How Do I Prepare for Spiritual Battles? | Joshua 5
As Christians, we know that spiritual battles are real. We face temptation, discouragement, fear, lies, distractions, and opposition that can pull us away from the Lord. Ephesians 6 reminds us that our struggle is ultimately spiritual and that we need to be prepared to stand.
But how do we actually prepare for spiritual battles?
Joshua 5 gives us a surprising answer. Israel had just crossed the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land. Jericho stood ahead of them, and battle was coming. Yet before God taught them how to fight, He taught them how to surrender.
That gives us an important principle for discipleship:
We prepare for spiritual battles not by becoming stronger in ourselves, but by surrendering to God, standing on His Word, and depending on His Spirit.
But how do we actually prepare for spiritual battles?
Joshua 5 gives us a surprising answer. Israel had just crossed the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land. Jericho stood ahead of them, and battle was coming. Yet before God taught them how to fight, He taught them how to surrender.
That gives us an important principle for discipleship:
We prepare for spiritual battles not by becoming stronger in ourselves, but by surrendering to God, standing on His Word, and depending on His Spirit.
Surrender Before You Fight
From a military perspective, what happens in Joshua 5 seems strange. Israel is surrounded by enemies, yet God commands Joshua to circumcise the men of Israel.
This temporarily left the army physically weakened at the very moment they seemed to need their strength the most. But God was teaching them that their victory wouldn't come through human strength. They needed to walk in covenant obedience and complete dependence upon Him.
We often approach our spiritual battles differently. We think, I need more willpower. I need to try harder. I need to get myself together.
But sometimes recognizing our weakness is exactly what brings us to the place of dependence God desires.
Paul learned this when the Lord told him:
This temporarily left the army physically weakened at the very moment they seemed to need their strength the most. But God was teaching them that their victory wouldn't come through human strength. They needed to walk in covenant obedience and complete dependence upon Him.
We often approach our spiritual battles differently. We think, I need more willpower. I need to try harder. I need to get myself together.
But sometimes recognizing our weakness is exactly what brings us to the place of dependence God desires.
Paul learned this when the Lord told him:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Spiritual strength begins when we stop depending upon ourselves and surrender ourselves to God.
Depend on the Holy Spirit
Zechariah 4:6 says:
“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the LORD of hosts.”
There are spiritual battles you cannot win in the strength of your flesh. You cannot defeat the flesh with the flesh.
That is why Scripture continually calls believers to walk in the Spirit. Romans 8:13 tells us that it is “by the Spirit” that we put to death the deeds of the body, and Galatians 5:16 tells us to “walk in the Spirit” so that we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. This dependence upon the Spirit was a central emphasis of the teaching.
Preparing for spiritual battle means learning to pray, surrender, obey, and depend upon the Holy Spirit rather than trusting your own strength.
That is why Scripture continually calls believers to walk in the Spirit. Romans 8:13 tells us that it is “by the Spirit” that we put to death the deeds of the body, and Galatians 5:16 tells us to “walk in the Spirit” so that we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. This dependence upon the Spirit was a central emphasis of the teaching.
Preparing for spiritual battle means learning to pray, surrender, obey, and depend upon the Holy Spirit rather than trusting your own strength.
Know and Use God’s Word
Ephesians 6 describes God's Word as “the sword of the Spirit.”
We don't simply need to own a Bible or occasionally hear Scripture taught. We need to become saturated in God's truth so that when lies, temptation, fear, or discouragement come, we know what God has said.
Jesus modeled this when Satan tempted Him in the wilderness. Again and again, Jesus answered:
“It is written…”
When the enemy lies, answer with truth.
When fear tells you God has abandoned you, remember what God has said.
When temptation promises satisfaction, remember what God has said.
When condemnation tells you there is no hope, remember the gospel.
Don't wait until the battle begins to start learning your Bible. Prepare now by filling your heart and mind with God's Word.
We don't simply need to own a Bible or occasionally hear Scripture taught. We need to become saturated in God's truth so that when lies, temptation, fear, or discouragement come, we know what God has said.
Jesus modeled this when Satan tempted Him in the wilderness. Again and again, Jesus answered:
“It is written…”
When the enemy lies, answer with truth.
When fear tells you God has abandoned you, remember what God has said.
When temptation promises satisfaction, remember what God has said.
When condemnation tells you there is no hope, remember the gospel.
Don't wait until the battle begins to start learning your Bible. Prepare now by filling your heart and mind with God's Word.
Remember Who Won the Victory
Before Israel fought Jericho, they also celebrated the Passover. They were reminded that their deliverance from Egypt had come through the blood of the lamb.
For us, Passover points forward to something greater: Jesus Christ, our Passover Lamb.
Our confidence in spiritual warfare isn't that we are powerful Christians. Our confidence is that Jesus died for our sins, shed His blood for our redemption, rose victoriously from the grave, and has given His Spirit to His people.
The enemy isn't intimidated by how impressive we are.
Our confidence is in Christ and what He has already accomplished.
For us, Passover points forward to something greater: Jesus Christ, our Passover Lamb.
Our confidence in spiritual warfare isn't that we are powerful Christians. Our confidence is that Jesus died for our sins, shed His blood for our redemption, rose victoriously from the grave, and has given His Spirit to His people.
The enemy isn't intimidated by how impressive we are.
Our confidence is in Christ and what He has already accomplished.
So, How Do I Prepare?
Maybe you're facing a spiritual battle right now. Maybe you're fighting temptation, discouragement, fear, bitterness, or something that continually seems to pull you away from Christ.
Your first question may be, “How can I become strong enough to overcome this?”
Joshua 5 points us toward a better question:
“Am I surrendered to the Lord?”
Stay close to Jesus. Pray. Fill yourself with His Word. Obey what He has already shown you. Depend upon the Holy Spirit. And continually remember what Christ accomplished for you at the cross.
You don't prepare for spiritual battles by becoming strong enough to fight them alone.
You prepare by learning to depend upon the One who is strong enough.
Your first question may be, “How can I become strong enough to overcome this?”
Joshua 5 points us toward a better question:
“Am I surrendered to the Lord?”
Stay close to Jesus. Pray. Fill yourself with His Word. Obey what He has already shown you. Depend upon the Holy Spirit. And continually remember what Christ accomplished for you at the cross.
You don't prepare for spiritual battles by becoming strong enough to fight them alone.
You prepare by learning to depend upon the One who is strong enough.
“The battle is the LORD’s.” (1 Samuel 17:47)
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