Spiritual Warfare
Theme Scripture: “And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of their men and chased them before the gate… Therefore, the hearts of the people melted and became as water.” – Joshua 7:5 (NKJV)Make no mistake, this is not a game strategy to the devil - its specialized warfare.
Over the past few weeks as I have been seeking and praying in the secret place, over and over I’ve heard the phrase “sack”. I said Lord, what does this mean? I know what a sack is in football, but what does this mean for strategic warfare in the realm of the spirit? I want to share with you what was revealed to me.
The term sack is a term of strategic significance. In military warfare, a sack refers to the plundering or destruction of a city or stronghold, often through relentless attacks and invasions. In the realm of spiritual warfare, the devil employs similar tactics against God’s people who dare to invade new territories and take ground for Christ. For many in the kingdom this may not necessarily mean physical territory - but any ground for your family, business, ministry and so on.
I want to share with you one of the devil’s tactics of warfare and reveal divine strategies to counter these assaults swiftly and effectively.
1. Recognizing the Enemy’s Objective:
Plundering the Camp
The goal of a sack is to disrupt, disorient, and destroy. Demonic forces attempt to sack the lives, families, and ministries of God’s people moving into unclaimed or demonically occupied spiritual ground.
Key Areas of Attack:
• Finances: Unexplained delays, sudden losses, and lack of provision for the mission.
• Health: Physical afflictions and weariness designed to distract and discourage.
• Unity: Division within teams and families sent to establish God’s Kingdom.
This tactic is evident in the attack on Ai in Joshua 7.
The Israelites’ defeat was not just one of a physical nature; it was a spiritual warning to purify their camp and realign with divine strategy. Wait until you see what happens in chapter 8.
2. Identifying Spiritual Breaches:
The Power of Sanctification
Joshua discovered that their defeat at Ai was because of a breach in their covenant. Achan’s sin brought spiritual contamination, and as a result, the enemy gained access. We must be hyper vigilant. Even a pin hole is a major breaching point. What I mean by pin holes is: anything in your thoughts, actions, or activities that compromises holiness, purity,righteousness, or the fruit of the spirit.
Key Insights:
Sin, disobedience, or even neglect of spiritual discipline, even if just a pin hole creates openings for demonic forces to sack our progress. When entering new territories, God’s people must walk in high level holiness, purity, and enforce the principles of God’s Word to remain fortified. This means No Compromise in any area, actions or activity. This can be tough and come as a huge sacrifice because it often involves addressing thoughts, behaviors, habits, emotions, or activities we once allowable or not that bad. But take heart; when we surrender all that we are to become all that He is - fire always falls on the sacrifice.
Scripture says:
“Be holy, for I am holy.” – 1 Peter 1:16
3. Offensive Warfare: Taking the Battle to the Gates
The enemy’s strategy of the sack is designed to intimidate, but God’s people are created and called to wage an offensive campaign.
Weapons of the Believer:
• Prayer and Fasting: Saturating the atmosphere with prayer dismantles demonic altars and weakens territorial spirits (Matthew 17:21).
• The Word of God: As a double-edged sword, it cuts through lies, intimidation, and fear (Hebrews 4:12).
• Praise and Worship: Praise shifts the battle into the realm of the spirit and into God’s hands, turning strongholds into rubble (2 Chronicles 20:22).
Joshua’s eventual victory over Ai came when God gave him a divine strategy: set an ambush and sacked the city of Ai (Joshua 8:2-7).
4. Rebuilding What the Enemy Destroyed: The Power of Recovery
Even when the enemy successfully sacks ground we’ve gained, God has given us authority to recover, rebuild, and establish God’s kingdom here on earth just as it is in heaven.
Steps to Recovery:
1. Repentance: Align with God and close every open door, even the pin holes. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the pin holes - oftentimes these are not easily seen with the natural eye. (2 Chronicles 7:14).
2. Reinforcement: Strengthen your spiritual defenses through unity and spiritual discipline (Ephesians 6:10-18). Launch out into the deeper realms of the spirit until the shores of what once was are not even visible anymore. You must get there.
3. Reclaiming Territory: Walk in the mission field with fresh anointing and authority. We must make it a habit of refreshing our oil and fire supply daily. We do this by intimacy and activity. Here’s what I mean; a lamp that never burns may never run
out of oil - but that oil gets stale and dusty. Only lamps that are used get refilled with fresh oil. Intimacy keeps the fire burning, use keeps the oil flowing. David’s experience at Ziklag is a blueprint for recovery. After the Amalekites sacked their
camp, he sought the Lord, pursued the enemy, and recovered all (1 Samuel 30:6-8).
5. The Ultimate Strategy: Occupy and Fortify
Once new territory is gained, the work of occupation and fortification begins. Jesus said, “Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13).
This means establishing strongholds of righteousness and ensuring the enemy has no foothold to return.
The strategy of the sack is one of the enemy’s most potent weapons in spiritual warfare. However, God has equipped His people with the authority to resist, recover, and establish His dominion here on Earth. As you move into new territories, let the Spirit of God guide you to discern breaches, enforce divine strategies, and rebuild where the enemy has sacked.
“Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
Prayer Point: (say this out loud)
Father, in the name of Jesus, I declare that every scheme of the enemy to sack my life, family, or ministry is destroyed. I fortify myself in Your Word, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, I advance boldly to take new territory for Your Kingdom. Amen!
The Counter Attack
Counter-Attacking and Combating Demonic Sacks Against God’s People.
