40 Days of Spiritual RebootSample

We are journeying in renewal toward spiritual strength and discipline. We want to be more organised and we want to be stronger. We are tired of letting the flesh and the devil get the better of us simply because we aren’t spiritually fit in the habits of reading, prayer, fasting and giving. As mundane and routine as these are… they are the muscles of our spiritual life.

Today let's look at Spiritual warfare again in terms of the reason for it. Spiritual warfare is primarily reclaiming lost territory. Getting back what's Christ's. We are reclaiming lost territory.It is not invasion and overtaking of people or religions or countries or armies. Not at all.

We have to revisit the fall. When Adam lost his position, his honour and his access to God’s presence back in the garden of Eden, He, the first Adam, lost authority and custody over creation. He lost his ability to rule well. Rule his flesh, his appetite, his world. He failed to rule over the creation that was put under his charge (Ps. 8). Somewhere in all this Satan fell from glory and brought a third of the angels with him. Adam is cast out of Eden and ceases to ‘walk with God’. There is broken fellowship in all three dimensions. Upward to God, inward to self and outward to people. During this time Satan wreaks havoc in creation and uses man's weakness against him.

Jesus comes as the second Adam to reclaim what was lost… what is rightfully His own. We, the redeemed of the Lord, stand with him in reclaiming what is rightfully his. Namely. Everyone and everything. Colossians chapter one teaches us that all things were created by him and for him. And he holds all things together by the word of his mouth.

Man lost his rights and his relationships. In Jesus He gets these back. But sometimes there is a fight because Satan still has power over creation since he’s been contained here around this planet until his final judgement. (Revelation 20)

What are the rights of man that need to be fought for? And why is it spiritual? Well, since other men and women are not the enemy and it is Satan that opposes the will and work of God, we need to ‘resist the devil’ from stealing what is ours. And we need to take back the people and possessions and purposes that are ours.

He has a grip on people through habits, substance abuse, sickness (mental and physical), addictions, debt, and demonic slavery. NO…. not every weakness, sickness or debt is of the devil. But that's where spiritual discernment comes into the picture. You’ve got to know what is ‘just life’ and what is the work of the devil that can be destroyed in Jesus name. So we fight to have people released from the clutches of the wicked one.

He steals our peace and respect and confidence and joy etc. These are our rights as children of God. We fight to keep these and resist Him.

He perpetuates generational curses that believers can break by the power of prayer in Jesus name. Weaknesses and sins passed down from generation to generation can be broken.

He orchestrates abortions and destruction of defenceless people. He oppresses the weak, the fatherless and the widow. Believers can fight that by being a voice. My point here is that it is not as simple as a culture or demographical problem. This is rooted in moral decay. Failed leadership. Dysfunctional families. Absent fathers. Overbearing leaders. All this is the playground of the wicked one.

Don't get too involved with all of this now. You’re not ready. You need to put the last 31 days of stuff into practice for a year at least before you can mess with the devil. You take him on at this point and he will chew you up and spit you out. God will strengthen you and renew you to the point where you will see victory and advance into his territory to take ground for Christ’s sake. But please be wise and give yourself to growing deep in Christ. You will know when you’re ready. Spiritual warfare is real. It is dangerous. It is serious. And it has eternal ramifications.

OPEN YOUR BIBLE

Read the word. Chew on it. Like good veggies and meat. Get your strength from the truth of His word. Know the mind of your God. The will of your Lord. Linger long in prayer and don’t be in a hurry to rush into a futile world.

COME CLEAN

Search your life to know if there are areas of your own heart, mind or habits that Satan has a grip on. Admit your powerlessness to change or give up that sin or habit. Recognise this is not a simplistic change of lifestyle but a bondage breaker that requires the power of God. Spiritual Warfare begins with our own freedom. You can’t fight for others when you yourself are in chains. If you don’t think you have a problem with bondage, let me ask you a few questions…

1. Do you find it hard to ‘not get angry’?

2. Do you find it hard to ‘not spend money’ or ‘buy something’?

3. Do you find it hard to ‘not respond to insult and criticism’?

4. Do you find it hard to get up when you’ve been knocked down?

5. Do you find it hard to say NO to yourself?

6. Do you find it hard to forgive the second time someone fails you?

7. Do you find it hard to pray?

8. Do you find it hard to handle the conviction of the Holy Spirit?