CATHOLIC FRONT: CONQUER YOUR ENEMIES

"Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks. For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age." (Ephesians 6:11-12).

Christianity is a constant battle against Satan and his evil plots to deceive, corrupt and destroy human beings, who are created in the image and likeness of God. (Genesis 1:26).

Our path to total victory against Satan and his agents begins by our understanding of, both his diabolic plot, tricks and weapons, and of the will, tactics and weapons of God - to resist, overcome and conquer Satan, and those who choose to serve him. Let us go - you will know the truth and the truth will set you free (John 8 :32).

Note: If you are privileged to receive this post or you just came across it, take your time to read it - not only once or twice, but three times. Read the biblical references, and meditate. Then apply this teaching in your spiritual warfare - you will conquer your enemies, prosper, and live long in peace and safety.

1. SATANIC ATTACKS

The devil begins by tempting the people of God - deceiving and seducing them - to disobey God's commands (Genesis 3:1-7) and inducing them to put their bodies in to sinful uses (1 Corinthians 6 :18-20). When people receive Christ, and they are baptized and converted, Satan becomes their enemy, and comes with his demonic weapons to attack and to oppress them (Revelation 12:17). When faithful believers put on the amour of God and take up the holy weapons they ripost and defeat him (Ephesians 6:11-13). Then he flees from them but, still, goes on to corrupt and to use unbelievers and unfaithful Christians to perpetuate and to intensify his attacks against the chosen people of God (John 16:33; 17:14-15).

Evil is Rife

Therefore, in your life, family, relationships, workplace, business, local community, or country, you may experience or notice a lot of mysterious attacks and limitations, corruption, injustice, dictatorships, crimes, accidents, afflictions,, immorality, and all forms of oppression and adversity, that make human life painful and miserable.. You might have prayed, and keep praying, for God to destroy the dictators and those who perpetrate evil in the society. But what you see is the contrary of what you are praying for - the dictators are alive and consolidating their posts, the corrupters are rising and prospering, the criminals and murderers are operating freely - and you can describe the others. Where is God?

2. SPIRITUAL WARFARE

God is alive and active (Revelation 1:18; Hebrews 4:12), but you may be using the wrong weapons or strategy to fight your legitimate battles - and you will not win. Christians are called to be more spiritual and less sentimental. And so we do not fight from our human, but from divine, motives; and we do not pray according our own will but according to the will of God.

God's Weapons

This is what the scripture says: "It is true that we live in the world, but we do not fight from worldly motives. The weapons we use in our fight are not the world's weapons but God's powerful weapons, which we use to destroy strongholds. We destroy false arguments; we pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

God's Will

Therefore, since our weapons of warfare belong but to God, we cannot use them against his will. It's like trying to force God to do want he does not want - which is impossible. As it is written: "The battle belongs to the LORD and the outcome depends on him* (2 Chronicles 20:15).

Spiritual warfare is the tactical application of the Word of God - in the power of the Holy Spirit and in accordance with God's will (1 John 5:14-15) - to overcome and to destroy the evil forces that oppress or limit human beings, created in the image and likeness of God, in their spiritual and material well-beings.

3. FIRST VICTORY

For the spiritual battle against Satan we first confess our sins to God and then use his armour and weapons - the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17), the Blood of Jesus (Revelation 12:11) the power of the Holy Spirit (Mark 16:17-18), and the name of Jesus (Philippians 2:10; John 17:11) - against Satan, to counterattack, and to overcome and conquer.

That is why it is written: "Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power. So put on God's armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground." (Ephesians 6:10,13)

Fight the Battle

So we fight against demons - to bind and cast them away from us, and from our families, work and businesses - because they are fallen spirits and eternal enemies of God. But as it is written (Ephesians 6:10) we are only strong if we are one with God. Therefore, before engaging with the devil in spiritual warfare, we must confess our sins and reconcile with God (1 John 1:8-9).

Then after identifying your war target, you formulate your prayer intention according to the will of God and choose the relevant scripture to apply in your spiritual warfare. The prayers of spiritual warfare are most effective when accompanied with fasting and sacrifice. The best hours to pray are between 11:00 pm and 04:00 am, and the duration may be 7 or 9 days, uninterrupted. The following scriptures are relevant for spiritual warfare against Satan: Revelation 12:11, Mark 16:17-18, Luke 10:19, Isaiah 54:14-17, Numbers 23:21-23, Isaiah 66:15- 16, 1 Samuel 17: 49-51 and Jeremiah 23:29. This list is inexhaustible, and is only a guide.

