army of the lord
The Weapon of Worship

4 Victorious Strategies for Battles in the Army of the Lord

Because of the spiritual battle being constantly waged between the forces of hell and the army of the Lord, you will face many battles in your life – both spiritual and natural. Satan knows he cannot defeat the Lord, so his plan is to attack the people made in the image of God and to take as many of them with him to hell as he can.

Yet, even after you give your life to the Lord, attacks continue because if the enemy cannot have your soul, he’ll attempt to “devour” (1 Peter 5:8) and “steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10) your faith and future. Whether you realize it or not, you are in a battle, and you will have to fight, yet because you are part of the army of the Lord, you are not alone and your battle was already won!

The Army of the Lord Has Different Weapons than the World

1. Fight Spiritual Battles with Spiritual Weapons

One of the most foundational aspects of the life of faith you should carry with you is the understanding that none of your enemies in life are people, in God’s reality. That is why the weapons used by those in the army of the Lord must be spiritual in nature. The enemy wants you to focus on fighting in the natural realm, because that is where he has legal access to harass and torment you.

He wants you focusing on the mean things people say, the looks on their faces, their failings and mistakes and offenses, their carnal attitudes and all the rest, but if that’s where you choose to fight, you’ll be fighting on two battlefields – the spiritual enemies and the natural ones.

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Your battle is not against “flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12) so don’t let yourself be deceived into fighting people when hard times come (and they will). If you are being pressed by a person in your life, it is the enemy trying to oppress you. Don’t react in fear or anger, react in faith. Take it to the Lord, first. Fight the spiritual battle, get His Word into your spirit so you have your marching orders. Worship Him with thanksgiving and then you can face the rest of the world.

2. The Battle Within is Where All Victories Start

The dwelling place of your “inner man”, (2 Cor. 4:16) the real you, is where your fiercest battles will be fought as a soldier in the army of the Lord. In fact, most of the battles believers face come from within and are never seen by anyone other than the Lord. That is why the spiritual wars you wage against the enemy must also start in the secret place.

In Psalm 91:1, the Lord promises that those who keep themselves in the secret place of the Almighty God will find rest, protection and safety and your faith in the Lord will need the strength you’ll find there.

You’re going to wage the hardest, ugliest battles against your own flesh, first…and even though the world may never see those battles, they will see your victories.

~Alicia Purdy

You’re going to wage the hardest, ugliest battles against your own flesh, first, against things like fear, anger, pain, self-loathing, regrets and bad memories, addiction, strongholds, rejection, sinful urges and more. And even though the world may never see those battles, they will see your victories. So you must fight to “live and tell of the works of the Lord.” (Psalm 40:3)

There is nothing more powerful than the presence of God and you’ll find His presence within your praise (Psalm 22:3) and by standing in agreement with other believers in prayer (Matt. 18:20) and by seeking the strategies and plans of Lord in His Word. (Hebrews 4:12).

3. The Weapons of Your Warfare are Mighty Through God

In Psalm 57, David – one of the greatest soldiers in the Lord’s Army, a soldier in the Israelite army, a king and a worshipper – was being pursued by his enemy and cried out “In the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,” David wrote. “Until the ruinous storm passes by…I lie among the sons of men who blaze like fire, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.” (Psalm 57:1, 4 MEV)

And yet, because he understood that his true victory would be from the Lord, he worshipped God even as his enemy pursued him. “[yet] I will thank You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations. For Your mercy is great up to the heavens, and Your truth extends to the clouds.” (Psalm 57:9-10) This is how true believers in God fight their battles.

Because you have chosen to walk with God, He has given you effective weapons with which you can fight any battle the enemy brings to you. They are listed below with further resources for your strength and growth:

  • The Word of God – Hebrews 4:12 says that the Word of God is sharper than a sword, and it is alive and filled with power. Your Adversary cannot overcome or outthink God, and so you must learn to use His Word in battle so you have spiritual discernment. Only God’s Word is able to cut through “to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (MEV)
  • Worship Worship is a spiritual weapon God has given you to keep you strong. In His presence is “fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11) and “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) If Satan can take your joy, you’ll be vulnerable to losing everything else. Gratitude is the point of origin for worship. Make sure you always start there.
  • Prayer – In “The Lord’s Prayer”, Jesus outlined 7 prayer principles that will keep your communion with the Lord strong and effective. Paul wrote to “pray about everything” (Philippians 4:6) with “all kinds of prayer” (Ephesians 6:18), and James 5:6 says the prayers of the righteous produce powerful results. Pray, first. Then, fight.
  • Other Christians “Take the people of war with you” the Lord said to Joshua. (Joshua 8:1) If you’re in a battle, call for backup! The Army of the Lord is filled with mature, wise and victorious believers who will fight alongside you for victory!

4. Faith Must be Your Fighting Stance

Ephesians 6:11 says, “Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” And your armor plus your weapons will keep you protected as you battle for victory – but don’t forget that you are in the Army of the Lord, which means you have a very real enemy and you will still have to battle!

“…having done all, stand,” Paul wrote. (Ephesians 6:13) Will God come through? Will this work out? Will you survive this? What will happen next? Every soldier in the army of the Lord will experience moments of doubt and struggle, but you must stand firm in your faith. You will never be truly strong for any battle unless you are strong in the LORD.

Psalm 16:8 says, “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” (ESV) If you’re feeling shaken, draw closer to the Lord. Jesus is the Rock of Salvation that cannot be moved.

You will never be truly strong for any battle unless you are strong in the LORD.

~Alicia Purdy

God is who He said He is. God keeps the promises in His Word. He hears and answers prayer. He rescues, restores, heals, provides, guides, comforts, sees, knows, understands, forgives and loves you. You must confront your fears and questions, and respond in faith through worship and praise.

You’ll find answers in the Word of God, in His presence through praise and in prayer. Remember that you’ll find victory within yourself before you see it around you.

Thought for today: Jesus is the “Captain of the Host” in the Army of the Lord

Your Heavenly Father, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will go after those who try to destroy anyone who hides in Him for protection. Exodus 15:3 says, “The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is His name.” (MEV)

Yes, you are a soldier in the army of the Lord, but remember, that Jesus Christ is the Commander of the Lord’s Army (Joshua 5:13-15) and if you are willing to follow His commands and stay close to His side, you’ll always win the battle- because He fights with you and for you and has already won!

David worshipped the Lord before he saw the victory because he believed in faith that God would come through for him – and He did!

In fact, in another battle season David wrote, in Psalm 144:9-10, “I will sing a new song unto You, O God… it is He who gives victory to kings…” before he’d won his battle, and in Psalm 18:18-19 he wrote, “They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He also brought me forth into a large place; He delivered me because He delighted in me. (Psalm 18:18-19)

WORSHIP is how you see victory before the battle is over. You can trust the Lord, so worship Him like you’ve already won!

The Army of the Lord Needs You in the Battle:

“5 Weaknesses You Need Help With to be Strong in the Lord”

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Don’t forget to pick up a copy of The Way of the Worshipper on Amazon – and AVAILABLE NOW you can also purchase The Way of the Worshipper: A Devotional Workbook for deeper study, personal examination and spiritual growth!

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