How do we Overcome the Devil?: Harnessing the Power of Prayer for Spiritual Warfare

ROAR! ROOOOAR! The devil is ROARING. As Christians, we believe in God, and we also believe that there is a devil. The devil is a real and powerful enemy who seeks to destroy our lives and our relationship with God. He is not a myth or a symbol, but a fallen angel who rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven. He is the leader of a host of evil spirits who work with him to tempt, deceive, accuse, and oppress us in an effort for us to lose our faith and not be a part of the church resulting in us being cast in Hell. 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

Christians often attribute their situations to the attack of the devil, they believe that individuals are filled with demons and are being used by these evil spirits to try and harm them. 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”. The fight is not against a particular person, although the attack may be done through that individual. Our adversary is the devil. It is a fact that some individuals have that mindset and practice Witchcraft, Vodou, Obeah, Santeria, Spiritism, and Sorcery. These are terms that refer to different forms of **magic** and **spiritual practices** that involve the use, of natural or supernatural forces to influence events, people, or nature. These terms have different meanings and origins depending on the cultural and historical context.

 

Witchcraft is a broad term that can describe various beliefs and practices that involve the manipulation of magic, often for benevolent or malevolent purposes. Witchcraft can be found in many cultures around the world, such as Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America. Witchcraft can be associated with religion, folklore, mythology, or occultism. Some examples of witchcraft are Wicca, Paganism, Shamanism, and Hoodoo. The number of people who practice witchcraft in the US is said to have increased in the last three decades.

 

Vodou or Voodoo is said to have originated in West Africa and is practiced in parts of the Caribbean (especially Haiti) and the southern US, combining elements of Roman Catholic ritual with traditional African magical and religious rites, and characterized by sorcery and spirit possession. It is said to be rooted in ancestral remembrance, nature, healing, and justice. It is called by different names in other countries.

 

Obeah is a specific term that refers to a series of **African diasporic** spellcasting and healing traditions found in the former British colonies of the Caribbean. Obeah derives much from traditional West African practices that have undergone cultural creolization. Obeah can be used for good or evil, depending on the intention of the practitioner and the client. Obeah often involves the use of herbal and animal ingredients, charms, fetishes, and rituals. Obeah can also incorporate elements of Christianity, as well as other Caribbean religions like Voodoo and Santeria. 

 

Santeria is Spanish for, “The Way of the Saints”.  The most common name given to a religious tradition of West African origin that was developed in Cuba and then spread throughout Latin America and the United States. According to the Encyclopaedia Brittanica, Santería is based upon the development of personal relationships through divination, sacrifice, initiation, and mediumship between practitioners of the religion and the orisha deities, who provide their devotees with protection, wisdom, and success and who guide devotees in times of crisis.   Spiritism is also incorporated.

 

Sorcery is another general term that can mean the use of magic or supernatural powers to harm others or gain an advantage. Sorcery can also be found in many cultures and traditions, such as ancient Mesopotamia, medieval Europe, Native America, and Polynesia. Sorcery can involve spells, curses, hexes, potions, talismans, or incantations. Sorcery is usually considered a negative or evil form of magic and is often opposed by religious or moral authorities.

 

Are we helpless against the devil and his demons’ devices? NO, we are not! God has given us weapons and strategies to overcome the devil and his schemes. One of the most effective and essential weapons is prayer. Prayer is not just a way of communicating with God, but a way of engaging in spiritual warfare. Through prayer, we can resist the devil, claim God's promises, receive God's protection, release God's power, and gain victory.

 

In this blog post, we will explore how to fight the good fight of faith with the armor of God and harness the power of God through prayer, to win in this spiritual warfare. We will overcome the devil in three areas: our minds, our hearts, and our actions.

 

Our Minds

 

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

 

The devil often attacks our minds with lies, doubts, fears, and accusations. He wants to fill our thoughts with negativity, confusion, and condemnation. He wants to make us doubt God's love, goodness, and faithfulness. He wants to make us feel guilty, ashamed, and unworthy.

 

To overcome the devil in our minds, we must put on the helmet of salvation. The helmet covers over head which represents our mind. This means that we must believe and know that we are saved regardless of what we are experiencing.  We also need to pray with the word of God. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit, which can cut through the lies of the enemy and expose his deception. The word of God is also the truth that sets us free from bondage and fear. The word of God is the light that dispels the darkness and reveals God's character and will. This should be our mindset.

   

We need to speak the word of God whenever we pray by:

 

- Memorizing and meditating on Scripture verses that counteract the enemy's lies and affirm God's truth.