Signs of Victory

The experience is that after a few nights of intense spiritual warfare the demonic attacks against you and your nightmares would end. But observe the attitudes of your neighbors and the people you meet on your way, in the work or business place. You would notice attitudes of resentment from some and of unsolicited attacks - verbal or physical - from others. Do not feel embarrassed, disheartened, defeated or demoralized. Rather rejoice, and take courage to stand your grounds. For these are the signs that you have won, or are winning the spiritual battles against Satan.

4. SATANIC AGENTS

When you fight and defeat Satan in your spiritual battles, he corrupts and uses human beings, around you to attack you in the physical battles. This is the tactic of Satan to continue fighting against you, and so the wisdom and Word of God says forgive your enemies pray for those who persecute you, so that you may become the children of God (Matthew 5:44-45).

Change of Tactics

The nightmares have ended but the devil has changed his tactics. That is why you do good to others but they pay you back with evil, you help the poor but the thieves continue to rob you, you make offerings in Church - expecting a new blessing - but what you receive are only disappointment, deception and dismay. Then you begin to ask yourself questions: What have I done wrong? Are these the rewards for doing good and helping others? Why should I continue serving God?

Deception

The truth is that Satan is no longer able to harm you, directly, again. That is why he is using people - friends, relatives, bosses, co-workers, competitors etc - who are still under his dominion to attack and torment your life. They may oppress you physically, materially or morally - by assault, duplicity, accusation, discrimination and injustice. In fact, Satan wants to make you believe, by the evidence of what is happening to you - which is the handwork of his agents - that obeying and serving God, or doing good to others does not profit, but ruins your life.

Temptation

However, Satan did not create any of them, that he uses to oppress you - they are human beings, created by God in his own image and likeness. He simply corrupts them, and knows that your actions or prayers to destroy them would violate the will of God. For this reason God will not be on your side, and so you will be helpless and powerless, for him to take the upper hand and continue to torment your life.

5. TRICKS OF SATAN

The tactic of Satan is, first, to accuse you before God by your reaction to the attack of his agent. You will get angry, hate your oppressor and then retribute - anger, hate and vengeance are sins that will accuse you before God (Matthew 5:22, 39,44). That is why, the more we pray for our enemies to die, the longer they live, the stronger they become and the more they oppress us.

Job and Joseph

Since God allowed Satan to test Job (Job 1:6-22); surely, everyone has their turn - though, It may not be as severe. And if you pass the test by remaining faithful to God and his commandments, you receive from God more than what Satan takes from you (Job 42:12-16). Look at what happened to Joseph: his own brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt - they hated him because his father loved him (Genesis 37). But his tribulations turned in to celebrations, and his misfortunes were turned into fortunes - because he trusted in God. And so it is written, "You plotted evil against me but God turned it into good" (Genesis 50:20).

Thank God

So when you a beloved child of God, Satan will hate and oppress you. But everything will turn out to your favor - if you remain in the love of God. Thus the scripture says: "In the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, always give thanks for everything to God the Father" (Ephesians 5:20) Satan asked permission - and was granted by God - to test Job, but despite all what happened to Job, he did not sin by cursing God (Job 1:6-22).

Resist and Persist

The diabolic plan of Satan is to depress, discourage and disturb you from fighting him anymore. So let such things not cause you to want to return to Egypt - that is, to abandon the faith and return to the world. (Exodus 16:2-3). You have crossed the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-31), and are on your way to the promised land, so resist Satan (James 4:7) and persist in your faith. For it is written: "Faith which is firm is also patient" (Isaiah 28:16).

6. CHRIST'S STRATEGY

CHRIST CONQUERED PAUL TO SERVE HIM, INSTEAD OF PERSECUTING HIM

For the spiritual battle against the human beings - agents or instruments of Satan - we first forgive their offences against us, and then use the armour and weapons of God - the Word, Blood, Spirit and name of Jesus (Ephesians 6:17, Revelation 12:11, Mark 16:17-18; John 17:11, Philippians 2:9) to capture, arrest and convert them. We can not pray for God to destroy them because they are children of God, whom he loves just as he loves us - and wants them to be saved, not damned. Spiritual warfare is not limited to the binding and casting out of demons, it includes and is finalized by the conquering and converting of sinners to Christ. Through our baptism we participate in the priestly mission of Christ, which is to call sinners to Salvation

Christ Conquered Paul

A conspicuous case is the conversion of Paul - formally called Saul. He was an agent used by Satan to destroy the Church of Christ, by persecuting and killing the Christians. He approved and oversaw the stoning to death of Stephen - a faithful servant of God and witness for Christ (Acts 7:54-8:3). But Christ did not retribute by killing Paul - though he had all the power. Instead he struck him down by the Holy Spirit, not to kill but to convert - and used him as a weapon against Satan and to win other souls for the kingdom of God. (Acts 9:1-22)

This is how Christ takes back his people from Satan and sharpens them for use to fight him and win back other lost souls. This is the model for Christians to follow, and it is the meaning of the scripture which says: "But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts1:8).

