Turning The Tide

"War is a conflict that occurs when one party seeks to gain by FORCE something that another party will not willingly concede, or when both parties desire to possess a thing that cannot be mutually shared."  

2 Timothy 2:3-4, "You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No soldier in active service entangles himself with the affairs of the civilian life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier."

1.  Recognize our enemy
Ephesians 6:12 [NLT], For we are not fighting flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

2.  Recognize our battlefield
Daniel 10:12-13 [NLT], Then he said, "Don't be afraid, Daniel.  Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven.  I have come in answer to your prayer. 13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way.  Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me..."

3.  Recognize our assignment
Ephesians 6:10-18 [NIV], Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 AND PRAY in the Spirit on all occasions...