In order to be successful in spiritual warfare, we must wear our shoes of peace and not just carry them around. God instructed us to put on the full armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-18. God supplies us with all the armor we need to defeat the devil in every one of his strategies and deceits, but it's useless to us unless we put it on. We must keep it on because "the devil roams around like a lion roaring (in fierce hunger), seeking someone to seize upon and devour," according to 1 Peter 5:8.
Learning how and being willing to walk in our shoes of peace is one of the secrets of successful spiritual warfare. Taking authority over the devil with a loud voice does not replace simple obedience to the Lord. Look at the prayer Jesus prayed in John 17:21, "Many people live in confusion, wondering why the promises of God don't work in their lives. The promises of God cannot just be claimed. They must be inherited as we enter into a sonship relationship with our Father. Look at Romans 8:14-15 which says that the "sons of God are those who are led by the Spirit of God."
Paul instructed the Corinthian church regarding God's faithfulness. He assured them God was faithful and he taught the importance of living in harmony, unity and agreement. Look at Hebrews 12:14-25. We are to want peace and to strive to live in it. Peace is to be a primary goal for us. We're to help watch over one another. If we see a brother or sister in the Lord becoming angry or upset, then we should help restore them to peace if possible. This may be one of the ways we are peace makers.
The verses in Hebrews 12:14-25 tell us that strife (or the absence of peace) leads to resentment and bitterness and even hatred. If left unattended it shoots forth and spreads.
Strife strikes like an infection or highly contagious disease. It causes trouble and brings torment and it troubles and hinders the work of the Lord and many become contaminated and defiled by it. God works in an atmosphere of peace, but satan and his cohorts work in strife and turmoil. He sets us up to cause us to become angry with one another. He knows which buttons to push at just the right time. The devil is a strategist. He lays out a plan and doesn't mind working behind the scenes for long periods of time in order to accomplish his desired goal. He lies to people setting them against each other. He magnifies incidents and makes them appear to be much more important than they really are. A person can make a simple mistake and the devil will tell him that it was done on purpose. He will try to make you believe people have plotted against you and try to hurt you on purpose. Many times people may not even realize how they offended you.
Probably, more damage is done by the spirit of offense than any other enemy. It opens the door for multitudes of deep, dangerous problems that few know how to deal with. Such problems develop from carnal Christians-immature people who live by their feelings. They say and do exactly what they feel. They don't ask God to help them get over the hurt.
The Bible plainly states that we're to forgive those who hurt us quickly, frequently, and freely.
Insecure people carry a root of religion. They need a lot of outward assurance that they're accepted. They lack feelings of worth and value from within so they crave it from outside sources.
To Be Continued....
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