Becoming the Spiritual Warrior
God Has Called You to be.
(Stuff every man really needs to know)
The goal of every Christian man is to prepare to become, and know how to function as, the husband, father, grandfather, uncle, father-in-law, shepherd, spiritual warrior, priest, minister God has created and called him to be. This takes various forms over a man’s life journey and is the result of disciplined observation, discernment and accountability.
It also requires a ruthless, no compromise, mindset.
This spiritual warfare manual for men outlines some basic and practical things to do. But don’t stop here, learn as much as you can about how to protect yourself and your loved ones from secular worldly and demonic influences.
Spiritual protection from the many kinds of demonic influences should be a priority for every Christian man for his family – whether married yet or not - especially for husbands, fathers and grandfathers.
The more we men know and understand the spiritual realm and the biblical responsibilities entrusted to us, and the nature of the spiritual warfare we are constantly up against, the better we can protect ourselves and our families and help build other disciples just starting out. But more than that, a man learns to walk fearlessly in great spiritual authority.
The start of this journey is about proper regard for the soulishness and spiritual warfare we and our families face each day in the world. There is no need to be paranoid about evil spirits or demonic influences, just realistic. They exist. They are ruthlessly intentional. And so, we just need to do the due diligence first to prepare – every Christian should, anyway – and then intentionally equip ourselves. Men are not superior to women, but they do have a unique responsibility that cannot be delegated.
It starts with you.
Some Key Scriptures
THE NATURE OF THE WARFARE
Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) “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.”
What is happening on the spiritual realm is constantly influencing and inspiring what is happening on the earth. Our battle does not start in the earth, but in the heavenlies. The earthly realm is where we see that manifestation of demonic influences. These give as important clues as to the source and, therefore, where to direct our intercession efforts.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NIV) “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Once again, we need to be aware of the divine weapons given to us and take the initiative to learn to use them effectively, as well as preparing ourselves to become righteous spiritual warriors who are able to prevail and win. We were never meant to fail.
A Man’s Personal Preparation for the Warfare
BASICS
Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV) “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 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. 13 Therefore put on the full Armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.”
The apostle Paul gives us really good insights about our areas of potential vulnerability, if we are not diligent in righteousness.
Our Spiritual & Righteous Preparation
(without getting religious and paranoid about it)
1. Stay on a Righteous Footing with God
Hebrews 12:15 (NIV) “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”
· Keep a short account with the Lord.
· Never lose your righteous footing – it will give the enemy an immediate advantage.
· We’re talking sin here, obvious and unwitting.
Psalms 139:23-24 (NIV) Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
John 15:4 (NIV) “Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.”
Demons & evil spirits …
· Don’t want to get involved with someone who is living in righteousness.
· Always try to seduce you to commit sin and drag you down – this is a tactic to weaken your authority. Why? Demons fear your authority in Christ.
· Want you to act contrary to God’s authority.
· Try to entice you out from underneath God’s grace so you are not protected.
2. Keep Guard Over Your Appetites
Proverbs 25:28 (NIV) “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.”
You have to keep guard over your flesh and soul appetites. (i.e. keeping control of the flesh, your sanctified spirit calling all the shots etc.). Don’t let anything creep into your senses that is going to be used to mentally, morally, or spiritually defile you.
Example – Entertainment Media (movies/internet sites) that get you angry or aroused up are not beneficial for you.
If you allow these things into your senses, you open the gates of your soul, and they will come in and defile and weaken your defenses.
Jesus made it clear:
Matthew 6:22-23 (NIV) “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”
There is no such thing as, “This one time won’t really matter”. Wrong! Any demon or unclean spirit will make full use of any and every opportunity to gain access, and they will use them to destroy your godly defenses. They know our weaknesses better than we do.
3. Keep Guard Over Your Thought Life
Philippians 4:8 (NIV) “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Never allow anything into your imagination that is going to give the enemy foothold. Our thoughts can be sinful. It is so important to keep guard over your mind and your imagination. The imagination is normally the entry point for how demons suggest things to you without you realising. If you start dwelling on these you are very quickly fantasising. Stay alert to any attempt to break in.
Demons and Evil Spirits Have Access to:
· Your imagination
· Your emotions
· Your memory
They work hard at building a “house made of thoughts” for you to live in.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV) “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
So be vigilant.
Keep alert and guard your mind, reject any thought that should not be there, or that won’t be obedient to Christ.
4. Get Rid of Your Sin Habits (Vices & Attachments)
Matthew 5:29-30 (NIV) “If your right eye causes you to stumble [i.e. is defective], gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble [is defective], cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”
Jesus is teaching the disciples to ruthlessly root out any sinful habits or, attachments. Rooting out sinful habits is important for both spiritual protection and your discipleship development – it also removes footholds for demonic access to your priestly covering of your family. You cannot use a breastplate of righteousness if you’re carrying defects.
Attachments
A sinful habit is always rooted in an attachment to something – we cannot have attachments to anything created. Our only attachment is to God alone, our Creator. An attachment is another word for commitment – they all have some form of idolatry behind them.
Demons use our attachments to create idolatry in order to entice us to do what they want us to do. It’s about control of and dominance over your will.
5. Pray Every Day
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV) “… pray continually, …”
Pray for yourself, your wife and your children – and your loved ones (siblings etc.). Remember this: precision is everything in spiritual warfare because the devil is a legalist.
Prayer is a critical priestly responsibility for every man of God. It helps tremendously in maintaining personal righteousness, and it keeps us and our families well protected. Without such protection families are susceptible to demonic influences. Every priestly man watches for these things in his household, not out of any sense of paranoia, but as a spiritual warrior alert to the devil’s schemes and strategy.
