The Christian life is a spiritual war. The moment you decided to follow Christ, you declared war against the enemy and his traps. Starting in the Garden of Eden through the book of Revelation, the Bible is full of examples of spiritual warfare. The enemy’s goal is to render you powerless and useless in life, but God has equipped us with powerful weapons that are capable of fending off the enemy and tearing down strongholds.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” –2 Corinthians 10:3-4
In the book of Joshua, we read about the first obstacle the Israelites faced upon crossing the Jordan River: the city of Jericho. Jericho had an impenetrable wall around it, and its gates were shut to the Israelites because the people there were afraid of them. However, God gave Joshua a strategy to capture the city. The Israelites were instructed to simply march around the city one time each day for 6 days, and then after 7 times on the 7th day, to shout. The Israelites did exactly as they were told, even though the plan made absolutely no sense at all. What kind of war strategy is this? This method of warfare may not have seemed like the most sensible thing to do in the natural, but it required total dependence on God. When the Israelites finally shouted on that 7th day, the walls of Jericho fell right before their eyes. It was their obedience and faith in God that caused the walls to collapse.
The walls of Jericho represent growing opportunities in our lives. Every time God wants to take us to a new level, there always seems to be an insurmountable wall that comes with it. We all have a “Jericho” in our lives, but God has given us a fighting strategy. When you’re up against your spiritual Jerichos, begin to encompass them with prayer. Prayer isn’t just about talking to God; it’s about defeating the enemy and his plans to destroy God’s will for your life. Rather than praying defensively when trouble comes, pray offensively before it comes. Through prayer, we call on the forces of God’s kingdom to fight on our behalf.
Once you’re prayed up, begin to demonstrate your faith in God’s miracle working power by shouting and praising God for the victory that’s already been won. There is an element to worship that shifts things in the supernatural realm. As you praise God, you magnify Him and minimize the Jericho in your life.
What’s stopping you from possessing what God has promised you? What are the Jerichos standing in your way? We all have them. When we operate by faith through prayer and praise, His power is released and those strongholds are destroyed. And the walls that are holding you back will fall down before you as you march in and claim the territory that belongs to you.