Ignoring the Devil Doesn't Make Him Go Away! Put On Your Armor and Fight!

Good Morning My Loves,

For the past few days I keep hearing in my spirit, “Don’t neglect to put your armor on. Don’t lay your weapons down! Pick up your weapons! You must wage war. The enemy is targeting those who are ignoring him, are not dressed for war, and that have laid down their weapons! Put on your armor and fight for your family, your city, your nation. You must wage war! You have authority, and you can take ground. FIGHT!” I’ve been called extreme, radical, and “too intense” by those who have fallen into what I see as a sort of “groovy, hippy, peace, love and harmony gospel" that is permeating Christian circles right now. If you talk about “waging war” against the enemy to see the deliverance of your family, cities, or nations, you are viewed as someone with a “devil focus.” I certainly think we should have a “Jesus focus,” but we should not ignore the devil. Ignoring the devil doesn’t stop him from trying to steal, kill, and destroy us. That is deceptive and leaves us open and vulnerable to his attacks. He is constantly looking for an open door in our life. When we set our Sword (Bible) down, we’re more likely to stop putting our armor on in prayer, become soft on sin, and open the door to the enemy. When we do that, deception and defeat are eminent! Jesus clearly told us what the devil's assignment is to steal, kill, and destroy:

John 10:10 (AMP)

10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].I believe one of the greatest deceptions permeating the church today is that “spiritual warfare” is unnecessary. Jesus gave us the mandate or “responsibility” to use the authority that he gave us to “enforce” the laws of His Kingdom and to rule on this earth. Why? Because even though satan and the kingdom of darkness has lost it’s authority, it’s still an active force here on earth. Luke 10:19 (AMP)

19 Listen carefully: I have given you authority [that you now possess] to tread on serpents and scorpions, and [the ability to exercise authority] over all the power of the enemy (Satan); and nothing will [in any way] harm you. Jesus himself told us that satan is wreaking havoc on this earth. We are to be submitting to the authority of God, actively resisting the devil by binding him, casting-driving him out, and destroying his assignments through warfare prayer.

James 4:7 (AMP)

7 So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.

My beloved we are in a spiritual war. We live under the constant threat of attack and EACH DAY we must be prepared for battle.

We must be properly dressed to face the enemy.

Paul laid out a demonic hierarchy that each believer must be prepared to fight against, be he also let us know that with the proper armor we are not defenseless against their attacks. We may feel defeated and hopeless at times, but we can be properly dressed and victorious in EVERY SITUATION!

Ephesians 6:10-18 (AMP)

10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. 11 Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. 13 Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. 14 So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart), 15 and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. 16 Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

18 With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all [d]God’s people.

Yes the attacks are going come. But we must not WAIT for the battle to begin before putting on our armor and picking up our weapons. The enemy is determined to steal our joy, and cause us to be ineffective soldiers for God. We must determine to defeat the enemy BEFORE the attacks even begin, by STAYING READY. Stay dressed. Stay Armed. Stay prayed up. Stay alert. I decree and declare in the mighty name of Jesus that you are not losing ground. On the contrary, you are picking up the Sword of the Spirit - The Word of God - and directly engaging the enemy. You are driving him out and TAKING GROUND!