· INFESTATION
The presence of evil in a location, object, or animal (get rid of these from your home).
· OPPRESSION
External activity that affects a person’s emotional health (unresolved grief, depression, feeling overwhelmed etc.)
· VEXATION
External activity that affects a person’s mental health (irrational fear, sleeplessness, worry etc).
· OBSESSION
Intense, persistent attack on a person’s interior life. (Often by way of other persons who have a familiar spirit and who has access to your home, or kids).
· POSSESSION
An evil spirit takes control of a person’s body (pretty rare).
A Simple Prayer Pattern
This is the place of power for all Christians.
Keep it focused and specific.
A: Adoration, worship and praise, before you start anything.
C: Confession. (refer #5 & 11)
T: Thanksgiving, there is always something for which to thank our great God.
S: Supplication. That is, ask for what you need for your family. Pray for each child by name.
Philippians 4:6 (NIV) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition [supplication[, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
6. Confession on a Regular Basis
1 John 1:8-10 (NLT) “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that His word has no place in our hearts.”
Regular confession is important for two reasons. It maintains your righteous standing before God by accounting for sin properly and not letting it go. It is an important way to become strong in righteousness. Regular times of confession makes it difficult for any demonic foothold or pattern to form.
Confession also restores humility (the opposite to pride). Humility is the willingness to be in righteous relationship with God on His terms not yours. Confessing our sins and failures to someone else humbles us, too, and helps us crucify pride – demons and evil spirits love to work with pride. Don’t let them.
James 4:6-7 (NLT) “And He [God] gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ 7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Benefits of Living a Life of Humility:
Humility is a strength.
Humility is a virtue.
Humility gives you self-possession and self-control.
Humility gives you clarity of mind (pride always clouds judgement).
Humility gives you a control over yourself (custody) that nothing else can do, and that’s why demons will avoid seeking out the humble. Demons recognise they are more likely to be defeated by someone who is humble.
God is so much more likely to protect someone who is humble.
2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV) “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. …”
This is why humility is so important. Confession is the sacrament of humility. There is a direct correlation with your humility and where you are at in your spiritual life – and your family enormously benefits.
7. Blessing Your Wife and Children for Protection
Genesis 48:8-9 (NIV) When Israel [Jacob] saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, “Who are these?” 9 “They are the sons God has given me here [in Egypt],” Joseph said to his father. Then Israel said, “Bring them to me so I may bless them.”
Blessing Your Children
Blessing your children is one of the principal ways to protect your children. If you are a parent, you can tell them something as simple as “May God bless you today”, or “I speak the blessing of God’s protection over you today”, and so on - not as some formulaic thing, but as a direct blessing/prayer. Whenever you can, lay hands on them often to impart specific blessings (healing, wisdom, conquering fear etc.)
Bless your house weekly.
People come and go as they enjoy your hospitality – don’t stop doing that. As you would clean dirt marks from your floors and carpets, so remove spiritual footprints or fingerprints possibly left by others. Don’t let these accumulate, and don’t get paranoid about it. It should be as routine as vacuuming the house.
Failings of Fathers
Fathers will protect their family physically and financially, but they may fail to pray regularly to keep demons/evil spirits from influencing their wife and children as we have discussed. Your children spend an enormous amount of time at school taught by people who know nothing about godliness. Pray for your children each night as they sleep.
Authority of Fathers
Out authority is to provide and to protect. A father releases the grace of God by praying for his wife and children. Remember Job:
Job 1:5 (NIV) “When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them [his children] to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, ‘Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.’ This was Job's regular custom.”
Fathers also have to protect them to make sure demons don’t get into the house.
Generational Spirits & Familiar Spirits (in brief)
Demons will tempt somebody that has some kind of authority or influence to commit a sin – usually an adult in the wider family or acquaintance circle. This can be a generational spirit or a familiar spirit (i.e. not generational but is imparted through relationships that develop). The demon/spirit can get into that particular family system, or business etc.
If a father commits some sin within the home it opens the door to demons. It starts working on not just him but everyone around him and starts affecting everybody in the family.
A Father’s Priestly Protection
· He has to protect – no one else will do it for you.
· He doesn’t commit sin – if he does, he quickly deals with it.
· He works on virtue (fruits of the Spirit etc.) -(See # 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
He works on providing the graces necessary to keep the family protected. (The same principle applies to the mother, to a slightly lesser degree, but it does apply to the relationship with her children). If the father seriously models faith and spirituality in the family, there is a 95% chance the children will follow in his footsteps.
If the father does not go to church/worship, or prioritises other things over worship, there is a 1 in 50 probability that the children will never enter a church when they grow up, or drop away when they reach adulthood.
Blessing The Family
Fathers have been given spiritual authority by God to bless their children and deliver them from demons and evil influences. This incredible power of prayer, given to the father by God, also applies to the mother, but it especially applies to the father through the divine order of the family as outlined in Ephesians 5.
Fathers Should Bless Their Wife and Children
Fathers can command the blessing as long as they are walking in righteousness.
James 5:16b (NIV) “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
CONCLUSION
Demonic influences are proliferating in our culture and even infiltrating the Church. The solution for pastors and leaders, fathers and families is a faithful relationship with Jesus Christ as LORD of you and LORD of your family.
Righteousness unto holiness is the crucial goal for all men.
Every Christian man must throw off passivity and train themselves to become the spiritual warriors their families need.
[Sources: 20 Ways of Spiritual Protection for the Family - Catholic Ace, https://www.catholicace.com/20-different-ways-to-spiritually-protect-yourself-and-your-family/.]