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 majority of us try to discern different behavioral actions by our senses: what we can feel, see, smell, or touch. We cannot see spirits with the natural eye, but we can sometimes feel their presence and smell them, determining what type of spirit.

Too many times, we focus on the senses rather than the spirit realm; this is why we fight against people rather than against the spirit or spirits that are using them. Satan does not discriminate; he doesn’t care who he can use as long as they yield to his influence, whether a believer or nonbeliever.

Believe it or not, Christians can and have been influenced by ungodly spirits. They can’t be possessed but can be influenced when they let their guard down. When you accepted salvation, you were enrolled in the army of the Lord as a solider (Thou, therefore, endure hardness [hardship] as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier – 2nd Timothy 2:3-4).

As a soldier, you must have your armor on at all times. You can’t be trying to get prepared when the enemy attacks; you must always be ready for battle. The enemy does not give you a warning notice. The armor must be on, having a lifestyle of prayer coupled with fasting to fight the good fight of faith.

The Christian walk is often presented as spiritual warfare. Effective service calls for singleness of purpose. Apostle Paul is saying that spiritual activity must be conducted within the directives of Biblical faith and doctrine. To defect from true doctrine is to lose our reward. We’re spiritual beings and can be used either by God or Satan.

We are in this world, but we’re not of this world (If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore, the world hateth you – John 15:19). Jesus is saying, I have called you from out of the world of sin, to a world of godliness, therefore don’t engage in the world’s activities.

Christians have been instructed to put on the whole armor of God; we should have our loins girt about with truth. Soldiers girded themselves with a belt, from which hung strips of leather to protect the lower body and to hold the other pieces of his armor in place. Similarly, the other pieces of the Christian armor depend on and are in place by his spiritual belt or his knowledge of the truth of Scripture.

Breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate of Roman times went completely around the body so that a warrior’s back was protected. The breastplate was made of hard leather or metal. The righteousness of the breastplate that the breastplate represents is not the righteousness of Christ, which all believers possess, but the practical, righteous character and deeds of believers.

Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace means either that the gospel is the firm foundation on which Christians are to stand on or that the Christian soldier should be ready to go out to defend and spread the gospel. This does not mean Christians are to belittle anyone if they don’t believe or reject salvation.

A shield of faith is to be used against everything. It could also mean that the shield is to cover the whole armor. The Christian’s shield protects against all the fiery darts of the wicked. Flaming arrows could not penetrate the fireproof shield of the ancient Roman soldier, nor can the assaults of Satan penetrate the believer who places his or her faith in God.

The helmet of salvation is that one has assurance of their salvation; they’re not wondering whether or not they are saved. They have accepted Jesus in their hearts. The helmet of salvation is also a shield to protect the mind from Satan’s different influences.

The sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon in the believer’s armor. This weapon is not necessarily the Bible as a whole but the specific word that needs to be spoken in a specific situation. To have the precise word ready, one must know the Bible intimately.

Praying always, without prayer, all the armor in the world would be of no use. Praying always indicates general prayers, and specific petitions in the Spirit are to be made for all believers and on all occasions. Perseverance and patience in prayer are essential. Praying in the Spirit can only be accomplished by the Holy Spirit residing in the believer.

In order to fight against the attacks of Satan and his imps, the believer must have on the armor. The enemy that fights against us can’t be seen with the naked eye. He influences people to hate one another; if you’re Christian, you can’t have hatred in you unless you faking your Christianity. You can dislike a person, but you must love them.

When people allow Satan to use them, don’t hate the people;  pray against the spirits that are influencing them. How do you fight? You see what action is being manifested and pray the Word of God against it.

If it’s hatred, bind the spirit of hatred in Jesus’ name and lose the spirit of love. Ungodly spirits are negative, and angelic spirits are positive.  If it’s gluttony, bind gluttony and loose temperance. Reminder: before anyone goes into a spiritual battle, they must be born-again Christians with the Spirit of God living within their spirit. They should be committed to the Word of God; demonic spirits will not become subject to someone who’s living opposite of God’s Word.

Don’t allow Satan to destroy your family or your children; you must fight against him with the Word of God. Satan nor his angels will not come subject to you unless the Holy Spirit of God is indwelling you. You need the Word of God in you to speak the Word. If it’s not in you, can’t speak it!

Whether you are a believer or nonbeliever, Satan’s goal is to steal, kill, and destroy. You can’t fight in this battle if you are still allowing Satan to rule in your life. He and his co-host only recognize the Spirit of God and the Word of God.  Every born-again believer who has been baptized in the Holy Spirit has Him living within them. Greater is He that lives in you than he that lives in the world. Fight for your family, your community, and this country; we do that by praying, fasting, and praying the Word of God.