Spiritual Battles: 5 Disciplines You Need To Know

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Every day we’re facing Spiritual Battles. We may not always recognize them for what they are, but whether they’re acknowledged or not, they’re most definitely there.

Do you let God fight for you? I have a tendency to try to take on the world by myself sometimes. Ok, a lot of times.

It’s so tough. Sure, if it’s a big issue, crisis, or life-decision, I definitely seek out God’s help. Whether it’s a health issue, uprooting our family to move, determining schooling options for our children, dealing with finances, or that difficult relationship, I certainly needed God. 

But what about the day-to-day battles? Why do I treat those as if I didn’t need God just as much?

I’m desperate for Him when it’s a big issue but easily let him slide into the background on the day-to-day decisions of life.

Have I not learned yet that I have super-power abilities to turn a mess into a major mess when left to my own devices? Do you do this, too?

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Spiritual Battles: Big and Small

Big or small spiritual battles make no difference. God desires to reign over our day in every capacity.

Here’s one of the amazing facts about God – He remains faithful in spite of me and you! So as He is faithful in the “big issues” each and every time we approach Him, he is just as faithful in the small ones. 

I’m convinced that the more we rely on His faithfulness in the small details, the better we can walk out the big battles. It’s so important to look back and take note of God’s faithfulness in our lives.

We have a faithful God that tells us over and over to come to Him:

• When we’re tired and heavy laden (Matthew 11:28)

• Come, everyone who thirsts (Isaiah 55:1)

• I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever comes to me shall never thirst. (John 6:35) 

• Those who call upon the Lord will renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31)

And yet, how many times do I resort to, “Nah…I think I’ve got this on my own.” Or worse yet, I don’t even consider turning to Him until everything’s gotten a little too out of control.

Please tell me I’m not the only that does this.

Letting God Fight Your Battles

There’s a story in 2 Chronicles 20:1-20 of a guy that had this exact same problem!

Ok, so he happened to be a king but we can still learn so much from him. His name was King Jehosphaphat and he was King of Judah. He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight (2 Chron. 20:32).

In this particular story, he is about to face an actual battle. Consider this story and think about the spiritual battles in your life. Take a moment to consider the mountain or spiritual battle that you are facing today.

Is it a struggle with your family? A battle of finances? A health crisis? Relationship struggle? We all have battles we are facing. You probably know exactly what your battle is.

Facing Spiritual Battles – Where is your focus?

Once you’ve considered your spiritual battle(s), has it been consuming you lately? Have your thoughts been filled for days or weeks dwelling on the difficulties and troubles surrounding you? Is fear battling for control over your thoughts?

If so, let that be a reminder that God is calling for your attention.

He’s greater than the mountain, He’s not afraid of fear, and nothing is too difficult for Him.

Turn your focus to the Lord. Easier said than done, right? But let’s see as this story unfolds..

King Jehoshaphat was in the same position – “Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the LORD for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting. So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek that LORD’s help. “(2 Chron. 20:3-4)

He begged the LORD for guidance. Maybe you’ve done this or maybe you’re reading this now and realizing that’s where you need to start. He then had those around him also seek the Lord’s help.

We try to face so many spiritual battles on our own, invite others to seek the Lord’s help with you. Sometime the Enemy tries to convince us we’re on our own or no one else is struggling with what we’re going through.

These are tactics to deceive you.

Fiercely seek the Lord. He is ready for us to approach Him at any given moment.

You should read the whole story but here’s the incredible piece. The Spirit of the Lord spoke through one of the men:

He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! 

This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. 

17 But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17)

There’s so much we can take away from this passage and learn to let God fight our battles – big or small – if only we approach Him!

Spiritual Battles: How To Let God Fight You

5 Spiritual Battles Disciplines:

1. Recognize. 

This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 2 Chronicles 20:15

When we turn our focus and seek the LORD, we are seeking the LORD of the universe. The King of kings. Our mighty Savior.

