7 SECRETS TO EFFECTIVE SOUL-DEFENSE - "BUSTING THE MYTHS OF SPIRITUAL PROTECTION"

[ANOINTED FIGHTER]

Introduction

"This is good, and pleases God our Savior,who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:3-4).

Soul-defense is offered to everyone - men, women & children of all ages and abilities that accept Jesus Christ as Lord. " "Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation" (Psalm 91:14-15).

Remember, although soul-defense is simple it is not always easy. However, when we abide in Christ, we are promised God's protection. "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one" (2 Thessalonians 3:3). Here are the 7 secrets to effective soul-defense and the myths behind them. Learn these, and you are well on your way to living more safely. "May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance" (2 Thessalonians 3:5).


Secret No. 1: Soul-Defense is 100% grace and 0% earned through good works.
Myth Busted: Soul-Defense is mostly about going to church and being good all the time.
`
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Christ-like awareness will prevent you from getting into most soul-defense situations. Most people when around others who are leading them into a spiritually dangerous situation, ignore the prompting of the Holy Spirit. They suppress the spirit to avoid being embarassed, as that's the "civilized" way to behave. However, it is better to suffer a little embarassment and avoid spiritual attack and injury, than become a statistic.

Use the spiritual color codes of awareness, as described in the soul-defense manual. Always be in Red or White. Alert with a 360 degree awareness of your spiritual enviorment, scanning for potential danger. Raise your readiness when there is something specific in the enviroment that could lead to confrontation. Have a plan ready if that specific factor could lead to spiritual violence. When you pray, reacting and defending will be automatic.

An Anointed Fighter mindset is what will ensure your survival when you do get into a confrontation. It's about perseverance not quitting. "To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life" (Romans 2:7).

Sometimes we have a fear that others will hurt our feelings if we don't comply to their sinful ways. Guess what. You might get hurt even if you do comply. Getting hurt is a small matter compared to your eternal life. " Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28).


Secret No. 2: Use Christ-like Mindsetting and visualization to train mentally.
Myth Busted: Soul-Defense is mostly about learning and memorizing Bible verses.

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self–controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed" (1 Peter 1:13). In almost any human endeavor involving performance, visualization has long been used to enhance it. Endeavors as varied as sports, dance, business and relationships can be improved by seeing onesself in particular situations they are likely to be in, and acting in the ideal way to acheive their goals.

Soul-Defense is no different

Christ-like Mindsetting is the visualization of yourself in a spiritually violent situation and responding ideally. It prepares you for the real thing because the mind cannot distinguish between real and imagined memories. Law enforcement officers and the military use mindsetting to supplement their physical training. Likewise, Anointed Fighter's utilize mindsetting to prepare for spiritual confrontation.

Discuss a recent spritual crime or possible scenarios with close family members to engage awareness and develope strategies to different scenarios. For example take a story from the Bible and from the details of the story , imagine how the attacker and the victim responded to each other. Visualize in as much detail as possible with all your senses. If you were the victim what did you notice? What could you have said? What escape routes could you find? How could you have fought back? What could you have done to avoid the situation altogether. "All Scripture is God–breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

This exercise is exceptionally useful when you discuss it with your spouse or significant other, and in an age-appropriate way with children.

When you find yourself in confrontation, because you've prayed in Jesus name while mentally rehearsing a similar scenario, you'll find yourself almost automatically responding in a Christ-like way that esures your survival.


Secret No. 3: You should ALWAYS be on your guard.
Myth Busted: You don't have to worry in your own house, work, stores, gym or any other familiar place you frequent. You can identify a spritual criminal by the way he looks or acts.

"Be self–controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 5:8-11). Being spiritually attacked or confronted can happen anywhere. Statistically, most cases happen in the place you are familiar with and spend most of your time. Don't be complacent at home. ANY door or window in your mind that is opened or unlocked, at any time day or night because of un-repented sin, gives the spiritual criminal easy access to you.

When you realize that you have left a door or window open in your mind because of a particular un-confessed sin, quickly shift to Red and take action immediately. "But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. None of the offenses he has committed will be remembered against him. Because of the righteous things he has done, he will live" (Ezekiel 18:21-22).


Secret No. 4: Never comply with a spiritual criminal.
Myth Busted: Spiritual criminals won't hurt you if you follow their commands.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:2). Spiritual criminals will assure they won't hurt you as long as you comply with their demands. In fact, most of the time, they will offer you something that seems too good to be true! "The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only" (Luke 4:5-8). Don't trust them. It's a lie. Resist immediately and forciably. Absolutely do not let them take you to another location in sin. Location number 2 is going to be isolated, where they have all the time in the world to do whatever they want.


Secret No. 5: You don't need to train in Bible college for years in order to effectively defend your soul.
Myth Busted: You need formal theology training in order to gradually build up learning and complicated defensive skills.

"This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God" (1 John 5:3-5). Let's get this straight. Religion is not soul-defense. Understanding your position in Jesus Christ is the key to having good soul-defense skills; not having your name on the front row at church.

I see three big deficiencies here:

1. You need to learn that ultimate victory comes through Christ only. "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:57)

2. Perfection in religion doesn't matter in a real spiritual confrontation. "You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace" (Galatians 5:4).

3. If you rely only on yourself, you will eventually loose hope. The true source of hope comes from the living God through his son Jesus. "This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe" (1 Timothy 4:9-10).

Solution? Find a church or fellowship like www.anointedfighter.com that teaches real world soul-defense, with emphasis on Jesus Christ and the Bible.


Secret No. 6: Weapons are usually not effective.
Myth Busted: "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:4).

For any weapon to be effective, you need all of the following conditions:

1. You are trained in the use of the weapon, and maintain that skill. "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction" (2 Timothy 4:1-2).

2. The Weapon is with you. "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:8-9).

3. You can access and ready the weapon before the spiritual criminal reaches you. "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double–edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account" (Hebrews 4:12-13).

4. You will actually use the weapon. "“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).


Secret No. 7: You can defend against many spiritual criminals utilizing the body of Christ.
Myth Busted: You have to fight against spiritual attacks by yourself.

God did not leave us to fight alone. We have his Holy Spirit sent through Jesus Christ. We also come together with the body of Christ, or other believers, to gain strength during difficult times. "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17). "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing" (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Remember, it is called a fight for a reason. However, we fight from victory not for victory. Keep Fighting.

Prayer:

"At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure" (Matthew 11:25-26).