Hey there, fantastic listeners! Welcome back to another heart-to-heart on "Leaving the Shallows." We are absolutely thrilled to have you joining us today as we dive into a topic that's much needed today – spiritual warfare. This one's a real talk, so buckle up, and let's unpack something that might just be the missing piece for some of you out there.

You know, in our modern Christian circles, spiritual warfare has been kind of like that hidden gem waiting to be discovered. But lately, I've noticed a shift – people are getting curious, throwing questions around at church, and even on social media. It's a bit heartbreaking to think about how many of us might be going through the motions, not realizing we're in the midst of spiritual warfare. Hosea 4:4 hits hard – "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Ignoring this reality won't make it disappear; it just leaves us vulnerable. But here's the good news – understanding spiritual warfare isn't an invitation for trouble; it's like getting a spiritual toolkit to kick the devil's schemes to the curb.

Now, let's bust a myth – some think as Christians, we're untouchable by the dark side. Sure, we can't be possessed, thanks to Jesus' blood and the Holy Spirit within us. But being influenced or facing attacks? That's a whole different ball game. And here's the kicker – if we don't get our heads around our kingdom assignment, who we are in Christ, and the authority we carry, we're not claiming the victories meant for us in our personal lives and beyond.

So, today, let's discuss this piece of the puzzle we desperately need to know – the open doors in our lives that can leave us wide open to spiritual attacks. Picture it like leaving your front door unlocked; it's an invitation you didn't mean to send out. Just like we secure our homes, we've got to be savvy about securing our spiritual turf. The kingdom of God is about possession, not just sitting on the sidelines and crossing our fingers. So let's explore how understanding and applying the principles Jesus laid out can set us on a path to living a free and abundant life this side of eternity. Stick around for this conversation that just might be the missing piece to your puzzle.