Download PDF Version - Oral Roberts Ministries

NicaraguaGod’s MightyWeaponsB Y L I N D S A Y R O B E R T SRecently, Lindsay ministered at a women’sconference in Nicaragua. Her message offers apowerful reminder that no matter what the devilthrows at us, we have mighty weapons in Christto help us win our battles.Whatever we may find ourselves fighting againstin life, we need to recognize the real source of ourtroubles. No matter how it may seem to us, our strugglesare not truly about people, politics, economics,or anything else in the natural realm. According toEphesians 6:12, our true battle is a spiritual fight, andthe one we’re fighting against is the devil.The good news for us as Christians is that our fighthas been “fixed,” because Jesus already won it for uson the Cross. He defeated Satan and his demons onceand for all and even shamed them publicly by his victoryover them on the cross (Colossians 2:14).The devil knowshe has been defeated.But whileyou and I are livingon this earth,he will continueto try and harassLindsay prays for a conference attendee. and intimidate usinto living a lifeof discouragement and defeat, because He knows howmuch God loves us.Lindsay Roberts preaches in Nicaragua.We must fight back. But we are not alone in this spiritualbattle, and as long as we fight with the spiritualweapons God has given us, according to 2 Corinthians10:4-5, we can make the victory Jesus accomplishedfor us a reality in our lives…for the weaponsof our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pullingdown strongholds…and every high thing that exalts itselfagainst the knowledge of God.The weapons that defeat the devil don’t come fromour human flesh, our intellect, or our emotions. Theyare spiritual. They come from God.Recognizing Our EnemyThe devil’s attack can come at us in many ways. Attimes, it’s like a saw. Relationships may be severed, orwe may lose our job. At other times, the enemy’s assaultis like a hammer. We feel as though we’re takingone hit after another. And sometimes, the devil worksto tie us up in emotional knots. Instead of walking inpeace, joy, and hope, we feel anxious and stressed.What are the spiritual weapons that we can use inthis spiritual battle so that we don’t miss out on themiracles God is trying to send our way? I believe fiveof the most important weapons we have availableto us through Jesus’ death and resurrection are:• The seeds we plant• Prayer• Praise and worship• The words we speak• ForgivenessUsing Mighty Weapons to Fight1. Planting your seed. In Malachi 3:10, God tells usto “bring the tithes and offerings in and I will rebukethe devourer.” Giving God your tithes and offerings—through your local church, through a ministry you knowand trust, or any place where you’re being fed the Wordof God—is not just a good idea; it gives you a Bibleguarantee that the devil will be rebuked in your life.In one Bible translation, devourer means “flesh-eatingdestroyer.” Is the devil trying to destroy you with sicknessand disease, a financial problem, or something in yourfamily? When you sow your seed and aim it as a weaponagainst the devil, you have a Bible right for the devourerto be rebuked and for your life to be made whole again.2. Prayer. Have you ever seen someone aim a gunat a target they wanted to hit? To hit the target, youhave to aim correctly. Have you been praying in fear?Or have you been praying in a way that can be “powerfuland effective,” as James 5:16 tells us. When youpray, you can use that time to cry and complain beforethe Lord. Or you can do what God told me to do andmake your prayers a “battle cry” before Him, aimingyour prayer like a gun at the devil’s targets.The next time you pray, you can say, “I aim thisprayer against disease, against poverty, or againstwhatever is trying to destroy my family.” Then attachyour faith to it. And, in the name of Jesus, prayer likethat can help defeat the devil’s plans in your life.3. Praise and worship. Psalm 22:3 tells us that Godinhabits, or lives and dwells in, the praises of His people.Instead of praising God in the midst of our struggles,too often we whine, gripe, and complain instead.But when we begin to praise and worship Him, to inviteHim to come into our situation and take over, theatmosphere changes. If you’re facing a struggle rightJan/Feb/Mar 200910 11