How to Fight and Win

Victory is sure if you’ll rely on God’s Word more than your feelings

Do you know you are in a war? It’s a spiritual war. And yes, the devil is real. I was in church for many years before I truly understood the devil is real. Until then, I thought he was just a cartoon or Halloween character. But the truth is, he’s a real enemy who is serious about keeping us from living the abundant life Jesus died to give us.

We were created to have dominion over all the works of God’s hands, and John 10:10 says Jesus gave His life so we could “have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)” (AMP). That’s a victorious life! But we have to walk in the authority of Jesus to experience it, and that requires using the spiritual armor and weapons God has given us.

Second Corinthians 10:4-5 says: “The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).”

We see in these verses that the mind is the battlefield where the enemy wages war against us. He lies to us. And if we believe his lies more than we believe the truth of God’s Word, then that’s what is real to us—even though it’s not true.

You see, what we think determines what we feel; then eventually, what we want. For example, if someone does something that hurts you or is an injustice to you and you think about it long enough, you’ll start to feel angry, bitter or sad about it. Another example could be that you decide God is calling you to work with a ministry at church, but when it comes time to do the work you don’t feel like following through.

The key to overcoming the lies of the enemy is this: You have to believe the Word of God more than you believe what you feel, think or want. Why is this so important? Because what you want, think or feel, when it’s contrary to the Bible, can destroy you.

Here’s the good news: As a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, the power of God lives in you. And God has given you the power of the Holy Spirit to help you resist the devil and live by the Word of God.

We have to be determined to live like a soldier in the army of God, using the weapons He’s provided us. He’s given us His Word—the sword of the Spirit—so we can refute the arguments, reasonings, imaginations and theories that disagree with the truth. When the enemy tries to tell you that you can’t change, be healed, overcome an addiction or change your situation, whatever it may be, you can come against him with Scripture. Declare that you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength; with God all things are possible; and in Christ you are the head and not the tail, above and not beneath!

Do you feel and act like a soldier? Soldiers do not live like everyone else. They wear different clothes, eat different food and follow different rules. They don’t get entangled with “civilian” affairs (see 2 Tim. 2:4).

I encourage you to examine your life and ask yourself these questions:

Am I too busy to pray and study the Word? Am I paying attention to the relationships God’s given me? Am I too busy trying to climb the ladder of success? Am I killing myself with stress by striving to always get more? Am I too busy with all my stuff to serve someone else?

In Christ, you are equipped to fight the good fight of faith and overcome the enemy. Seek God, study His Word, and learn who you are in Christ so you can have the God-given authority and victory He wants for you.

Joyce Meyer is the author of nearly 90 books, including Battlefield of the Mind and Power Thoughts (Hachette). She is the host of the Enjoying Everyday Life radio and TV programs. Visit her online at joycemeyer.org.