🛡️ Understanding the
Battlefield
📖 Highlighted
Scripture & Foundation Truth
🟨“Put on the whole armour of
God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness,
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
(Ephesians 6:11–12)**
🟨“We have enemies to fight
against, a captain to fight for, a banner to fight under, and certain rules of war by which we are to govern ourselves.
Finally, my brethren (Eph. 6:10), it yet remains that you apply yourselves to
your work and duty as Christian soldiers.”
— Matthew Henry**
🧠Who Do You Talk to the
Most?
We
often think it's our spouse, our children, or those we interact with daily—but
truly, we speak to ourselves the most.
And this internal dialogue is where the battlefield begins.
In
my walk, I find myself constantly engaging my mind regarding my standing before
a holy God.
The battle is fought—and either won or lost—in the mind.
But
what chance do we have if we don’t even understand the battlefield?
⚔️ Satan's Strategy:
Doubt and Confusion
Satan’s
approach is subtle—he inserts just enough doubt to cause
havoc.
🟨 Remember Eve’s
encounter in Genesis? That single moment of deception introduced sin
into the world—a disaster greater than any virus.
Those
who do not understand the battlefield have zero chance.
But by the grace of God, the Christian stands.
I’m
constantly reminded not to become conceited about my salvation.
🟨 It’s the goodness
of God that leads us to repentance. Why one and not another? God knows!
🌌 The Spiritual War is
Real
Paul
affirms that there is a spiritual war taking place—an
unseen but real battlefield.
"We
must not overlook the unseen enemy,
their objective is to get us to fail."
These
forces are on assignment by their king—Satan—to challenge daily life and
target believers, just as he tried to get Job to curse God (See Job 2).
🧿 1. Possession (Demonic
Possession)
Definition:
Demonic possession is when a demonic spirit takes full control over a person's
body and actions.
Key
Characteristics:
- The individual loses
control of their will, voice, actions, or even physical strength.
- The demon operates through
the person, often resulting in destructive, supernatural, or bizarre
behaviour.
- This is not possible for a
true, Spirit-filled Christian, because:
- 🟨 "Your
body is a temple of the Holy Spirit..." (1 Corinthians 6:19)
- God
does not share His dwelling place with demons.
- Examples:
- Judas
Iscariot: “Then
Satan entered Judas…” (Luke 22:3)
- Gerasene
Demoniac:
Mark 5:1- 20 (Legion inside the man)
🕯️ 2. Oppression (Demonic
Influence)
Definition:
Demonic oppression is when external spiritual forces influence a
person—mentally, emotionally, or circumstantially—but do not take over
their will or body.
Key
Characteristics:
- It affects thoughts,
emotions, behaviour, and temptations.
- The person still has
control but is heavily pressured or manipulated.
- It is common among
believers, especially when we’re spiritually vulnerable.
- Examples:
- Peter:
Jesus rebuked him with “Get behind me, Satan” (Matthew 16:23) when
Peter unknowingly aligned with Satan’s agenda.
- Paul’s
“thorn in the flesh”: Called “a messenger of Satan to buffet me” (2 Corinthians
12:7)
😈 Possession vs
Oppression
Have
you ever witnessed demonic possession? It’s real—where a spirit enters
and controls a body.
🟨 But all of us have
experienced demonic oppression—acting contrary to God's will at some point.
How?
Satan entices us using our weaknesses—that persistent thorn in the flesh.
We either yield to it or fight for grace to withstand it.
❌ Can a Christian Be
Demon Possessed?
🟨 No! A demon
cannot possess a Christian.
🟨 Yes! A Christian
can be influenced (oppressed) by demonic forces.
Let’s
consider two biblical examples:
1. Judas Iscariot –
Possession
He
walked among the disciples, handled the money, and was influenced by greed.
But eventually:
🟨 “Then Satan entered
into Judas called Iscariot…” (Luke 22:3)
From that moment, he sought to betray Jesus. Fruit of possession.
2. Peter – Oppression
Peter
wanted to protect Jesus from suffering, but Jesus responds:
🟨 “Get behind me,
Satan!” (Matthew 16:23)
This wasn’t possession, but oppression—influence with intent to
derail God's plan.
⛪ Misconceptions in the
Church
Churches
that are constantly casting out demons from believers often
misunderstand Scripture.
🟨 A Christian’s body
houses the Spirit of God.
Would God allow Satan to dwell in His temple?
No!
Satan may try, but he will never succeed in possessing a true
believer.
However, if
we leave the door slightly open, oppression and chaos will follow.
🛡️ The Call to Arms
So,
what must we do?
🟨 Stand firm in the
finished work of Christ!
🟨 Put on the full
armour of God.
Dressing
for battle is an act of faith that feeds hope.
👑 Awaiting Our King
Very
soon, we’ll witness our King reigning in glory.
Every knee shall bow.
Every tongue shall confess.
🟨 “But the one who
endures to the end will be saved.”
Even
so,
Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Signing off,
Tyrone