Remember to establish your footing on the higher ground - “And a highway shall be there, and a way; and it shall be called the Holy Way. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for the redeemed; the wayfaring men, yes, the simple ones and fools, shall not err in it and lose their way.” Isaiah 35:8
To counter-attack and combat the enemy’s strategy of spiritual sack, God’s people must engage in both defensive and offensive warfare. Here are biblical principles and practical steps to enforce victory against demonic opposition:
1. Establish Strong Spiritual Foundations
Before entering new territory, ensure you are fortified spiritually. The strength of your foundation and fortification determines your resilience and effectiveness in battle.
How to Fortify Yourself:
• Consecration and Holiness: Maintain a pure heart and life (Psalm 24:3-4). Sin creates breaches that the enemy exploits. Remember the pin holes. Remain on the Highway of Holiness.
• Prayer and Fasting: Engage in fasting to break territorial strongholds and align with God’s power (Isaiah 58:6).
• The Word of God: Saturate yourself with Scripture to stand firm when attacked (Matthew 4:4). When you’re saturated you can soak others too.
2. Identify and Tear Down Demonic Strongholds
Demonic strongholds in new territories often resist the advancement of the Gospel. These strongholds manifest as cultural sins, occult practices, or hardened hearts. Let me tell you - I have witnessed this first hand in every town and territory that I enter. It is no joke, and the devil is not playing games - make no mistake, he’s at war.
Spiritual Counterattack:
• Discerning the Stronghold: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the specific strongholds of the territory (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
• Binding and Loosing: Bind the spirits operating in the region or area and loose God’s will through declarations (Matthew 18:18).
• Strategic Intercession: Assign intercessors to pray over the region day and night (Isaiah 62:6-7).
3. Armor Up for Battle
The spiritual armor described in Ephesians 6:10-18 is not optional—it’s essential.
How to Wear Your Armor:
• The Helmet of Salvation: Protect your mind from fear and doubt.
• The Breastplate of Righteousness: Walk in right standing with God. Stay on the Highway of Holiness.
• The Shield of Faith: Quench every fiery dart of the enemy through unwavering trust in God’s promises.
• The Sword of the Spirit: Use Scripture to declare victory and drive the enemy back.
Key Strategy:
At the start of each day, declare: “I am clothed with the full armor of God, and no weapon formed against me shall prosper!” (Isaiah 54:17).
4. Raise a Wall of Praise and Worship
Praise and worship are spiritual weapons that dismantle enemy forces and establish God’s throne in the atmosphere.
How to Use Praise:
• Hold prayer and worship gatherings to saturate the region, [your family, business, ministry, etc.] with God’s presence (2 Chronicles 20:21-22).
• Personally engage in private worship daily, allowing the joy of the Lord to renew your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
Key Insight:
Demons cannot operate in an atmosphere of genuine worship because it establishes God’s dominion.
5. Cover Your Team, Core Group, and Family in Prayer
The enemy often attacks those closest to you when you take ground for the Kingdom.
How to Protect Them:
• Daily Declarations: Pray Psalm 91 over your family and team.
• Corporate Prayer: Hold regular prayer sessions with your team, focusing on unity and protection.
• Assign Angelic Assistance: Ask God to dispatch angels to guard your camp (Hebrews 1:14).
Key Scripture:
“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.” – Psalm 34:7
6. Utilize the Power of Prophetic Decrees
Speak life into the territory and declare the enemy’s defeat. Your words carry the authority of Kingdom of Heaven.
Examples of Declarations:
• “This city belongs to Jesus. Every demonic altar is dismantled in His name.”
• “I decree open heavens over this territory. The harvest is ready, and the gates of hell will not prevail!”
• “Every opposition to this mission is silenced by the blood of Jesus.”
Key Insight:
Prophetic decrees are not mere words but spiritual missiles that dismantle satanic operations (Job 22:28).
7. Persist Until Victory is Manifested
The enemy may resist, but persistence in prayer and action ensures victory.
How to Persist:
• Be Watchful: Keep alert and continue to pray even after breakthroughs occur (1 Peter 5:8).
• Stay Consistent: Regularly revisit the territory to ensure strongholds do not reestablish themselves (Matthew 12:43-45).
• Reinforce Victories: Disciple converts and establish bible studies and fellowship.
Key Scripture:
“Do not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” – Galatians 6:9
8. Operate in the Authority of Christ
The enemy’s power is limited. Remember, you are seated in heavenly places with Christ (Ephesians 2:6).
Action Plan:
• Command the Enemy to Flee: Resist the devil, and he will flee (James 4:7).
• Invoke the Blood of Jesus: Cover yourself, your ministry, your business, your family and the territory in the blood of Jesus for protection and cleansing (Revelation 12:11).
• Walk in Boldness: Fear is a weapon of the enemy, but you are empowered by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 1:7).
9. Celebrate the Victory in Advance
Victory in spiritual warfare is assured when you align with God’s purposes. Celebrate as though the battle is already won because it is!
How to Celebrate:
• Testify of small victories along the way (Revelation 12:11).
• Lead new believers in praising God for what He has done.
Key Insight:
Celebration is a prophetic act of faith that seals your victory in the spirit realm.
Conclusion
The enemy may attempt to sack your ministry, resources, or progress, but as an individual empowered by the Holy Spirit, you have the tools to resist, reclaim, and rebuild. Walk in holiness, stay armored, and wage war boldly, knowing that the One who sends you into the battle has already secured your victory.
Prayer Declaration:
“Father, I take authority over every demonic force working to sack my life, family, and ministry. By the power of the Holy Spirit, I resist, I reclaim, and I rebuild. Every scheme of the enemy is dismantled, and I decree supernatural breakthrough as I take new ground for Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen!”