How Do I Handle Spiritual Warfare (TION) - Clover...
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How Do I Handle Spiritual Warfare? Big Idea Spiritual warfare is a very real part of our daily lives. It is a Biblical concept that requires a Biblical response. Many times people overestimate or underestimate the power and influence of our enemy. If we overestimate, there is a devil under every rock and he gets credit for every bad thing that happens. If we underestimate the enemy and his schemes we don’t take our stand against him. The truth is that we have an enemy and he comes to steal, kill and destroy, but the Son of God came to destroy the devil’s evil works. Through temptation and accusation the devil tries to wage war against God’s children. We win in spiritual warfare when we learn to expect, detect, and reject the schemes of the enemy. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” - Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) Discussion Questions 1. Matthew 4:1-11 gives the account of Jesus’ temptation by the devil in the wilderness. Jesus is our example of how to deal with spiritual warfare. Although He was weak in body, He was strong in spirit. Discuss steps we can take now to follow Jesus’ model of being strong in spirit when we are tempted. 2. Satan has been using the same strategy of temptation and accusation since the beginning. Now that we are “aware of his schemes”, discuss some of the schemes he has used against you. Share truths from God’s Word which combat these tactics and lies. 3. In order to appropriately respond to the enemy’s attacks, we should expect them, detect them, and reject them. Share how we can use this approach to take a stand against spiritual attacks in our lives. Next Steps 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “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”. Think of an area of your spiritual life where you would like to experience more victory. Find a scripture that declares the truth about this area. Write it and put it in a prominent place where you will see it frequently. Commit it to memory. As you are praying for each other throughout the week, send each other an encouraging text or email so that you know you’re not fighting alone. Prayer Focus Ask God to increase your awareness of His love and goodness, because spiritual warfare begins with preparing your heart. Pray that God would give you His perspective on the circumstances of your life. Ask Him to give you the ability to expect, detect and reject the enemy’s work. Thank God for the victory that we have through Christ.
Transcript of How Do I Handle Spiritual Warfare (TION) - Clover...
How Do I Handle Spiritual Warfare? Big Idea Spiritual warfare is a very real part of our daily lives. It is a Biblical concept that requires a Biblical response. Many times people overestimate or underestimate the power and influence of our enemy. If we overestimate, there is a devil under every rock and he gets credit for every bad thing that happens. If we underestimate the enemy and his schemes we don’t take our stand against him. The truth is that we have an enemy and he comes to steal, kill and destroy, but the Son of God came to destroy the devil’s evil works. Through temptation and accusation the devil tries to wage war against God’s children. We win in spiritual warfare when we learn to expect, detect, and reject the schemes of the enemy.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” - Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
Discussion Questions
1. Matthew 4:1-11 gives the account of Jesus’ temptation by the devil in the wilderness. Jesus is our example of how to deal with spiritual warfare. Although He was weak in body, He was strong in spirit. Discuss steps we can take now to follow Jesus’ model of being strong in spirit when we are tempted.
2. Satan has been using the same strategy of temptation and accusation since the beginning. Now that
we are “aware of his schemes”, discuss some of the schemes he has used against you. Share truths from God’s Word which combat these tactics and lies.
3. In order to appropriately respond to the enemy’s attacks, we should expect them, detect them, and
reject them. Share how we can use this approach to take a stand against spiritual attacks in our lives. Next Steps 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “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”. Think of an area of your spiritual life where you would like to experience more victory. Find a scripture that declares the truth about this area. Write it and put it in a prominent place where you will see it frequently. Commit it to memory. As you are praying for each other throughout the week, send each other an encouraging text or email so that you know you’re not fighting alone. Prayer Focus Ask God to increase your awareness of His love and goodness, because spiritual warfare begins with preparing your heart. Pray that God would give you His perspective on the circumstances of your life. Ask Him to give you the ability to expect, detect and reject the enemy’s work. Thank God for the victory that we have through Christ.
