“But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions:
joy that overflows,
peace that subdues,
patience that endures,
kindness in action,
a life full of virtue,
faith that prevails,
gentleness of heart, and
strength of spirit.
Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.”
Galatians 5:22-23 ,TPT
A few years ago, I was in the darkest spiritual war of my life. My husband and I had just separated after I learned about years of infidelity. Each day I woke and walked in a stupor of grief and pain. At that time, prayer was like springs of water to me, as I emotionally trudged through a desert wasteland.
Amazingly, in the midst of that pain, I also had a deep sense of shalom. Shalom translates into English as “peace”, but the reason why I use shalom instead of peace is because it was deeper and different than just “absence of conflict” that I felt.
“Shalom is taken from the root word shalam, which means, “to be safe in mind, body, or estate.” It speaks of completeness, fullness, or a type of wholeness that encourages you to give back — to generously re-pay something in some way. True biblical shalom refers to an inward sense of completeness or wholeness.” -Doug Hershey, The True Meaning of Shalom.
I had an impression from Ruach (Holy Spirit) that I would come through that time of pain victorious and that the enemy would be sorry he had messed with me. I also knew I was in a battle that could alter the course of my bloodline and also the lives of many individuals I hadn’t yet met. I understood what was at stake, and I felt my core strengthen for battle. This shalom became a mighty weapon against the enemy and all I needed to do was rest in Him as I walked the road of pain.
After some time, work, and grace from God, my husband and I eventually reconciled and continued to work towards the healing of our marriage, family, and ourselves. I learned more about spiritual warfare during that time than at any other in my life before. I saw a plan of destruction unfold against myself, and my marriage and family. It was meant to destroy us all and take us out of the path of our destiny. Instead, the enemy saw what he had meant for our harm blow up in his face. We became mighty warriors and have since been able to see victory after victory in ripple effects from our triumph.
I bet you didn’t know that when you produce good spiritual fruit you are also wreaking violent havoc on the kingdom of the enemy. Who thinks of peace and gentleness as offensive weapons? Not many Christians even realize they are soldiers in an ongoing war between heaven and hell. War isn’t an option for followers of The Way, and if you’re not fighting, you’re getting beat up.
For although we live in the natural realm, we don’t wage a military campaign employing human weapons, using manipulation to achieve our aims. Instead, our spiritual weapons are energized with divine power to effectively dismantle the defenses behind which people hide. – 2 Corin. 10:3-4. TPT
If Christians knew the effects of their prayers and decisions, I’d wager they would live more intentionally in many areas of their lives. The Scriptures call us many things: ambassadors, priests, temples, children of God, and soldiers. The language of warfare, specifically spiritual warfare, in the New Testament, is pretty constant, especially in the writings of Paul.
My ability to make decisions out of my position of peace instead of from my pain, allowed me to bring His kingdom wherever I went. I was able to see people and needs and still give and love and pray and minister in the midst of my own sorrow. This also aided in my healing process and unbeknownst to me dealt death blows to the dark kingdom.
You see, when Jesus walked this world in the flesh, He waged war against the darkness by bringing the Light. Wherever He went He healed, spoke truth, cast out demons, and by doing so took massive amounts of ground for the heavenly Kingdom. The devil has no defense against the true Light. The production of spiritual fruit brings the Light wherever your foot treads.
This is why Yeshua was always telling people that the Kingdom of heaven was amongst them. He brought and spread the Kingdom and hell could do nothing but run away screaming from it. We are so powerful! If we just understood what was in us, we’d be wreaking havoc on the darkness around us.
Our first order of business is to stop agreeing with the enemy and his lies. The more we operate from our position as sons and daughters of the Most High, walking in obedience, walking in the Spirit, the more we naturally do damage to the enemy.
Do you see a need? Meet the need. Does someone need to hear from God? Speak to them. Does someone need to know truth? Speak truth. Are your schools and neighborhoods going in a bad direction? Then bring the light into those areas. Do you need more victory in your own life? Turn towards Him, pray, read the Word, and get with others who are walking with Him and encourage each other in good works.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” – Ephesians 2:10, NLT
When we bring the Light into dark places and take territory for the Kingdom, we are bringing God’s vengeance to the area. God’s vengeance is Isaiah 61, and just as it was Yeshua’s anointing and commission, so it is also ours as His ambassadors in this world.
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
Isaiah 61:1-3 ,NKJV
It has been a few years since I went through that terrible trial, and looking back I see that as I stayed close to my Father and resisted giving the enemy any ground in my life, I learned much about victory in warfare. I refused to let the enemy triumph over me in my pain. Even when I felt destroyed, I knew I wasn’t going to give the enemy ground and he would regret the day he messed with me and my family. In truth. my family is still intact, my husband is free from addiction, and I’ve been able to bring comfort, prayer, and help to other women who’ve experienced betrayal.
Featured Image By Hassan OUAJBIR
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