Introduction
Spiritual warfare is an ancient and ever-relevant subject, deeply rooted in the story of humanity, dating back to the rebellion of angels against God. The
Christian tradition identifies Satan as the prince of this world, marshalling
forces in opposition to the purposes of God. Though Christ's victory on the
cross has disarmed these adversaries, they persist as a formidable threat, both
to the Church and to individual believers. The echoes of this cosmic struggle
resound through the pages of both the Old and New Testaments and can be felt in
the turbulence of our contemporary world.
This reflection aims to explore the impact of spiritual
warfare on individuals who feel abandoned by authority, struggling with their identity
and sense of acceptance. I will examine three interlocking themes: the orphan mentality,
the Father's embrace, and the lifestyle of the overcomer. Through personal
narrative, dreams, scriptural meditation, and practical application, I hope to
illuminate a way forward for those longing to live victoriously in the realm of
the Spirit.
The Orphan Mentality
To speak of the orphan mentality is to name a spiritual
affliction—a condition of the heart. Leif Hetland, founder of Global Mission
Awareness, calls the orphan spirit a foul deception seeded by Satan himself.
When Satan chose to separate from God, seeking independence from divine love
and sustenance, he became the archetypal orphan, and in rebellion, released the
orphan spirit into the world.
This orphan spirit was not merely theoretical for me; it
shaped my early life. I grew up navigating instability—my parents were
themselves young, uncertain, and absent, leaving me in the care of relatives.
This sense of displacement bred a self-reliance that was brittle, and a
suspicion that I was unwanted. I grew to believe that I could only depend on
myself, that I needed to fight for love and respect, and that God's plans for
me might falter.
A vivid dream in December 2018 became a turning point. In
it, Jesus appeared to me as a young boy, speaking of Luke Chapter 11 and
calling me to become a herald of his words—a confirmation of my call to
journaling with God. In the dream, Jesus transformed into a horse, then back
into himself, and the horse spoke with his voice. Charity Virkler Kayembe, an
interpreter of dreams, explained to me: the horse's mouth signifies that the
words were actual, direct from the Lord. This revelation restored my faith in hearing
God and emboldened me to teach "The Four Keys to Hearing God's Voice."
Those who carry the orphan heart often doubt God's love,
protection, and promises. The orphan spirit breeds both rebellion and
religiosity—a striving for rights and recognition, or a retreat into
rule-keeping. We see the fruit of this in social movements and generational
unrest, as described by the prophet Malachi: the absence of parental love
brings a curse upon the land. God's answer is always the same—His healing
embrace, turning hearts back to Him.
The Father's Embrace
Personal healing began when I encountered the Father's
embrace, not as a theological concept, but as a lived experience. My own
journal testifies to this struggle. I struggled with the need to perform for love,
to earn acceptance through my efforts. Yet, in prayer, I sensed the Spirit's gentle
guidance:
"Trust me, my child, to guide you. Do not be moved by
people's misconceptions about you. You do not have to win their approval. Be
still and know that I am God. You are accepted by the beloved. You are a
champion, my child. This is how we see you in heaven."
As I meditated on these divine affirmations, I realised how
much I needed the Father's embrace. Books such as Jack Frost's "The Father's
Embrace" and Leif Hetland's "Healing the Orphan Spirit" were instrumental in
deepening my understanding of God's love. The journey toward inner healing is
not linear; it involves confronting past strongholds, seeking
deliverance, and embracing the practical, supernatural power of God.
The Bible calls us to a surrendered life. Galatians 2:20
proclaims that "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live,
but Christ lives in me." This new life is lived by faith, anchored in the love
of the Son of God. In 2 Peter 1, Peter assures us that we have "everything we
need for life and godliness" through our knowledge of Christ. Such promises
encourage us to cultivate faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance,
godliness, kindness, and love—qualities that shield us from spiritual
barrenness and secure our calling.
In prayer, the Holy Spirit revealed a prophetic message:
sonship is rooted in union with God. To break free from the orphan spirit, one
must encounter the Father's unconditional love—a love not based on performance,
but on the unchanging nature of God. Only from this place of acceptance do we
find freedom to love, serve, and reign with Christ.
The Overcomer's Lifestyle
Living as an overcomer is the call of every believer. The
book of Revelation extends lavish promises to those who overcome. In my
journaling, I sensed God emphasising two neglected commandments: love God with
all your heart and love your neighbour as yourself. These twin pillars are the
foundation of overcoming life.
