Principles for Abundant Living: Don’t Let the Enemy Steal from You!

I love the story of Joshua and the children of Israel at Jericho. Perhaps you recall the story of how the walls “came a tumbling down?”

God gave them a very specific strategy. As they obeyed God, simply marched around the city walls for a week, and gave a big shout on the last lap of the last day, supernaturally, the walls collapsed, and victory was achieved.

Biblical stories like this build our faith and give us hope that impossible situations can change under God’s leading.

Question: What if God wants to give each of us specific strategies for breakthrough in the situations we face? How would you respond?

Don’t just take a directive given to Joshua or someone else in the Bible and try to copy that strategy. Instead, stay close to the heart of God and wait on Him for specific guidance in the situations you face.

In God’s Word, many directions are given to you and me—we just need to follow God’s loving guidance. Jesus simply said, “If you love me, keep my commands.” But the Holy Spirit, who is your comforter and guide, wants to reveal specific steps and strategies to help you overcome and live the abundant life Jesus promised.

Learn to recognize how God is guiding you and follow Him. Often, these steps involve both spiritual and natural elements.

Jesus said, “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 NKJV)

Abundantly comes from the Greek word Perissos, which means exceeding (the usual number or measure). In John 10:10, Perissos could be translated as “have in superabundance.” 1

Consider the contrast: the enemy aims to steal and destroy—God wants you to overflow abundantly with His love, grace, and provision!

Learning how to effectively fight against the enemy’s attacks is essential to living the abundant life God desires for you.

Remember, there are two kingdoms: God’s kingdom and Satan’s kingdom, which are completely opposite. As a believer, you are now part of God’s family and kingdom, having been rescued from the kingdom of darkness. This is wonderful news and the heart of the gospel of the kingdom—Jesus reigns!

However, you face an adversary trying to keep you from experiencing God’s fullness.

Paul and Peter wrote regarding our adversary:

Eph. 6:12 CEB “We aren’t fighting against human enemies…” 2 Cor. 4:4 Satan is the “God of this age,” 2 Cor. 2:11 that “we are not ignorant of his devices.”

1 Pet. 5:8-9 CEB “8 Be clearheaded. Keep alert. Your accuser, the devil, is on the prowl like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith…”

The enemy tries to steal your God’s blessings, oppress your soul and body with hardships and sickness, and destroy everything you love and cherish.

We have a real enemy who wants to stop us, rob us, and, if possible, destroy us. But he is defeated through the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ.

Satan has been stripped of his authority through Jesus, “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” (Col. 2:15 NKJV)

Though defeated by Jesus, Satan tries to make you believe his lies about yourself or to focus on your past sins. This is how he gains power over us, as he has been stripped of his authority. In Christ, your sin nature is removed, and you are made righteous. You can still make mistakes and sin, but your desire is now to live righteously in Christ.

You must have more faith in God’s power to protect and keep you than in the enemy’s power to attack. Yes, warfare happens at times, but Jesus is greater! Choose to focus on Christ, not warfare! Consider these verses:

1 John 4:4 NKJV, “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world…”

Rom. 8:38-39 CEB “…nothing shall separate you from the Love of God in Christ … death or life, not angels or rulers …”

Our Minds are a Battleground for the Enemy

But where does our struggle take place, and how do we fight an effective battle against his evil schemes?

Most of the spiritual warfare we face is within our thoughts. The enemy, just like he did with Jesus in the Wilderness, tempts us with subtle suggestions and half-truths (see Luke 4). If we fall for his bait and agree with his lies, we give him power. Remember, he is already defeated, but he gains strength when we give him our agreement.

Jesus has given His followers all authority through His name; we must live in His victory to stop the enemy’s schemes from denying us the abundant life Jesus promised.

Let’s study 2 Cor. 10:3-5 to uncover key principles for developing spiritual strategies to win the battle in our minds and live as overcomers.

Look at what Paul wrote to the Corinthians:

3 Although we live in the world, we don’t fight our battles with human methods. 4 Our weapons that we fight with aren’t human, but instead they are powered by God for the destruction of fortresses. They destroy arguments, 5 and every defense that is raised up to oppose the knowledge of God. They capture every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Cor. 10:3-5 CEB)

The NKJV states 2 Cor. 10:4 this way, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down of strongholds,”

Strongholds, or fortresses, are primarily ungodly belief systems; they need to be dismantled and replaced with godly truths and beliefs!

If you have ever seen an old fort or castle, they are impressive. In ancient times, before modern warfare and mechanized weapons, fortresses (or strongholds) helped inhabitants repel invading armies if the walls were tall and thick enough.

Think of your thought life and beliefs as walls around a castle. If you have been hurt or wounded in the past, you might have “walled off” certain areas of your thoughts, attitudes, or beliefs. Subconsciously, you could have built ungodly beliefs that are now deeply rooted in your thinking, attitudes, and behaviors.