Conquer Your Enemy

So do not fight your human enemies or oppressors by binding and casting them into the abyss or fires of hell, but by conquering and converting them to Christ. Join all the pains, suffering and losses they have cause to you, with the pains and suffering of Jesus on the Cross - and offer together with your prayers, to God for them to confess, repent and be converted. This is the prayer that pleases God - and he will answer you without delay - because God does not want sinners to die (Ezekiel 18:30-32). It is for this reason that Christ came and died on the Cross for sinners to repent and live (Luke 23:41-43). And so, "heaven rejoices when one sinner is converted" (Luke 15:7). Therefore, it is only by using the will of God - to sacrifice and pray for your offenders - that you may totally frustrate Satan's plans, win God's favor, and sustain your first victory against Satan. This is the deep secret of spiritual warfare

7. HUMAN WEAK POINTS

These are the capital mistakes we make: (1) out of vengeance we want people who hurt us to suffer the same pain as they made us to suffer, or even more. (2) out of pride we want to show that we have the power of God to punish them as we wish. (3) and out of selfishness we want to confiscate Christ and gain salvation alone.

Satan Exploits

Satan knows these our weaknesses - by which we will not achieve what we want - because God will not answer our prayers the way we want. And so we will become frustrated and discouraged to fight him any more. Satan is a trickster, and to fight and defeat him you must be a Christian warrior - who knows the will of God and obeys it. For example, it is a sin to ask God to kill or to punish your enemy, in anyway (Ezekiel 18:30-32). The decision to punish or to retribute a sinner is the choice of God alone - not to be decided or requested by other sinners - whom we are. (Matthew 5:38-45; 6:14-15). Try not, even, to curse - whether it works or not - it will eventually backfire because a curse is a satanic weapon (Numbers 23:8). And the more you curse your enemies the more they are blessed (Numbers 23:11).

Why Evil Persists

Therefore, the continuity of crime, enmity, injustice, oppression, corruption, moral perversity, and all forms evil in the world, is due to three key factors. They are :

(1) The satanic corruption of Christians to compromise with the world and become the accomplices of evil and wrongdoing.

(2) The human spirit of vengeance, which makes the people unwilling or unable to forgive each other's offences.

(3) The human spirit of selfishness, which makes even many Christians, unwilling to pray for the salvation of other sinners.

8. SECOND VICTORY

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The struggle to overcome these human weak points is the second battle in which all believers in Christ are called to engage. The weapons are the same: the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, the Blood of Jesus, and the name of Jesus - all applied to do the will of God (1 John 5:14-15).

Shame Satan

When you smile to those who hate you, forgive those who offend you, and pray for those who oppress; three things happen: (1) your anger and pains disappear (2) you put Satan to shame, and (3) you win the love and favor of God (Matthew 5:45-48). That is why the prayer of Jesus on the Cross, for God to forgive his crucifiers (Luke 23:34), sounds to us, human beings, as nonsense. But it is the wisdom of God and the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). This is the Sacred Weapon, the Stone of David, that crushed Goliath - the devil. (1 Samuel 17:48-50; Colossians 2:15). And it is with this that we win the away and the home battles against Satan. And by the power of the Holy Spirit we become the witnesses for Christ in the world (Acts 1:8).

King Solomon's Rewards

With the conversion of your enemies - the agents of Satan - your victory over Satan is complete and final. Your own sins are forgiven because you have forgiven the sins of others. And because you have done the will of God by bringing his salvation to your enemies, your blessings will be multiplied to increase exponentially. Hear what God said to Solomon, and it is written: “You have made the right choice. Instead of asking for wealth or treasure or fame or the death of your enemies or even for long life for yourself, you have asked for wisdom and knowledge so that you can rule my people, over whom I have made you king. I will give you wisdom and knowledge. And in addition, I will give you more wealth, treasure, and fame than any king has ever had before or will ever have again.” (2 Chronicles 1:11-12).

Benefits of Victory

The benefits of the second victory against Satan are:

(1) Your freedom from anger, frustration, stress and pain.

(2) The conversion of sinners to Christ, and their enlistment in his Salvation Army.

(3) The elimination of evil, enmity, conflict, oppression, corruption and injustice in the society.

(4) The defeat of Satan and his army.

