Trained for Warfare and Anchored in Faith

Apostle Allison Smith Conliff focuses on the essential role of spiritual training and discipline in the life of a believer. The preacher emphasizes that just as professionals require preparation, Christians must be trained in spiritual warfare to effectively use the "armor of God" against distraction and evil. Using the biblical account of Peter walking on water, the message highlights the necessity of maintaining unwavering faith and keeping one's eyes on Jesus to avoid sinking into life's pressures. The sermon calls for a holy, set-apart life, urging the congregation to prioritize their relationship with God over worldly desires and "fleshly" distractions. Ultimately, it serves as an exhortation to remain steadfast in prayer and trust in God’s divine rescue during times of trouble.Key Points:Spiritual training is an essential requirement for believers, as navigating the supernatural realm and engaging in warfare without it is considered dangerous and ineffective. Spiritual training equips believers in the following ways:Just as those in the armed services or police are never sent into battle without training, believers must be trained to use the spiritual weapons God has provided. The Apostle highlights the Armor of God mentioned in Ephesians 6, noting that the shield and sword serve as both defense and offense. Training allows a believer to understand the power these tools carry and teaches them how to activate their faith to work these weapons effectively in the name of Jesus. Without this training, a believer risks being overwhelmed by the "kickback" or power of the supernatural realm, much like an untrained person using a heavy firearm.A critical component of spiritual training is learning to "kill the flesh" or crucify earthly desires that draw a person away from God. This training equips believers to:Abandon bondage: Training helps believers identify and abandon habits or desires that keep them in spiritual bondage.Receive "downloads from heaven": By subduing the flesh, believers are positioned to walk in the spirit and receive prophetic insights or "downloads" from the supernatural realm.Adopt God's perspective: Training shifts a believer from relying on their own opinions to operating based on "God's opinion".Satan and his "imps" work "round the clock" and use distraction as a primary tactic. Spiritual training builds the discipline needed to:Resist "word theft": Believers are trained to overcome the "spirit of sleep" or tiredness during the preaching of the Word, as losing the Word results in losing battles throughout the week.Maintain focus: Using the example of Peter walking on water, the Apostle explains that training helps believers keep their eyes on God; the moment focus shifts to the "wind" (distractions or problems), the believer begins to sink.Develop consistency: Spiritual training ensures that faith is constant and consistent rather than momentary.The Apostle states explicitly that "you cannot slay devils if you weren't trained," warning that an untrained believer is more likely to be "slayed" by the enemy. Training equips the believer to:Recognize deception: It helps believers avoid being lured by "seers" or those in the spirit realm who offer palm or head readings.Maintain a holy life: Because demons may attempt to "expose" or "visit" those who cast them out, believers are trained to lead continuous, holy lives to remain protected during and after deliverance.Utilize Prayer as a Tool: Training teaches believers to use prayer as a weapon to "smite enemies" and cancel the plans of the wicked one.Rec. Date: 18th February, 2024