We fight battles in the Power of the Spirit.

Now the Spirit of the LORD had left Saul, and the LORD sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear. Some of Saul's servants said to him, "A tormenting spirit from God is troubling you. Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again." (1 Samuel 16:14-16 NLT)

When we come home to the Father through the Son, we receive the Holy Spirit.  This is a win-win scenario.  We are reconciled, back together with God.  (That’s win #1.)  We have the Holy Spirit to help us experience everything God wants for our lives. (That’s win #2.)

When we rebel against God, it’s a lose-lose situation.  We are separated from God and that separation will continue on into eternity.  (That’s lose #1.)  Plus, we don’t have God’s help to fight off spiritual enemies who hate us and want us to suffer. (That’s lose #2.)

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12 NIV)

Saul lost the Holy Spirit of God, who was empowering him to be king. In addition, the lack of Holy Spirit Power opened the door for spiritual enemies to come right on in.  Now, Saul is fighting battles for his own mind, heart, and God’s kingdom.

So David went to Saul and began serving him. Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer. Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, "Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him." And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away. (1 Samuel 16:21-23 NLT)

I got a chill up my spine when I heard an interview with a missionary and an ex-shaman (spirit-doctor) from a third-world country.  They were telling the story of when they had first met.  The shaman spoke about having many spirits who would “help” him heal his people.  It wasn’t until later when he realized they were doing more harm than good.  When the missionary first visited the village, he spoke with the shaman for awhile.  Then, the shaman asked him to leave.  “Why?” the missionary asked.  “My spirits are afraid of your Spirit,” he replied.  “They won’t return until your Spirit leaves, so you need to leave so I can get my spirits back.”

You…are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
(Romans 8:9-11 NIV)

How about you?  Do you have the power of the Spirit to help you in battle?  Do you hold on to the Spirit of God, or do you send God away?  Do you fight the right battles in the Power of The Sprit?