Fighting spiritual battles for your children

Is it uncomfortable for you to talk about this? Not for me, not since I became a mom. Before kids, finding my public identity as a Christian was challenging because I didn’t want to sound naive, or talk about taboo subjects. Now as a mom I take it head-on! I fight spiritual battles for these kids with words and tears.

It’s real

Let me tell you why, as a mom, I’m bolder about the subject. There are things we have some control over. We can teach them to say no, stand strong, don’t bully, stick up for those around them. But spiritual warfare is a whole different game, that’s a fight I have to do on my knees. I have no physical control over it, so tiptoeing around the subject like it doesn’t exist doesn’t make it go away, it just gives Satan the edge. It makes it a one way fight, and I refuse to let that happen.

If we believe in the Bible, and we can believe in saints and angels, then we must believe in this (fallen angels) too. It would be foolish not to. The enemy wants for you to treat him casually or better yet, dismiss him entirely. He wants you to believe that it’s all radical fiction made up by Christians who just want excuse away bad to behavior. Not so! Think of the radio waves in the air. Regardless if we’re tuning in or not, it’s still there.

What can we do about it?

STAND

You can’t outrun this, you’ve gotta face it. The Word of God makes it pretty clear that first, yup-spiritual warfare is really a thing. Second, that this is a fight you’ve gotta deal with head on. Remember, you’re fighting for your children, who are not yet equipped to go into battle for themselves. (Although this is something I suggest teaching to them at an early age)

Here’s what the Word says about spiritual battles:

• Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
• 1Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

PRAY

Our prayer matters to God. They’re not just empty words that we’re shouting into the sky. Prayers break down walls. In Matthew 4:1  Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan. Each time Satan tried to convince Jesus to perform a miracle or rely on anything other than God, Jesus simply responded with “it is written”. I love that, Jesus had no need to argue or convince, He simply stood on the Word of truth. So that means you’ve gotta know your Bible.

Here are some verses for you to pray, without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17) over your children:

• That generational addictions & diseases would be bound up

Matthew 18:18-19 Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

• That they would defeat mental strongholds of the enemy using the Word

2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV) We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

• They would submit to God and continuously resist the enemy of their souls

James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

• That they would know God’s plan for their lives

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

• That they would know they are victorious

Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Fight Mama’s

I see the things they internalize. I know the world they’re going to walk into, and the fight for their attention that’s already begin. I’m aware of  the images that flash in front of their eyes every day, no matter how quickly I try to avert their attention; Images that send subtle hints of what’s ok, what’s cool, and what’s acceptable. Friends, you have to realize there are spiritual influences that are already at war, fighting to take your children down before they’re even able to stand for themselves. So stand for them, fight the good fight for them, and teach them how to do it too. I pray you would take these verses into your prayer room, or whatever space you have and just start praying them over your children, your spouse & your home 

There are times when Satan will try to convince us with slick words & enticing images but if we stand boldly on the Word, we can shut him down. Remember we are already conquerors. We fight from victory, not for it!

A final note of encouragement-after Jesus was tempted and resisted Satan with the word:

Matthew 4:11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Head over to check out some other amazing bloggers. They’re posting about many of the same issues your dealing with today!