Using love as a weapon of spiritual warfare may seem paradoxical, but it is in perfect harmony with God’s way of fighting battles. Before we attempt to use love as a weapon, we must have a good understanding of God’s love for us. Please review our page on God’s love before proceeding.

With love, God defeated evil by sending Jesus to die for mankind (John 3:16). As believers in Jesus, we inherit His mission to show God’s love to people and continue to conquer evil. Since God is love (John 4:8) and we have God’s Spirit living in us, we are supernaturally equipped with God’s love. This love is to be the foundation for everything we do and it will help us be filled with all fullness of God and knowledge of Christ’s love (Ephesians 3:17-19).

How do we use love as a weapon against evil? God gives us the power to love people like He does. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”  When we receive His love, power and sound mind, we can then share it with others. When we share love with others, especially those who mistreat us, we overcome evil with good (Romans 12:20-22).

Some practical points on putting love into action include:

  • Let love characterize everything we do (1 Corinthians 16:14)
  • Ensure love is the foundation of our use of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 13:13). Common corrupting influences include pride, selfish ambition, control and vain conceit.
  • Love our enemies with God’s love (Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27,35). When done in love, these actions are powerful:
    1. Bless those who curse us (Matthew 5:44)
    2. Do good to those who hate us (Matthew 5:44)
    3. Pray for those who spitefully use and persecute us (Matthew 5:44)
    4. Bless those who persecute us and do not curse (Romans 12:14)
    5. Do not repay evil for evil; do not avenge ourselves; let the Lord carry out justice (Romans 12:17-18)
    6. Feed our enemy if he is hungry; give him drink if he is thirsty (Romans 12:20-21)
  • Trust in God’s perfect love and do not fear: Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:17-18). Jesus destroyed Satan’s power of death, releasing all people who were in bondage to the fear of death (Hebrews 2:14-16). When we come to know God’s perfect, all powerful love through Jesus, we realize that there is absolutely nothing to fear. Nothing can separate us from God’s love. Paul discussed this in Romans 8:35-39.
  • Love people like Jesus did.
  • Find and remove all traces of lust from our life. Lust corrupts and destroys love. (see our page Lust vs. Love)
  • Prayer for Love: Here is a simple prayer we can pray, asking God to fan His flame of love in us:

“Heavenly Father, I thank you for loving me so much that you allowed your Son Jesus to die on the cross for my sin. It’s hard to imagine that kind of love, but Lord, please help me understand and feel that all powerful love in a new and deep way. Father, please fan the flame of Your perfect love in me and teach me how to show it to other people….especially my enemies. Please lead me in establishing love as the foundation for everything I do. Thank you, Father God. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”

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