Winning the War Inside of You

Winning the War Inside of You

BY RICK WARREN — OCTOBER 19, 2014

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“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12 NIV)

You may not realize it, but you’re at war. You may not wear military fatigues. You may not eat at a mess hall. You may not dodge physical bullets.

But you’re in a war — an invisible one. It’s called spiritual warfare. You’ll be in the war from the moment you’re born until the moment you die.                                                     

The Bible tells us that you have three mortal enemies out to destroy your life and everything God wants to do through it:

• The world — the dominant value system around us
• The flesh — the old nature within you
• The Devil — a real being that's out to “kill, steal, and destroy” along with his demonic minions.

The victory for the war you’re in won’t come through bullets or tactics. The Bible teaches us that, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12 NIV).

In this war, all that matters is Jesus. He has to be the general of your life, the one in charge of the battle plan. You may be a believer, but that’s not enough for this war. Jesus has to be your Lord, too.

Many people believe in Jesus. But to find victory over the world, the flesh, and the Devil, Jesus has to be more than just someone you believe in.

Romans 7:24-25 says, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (NIV)

The answer to the all-consuming battle you’re in isn’t a self-help seminar, a new book, a conference, a psychology, or a therapy. It’s Jesus. Make him your boss. Paul, who wrote the book of Romans, makes it clear he is at the end of his rope. He can’t win the battle on his own. His only hope is “Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The Bible says it’s Jesus, the Lord, who will deliver you, too. It’s time to put a sign over your life: “Under new management.”

Talk It Over

• What are the times in your life when you feel like you experience more spiritual warfare than usual?
• Why do you think so many people are quick to try therapy to fix their problems but hesitant to surrender to Jesus?

He Gives What You Need

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19, NIV

TODAY'S WORD:

In Second Samuel Chapter 12, David had gotten off course. The prophet Nathan was correcting him. In doing so, he reminded David of what God had brought him through. David had seen God’s goodness, favor, protection, finances and healing down through the years. And in verse 8, Nathan made an interesting statement. He said, “David, if it had not been enough, God would have given you much, much more.” In other words, “David, looking back over your life, if you were ever lacking, if you ever needed more wisdom, more favor, more protection, more finances, God would have given it to you.”

That tells us that we have what we need right now in order to fulfill our destiny. The moment that what you have becomes not enough is the moment that God will give you more. The moment something starts to keep you from your destiny, the moment it begins to stop God’s plan for your life is the moment God will show up and intervene on your behalf. 

Today, be encouraged that you have what you need, and what you need tomorrow is on its way! God is faithful and gives you what you need to fulfill His purposes.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father, thank You for being my Source and Supply. I declare that my trust and hope is in You. I choose to rest in You knowing that You have provided everything I need for today in Jesus’ name. Amen.

​PS... ​

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LQBRPr3NHI