Bible Studies
Spiritual Warfare
(All scriptural references are from the ASV unless otherwise noted.)
In the Old Testament, God assisted His chosen people, the Israelites in their wars. He often came to the aid of individuals who called upon his name for help. A scripture most of us are familiar with recognized that God's people enjoyed a supernatural protection from above. "Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4
This protection; however, was contingent on the strict obedience to over 100 rules for living given by God. These included the Ten Commandments and scores of ceremonies and practices all designed to protect and bless the Jews. Even so, as in the case of Job, satan was sometimes allowed to bring physical and spiritual calamity upon the righteous. It is also important to recognize, that some Old Testament prophets did enjoy moments of intense spiritual battles against satan when God saw fit to give them such power. Moses was also blessed with miraculous powers through his staff, but never used it unless prompted by God first.
But God had big plans. Plans to provide the right for all humanity to become God's chosen people. He also planned to anoint His sons and daughters with powerful gifts which would allow them supreme dominance over all the powers of the enemy, and to perform miracles! As God's kids, we may exert this power over satan himself. Nothing can harm us. Even before his death and resurrection, Jesus anointed many believers with a bit of this awesome power. Luke 10:19, 20 "Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
I believe that at the time of his death, Jesus descended into the realm of satan and defeated him completely. He rendered satan powerless to act against me physically, and placed power in our hands so that we might have greater spiritual protection for the times to come. The victory was so powerful that it's effect reverberated into the physical reality of those who stood by at the time! The temple veil was torn, signifying that all humanity now had the right to enter into God's presence personally. The prophecy of Jesus came true and the signature of the temple as the residence of God was completely destroyed. Even some of the dead came to life as a result of God's assertion and judgment upon satan.
Matthew 27:45-54 "Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And some of them stood there, when they heard it, said, This man calleth Elijah.And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. And the rest said, Let be; let us see whether Elijah cometh to save him. And Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake; and the rocks were rent; and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints that had fallen asleep were raised; and coming forth out of the tombs after his resurrection they entered into the holy city and appeared unto many. ow the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God."
Yes indeed, the war has been won and the victory is mine! Yet.....how is it that the enemy still roams about like a roaring lion seeking those he might destroy? We also know that the enemy seeks (present tense) to steal, kill and destroy. But Jesus said he came so that we might have life and have it in full. That means that through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we have the ability to win spiritual battles! I believe that satan only exists as a filthy remnant and memory. The strongholds and principalities that have been established over thousands of years of sin and perversion on the earth, is like a virus that can infect my spirit if I am not wary of it's presence. It is like a stench in my nostrils. The enemy is like a 4005 foot high trash heap of sin that I must somehow manage to rise above so that I might live a victorious and fruitful Christian life.
There are some who believe that satan will rise again. There are others who believe he already has. I'm not a scholar on the book of Revelations, and I'm not a numerologist, but this is how I see it. All things have already come to pass in the heavenly realms. I exist in a quasi-physical/spiritual reality in which I must make a choice of which spiritual realm I wish to exist in now, and after this human life. Shall I remain in darkness without God along with satan and his minions, or will I choose to fellowship with God now, being lifted high like on wings of eagles, and expect an eternal existence with him after my physical death? I hope it is clear what my decision is.
Spiritual warfare is like God's inoculation against the enemy virus, or spirit which seeks to be recognized as alive and well. Indeed, many keep the enemy alive through their own existence. By participating in evil practices, by refusing to recognize the truth, and by making the choice to remain in the darkness. As Christians it is important to learn how to engage in, and be victorious in spiritual warfare. For our own spiritual health, and for the sake of others we are called to stand in the gap for.
I. THE ARMOR
Anybody who has ever served in the military knows how important it is to have a thorough knowledge of the enemy. To know their tactics, and their weapons. As important, is the knowledge of one's own tactics and weapons. Any soldier who goes into battle ignorant of these facts is likely to die. Especially if they find themselves separated from their comrades deep in the heart of enemy territory. This is most often where Christians will find themselves engaging in spiritual battle against the enemy.
The recent situation a Christian lady in Atlanta found herself in, is testament to the fact that the enemy can not only threaten us spiritually, but also physically through others. If you are familiar with the story, this is a powerful witness to the positive effects of spiritual warfare. For those of you who aren't familiar, a killer on the rampage took this lady hostage, and kept her for 7 hours before releasing her. Later, he even turned himself in! She told reporters that she witnessed about her faith in God to him. I have no doubt that she was in the heat of spiritual warfare, and that as she spoke in love to this man, she also prayed for his salvation.
Many people find themselves calling out to God for their own sake when threatened with impending doom. Many sinners suddenly develop what is known as "jail house religion" the moment they lose their jobs, or face some other crisis in their lives legal or otherwise. And many Christians pray, sometimes with seemingly no effect.
