At War: Engaging the Enemy with Spiritual Weapons

By Pastor Mike Kiley

At War

God continues His extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our day. Still, the devil and his demonic forces respond with their outpouring of lies, deceit, murder, and destruction. According to Scripture, this adversary will stop at nothing to destroy those who believe in Jesus. We, as Christians, cannot combat the powers of darkness in the strength of our human resources and expect to succeed. Nor can we escape the battle by denying the reality of spiritual warfare.

The devil lurks in the background when you experience anxiety, confusion, discouragement, rejection, guilt, apathy, or lacking hope. Perhaps doubts have crept in regarding your standing before God. Difficulties have unexpectedly flared up in your marriage and family, or you have become frustrated and discouraged because of a powerless walk. These feelings and troubles are often the results of manipulation by the devil through lying, deception, trickery, double-dealings, and a host of temptations.

In 1978 my wife, Trisha, and I planted a church in the heart of Silicon Valley. God answered our prayers and gave us a multi-ethnic church. As we practiced the principles taught in this book, we watched hundreds of men and women being delivered from the power of darkness and becoming ardent followers of Jesus. This is the story of God and our forty-year journey standing against and defeating the powers of darkness. Fellow Christians, you may object to this spiritual warfare and even refuse to fight, but that won't stop your adversary from waging war against you.

It's your decision, win or lose!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887517193

Book preview

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At War

Engaging the Enemy with Spiritual Weapons

Pastor Mike Kiley

ISBN 979-8-88751-718-6 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88832-386-1 (hardcover)

ISBN 979-8-88751-719-3 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Pastor Mike Kiley

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in 1987 by The Home Church, Campbell, California under the title, The Warfare You Cannot Avoid

Second printing, with revisions, in 2015 by 4Life Ministry, San Jose, California, under the title, At War

Illustrated by Mike Kiley

Cover picture is my son Caleb Kiley

Scripture quotations in this publication are from The New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers, and ESV Bible, Crossway Books.

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Preface

From Rebellion to Faith

The Whole Armor of God

The Truth Will Free You

Talk to God

We Have Legal Rights

Boots on the Ground

Better Than a Kevlar Vest

Shield Yourself with Faith

Slow and Steady Faith

Your Sword Is Your Defense

God's Word in You

About the Author

Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith.

—1 Peter 5:8

Preface

From Rebellion to Faith

Iwas in total rebellion against authority and getting in trouble with local law enforcement by age fifteen. I dropped out of high school my sophomore year and convinced my mother to rescue me by allowing me to join the Air Force upon turning seventeen. Surprisingly, I thought I was escaping the authority structure I had resented at home and school.

Little did I realize that I was about to come under one of the most significant authority structures in the world. Those four years in the Air Force contributed to my profound respect for authority, without which I would not have developed a strong faith in God.

Upon being honorably discharged, I pursued a career in the insurance business. I was developing a successful business when I received a call from my brother Wayne. He told me that a business opportunity with the potential for incredible wealth was available for me in Southern California. Within four years of leaving the Air Force, this high school dropout from Michigan was on his way to a fresh start in California.

While acquiring real estate rental properties in California, a business associate began sharing about Jesus. I wanted nothing to do with church or God, but God obviously wanted something to do with me. On one otherwise ordinary night, God revealed Himself to me, and I began my journey as a follower of Jesus. From that day over fifty years ago, I have never looked back.

As an unbeliever, I never considered the devil a real personage. When I proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God, I began to perceive the devil's interest in my life which caused true apprehension. I don't recall facing many fears in my earlier years. I was now dreading the devil's power and influence over me; it didn't make sense to me. I recall asking other Christians, Why would a new follower of Jesus experience fears of the devil? I thought it should be the other way around. As you read through my journey, you will discover why I faced these new fears.

Over the next several years, my business prospered, and I grew in my relationship with the Lord. Then the call came; God wanted me to give up everything I had achieved and become a shepherd. The next several years were challenging as I purposed to obey the calling of God and began to wind down my business affairs and prepare for pastoral ministry. I needed to learn much more about God and had no experience as a pastor. Additionally, I was experiencing strange new warfare that was new to me.

I threw myself into studying God's Word, and the Word came alive in my heart. I was awakened to the reality of spiritual warfare and the authority believers in Christ have to defeat this formidable adversary; this understanding transformed my life and way of thinking. While wrapping up my real estate business in San Diego, I would write a book titled The Satan Stopper. I discovered how to overcome the powers of darkness through the knowledge and application of the Word of God.

In 1978 my wife Trisha and me would answer God's calling to plant a church in the heart of Silicon Valley, a place we had never been before. Hundreds of men and women would choose to follow Jesus over the next several years, and our prayer for a multi-ethnic church would be realized.

From my early years of rebellion and dropping out of high school to Trisha and I pioneering a church and school is a remarkable story. This isn't just a story of spiritual warfare; this is a story of God transforming the waste places of a person's life. It is the story of God using what is foolish in the eyes of the world to confound the wisdom of the wise. It is the story of a man who trusted God through life's constant conflicts and challenges and gave up the promise of successful business life to pursue God.

