Effective Weapons for Spiritual WarfareWatch and Pray

God has given all Christians several effective weapons for spiritual warfare to counter demonic forces. The apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12-18 that we wrestle not against a human opponent. Instead, we are wrestling with the powers who govern this world and spiritual forces in the heavenly realm. Their primary focus is to defile, enslave, hinder, frustrate, kill and destroy mankind. For this reason, we must learn how to battle in the realm of the spirit.

Not only can we resist the devil’s influence in our lives, but we can destroy his influence in the lives of others when we use God’s spiritual weapons. In 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, the apostle Paul said that the weapons he used were not human ones. His weapons had power from God that could destroy the enemy’s strong places. So, in order to be victorious in our warfare, we must learn what these weapons are and how to use them effectively.

Several Effective Weapons for Spiritual Warfare

The Word of God

The apostle Paul listed many defensive pieces of the armor of God, but only one was both a defensive and offensive weapon. That weapon was the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). God is calling us to wield our swords against the enemy by openly declaring His Word. This will enable us to beat back all that opposes the manifestation of God’s promises and divine will for our lives.

When Jesus was tempted three times in the wilderness by Satan (Luke 4:1-13), He overcame the devil using the Word of God. When Satan tried to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus responded each time with, “It is written…” As a result, this silenced the devil and caused him to depart for a season.

In like manner, we can speak God’s Word with confidence because it is already established in the heavens. God Himself has declared that what He says will come to pass (Isaiah 55:11). Therefore, when we enforce His Word through verbal agreement, our words become the bridge that links Heaven and earth. And when Heaven’s power is released on the earth, things begin to change.

Romans 4:21 says, “He (Abraham) was fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His Word to do what He had promised.” So, it is essential that we hold God’s Word and His promises in the very forefront of our minds.

Praise and Worship

When we praise God for what He has done, we soon find ourselves worshiping Him for who He is. Praise is boldly declaring, while worship is humbly bowing in the presence of a Holy God. In the spiritual tabernacle of God, we enter His gates with “thanksgiving,” the outer courts “with praise,” and the holy of holies with “worship.” The Bible says, “Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness,” (Psalm 29:2).

The more we magnify God, the more we see His greatness and power. Furthermore, when we worship God, He releases His direction and revelation. Worship also releases God’s angels into the atmosphere as “ministering spirits” (Hebrews 1:4) to bring God’s healing and deliverance to His people.

Paul and Silas were thrown into prison for preaching the gospel. Their feet were in stocks, and their backs were beaten (Acts 16: 22-23). However, the Bible says that at about midnight, Paul and Silas were worshiping and singing praise to God (v.25). As they praised and worshipped, suddenly there came a great earthquake that shook the foundation of the prison. As a result, every prisoner’s chains fell off and all the prison doors were opened (v. 26). Praise and worship released God’s power in Paul and Silas’ circumstances and brought them deliverance.

Praise and worship not only open the door to God’s presence, but they become effective weapons in spiritual warfare. The power of praise and worship in battles is shown in 2 Chronicles 20, Psalm 8:2, and Psalm 149:5-9. Praise and worship help us to remain focused and dependent upon God. As we give God our battles, He goes to war on our behalf and gives us the victory.

Pleading the Blood of Jesus

Pleading the Blood of Jesus means to apply Jesus’ Blood to our lives and circumstances. It is a legal term and means to stand on the spiritual rights that “legally” belongs to Christians. Jesus Christ shed His blood on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. As a result, the Blood of Jesus gives all Christians rights over the devil and rights with God.

God instructed the Israelites to apply the blood of a lamb to their door posts. As a result, they were protected from the destroyer that killed the firstborn of the Egyptians (Exodus 12:22-23). This foreshadowed, Jesus Christ, the sinless Lamb, who would shed His Blood for the sins of the world. Now, all who receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, are in a Blood Covenant with God (Revelation 12:11; Ephesians 2:6). As a result, we have access to God’s provisions for our every need. This access includes protection from accidents, satanic attacks, financial needs, emotional and physical healing, and deliverance. For this reason, pleading the Blood of Jesus is an effective weapon for spiritual warfare when fighting our enemy, the devil.

Prayer

Prayer is a relationship, wherein we humbly communicate, worship, and sincerely seek God’s face, knowing that He hears us (1 John 5:14-15). God answers prayers that are in agreement with His will and responds in a way that is in our best interest.

When we ask God for help, He breaks the attack of the enemy and rescues us. Moreover, it does not matter how big the problem is that the enemy uses to attack us with. An example of this can be found in 2 Kings 19:14. The Assyrian King (Sennacherib) wrote a letter to King Hezekiah threatening an all-out attack against him and the people of Israel. When Hezekiah heard this, he became afraid because he knew that his army was not strong enough to drive away such a powerful enemy. So, Hezekiah took the letter that Sennacherib had written and went into the temple to pray. He spread the letter before the altar and asked God to help him and his people out of their trouble (vv. 14, 15).

That same night, an angel of God visited the enemy camp and killed 185,000 soldiers (v. 35). When the Assyrians got up the next morning, they were shocked to see dead bodies everywhere. As a result, King Sennacherib hurried back to his own land. He never returned to fight against Hezekiah, because God had heard and answered the prayers of the good King (vv. 36-37).

Never underestimate the power of prayer. When you are praying according to God’s will, your prayer becomes an effective weapon for spiritual warfare against the adversary. We cannot defend ourselves against the enemy in our own strength because we are too weak. However, when we prevail in prayer, Satan is defeated, and miracles happen.

The Word of Our Testimony

Giving your testimony concerning your trials and how you overcame them, by the help of the Lord, glorifies God. In addition, your testimony is an effective weapon for spiritual warfare against the devil. The enemy doesn’t like it when we share with others about what the Lord has done on our behalf. This is because our testimony not only increases our faith but the faith of those who are listening to us. Revelation 12:11 says, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony…”

Our experiences from the past are testimonies of the power of God in our lives. In fact, they provide evidence to others that God still heals and can change our circumstances.

The Name of Jesus

The Name of Jesus is another very powerful weapon to use in spiritual warfare. Moreover, we have a right to use it as God’s children. Jesus said to his disciples, “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:13,14).

We are to do everything in Jesus’ Name. His name represents all of His finished work on the cross, fulfilling God’s plan of redemption and salvation. Jesus’ name also represents victory over sin, death, and the devil’s entire realm. When the name of Jesus Christ is invoked, it carries all of the power and distinction God gave to it. God raised Jesus from the dead and elevated Him to His right hand. God also gave Jesus a name above every name, not only in this age, but also in the age to come (Ephesians 1:21).

The enemy has to yield to the Almighty Name of Jesus. There is nothing that can stand up to His Name (Philippians 2:9-10). Moreover, every time the enemy hears the name of Jesus, he trembles. Therefore, when we fully submit to God, we have authority over all the works of the devil through Jesus’ name. At the call of the name of Jesus, evil spirits flee. And so, we should always use the name of Jesus as one of the effective weapons for spiritual warfare against the devil.

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