- Declaring and confessing God's word over our lives and situations.

- Asking God to renew our minds and transform our thinking according to his word.

- Thanking God for his word and his promises.

 

Our Hearts

 

The devil also attacks our hearts with bitterness, anger, unforgiveness, and resentment. He wants to fill our emotions with hatred, hostility, and hurt. He wants to make us hold grudges, seek revenge, and harbor malice. He wants to make us bitter against God, ourselves, and others.

 

To overcome the devil in our hearts, we must put on the breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate covers our vital organs such as our hearts (Proverbs 4:23 In-Context 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. 24. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. 25. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.) and lungs. To guard our hearts, we need to pray to have the love of God. The love of God is the bond of perfection, which can heal our wounds and restore our relationships. The love of God is also the power that drives out fear and casts out evil. The love of God is the fruit of the Spirit that produces joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

 

We need to pray with the love of God by:

 

- Forgiving those who have hurt us and asking for forgiveness from those we have hurt.

- Blessing those who curse us and praying for those who persecute us.

- Asking God to fill our hearts with his love and compassion.

- Thanking God for his love and his grace.

 

Our Actions

 

The devil also attacks our actions with temptation, sin, and compromise. He wants to fill our behavior with disobedience, rebellion, and lawlessness. He wants to make us yield to our fleshly desires, worldly values, and demonic influences. He wants to make us stray from God's path, disobey his commands, and dishonor his name.

 

To overcome the devil in our actions, we need to pray with the power of God. The power of God is the authority that Jesus has given us over all the powers of the enemy. The power of God is also the strength that the Holy Spirit provides us to overcome sin and do good works. The power of God is the victory that Jesus won for us on the cross and through his resurrection.

 

We need to pray with the power of God by:

 

- Resisting the devil and submitting to God.

- Repenting of our sins and turning away from them.

- Asking God to fill us with his Spirit and enable us to walk in his ways.

- Thanking God for his power and his presence.

 

Conclusion

 

The devil is a defeated foe who has no authority over us as children of God, but he is still a dangerous enemy who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy us. We need to be alert and vigilant against his schemes and tactics. Our mindset must be for victory. We need to put on the whole armor of God and stand firm in faith. Finally, we need to harness the power of the word, prayer, and spiritual warfare to overcome him in every area of our lives.

 

Remember - Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

 

How to Become a Person of Excellence Following Christ

 Why should Christians operate in excellence?

As Christians, we are called to follow the example of Christ in everything we do and with everyone with whom we interact. This means that we should not be satisfied with just doing the bare minimum for tasks that we undertake, but rather seek to do them with excellence. Excellence is not about being perfect or flawless, but about doing our best with the gifts and abilities that God has given us. It is also about having a positive attitude and mindset, a willingness to learn, to improve, and to cultivate a desire to honor God and serve others.

 

We seek to have the best interaction possible with each person that crosses our path. Every person is created in the image of God and has inherent value and dignity. Every person is a potential friend, ally, or disciple. Every person has an opportunity to show the love and grace of God. Every person is a reflection of ourselves and how we treat them reveals our character and maturity. Christ has set an example for us in how he interacted with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and situations. He was compassionate, respectful, humble, honest, wise, and courageous. He was not afraid to challenge the status quo, confront injustice, or speak the truth in love. He was not influenced by the opinions of others but by the will of his Father. He was not motivated by selfish ambition but by selfless service.

In the bible, there is a story that illustrates why we should do our best. It is the parable of the talents, found in Matthew 25:14-30. In this story, a master entrusts his servants with different amounts of money (talents), according to their abilities. One was given five, another two, and the third was given one. He then goes away for a long time and expects them to use the money wisely and productively. When he returns, he rewards the two servants who multiplied their talents but punishes the third one who buried his talent in the ground. This parable teaches us that God has given each of us different gifts and opportunities, and He expects us to use them for His glory and the benefit of others. We should not be lazy or fearful, but faithful and diligent. We should not hide our light under a basket, but let it shine before men. We should not bury our talents but invest them in God's kingdom.

 

What are some of the characteristics that we need to develop and operate by in our daily lives to operate in excellence in all areas of our lives? Here are some suggestions based on biblical principles:

 

- Integrity: Proverbs 10:9 says, "Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out." Integrity means being honest, trustworthy, and consistent in what we say and do. It means keeping our promises, honoring our commitments, and being accountable for our actions. It does not matter how insignificant or unimportant a task or activity may seem to you, to someone else it may be a lifeline. An example of a lack of integrity is telling someone that you are traveling to meet you are only 5 minutes away when you are really 10 minutes away. Integrity means being faithful to God. If we believe that He is all-knowing then we know that He knows everything that we say and do as written by David in Psalm 139:1-6.