In ministry, I refused to emphasize money, yet decades later, God would provide millions in real estate assets and funds. This is my story of passing through the valley of the shadow of death with God proving unfailing in His faithfulness over the following forty years of ministry.

I believe that the devil declares war against any believer who resolves to walk in faith and faithfulness. You and I can be assured of victory over our adversary, the devil, on behalf of those we love. This will be accomplished by our staying close to Jesus and understanding and wearing the whole armor of God.

My son Caleb, pictured on the front cover, has participated in six deployments, which included Afghanistan on several assignments. During these tours of duty, I was up long before sunrise, interceding with God on his behalf. While he was preparing for war in the physical realm, my prayers were the tools I used to fight on his behalf in the spiritual realm.

We are the most prepared when we recognize that we are at war.

The Whole Armor of God

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

For 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.

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.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the Gospel of peace.

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:10–18)

Chapter 1

The Truth Will Free You

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. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the Gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

—Ephesians 6:13–18

What kind of an adversary does Jesus say the devil is? The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

In John 8:44, Jesus called the devil a murderer from the beginning and the father of lies, in whom there is no truth.

In Ephesians 6 the apostle Paul speaks of the schemes of the devil. The word schemes can be defined as cunning, deceit, craft, and trickery that can be launched against believers. Make no mistake, the devil is out to destroy and steal from us however he can. Our battle is not a physical conflict but a spiritual assault. Paul reminds us, We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against Satan (the devil) and his demonic realm.

Paul said, Be fully clothed with all the weapons of our warfare so that we can stand against the schemes and tricks of the devil. He compared spiritual weapons to the armor worn by the soldiers of the Roman Empire.

Paul spent many years in Roman prisons during his ministry. Chained to Roman guards for prolonged periods, he waited for his appeal before Caesar to be approved. During these imprisonments, Paul became thoroughly familiar with the armor of an ordinary Roman soldier. He was mindful of the significance behind each piece in Rome's great military might.

As the Roman soldier could not fight effectively without this equipment, we cannot fight this battle in the energy of our flesh and be victorious. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4).

Make no mistake, this warfare is real. But the Bible is what reminds us that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Abraham Kuyper was the prime minister of the Netherlands from 1901 to 1905 during which the Boer War raged. He also founded the Free University of Amsterdam. Acquainted with the horrors of war, Kuyper gave the world this profound insight into the reality of spiritual warfare: If once the curtain were pulled back, and the scene behind it came into view, it would expose to our spiritual vision a struggle so intense, so convulsive, sweeping away everything within its range, that the fiercest battle fought on earth would seem like mere child's play by comparison.¹

In Rome's many wars, the belt was not just an adornment; it was also an essential piece of military equipment. From a spiritual perspective, wearing our spiritual belt establishes us in the truth of God's Word. Jesus said, If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:31–32).

The Roman soldier's belt afforded him the maximum range of movement on the battlefield. The belt of truth acts similarly for followers of Jesus. As a leather belt holds together the soldier's armor, God's Word will help us keep the other pieces of our spiritual armor securely in place.

The first assault of the adversary is to focus his attack on God's Word. As the father of lies, the devil will attack the truth and lie to us about God's promises, casting doubt upon them. He makes us believe God doesn't take a personal interest in us.

Because of these subtle attacks, we may feel discouraged, confused, defeated, indifferent, and without hope to go on. These are forms of oppression by the rulers of darkness. Unless we stand firm and launch a successful counter-offensive, this assault can cause us to lose confidence in Christ through the sin of unbelief.

Belt of Truth

The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the Judean wilderness to fast and pray immediately after His baptism. Then at the end of forty days, the devil tempted Jesus by showing Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. The devil said, All these things I will give You, if You will fall down and worship me (Matthew 4:8–9).

The devil's argument would appear to be a plausible solution to Jesus's mission. Since Jesus came to save and reign over the world, this route would eliminate suffering and dying.

However, God's plan called for His sinless Son to be our legal substitute by suffering and dying for our sins.

Jesus did not give in to the devil's temptation because He knew no shortcut could replace His perfect obedience to God's Word, which is truth. He knew that without obedience, we would have no means of redemption. Jesus knew that if He chose the path of disobedience, there could be no hope for the rest of the world.

Application

I have never liked roller coasters, but my life was beginning to feel like a spiritual roller-coaster ride. The ride was getting somewhat unnerving.

The devil had been tempting me to disbelieve the many promises God had given me in His Word. While many of these promises have been rooted deep within my heart, throughout my life I have continued to face new challenges to my faith.

One such example was my belief that God had promised me a son. I was convinced that this promise was from God. I shared this promise openly with many of my friends.

Some years passed, and we were facing discouraging news from Trisha's doctor. The devil was employing vile tactics against us, attempting to break my trust and confidence in my Heavenly Father.

Trisha and I spent six years trying to have children. After her three miscarriages, she questioned her ability to have a viable pregnancy.