This shifts our focus onto the One that always triumphs!

Recognize the battle is the Lord’s.

It’s not your battle, it’s the Lord’s.

Every day we’re faced with pressures, temptations, sin, and anything that tries to get us to rebel against God. Ask God for help rather than tackling spiritual battles ourselves.

Do you know what I’m learning? No matter how much I try and determine to conquer anything, I am just not that strong.

By God’s grace, I may have a good go at it for a while on my own, but ultimately, it is not within my strength to battle and capture lasting victory.

From the beginning of time, God created us to be dependent on Him. That’s how we’re designed! 

As believers, just consider John 15:15 – I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

The words are so clear – apart from me you can do nothing – and yet, I try and I try and I try to do it my way. I tend to think I’m actually the vine and he’s the branch.

Have you ever thought about the fact that Jesus conquered death – a battle well beyond ourselves – and He knew we were desperate for rescuing? 

Every single battle since the cross, He knows we are desperate for rescuing!

We’re desperate for Him. Who am I to think I can handle it better than the Redeemer of the world?

It is only through His power within us.

Related Post: Identity in Christ – Take the Pledge!

Recognize who God is and the power he possesses.

It should bring us great comfort to know He has pledged Himself to us! Our ever-faithful God is committed to us always.

2. Surrender.

It’s so hard to surrender. A lot of times we get to the place of surrender after we’ve tried everything else. 

Surrendering is hard for several reasons. Whether we do not want to “feel” or “look weak”, or our pride convinces us we’re admitting defeat when we surrender, or we believe we just need a little more time managing it ourselves and then we’ll conquer it.

Yes, I struggle with all these and I’m learning the quicker I can get to surrendering, the sweeter the victory.

There is not anything or anyone else in this world stronger, more capable, wiser, more powerful, more considerate or loving than our Heavenly Father.

Related Post: What Is The Good News Of The Gospel?

When we surrender ourselves, He fills us with His strength! It’s the Great Exchange that continues to wash over us from the cross. We receive His power through the Holy Spirit.

Each moment of each day when we surrender, we are welcoming His Spirit to work through us instead.

We can bank on Him 100% of the time but we have to surrender to His authority.

3. Take Your Position.

Notice this: But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; 2 Chronicles 20:17a

But you will not even need to fight. 

That line blows me away.

Can you picture God just waiting for us to calm down so He can handle it? Dear child, this is mine. You are not meant to fight this.

Take your position. Trust me. 

I am curious to know how much wasted energy, worry, fretting, manipulating, and finagling I’ve done in my life when all the while, God never intended for me to even fight.

Is there a battle you were never intended to fight that you need to relinquish to God?

Related Post: How to Find God’s Presence In the Chaos

4. Expect. 

 ..then stand still and watch the LORD’s victory. 2 Chronicles 20:17.

We can put our trust in the Lord and we can expect victory from Him. 

For the LORD your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory! Deuteronomy 20:4

It must be noted that the Lord’s victory may not be the victory we have in mind. Regardless, we can rest in His security and provision to carry us through in all things.

I’m convinced our best days are the days we live expectantly for the Lord.

We should expect amazing things from an Amazing God! Every day He gives us the opportunity throughout our day to see Him work!

Related Post: How to Find Peace – 3 Promises of Peace

5. Thanksgiving.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4-5

Let’s give thanks and praise to our Good Father! He is to be celebrated! There is no one like Him.

He fights our battles. Remains forever faithful. He has patience every day when we try to face our spiritual battles on our own.

The Lord is always with us and tells us not to be afraid or discouraged.

Let’s apply these spiritual battle disciplines not just for the big issues of life but in our daily walk.

What battle are you going to hand over to God today?

Call to Action:

Recognize – Surrender – Take Your Position – Expect – Thanksgiving. Comment below what battle you are going to surrender today and how I can pray for you. Remember: The Lord Always Triumphs!

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