is there among them. This divine promise underscores the power of collective prayer and mutual support. Seek the counsel of wise, godly individuals who will stand with you, intercede on your behalf, and speak words of life and deliverance over your soul. Engage deeply in a community of like-minded believers, for there is strength in unity. Together, you can confront the darkness, lifting each other in prayer and encouragement. Do not underestimate the power of this spiritual camaraderie. It is a fortress of faith and love, a beacon of hope amidst the storm. With your brothers and sisters in Christ by your side, you are not just enduring; you are waging a victorious war against the forces that seek to drag you down.

Heavenly Father,

We come before You, acknowledging the internal battles we face and the relentless attacks of unworthiness and doubt. Help us to put on Your full armor, wielding the Sword of the Spirit to combat these lies. Surround us with a supportive community of believers, and let us persist in fervent prayer, trusting in Your strength and guidance. May we fix our minds on Your truth and find victory through Your word and presence.

In Jesus' name, Amen.