Spiritual Warfare --- DOORWAYS Spiritual Warfare — DOORWAYS   Q has been prepping us for spiritual battle.   There is a real need for understanding the basics of spiritual warfare. That is the reason for these posts.   “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (of the flesh), but mighty through God (spiritual) for the pulling down of strongholds.”  (2 Corinthians 10:4) We are battling spiritual forces. From the spiritual storehouse of God himself, we’ve been given the tools we need for the battle. Faith, not fear.   Guidance, not abandonment. Power, not helplessness. Authority (commanding adherence to the laws).   Yet we are not to be ignorant of how the enemy operates! (2 Corinthians 2:11) It’s important that we understand the rules. God gave mankind free will, and the enemy has to follow the rules of respecting our free will under natural law. Therefore, IT IS ALL ABOUT PERMISSION. What “doors” we open. What we allow into our lives. Ultimately, what we accept, we keep.   *We are vulnerable to attack through wounds from our past (painful, sensitive areas), and through compromise (giving in to temptation; opening “doors”).   A wound may be infected until it closes and heals.  Truth is the great disinfectant. The truth is, people that hurt us are being manipulated to do so (they are easy for the enemy to influence and control). It's not right, but because the enemy has (temporary) control, it happens a lot. Thus the enemy has two victims – the one doing the hurting, and the one being hurt. When that is understood, forgiveness is possible, and the “curse” is cancelled (permission is revoked).  Powerful healing takes place.   I read a book that explains this very well – “Bad Childhood, Good Life.”  To paraphrase the author – When we are deeply hurt, we carry that pain wherever we go, like a piece of baggage.  In reality it’s like a warm bag of poop.  We keep our hand in it, because it’s familiar, and it feels all warm and squishy; but in reality it’s poop.  We are free from it when we pull our hand out, throw away the bag and walk away. Free will.   A HUGE doorway for enemy infiltration is through COMPROMISE. All it takes is a little crack in the door for the roaches to come scurrying in. We are given guidelines to follow – not to cramp our style, but to protect us. When I was a teenager (ugh, those years!), my mom wouldn’t let me do something I really wanted to do.  My response – “You just don’t want me to have any fun!”  Her response – “Now that’s ridiculous; I’m your mother and I love you; I’m trying to protect you!” Likewise, many of our choices have opened doorways that in hindsight we really didn’t want opened! Free will.   What do we do when the enemy has infiltrated? We kick him out.   THE BATTLE, coming next.....