The Lonely Battles You Wage

“The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

Right now, Satan’s powers of darkness throughout the world are rejoicing. These demonic forces have infiltrated high places of human power: the media, political offices, high courts. It’s happening even in religious denominations.

All these demonic principalities have an agenda. They work to erode moral values and pull down the saving power of the gospel. It seems every institution, every agency is now infiltrated and dominated by these ungodly spiritual powers. Yet, we know how this war ends: at the cross, in the victory of Jesus Christ.

There definitely will be times of war — wars that will not involve the vast Body of Christ worldwide but will be private — battles and struggles known only to you. These are wars of the flesh and they bring a burden you can’t share with anyone. They are lonely wars, just about Jesus and you.

Too often as a Christian you may convince yourself that the right thing to do is to grit your teeth through your battles. But God doesn’t want you to put on a false front. He knows what you’re going through and he wants to share it with you.

When King David committed adultery and then fell into a private war of condemnation and regret, he didn’t try to fix things on his own. So what did he do? First, he cried out to the Lord: “Oh, Lord, help me quickly! I’m about to fall, so hurry and deliver me. Your Word promises that you’ll deliver me, so do it now” (see Psalm 70). 

Next, David made a decision: “Live or die, I will magnify the Lord in this battle.” “Let God be magnified” (Psalm 70:4). And he threw himself fully on the mercy of the Lord: “If I say, ‘My foot slips,’ Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up … Your comforts delight my soul” (Psalm 94:18-19).  

Beloved, you can make this your testimony. Look at all your distresses, adversities, anxieties and temptations, and say in faith, “By God’s grace I will not go down.” And he will say to you, “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9).