Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual Warfare 2 Sessions Part One: The Truth About Satan Part Two: The Weapons of Our Warfare

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor. 10:3-5

Do You Ever Doubt? • The most fruitful tell us shamedly of the inner battles that have torn them between doubt and faith. • Great Bible characters from Abraham right through Jacob, Jeremiah, Peter and Paul all show us their conflict filled lives, their revolts against heaven, their refusals to adapt to a God who was too demanding of them. • They show us, as well, their reconciliation to that God.

“God loves those who don’t give in without a fight!” Paul Tournier (1898-1986)

Battlefronts Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote, “ The Bible divides men into two classes; those who trust in themselves and those who trust in God. …The one class goes through life orphans, the other has a father.”

Some are our fault! One of the most severe battles you will fight, as a child of God, is brought on by actions, attitudes and situations you have inflicted upon yourself. Many problems are brought on by our own negligence or indifference. {not paying our bills, not taking care of our health, not doing proper maintenance on home}

Satan Causes Some • If there were no enemies, there would be no battles, if no battles-no victory, if no victory-no crown. • Satan will use anything or anyone he can to do spiritual battle with you. • Though satan uses people and things, our enemy is not the specific people or the things being used. The enemy is the devil.

Eph. 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. • Wiles- methodeias (Greek) methods, the various means, plans and schemes • Wrestle- pale (Greek) to strike, thrust, throw with violence and intensity. Warfare between good and bad

4 terms used to describe spiritual battle • Principalities-Chief rulers of the highest rank in satan’s kingdom • Powers- Those who derive their power from and execute the will of Chief rulers • Rulers of darkness- spirit world rulers • Spiritual wickedness- wicked spirits sent by satan

Satan Has Limitations • He is not as powerful as many proclaim him to be. • He does not have the ability to do all that he often gets credit for. • He is not who many think he is. For example…

He is NOT equal with God • He was cast out of heaven for declaring to be equal with God. • It was the original sin in heaven. • Satan dared to exalt himself to be like God when he clearly was not. • It is wrong for us to speak of him as being equal with God.

He is a fallen angel • He is subject to ALL the limitations of an angel. • He is NOT God’s counterpart.

He is NOT omnipotent • Only God has ALL power. Satan’s power is limited by what God allows him to do. He can do no more or less. • 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

He is NOT omniscient • Though he does NOT have the all knowing power of God, he does have more knowledge than mere humanity. • He has been studying humanity’s habits for 6,000 years. • He is more aware of the end time than we are. He knows his time is short.

He is NOT omnipresent • God fills the universe. Because satan is a fallen angel, he is limited to being in one place at a time. He can move swiftly (?) perhaps, but he can only be in one place at a time. • This is where satanic command comes into play. He can order spirits to go to and fro to do his bidding.

He can’t know your thoughts or read your mind • We don’t have to tell him what we’re thinking, we often show him by our actions. • This is the beauty of receiving the Holy Ghost and praying in the Spirit to the Lord. Satan can’t understand what you are saying and can’t prepare for battle against you!

We’re not ignorant of his devices Satan is a liar and the father of liars. All lies come from him. His biggest lie is that he has power over you, your life, your family, your job and on and on as a child of God. NOT SO! Not for a moment! As we understand his lies, we become more powerful in our battle against evil.

2 Cor. 2:11 Lest satan should get an advantage of us, for we are not ignorant of his devices He can’t get advantage over us if we know his tricks. How do we learn his tricks? Read in the scripture where he tried to trip up other men and women of God. He still uses the same tactics today.

The Weapons of our Warfare • 2 Cor. 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not catnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) • As children of God we have spiritual weapons of warfare at our disposal.

We have His powerful name • At the mention of Jesus’ name, satan trembles. • We have the power of attorney. We have been given the right to use His Name, because we are His children. • Mark 16:17 • Luke 10:17

We have His power in us through the baptism of the Holy Ghost • Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you…The word POWER is dunamis-DYNAMITE! • Matt. 10:1 And when He had called unto His twelve disciples, He gave them POWER against unclean spirits…

We Have Access to the Throne • Matt. 17:21 This kind comes by fasting and prayer • Where there is much prayer, there is much power; where there is little prayer, there is little power; where there is no prayer, there is no power. • Satan cannot handle a child of God who knows and practices, the power of prayer and fasting.

The Angels of the Lord Encamp About Us • Jude 1:9 Michael, when contending with satan, said, “The Lord rebuke thee.” • Heb. 12:22 But you are come to… an innumerable company of angels. • Rev. 20:1-3 And I saw an angel… laid hold on the dragon… cast him into bottomless pit

We have power over the enemy because of the Lamb’s blood • Rev. 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb.

We overcome by the Word of our Testimony • Rev. 12:11 And they overcame him by… the word of their testimony…

You Are Part of a Powerful Church • 2 Cor. 10:4-6 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but MIGHTY through God… pulling down of strongholds… Casting down imaginations …bringing into captivity every thought to obedience of Christ… and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience , when your obedience is fulfilled.

Destruction of Strongholds • We stand against the philosophies of a day that is vying for a stronghold • We stand against the dogma and tradition of man-made religion • We stand against the thinking and attitudes of Godless people who intend to change the laws of our nation in anti-God laws and standards

Casting Down Imaginations • We defy and intend to destroy, through prayer, all theory, reasoning, religion, mythology, metaphysics, sublime doctrines or philosophy set forth to divide or the knowledge of God.

Bringing Into Captivity • We take every thought prisoner and lead it into captivity to obey Christ. • Lasciviousness, vain and evil thoughts of all kind are brought down and made obedient to the law of God, which includes all thinking that is contrary to virtue, purity and reighteousness.

Having A Readiness • We stand at all times ready to purge anything opposing the Word of God.

Spiritual Warfare