Before I get into the meat of the topic I’d like to point out I’m not giving credit to the evil one and his minions by writing this post. In fact, I’m actually exposing him for the fraud and liar he is. I’ve had a few people rebuke me for having conversations aloud about detailed specifics related to spiritual attacks. In my mind these things need to be discussed. I view them as battle plans.

I did not get saved until late in life. At age 53 God backed me into a corner after a double hernia operation. On the night of December 7, 2013, he came into my bedroom and I fell to the floor and surrendered. It was a literal transfiguration. It changed my appearance and my speech. People noticed it and asked about it. Especially my family. My Mom was particularly fascinated by the process. I know what happened to me. My salvation was genuine. I was baptized on December 29 of that year in front of three thousand people as a public profession of my Faith. My full testimony is rather lengthy and I will write about it more in a future post.

The last ten years has not been easy. My past was filled with every kind of sin you can possibly think up. Sex addiction, alcoholism and drug use, crime, pathological lying, prideful perfectionism, anger issues, anxiety and depression, and pretty much anything else sin related. I have had some struggles with a few things since being saved. I am not perfect by any stretch.

It’s my observation at my church that people who get saved later in life are usually more vulnerable to demonic attacks. A lifetime of sinful thought and action doesn’t just disappear from your memory. No amount of prayer and Bible study is going to make those memories completely vanish. They are always there right under the surface. The potential for stumbling and backsliding is more evident for people who found Jesus after a long life of sin. Children and young adults who were saved at an early age do not have this huge memory bank full of unwanted thoughts. The lifelong saved sinner has literally been prepared to recognize these attacks for what they are. The battle against it requires a firm foundation based in fellowship with fellow warriors. It cannot be fought alone and it is not for the faint of heart. Fighting spiritual battles for The Lord as a soldier in His army is honorable and righteous in His eyes.

My pastor once said the most spiritual people he has known throughout his career are the ones who are the most acutely aware of their sins. These people are your frontline troops in the battles of spiritual warfare. If you know someone saved by God after a life filled with sin, please pray for these people and build them up and support them. They are not immune to losing some battles.

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 6:8-10 “⁸ by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; ⁹ as unknown and yet well known, as dying and yet behold, we are alive; as punished and yet not put to death, ¹⁰ as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things”.

An effective frontline warrior will continue to sustain attacks as he becomes more successful. These attacks will come in the form of their weaknesses being targeted. If you are one of these warriors you know exactly what I am talking about. satan knows the magnitude of the sin you were saved from by the precious blood of Jesus on The Cross. He knows you have not forgotten it. This is particularly true in the area of deeds of the flesh and especially physical addictions. Addicts relapse all the time. Even saved Christians.

So how do we win these battles and become an overcomer on the spiritual battlefield? As previously mentioned you must have a strong support group of Believers. You cannot fight this battle alone or you will lose. I am speaking from experience. If possible you need to have an accountability partner, mentor, or counselor and you need to see them as often as possible. Do your best to talk to your accountability partner on a daily basis. If you don’t have one get one. Have people in your class or congregation place hands on you and pray. You have your holy armor and weapons. A well prepared and equipped warrior is near invincible.

A wonderful byproduct of victorious frontline warfare is that your testimony becomes a powerful tool in your life. Victories solidify your personal relationship with God and Jesus and Graces you with a peaceful and serene confidence. Peace and Truth are two of your most powerful weapons.

Ask God to continuously surround you with armies and legions of protective angels. You are always going to need them. They are there for the asking.

Finally, no matter how bad you think you’ve messed up, no matter how far you’ve backslid, no matter how tough it gets, just remember God loves you more than you could possibly ever comprehend with your human brain or feel with your heart.

My prayer for everyone is whoever reads this can share with a Believer in your life who is struggling. Many frontline warriors doing the heavy lifting don’t even realize they are cast in that role. Build them up, refresh them, and above all love on them like they are a newborn child.

Blessings everyone, Peace and Truth to you in the name of Jesus. Amen.