Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil ~ Ephesians 6: 10-11.

Introduction:

Your level of understanding must increase before you can access the joy and lasting victory in Christ Jesus. No man ever got to his defined place in destiny through ignorance. You just must know your onions; you’re what you know!

Ignorance of the truth is highly punishable in the realm of the spirit (Hosea 4:6). It is a very costly disease, which always comes with catastrophes in its wake. If you are to reach your destination as you travel on the slippery paths of life, you need to walk the way Jesus Christ walked — with an exact knowledge of God’s Will and a wholesome practice of His Word.

Now, the fact that we are commanded to ‘put on the whole armor of God’ in Ephesians 6:10-11 indicates that the battles of life are not ‘banger’ fights. They are real conflagrations between saints and rebel spirits who are opposed to God and His plans for humanity. And, downplaying decisive victory in spiritual conflicts can only attract abysmal failings upon the earth.

Demolishing Invisible Barriers

The first expertise you must develop on your journey to lasting victory is in the spiritual art of demolishing barriers, through strategic warfare prayers.

Truly, we were born to blossom, but we also need to understand that Satan enjoys throwing snags on our pathways to victory. Even though our lasting victory is secured through Christ Jesus, we must not stop fighting from our position of victory.

The children of Israel were God’s covenant people, just like the Church of Jesus Christ is today, yet they fought many battles before entering into their rightful inheritance.

An account was referenced in Joshua 6:1-2, where the devil mounted a physical barricade against Israel on her journey to the Promised Land. Jericho was totally shut up because of the children of Israel with the intention to stall their progress.

Today, Satan arranges spiritual barriers against the Church because she has a spiritual kingdom to claim (1Corinthians 10:11). There exists a real dark-spirit realm comprising of beings that inhabit the material unseen world on earth, in space and under the earth (Philippians 2:10).

This unseen realm sometimes presents an invisible force to overrule the physical world, and many real troubles in life are consequences of the villainous activities there. Paul, for example, spoke of Satan’s attempt to hinder him in the course of preaching the gospel of Christ (1Thessalonians 2:18).

Accidents don’t just happen, they are caused! A lot of times, human experiences of defeat are actually traceable to some forms of ‘spiritual attrition’ from the invisible realm. Lasting victory only comes in life, consequent upon man’s empowerment, through spirituality and divinity.

Meanwhile, serious spiritual preparation is crucial to demolishing barriers. The Israelites prepared for the victories they enjoyed; they learnt to be spiritual to enhance their position in the realm of the miraculous.(Joshua 5:1-11).

Joshua re-established the rites of the Circumcision and of the Passover shortly before Israel encountered Jericho’s wall, which represented major preparations to turn the hearts of the people back to their God.

Not until our hearts are circumcised, we may remain unable to enlist God’s help at the critical hours of need. God often calls for some form of regimentation in the lives of men and women who hope to walk same paths with Him. It is His way to prove people before He approves or places them in dominion (Joshua 6: 8-20).

Besides, vibrant faith and quality obedience will be required on our part to pull down ‘the Jericho walls’ which Satan may have deliberately arranged to forestall our victory (Joshua 6:1-5). We must be fully prepared for God’s test of obedience, and be ready to walk according to His pattern.

Dispersing All Evil Alliances

Total victory remains a mirage until we actively disperse all evil alliances, and annul negative decrees enacted against our lives.

The dark-spirit realms love to conspire against believers with enviable destinies. This was what gave rise to the experiences of Daniel, the three Hebrew Children and Isaac (Daniel 3:1-30; Genesis 26:12-16). In fact, the dream killers in the life of Joseph were even his blood brothers.

These despicable enemies of destiny actually went a stage further in the storyline of Daniel: they backed their conspiracies with laws and decrees, just like every wicked government still does against the Church of Jesus Christ today (Daniel 6:1-10).

In respect to their nefarious activities, the enemies of destiny may actually find no offense in you other than the fact that God has started to help you, or that your star is beginning to shine.

It is very reassuring to know, however, that God already pronounced a judgment of perpetual woe upon these enemies of destiny, and this judgment subsists even until now upon anyone that decrees any unrighteous decree (Isaiah 10:1). All negative decrees against your life – past, present and future – are already abrogated, and dark counsels reversed in your favour by the death of Christ on the Cross, (Colossians 2:13-15). Alleluia!

Standing Your Ground for Lasting Victory

Through it all and in it all, you must stand your ground and continue to occupy your position of victory in Christ Jesus (Luke 19:13).

God is not glorified when you live like a cheap victim of your past experiences, your present circumstances or your future fears. Hence, whenever you boldly occupy your place in dominion, He stands on your side to turn your Christian adventures to brilliant achievements.

Furthermore, from the standpoint of scriptures, we have been redeemed from: troubles(Psalms 25:22); death (Hosea 13:14); sins (Titus 2:14); curses (Galatians 3:13); the enemies(Luke 1:74); afflictions (Acts 7:10); powers of darkness (Colossians 1:13); and from the wrath to come (1Thessalonians 1:10).

This is the truth of our case from the standpoint of the Word of God, and this is the truth of the case no matter the facts of your experiences now.

In conclusion, friends, be conscious of your Bible identity, and heartily believe it. If you don’t know where you are coming from, you may never truly know where you are heading to. And, if you don’t know where you’re going, you may never arrive anywhere worthy of your efforts.

You were made in God’s class of being, and inferior only to Elohim (Psalms 8:4-6; 82:6). Daily enhance this glorious status. Respect yourself. Awake your innate sense of sonship and dignity, it’s your turn to start enjoying lasting victories in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:14).

You were born again to reign again through Christ (Romans 5:17). Serve Him thoroughly and intentionally. Refuse to drift through life. Aim at glorifying God all the way, and durable victories will fill your trails (1Peter 2:9).

Daniel judged every ordinance of the land in the context of God’s law, and he laughed at last. Believe the Lord for it, you too will experience the laughter of lasting victories. May God increase your courage in the precious Name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Happy Sunday!

• Bishop Taiwo Akinola,

Rhema Christian Church,

Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

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