New Levels, Same Devils

Hey there, Sister in Christ!
We meet again. The sun is still warming up, the Blossom + Flourish series is in full bloom, and we’re going higher. Doesn’t it feel lovely up here, Sis?

As we stay rooted in all things of God, there’s no limit to how far we can flourish. And we’ve got to hold on to that truth because whether you believe it or not, I’ll tell you who does…the enemy.

That’s right. The enemy is fully aware of who you are and Whose you are. That’s why he has always worked overtime to kill, steal, and destroy your identity.

Here’s the thing: when you truly grasp who you are as a Daughter of the King, there’s a different level of confidence and boldness that rises up. You walk differently, speak differently, and believe differently because you know exactly Who dwells on the inside of you and what’s been planted within you. You begin to walk in a holy boldness that leaves the enemy trembling in his dusty boots. So what does he do? He comes at you harder with the same dusty, tired tricks and fiery darts he’s been using for generations.

So what do we do?
We stay ready so we don’t have to get ready.

As Circuit Rider Music, Eniola Abioye, and Black Voices declare in their powerful anthem:
“Lace up your boots, put on your backpacks…because it’s time to rise!”

This walk we’re on? It’s not a stroll through the park.
There is real spiritual darkness, real-deal demons, and wickedness trying to come against those of us who reflect God’s light here on earth.

This isn’t to sound spooky but let’s be real: we are at war.
A spiritual war. And the moment we become aware of the power that dwells within us, recognize Who we belong to, and begin walking in obedience and boldness…the enemy gets BIG MAD.

And he can stay mad because we’re not letting him get in the way of where God is taking us.
We are going to the next level, despite the devil.

So how do we prepare for battle?

First and foremost: stay connected to our Father.
He is our Defender, our Covering, and the One who fights on our behalf. Apart from Him, we are vulnerable. But in Him? We are protected, empowered, and equipped for every attack.

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” — Exodus 14:14 (NIV)

Just like a soldier doesn’t go into battle without orders from their commander, we can’t move without first hearing from God. Prayer. Intimacy. Worship. Time in His Word. That’s how we stay in alignment. And when we do that, we’re not just surviving, we’re standing firm, fully dressed in spiritual armor.

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” — Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)

Here are the spiritual weapons we need to carry:

1. God’s Word

When the enemy lies, the Word reminds us of what’s eternally true. God’s Word is alive, sharp, and undefeated. It equips us with wisdom, guidance, and discernment. When we’re full of the Word, we can better recognize the enemy’s schemes and speak truth in the middle of the battle.

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword…”

2. Prayer

Prayer isn’t just communication, it’s our battle cry. It changes things. It shifts atmospheres. It covers us, protects us, and empowers us. When we pray over ourselves and everything connected to us, we are tapping into the spiritual realm, inviting God and His heavenly armies to war on our behalf. And Sis, we don’t stop. We pray without ceasing—because staying connected to God keeps us covered, alert, and ready.

Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV)

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn.”

3. Faith

Faith fuels our fight, even when we can’t see the outcome. Our faith is what keeps us in the fight! Not faith in ourselves, but faith in the One who called and chose us. Faith doesn’t retreat when the warfare rises, it stands its ground, anchored in the promises of God.

1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV)

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

4. Community

We were never meant to walk or war alone. God designed us for fellowship. When we stand together in unity, our collective light overpowers darkness. There’s strength in our togetherness, and the enemy knows it. That’s why isolation is one of his sneakiest tactics.

1 Corinthians 12:26–27 (NIV)

“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it… Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

5. Rest

Soldiers need rest, but not just physical rest. Sacred rest. Rest in the presence of God. Spiritual warfare is draining, and we aren’t called to fight in our own strength. In God’s presence, our strength is renewed, our peace is restored, and our vision becomes clear. Rest is not being passive or stagnant, it’s an act of trust and surrender.

Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)

“Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles…”

Final Charge:

So lace up, Sis.
We’re not shrinking back. We’re standing tall, fully armored, fully assured, and fully rooted in Christ. In Him, we rise. In Him, we flourish.

And the enemy? He already lost.

Prayer:

Thank You, Father, for always drawing near to me. You have never left me nor forsaken me, and You continually fight on my behalf. If You are for me, who can be against me?

Lord, as I grow in You and shine as a light in this world, I know the enemy takes notice and he doesn’t like it. But he is already defeated. So today, I plead the blood of Jesus over my life, over my mind, my body, my spirit, and over everyone and everything connected to me.

I cast down every strategy and assignment of the enemy, and I declare that no weapon formed against me shall prosper. As 2 Corinthians 10:5 declares, I demolish every argument and pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of Christ. Let it crumble in Jesus’ name.

Father, I pick up my spiritual weapons today. I fight with prayer–powerful and relentless, I fight with Your Word—sharper than any sword. I stand in faith, not by what I see, but on the truth of what You’ve said. I thank You for community, and those who fight beside me and hold me up when I’m weak. And I choose to rest in You, knowing the battle is not mine, but Yours.

You are my Defender, my Refuge, my Strength—an ever-present help in trouble. You go before me, You surround me, and You cover me. I will not fear. I will not shrink back. I will rise up, fully armored, fully covered, and fully confident in the victory that is already mine through Christ. The victory belongs to You.

In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus,
Amen.