In a conversation I had with a friend about her son, we were discussing his alcohol abuse and how badly he treats her when he is drunk. I listened to her for hours describing all the incidents that has happened over the years. Often, I would supply scripture to apply for certain things.
Eventually, the conversation turned to physical vs spiritual and how we have to realize how much impact there is on us from spiritual attacks that we don't see or acknowledge. And suddenly I said...wait...duh...we are fighting the wrong fight. She was trying to influence her son with physical and carnal thinking and doing. Like putting the guilt trip on him, or unconditional love towards him, or helping him pay his bills, and even letting him live with her until he became too violent and she had to make him move.
So I said, we need to step into the spiritual side and put on the mind of Christ...become spiritual minded and not carnal. Start speaking and standing on the Word of God, and declaring victory for the battle is already won.
So I take her to Ephesisans 6:10-18
Ephesians 6 (KJV)
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¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
In this situation, the focus is to quit looking at her son and arguing with him in the flesh because what is happening is he is held captive and remains in bondage to that evil spirit that has attached itself to his flesh...destroying his mind, his health and his spirit.
I did this with my daughter when she was bound up in drugs. One day she proceeded to talk back to me when I asked her to get up and clean her room. She began yelling and cussing at me....I said "Shut your mouth you foul spirit! The Lord rebuke you, come out of my daughter! Release your hold on her in the name of Jesus!" . My daughter's lips didn't move again and she got up and cleaned her room.
So...don't wrestle against the flesh....whether it is a family member, friend, co-worker, neighbor or just an acquaintance. When strife rises up, speak to that enemy that is influencing the argument. Fight the right battle!
Eventually, the conversation turned to physical vs spiritual and how we have to realize how much impact there is on us from spiritual attacks that we don't see or acknowledge. And suddenly I said...wait...duh...we are fighting the wrong fight. She was trying to influence her son with physical and carnal thinking and doing. Like putting the guilt trip on him, or unconditional love towards him, or helping him pay his bills, and even letting him live with her until he became too violent and she had to make him move.
So I said, we need to step into the spiritual side and put on the mind of Christ...become spiritual minded and not carnal. Start speaking and standing on the Word of God, and declaring victory for the battle is already won.
So I take her to Ephesisans 6:10-18
Ephesians 6 (KJV)
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
In this situation, the focus is to quit looking at her son and arguing with him in the flesh because what is happening is he is held captive and remains in bondage to that evil spirit that has attached itself to his flesh...destroying his mind, his health and his spirit.
I did this with my daughter when she was bound up in drugs. One day she proceeded to talk back to me when I asked her to get up and clean her room. She began yelling and cussing at me....I said "Shut your mouth you foul spirit! The Lord rebuke you, come out of my daughter! Release your hold on her in the name of Jesus!" . My daughter's lips didn't move again and she got up and cleaned her room.
So...don't wrestle against the flesh....whether it is a family member, friend, co-worker, neighbor or just an acquaintance. When strife rises up, speak to that enemy that is influencing the argument. Fight the right battle!
