Scriptures warn us that we as Christians are in a war:
We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NLT)
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:10,12 NLT)
Most of us are familiar with the armor God gives us:
Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. (Ephesians 6:11,13-18 NLT)
If you notice this armor is to help us stand our ground. But we are not to stop there. Our mission is to gain ground against the enemy. We are given two all-powerful offensive weapons which are the name and blood of Jesus Christ.
The blood is what gains us salvation and redemption from our sins:
Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. (I Peter 1:18a-19 NKJV)
And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. (Revelation 12:11 NKJV)
The name is what drives the enemy from his strongholds:
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17, 18 NKJV)
The name of Jesus Christ is so powerful that the evil spirits are incapable of admitting that Jesus Christ came in the flesh:
By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God.(I John 4:2-3a NKJV)
But just like a bullet, which is a powerful force that must be placed in the right weapon and fired properly, the name of Jesus Christ is the same. Look what happens when it is not used properly:
A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered. (Acts 19:13-16 NLT)
So fellow warriors, use the weapons God gave you. Advance on the enemy. Snatch lost souls, thru the blood of Jesus, from his grip. Cast out evil spirits, in the name of Jesus, and gain the victory God meant for you to have. Walk in integrity with the Lord and do not be like the sons of Sceva!
Declare me innocent, O Lord, for I have acted with integrity; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. (Psalms 26:1 NLT)
Annointing 