- Diligence: Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Diligence means working hard, being productive, having the mindset to be successful, and doing things well. It means being focused, organized, and disciplined. It means being proactive, creative, and resourceful. It means being faithful to God and responsible to others. When you develop and practice this attitude you won’t need to have anyone micromanaging you as you will hold yourself accountable to God and to yourself first. If your lunch break ends at 2 pm practice to be back at least 5 minutes before, not right on time, or 5 minutes after.

- Excellence: Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."  Excellence means having high standards, pursuing quality, and striving for improvement. It means being positive, optimistic, and enthusiastic. It means being grateful, generous, and gracious. It means being faithful to God and respectful to others.

 

As a Christian, operating in excellence is important because it glorifies God and reflects His character. It edifies others and builds His kingdom. Because it fulfills our purpose and expresses our worship.

 

How can we develop and apply these habits daily to everything we do and with everyone we interact with? Here are some practical steps:

 

- Start with prayer: Ask God to help you live according to his will and his ways. Ask Him to give you wisdom, strength, and grace for each day. Ask him to show you areas where you need to grow and change.

- Plan your day: Set realistic goals and priorities for each day. Make it your practice to write a daily “things to do list”, review it regularly, and cross out tasks as soon as you have completed them. Allocate your time and resources wisely. Consistently doing the bare minimum (satisficing) to get by will not make you a person of excellence. Avoid distractions and procrastination.

- Always do your best: Whatever task or challenge you face, do it with all your heart as unto the Lord. Don't settle for mediocrity or complacency.  Seek feedback and improvement. Learn from your mistakes and failures.

- Be flexible: Be open to new opportunities and challenges. Be adaptable to changing circumstances and situations. Be willing to learn new skills and acquire new knowledge. Be ready to face the unexpected and the unknown.

- Be humble: Recognize your limitations and weaknesses. Acknowledge your dependence on God and your need for his grace. Seek his guidance and direction. Submit to his authority and sovereignty.

- Be respectful: Treat everyone with dignity and kindness. Listen attentively and empathetically. Speak politely and constructively. Act courteously and considerately.

- Be helpful: Look for ways to serve others and meet their needs. Offer your assistance and support. Share your resources and gifts. Encourage others with your words and actions.

- Be thankful: Appreciate what God has done for you and what he has given you. Express your gratitude to him daily through prayer and praise. Show your appreciation to others through words and deeds.

 

How can we identify our areas of weakness and work on them consistently until we have improved in those areas? Here are some suggestions:

 

-Develop and embrace an attitude of learning continually. Each time you come across something new find out about it. Be hungry for knowledge and seek answers. For example, if you see or hear a word you do not know, find out the meaning of it. The next time you hear it you will know what it means. You can then explain it if someone asks.

- Seek feedback: Ask others for their honest and constructive opinions about your performance and behavior. Listen to their suggestions and criticisms without being defensive or offended. Learn from their perspectives and experiences.

- Seek mentors: Find someone who has the skills, knowledge, or character that you want to develop or improve. Ask them to guide you, teach you, or coach you. Follow their advice and example. Learn from their successes and failures.

- Seek resources: Find books, articles, podcasts, videos, courses, or workshops that can help you learn more about your areas of improvement. Read, watch, listen, or attend them regularly. Apply what you learn to your daily life.

- Seek accountability: Find a friend, colleague, or partner who can help you stay on track with your goals and plans. Share your progress and challenges with them regularly. Ask them to remind, motivate, or correct you when needed. Most importantly, be your own accountability watchdog.

 

Conclusion

Can making these improvements in the way we operate and live our lives be a powerful witness to others about who Jesus is and how allowing Him to influence our lives can change us for the better? Absolutely! By living in excellence, we can demonstrate the reality and relevance of the gospel to others. We can show them that following Christ is not weird, boring, or burdensome, but joyful and fulfilling. We can demonstrate to them that Christianity is a way that affects every facet of our existence. We can show them that being a Christian is not about being perfect or superior, but about being transformed and empowered by God's grace. We can show them that God loves them, has a plan for them, and can make their lives better.

 

As  Christians, we have special roles to play in the world. We are not just followers of Christ, but we are His ambassadors or representatives. Our actions and words should show His love, grace, and truth to others. We should strive to do everything with excellence, as a way of honoring God and serving His purposes. Let us therefore strive to become people of excellence following Christ, for his glory and for our good.