Resist with Spiritual Force

David W Palmer

When it comes to resisting the enemy “steadfast in our faith,” Jesus explained that there is a sense of forceful “violence” about this in the spirit realm:

(Matthew 11:12 ESV) “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.”

(Matthew 11:12 DKJV) “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven forcefully advances, and the forceful try to seize it back by force.”

I have quoted this verse from two translations of the Bible. From them, we receive the idea that the spiritual war in which we are embroiled is very active and aggressive—to the point of violent force. What does this mean for us? We have to advance forcefully in our battle with the enemy’s thoughts, ideas, deceptions, and images. Concurrently, our adversary tries to prevent our advance; he also tries to take back our gains with as much spiritual power and violent force as he can muster. This literally is a war—a spiritual war fought in the spirit realm against real and very evil spiritual enemies. Jesus’s apostle, Peter, had some experience with this, so he wrote:

(1 Peter 5:8 NLT) Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

How do we go about this war, and with what attitude must we fight it? First, we must realize that our enemy is extremely wicked. Being aware of his malevolence and his strategy is crucial; staying alert to his activity is essential for overcoming his daily offensive.

To ensure we fully understand this warning, let’s look at it from a different Bible translation:

(1 Peter 5:8 CEV) Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack.

The devil is ever on the watch for “someone to attack.” He will attack you from time to time—if not daily—with his deceptions, images, thoughts, and accusations. Our God-given strategy for resisting and combating our enemy’s onslaught is multi-faceted:

Imitate Jesus in how he directly confronted the enemy and his lies by using God’s “It is written” word (See: Mat. 4, Luke 4);

Cast all your cares, worries, and anxieties on the Lord (1 Peter 5:7);

Renew your mind with God’s word to:

Defeat contrary arguments,

Overcome every lofty opinion raised against what God states as absolute truth,

Capture every runaway thought, bringing it back to obedience to Christ, and

Destroy mental images that are contrary to what God wants us to see;

Resist him steadfast in your faith—this is the fight of faith (James 4:7, 1 Tim. 6:12).

(2 Corinthians 10:3–5 EMTV) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. (4) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty by God to the pulling down of strongholds, (5) casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

When the enemy attacks you, fight back with forceful spiritual power; wield God’s sword offensively. Take the word that God quickens to you by his Spirit, and declare it boldly with tenacious force until you overcome the evil. This may take all the persistence you have, and it may take some time and focus, but it will work if you work it vehemently and courageously. Remember; “the kingdom of heaven forcefully advances,” and never forget that “the forceful try to seize it back by force.”

Today, I again encourage you in the word; it forms the solid foundational rock footing from which you can resist steadfastly in your faith. The word coming alive in your heart and overflowing from your mouth is also your sword for offence.

Meanwhile, the faith thus generated becomes your shield against the enemy’s forceful advance against you. Coupled with the remainder of God’s armour, it gives you an impenetrable defence against the “wiles of the devil,” to go with your indomitable weapon—the word (rhema) of God; against which your enemy has no armour or protection. You can overcome him … but only if you stay in the word with your heart-anchor in, and eye-focus on, heaven—with a fully devoted worshipful heart of submission. And keep up the spiritual force of faith and sword blows; the enemy will back down … even if you have to keep this up for a time:

(Ephesians 6:10–11, 13–18 NKJV) … be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. (11) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ... (13) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (18) praying always …