There is a sort of spiritual warfare that is so simple and yet strikes at the core of every attack the enemy will ever dream of concocting against believers--Praise!

The enemy does all he can in our lives to convince us that God isn't on our side, that He isn't listening to us, that He's forsaken us in our distress. In war, propaganda is used to weaken and demoralize your foe. If he can get us to a place where we will entertain his lies, even for a moment, then our very image of God is immediately tainted.

When things are going smoothly, it's easy for us to take the lies that assault our minds and put them in the rubbish where they belong. We are more easily persuaded to react in fear and worry when the mortgage is due in 2 days and the checking account is running low.

Before we get into how to fight with praise, let's look at some scriptures that show the enemy in action and will help clairfy why praise is so important:

Genesis 3:1-6

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’” Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

He called what God had said into question and made it appear that He was holding something back from Eve. Note that after the serpent had spun his lies, the Scripture says that Eve SAW that it was good for food, etc. She had actually given place to the devil and considered what he had to say. UH-OH. What was the result of this? She took the fruit and ate, and then gave some to her husband. Exactly opposite of what God had commanded. Never, ever give him any room, and never listen to what he has to say.

Job 1:6-11, 2:3-5

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”

Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.” So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”

The enemy's goal, again, was to cause Job to distrust God. If everything he held dear was taken away, surely Job would curse God! Even Job's wife allowed the devil to use her voice in Job 2:9 when she told him to "Curse God and die!"

Obviously, we need to know God's Word and be aware of the promises He has made to us, or we don't have any ground to stand on and will fall for the traps that are laid out for us. We need to speak the Word by the Holy Spirit's leading into each and every aspect of our lives. But there comes a time when we've spoken the word and then it's time to stand on what we know, and what the Lord has told us.

In Ephesians 6, Paul tells us to "take up the whole armor of God, that we may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (v. 13)

Once you have taken up your armor and done all that He directed you to do, you have only to stand.

So, how do you stand? Again, the simplest and most effective way to do this is to simply praise God. Through a couple of different preachers and friends, the Lord has shown me how to do this. If you're experiencing physical pain or weakness, thank God for all of the other parts of your body that *are* working, thank Him for healing the parts that aren't "feeling" 100%. Stand in your living room and thank Him for every object that you see, thank Him for all of your family and friends. Open up a cupboard in your kitchen and thank Him for the contents! Recite scriptures of praise and trust. Make the effort to do this over and over until the battle is won! Gratitude, joy and peace will fill your heart and remove all shadow of doubt. The enemy cannot stand as long as you continue to give God the glory. Don't give the enemy glory by focusing on the problems, that's exactly what he wants us to do. Honor God with your mouth, no matter what your circumstances may be.

Some scriptures to feed on (look them up as the Spirit leads, you'll be blessed, I promise!):

2 Corinthians 2:14
Romans 4:20-21
Psalm 20
Psalm 21
Psalm 27:6
Psalm 28:6-7
Psalm 33
Psalm 47
Psalm 92
Psalm 95
Psalm 98
Psalm 100
Psalm 103:1-5
Psalm 118
Isaiah 35
Isaiah 44:21-23
Nehemiah 8:10

Personal testimony time: I had been experiencing "panic attacks" (otherwise known as satanic attacks) and all of the fear, worry, and anxiety built up until I was even afraid to go to bed at night! Through the encouragement of a great friend in Yeshua I told that fear to be removed and to be cast into the sea. (Matthew 21:21, Mark 11:23) I had peace and slept very well that night. The next day, the enemy was back. I knew the Word, I knew that I had authority over the devil, and I had taken that authority as well as acted on a few things the Spirit led me to do. One night as I was laying on the couch and thoughts of death were assaulting my mind, I started to thank God for anything and everything I could think of. I'd stop thanking Him, and the evil thoughts would start up again so I'd return to praising God. I did this repeatedly. Soon enough, the attacks came less frequently, and then stopped altogether! I am so thankful to the Lord for giving us the tools we need to fight and stand. I am also thankful for all of the other members of the Body of Christ out there who bring what God has shown them and taught them to the table, which in turn helps untold amounts of brothers and sisters.

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14