These beliefs (walls) must be removed and replaced with Godly truths and healing through Jesus, where needed. Ungodly beliefs will hinder you from walking in God’s truth, prevent your ability to resist the enemy’s schemes, and rob you of living the abundant life God promises.

Weapons—Warfare—Carnal

In this important verse, 2 Cor. 10:4, Paul discusses spiritual warfare. Many see this verse as fundamental to understanding this subject. Three key words: weapons, warfare, and carnal.

First, Paul reminds us that we have weapons (Eph. 6:13-18). God has given us, through our faith in Christ, our life in the Spirit, and His Word, powerful, offensive, and defensive spiritual weapons.

Here are a few from the Ephesian passage:

Consider how walking in God’s truth, righteousness, peace, and joy reflects the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives—Godly character is part of our weaponry!

Another way to strengthen yourself is by living from your new identity in Christ. Embracing your new identity is a part of salvation that ensures your security in God’s love.

Faith not only silences lies but also promotes God’s purposes. Using God’s Word is an offensive weapon, and so is prayer. Use these tools often to not only protect your life but also to expand God’s Kingdom!

Second, Paul uses the words “warfare” or “fight.” These words come from the Greek stratos, which is also the source of the word strategy. The point Paul makes in 2 Cor. 10:4 is that spiritual warfare does not happen by chance but is intentionally planned.

Just like any army planning an attack, the devil devises a strategy—choosing methods—to assault you. Just like he did with Jesus. When you agree with the enemy’s lies or temptations, you empower him.

Consider the areas you’ve struggled with in your life. This might include rejection, abandonment, illness, finances, addictions, sexual sin, marriage issues, or other challenges.

But this verse isn’t just about the devil’s tactics. Instead, Paul shows us that as we trust in God’s Word and listen to the Holy Spirit, God will give us powerful spiritual strategies to fight the enemy’s attacks. The Holy Spirit holds the key!

Third, in 2 Cor. 10:4, Paul uses the word “carnal” or “human” methods. It comes from the Greek word sarkos, which describes anything that is of the flesh, fleshly made, or fleshly conjured up, or anything that is natural or of an uninspired nature.

Paul says, “Don’t rely on human efforts or reasoning for the spiritual weapons and strategies you need.” If you want to get the strategy that guarantees victory, you need to focus on the Spirit realm. Spend time praying in the Spirit and reading the Word.

You have the mind of Christ. Use your head as much as possible and carefully consider each step. But as you seek God, stay open to Him giving you strategies that might seem a little strange at first.

The OT is full of examples of divinely inspired strategies.

Consider Joshua and the Israelites as they stood before the walls of Jericho (Joshua 6:2-5 NLT). What strategy did the Lord give them? They were to walk around the walls of Jericho once a day for 6 days, and 7 times on the 7th day. Then, after the 7th time around the wall on the 7th day, they were to blow trumpets made of rams’ horns.

To the human mind, none of this seemed reasonable, but God’s strategy brought the walls down!

Consider Jehoshaphat and the children of Judah who were surrounded by enemies (2 Chr. 20:20-25 NLT). God instructs them to send singers and musicians to the front lines ahead of the armed soldiers. Who does that? God! As they worshipped, the Lord supernaturally set ambushes against their enemies.

By the way, I share this story in detail in my book, Our Eyes are On You: Principles to Prevail in Faith and Prayer.

Not a single fighter was lost. Not only that, but they came away with gold, silver, jewels, and other riches in abundance. It took them three days to gather the spoils.

How did they win? By following God’s strategy.

In both cases, the battle strategy didn’t make sense to the natural mind, but their obedience to God’s revelation and strategy released His power to accomplish the impossible.

What I have discovered is that God often reveals both natural and spiritual elements for breakthrough strategies. Yes, there are practical steps you can take, too! But don’t be surprised if the Holy Spirit gives you a strategy that doesn’t make sense to your mind. God’s ways are higher than ours; He knows what you and I don’t know!

Final Thoughts…

Imagine an army fully equipped with weapons of war but lacking a strategy for using them against the enemy—they would fail. It is crucial that you learn how to use the spiritual weapons God has given you—along with His divine strategies—to wage effective spiritual warfare.

Remember, it starts with genuine love and devotion to Jesus, not just lip service! He truly is the source of your life, affection, and desire. Faith grows from a place of intimacy with Jesus!

Remember how secure you are in Christ, Paul wrote, “…nothing shall separate you from the Love of God in Christ … neither death or life, not angels or rulers …” Rom. 8:38-39 CEB

Pray this prayer and trust God today for the effective strategies you need in this season:

Father, I am willing and ready to do whatever you tell me. Holy Spirit, you are my helper and guide; I can fully rely on You. I need Your directions and strategies. I yield to You, Lord. Have Your will and Your way in my life. I will obey the plans and strategies You have for me—in Jesus’ Name!

Footnotes
1 Horst Robert Balz and Gerhard Schneider, Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1990–), 77.