Victory in spiritual warfare is largely dependent on one thing. Are you suited up with the Armor of God?
READ THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURE THEN ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW
Ephesians 6:14-18 (Good News Translation) "So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace. At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you. Do all this in prayer, asking for God’s help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God’s people."
EXERCISE
1) Think about the times you were threatened by a human enemy. How did you handle it? What was the outcome? Now consider the times you felt your spirit was threatened.
2) Identify your spiritual enemy. What is the origin of the attack? What are the tactics and weapons used by this enemy?
3) Identify your strengths and weaknesses. How much knowledge do you have of the items listed as the Armor of God? Which of these do you posses? Which do you lack?
II. PREPARING FOR BATTLE
Put on the Armor - Epehesians 6:10-12 (Good News Translation) "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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."
Belt of Truth
Breastplate of Righteousness
Shoes of Readiness
Shield of Faith
Helmet of Salvation
Sword of the Spirit
Prayer
Notice that there is only one offensive weapon listed for spiritual warfare. That is the Sword of the Spirit. The rest is defensive, and/or protective. Knowledge, desire, confidence, and holiness. A friend pointed out to me one day that the Armor of God is all designed to meet the enemy head on. There is no armor to protect our backsides. I told him, "Yeah that's right, God always has my backs!" And he said it was more than that. The armor is not only suited to frontal confrontations with the enemy, but also beneficial to the forward progress of our Christian walk.
One day I came into the radio station I worked at, and was told by the dj I was relieving that all the equipment had been malfunctioning. I promptly issued a prayer. "In the name of Jesus I rebuke the enemy from this place and from out of the equipment! Amen." Tim laughed and said, "Man, I'm glad I'm not a Christian being chased around by those pesky demons all the time!"
I thought about what he said and it effected me spiritually for many years. Although I didn't have any problems with the equipment that day, I felt a bit silly. Once I learnt about spiritual warfare, I recognized the importance of what I had done, and how to avoid future confrontations. I no longer feel silly about it.
READ THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW
Belt of Truth - John 17:16, 17 (Good News Translation)
"Just as I do not belong to the world, they do not belong to the world. Dedicate them to yourself by means of the truth; your word is truth."
Breastplate of Righteousness - righteousness (n) justifiable: considered to be correct or justifiable - not self-righteous
Phillipians 3:8-11
"Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ, and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, even that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith: that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed unto his death; if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead."
Shoes of Readiness - Acts 17:10-12
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Beroea:who when they were come thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so. Many of them therefore believed; also of the Greek women of honorable estate, and of men, not a few.
* Once having received the word with readiness we should be ready to speak the word to others, "..readiness to announce the Good News of peace."
Shield of Faith (one of the spiritual gifts) - Romans 10-17 (Good News Translation)
"So then, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through preaching Christ."
And 2 Corinthians 5:7 "(for we walk by faith, not by sight)"
Helmet of Salvation - (Are you sure that you are saved?) Romans 10:9
"because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved:"
Sword of the Spirit (gift of the Holy Spirit, Truth- "...your word is truth.")
John 1:1-5 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not.
John 1:17 - For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
1 John 16:13-15 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth:for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak:and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come. He shall glorify me:for he shall take of mine, and shall declare it unto you. All things whatsoever the Father hath are mine:therefore said I, that he taketh of mine, and shall declare it unto you.
Prayer - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.
EXERCISE
1) How do you think our body is related to the Armor? What body parts have been left out? Is there a reason for that?
2) What are the "arrows" or "fiery darts" of the enemy? What protects you, how and why?
3) What is the one thing necessary and relative to all the pieces of armor?
4) Name the two most important pieces of armor in spiritual warfare.
III. Even the most immature Christians will face; indeed, must face the enemy. The enemy attacks with a ferocity shortly after our salvation. Why? To try and steal a soul back from God. That's why Jesus gives us this first tool to use. By faith, and by speaking his name alone, we have authority to cast out demons. Luke 10:19, 20
As we mature as Christians, and as we become aware of and begin to utilize our spiritual gifts, we will become more effective spiritual warriors. God gives us all we need to not only take the enemy on individually in our own lives, but to also come against the enemy together in our world at large. Many times I see God as the supreme commander, and Jesus as the first lieutenant leading the charge. We are equipped, we are trained, and we should be ready and willing to overcome evil by putting on the Full Armor of God every day before heading out into our world. Let God equip you, let Him send you into the fray when He thinks you are ready, and let Him promote you as he sees fit. The spoils of victory of spiritual warfare are great indeed!
Next Wednesday I will present part V of this lesson, Using the Greater Gifts.
May the peace of Christ be with you.
Amen
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