To love God with undivided devotion means
surrender—worshipping in Spirit and truth, as Jesus modelled by doing only what
he saw the Father doing. To love neighbour as self means that divine love flows
outward, casting out fear and shattering barriers.
The story of Daniel in the lion's den (Daniel 6) illustrates
the power of faith and God's deliverance. Daniel's steadfastness and King
Darius's intercession echo Jesus's advocacy for us. The enemy's accusations
are silenced not by our arguments but by God's intervention and our alignment
with His word.
The overcoming life is not without its battles. Habitual
sin, pride, and self-delusion are snares that must be confronted. As Jack Frost
writes, "An overcomer overcomes more than he or she is overcome—that is, 51 per cent or more of the time you have victory in that area." The journey
involves learning from dreams, submitting to the Spirit, and letting go of what
hinders love and growth.
A personal dream involving public figures taught me the
difference between expressing anger and responding with gentleness. God's
wisdom is displayed when we wage spiritual warfare not with carnal weapons, but
with the Spirit's power to demolish strongholds and walk in love.
Keeping a journal has been a vital tool for reflection and
spiritual clarity. It helps capture God's voice and track progress in
overcoming the enemy's schemes. The Holy Spirit trains us to be
overcomers, preparing us to reign with Christ by resisting the devil and
championing the cause of the innocent.
Jesus Saw Satan Cast Down Like Lightning
The victory of Jesus over the demonic realm is complete and
final. The Gospel of Luke (10:17-20) records Jesus's words: "I saw Satan fall
like lightning from heaven." This image serves as a powerful reminder of God's supremacy and the authority bestowed upon believers.
Understanding our spiritual position—seated with Christ in
heavenly places—enables us to act with confidence and purpose. Our hope and
calling are to walk in intimacy with God, to hear His voice, and to embody the
divine embrace that heals the orphan spirit and fosters the overcomer's
lifestyle.
Bibliography
·
Hetland, Leif. Healing The Orphan Spirit, The
Father Wants His Kids Back. Revised Edition, 2013, Createspace Independent
Publishing Platform.
·
Frost, Jack. Experiencing Father's Embrace.
Creation House, 2002.
·
Coen, Nancy. Limitless, Living The Life Of An
Overcomer. Revelation Partners, 2019.
·
Billheimer, Paul E. Destined To Overcome, The
Technique Of Spiritual Warfare. Bethany House Publishers, 1982.
Scripture References for Spiritual Warfare
All scriptural references are drawn from Bible Gateway.
·
Origins and Enemies: 2 Peter 2:4; Isaiah
14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:12–19; 1 Timothy 3:6; Jude 6; Ephesians 6:12; Colossians
1:13
·
Christ’s Victory: Colossians 2:15; Revelation
12:7–9; Mark 3:27; Matthew 12:29; Luke 10:18; John 12:31; Hebrews 2:14; 1 John
3:8
·
Satan’s Opposition: Revelation 12:13, 17; Job
2:7; Luke 22:31–32; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 5:8
·
The World as Enemy: James 4:4; Romans 12:2; 1
John 2:15–17; 1 John 5:4
·
False Teaching and Seduction: Colossians 2:8; 1
Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:3–4; 1 John 4:1; 2 John 7–11; Jude 3–4; Revelation
13:11; Revelation 19:20
·
Sinful Nature: Galatians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:11;
Romans 6:12; Romans 7:14–23; Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:24; Colossians 3:5;
Hebrews 12:4; James 4:1
·
New Life in Christ: Galatians 2:20; 2 Peter
1:3–11; Hebrews 12:1–3; Luke 10:17–20; Daniel 6:7–24
The Flesh, Sinful Nature
Scripture contrasts the frailty of human flesh with God's
perfection. While the "flesh" describes our physical humanity, it often stands
for the sinful nature that opposes God's will. Paul and other New Testament
writers explore this profound conflict—between the desires of the flesh and the
leading of the Spirit. Though sin once enslaved us, Christ's incarnation and
sacrifice have broken its power. Believers are called to crucify the sinful
nature, to walk by the Spirit, and to embrace the life of faith.
Conclusion
In the dramatic contest of spiritual warfare, identity is
the battleground, and love is the victory. To overcome the orphan mentality, we
must seek and receive the Father's embrace. To walk as overcomers, we must love
God and neighbour, surrender our performance and strive for acceptance. Armed
with scriptural truth and spiritual discernment, we are equipped to stand
against the powers of darkness, to live in freedom, and to reign with Christ.
May this journey embolden you to live from a place of sonship, to overcome by faith,
and to embrace the fullness of God's love.