1.
Spiritual Warfare Is Multi-Dimensional. (Eph. 6) [What
5 senses reveal is easy - 6th sense = Faith]2.
Often spiritual struggles are confusing. (Job) [Only thing start at top is digging
a hole. Born Again]
1 Pet. 4:12 Dear friends, do not be
surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange
were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings
of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14
If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the
Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not
be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that
you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the
family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who
do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And, mIf it is hard for the righteous
to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19
So then, those who suffer according to Gods will should commit themselves to
their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
2 -
Spiritual Warfare Is Dangerous. Playing For The Biggest Stakes with
Powerful Weapons.
2 Cor. 10:3 For though we
live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons
we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have
divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every
pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take
captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
3 -
Spiritual Warfare Is Not Synonymous With Sin.
(Mt. 4; 1
Pet. 4:12-19; 1 Pet. 5:8-9)
1.
Common. - “You’re in the army
now!”2.
It may even be God “testing” you. (Mt. 4;
Job)
1 Tim.
1:18 Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the
prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the
good fight, (NIV)
3. Battle
is not optional, you’ve been drafted c but victory is.
4 -
Preparation Must Begin Before Spiritual Battles Do.
5 -
It is Your Responsibility to Resist or Expel Spiritual Enemies.
·
If they operate from OUTSIDE, we must RESIST them
(James 4:7; I Peter 5:8-9)
1 Pet.
5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a
roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm
in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are
undergoing the same kind of sufferings. (NIV)
James
4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee
from you. (NIV)
·
If they operate from WITHIN, they must be
EXPELLED (Mk. 16:17)
6 -
Spiritual Battles Can Be Beneficial. (series)
1.
Satan wants us to believe that our spiritual conflicts
are useless. (LIE)
2. Pure
propaganda! Satan told Job that he feared God for nothing.
In Order for you to be Effective, Strongholds Can and Must be
Destroyed!
Do you need Deliverance??? (WARFARE PRAYER!!!)
Acts
26:18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the
power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place
among those who are sanctified by faith in me. (NIV)
2 Tim. 2:24 And the Lords
servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach,
not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope
that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26
and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil,
who has taken them captive to do his will. (NIV) Mt
4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the
devil. 2After fasting for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3
The tempter came to him and said, mIf you are the Son of God, tell these stones
to become bread.”:4 Jesus answered, mIt is written: ‘Man
does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of
God.” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand
on the highest point of the temple. 6 mIf you are the Son of God,”
he said, mthrow yourself down. For it is written: m‘He will command his
angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you
will not strike your foot against a stone.” 7 Jesus answered him,
mIt is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” 8
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the
kingdoms of the world and their splendour. 9 mAll this I will give
you,” he said, mif you will bow down and worship me.” 10
Jesus said to him, mAway from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the
Lord your God, and serve him only.” 11 Then the devil left him,
and angels came and attended him. (NIV)
General
refs.1
Pet 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around
like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him,
standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the
world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.Jas
4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee
from you.Eph
4:27 and do not give the devil a foothold.1
Pet 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are
suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But
rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be
overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of
the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests
on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any
other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer
as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17
For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins
with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18
And, mIf it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the
ungodly and the sinner?” 19 So then, those who suffer according to
Gods will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do
good.2
Cor 10:3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world
does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On
the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We
demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the
knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to
Christ.1
Tim 1:18 Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the
prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the
good fight,Acts
26:18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the
power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place
among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
2 Tim 2:24 And the Lords
servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach,
not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the
hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the
truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the
trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
Eph. 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in
the Lord,
and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that
ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle
not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the
whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil
day,
and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins
girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above
all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the
fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the
sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with
all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all
perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 ¶ And for me, that
utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known
the mystery of the gospel, 20
For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly,
as I ought to speak. (NIV) (“Against”
used (5) times in two verses)