9. SOLDIERS OF CHRIST

Considering the case of Paul (Acts 9:1-22), it is obvious that many of the oppressors and criminals terrorizing our communities and nations today, are potential disciples of Christ. Our duties as the baptized and faithful Christians is not to condemn or destroy them, but to convert, arm and enlist them in Christ's army of salvation to accomplish Christ's victory over Satan, in the world. (2 Timothy 2:2-4).

Frustrate Satan's Plan

When Satan attacks human beings he is indirectly attacking God - whom he cannot attack directly. That is why God's strategy is to forgive and convert sinners rather than to retribute and destroy them. In same way as you conquer your enemies, for Christ, so they join you in the fight against Satan who used them against you. So when Satan shoots you with a stone do not shoot the same stone against him - so that you keep fighting each other. Instead, sharpen the stone and heat it to burn with fire so that Satan can not even touch it again, lest using it to fight against you. The sharpened hot stone joins the battle against Satan, and because of this Satan fears to send his militia against you again, as his war plan continues to backfire.

The Two Thieves

May be not all our enemies we forgive and pray for will repent. But those who repent would live and a reward will come to you, and those who refuse to repent would die of their own sin (Luke 13:3, John 8:24) - and the blame will be theirs, because they refused to repent. The cases of the two thieves who were crucified beside Jesus are relevant here - one mocked at Jesus and perished while the other repented and was redeemed (Luke 23:39-43). Therefore, praying and making sacrifices to convert and save your enemies is like praying for the sick - those who are destined to die would die faster, while those who are destined to live would recover faster. So do not surprised that you pray for the conversion of your enemy- thief, murderer, adulterer etc - but the case, instead, gets worse. And sooner or later, you hear that the subject is arrested, convicted or dies.

The Case of Judas

This is a mystery from the Bible: Jesus dipped bread into wine (his body and blood), gave to Judas at the Last Supper, declared and Judas, at once, accelerated the execution of his plan to betray Jesus (John 13:26-27)' - and, later, committed suicide (Matthew 27:3-5). So when the sacrifice of Christ is made for sinners it quickens either their repentance and salvation or their corruption and death - depending on their inner dispositions. In either case your sacrifice is holy and acceptable to God, because the outcome does not depend on you, but on God alone.

Christ's Witnesses

Remember that it was by his sacrifice on the Cross that Jesus finally disarmed Satan (Colossians 2:15). So any spiritual warfare that is limited to the binding and binding out of demons only - without a sacrifice by the Christian warrior - may win the first battle, but the Christian would still be under the indirect attacks of Satan. And they would have failed also in their Christian mission to be the witnesses for Christ to bring his salvation to the world. (Acts 1:8). That's why it is also said, "It is not enough to know Christ, you must also bring him to others (2 Corinthians 5:18) So discipleship does not end with your conversion and baptism, rather you begin from there to go out and preach the good news by word and action to - and through your witnessing repentant sinners would be saved, while unrepentant ones would be condemned. (Mark 16:15-16).

The Power of Sacrifice

Praying for the conversion of your enemy - offering the offence committed against you and your forgiveness for that offence as a sacrifice to God - is a sure way to bring them to Christ to win their souls for God. This sacrificial prayer works faster than a prayer without sacrifice. That is why Jesus did not save the world without the sacrifice of his death on the Cross. But that sacrifice did not go in vain, for the scripture says, "For this reason God raised him to the highest place above, and gave him the name that is greater than any other name" (Philippians 2:9). Surely by our sacrificial prayers for our enemies, we would share in the glory of Christ - as he said, 'I want them to be with me where I am, so that they may see my glory" (John 17:24).

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10. FINAL VICTORY

The more we pray and offer sacrifices for the conversion of sinners - especially the ones who directly or indirectly offend us - the more evil and wrongdoing reduce in the world. Then we righteousness, justice, peace and security prevailing in the world. The more sinners repent and join the Army of Christ, the more our enemies reduce, and the more Satan loses power over the world. The final victory is triple: (1) you win the entire war against Satan and his agents, (2) you win souls for the kingdom of God (3) you win the love and favor of God.

In conclusion, therefore, to be a victorious Christian one who is armed, at all times, to: (1) pre-empt and defeat demonic attacks, (2) fight and overcome their human weaknesses (3) sacrifice and pray for the conversion of their personal enemies.This is the secret of spiritual warfare for total victory.

Take Note

If you do not know the appropriate prayers to say in one or all of the three battles above, please, email me, with the details of your problem and your situation. I will send to you a suitable prayer guide to conquer your enemies and live in peace and safety.

Author: Aying Godman, is a Catechist, Evangelist & Blogger of the Roman Church; Founder of CATHOLIC FRONT MEDIA™

Email: ayinggodman@gmail.com