Spiritual WarfarePart 2

The battle belongs to the Lord

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. The LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?”

Zechariah 3:1–2

The enemy attacks•God is in command and control•Even Satan has to obey

Marching OrdersThese signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Mark 16:17–18

Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.

Luke 10:19

In Christ’s Name And Authority

Cast out demonsPick up serpentsDrink any deadly poison, it will not hurt themTread on serpents and scorpions, Authority over all the power of the enemy

The Object Of Your Faith

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

Ephesians 6:10

Not in yourselfNot your might

Weaponry But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ ” Matthew 4:4

Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” Matthew 4:7

Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ ” Matthew 4:10

The Word of GodIt is writtenFor the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

Revelation-Jesus defeats his enemies with the sword of his mouth

Advanced weaponry I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” …therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

2 Corinthians 12:8–9

Grace is sufficient

All trials are winnable There is an escapeJesus is with you alwaysChrist’s power is within you

Enemies

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:12

All refer to the spiritual • The rulers

•Powers• Forces of darkness• Spiritual forces of wickedness

in the heavenly places

Recognizing enemy insurgents…false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light…it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.

2 Corinthians 11:13b–15

Disguise as an Angel of Light

• Satan • False Christians• Look at their

works/life/words• Discerning of spirits

False Apostles/Teachers

But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,

1 Timothy 4:1–2

More Combatants What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? James 4:1

Sins Satan Uses•Lust•Hate of brother•Envious•Fight and Quarrel•Wrong motives•Friendship with world

Whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes

himself an enemy of God.

The BattleSubmit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:7–8

Battle Plans

Operate Within GraceBE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.

Ephesians 4:26–27

Be propelled Strengthen linesRemove opportunity

Pre-emptive Strike

But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.

2 Corinthians 2:10–11

Pre-emptive Strike • Satan’s schemes are rooted in un-forgiveness• Forgiveness disrupts plans

Enemy’s Attack

Be of sober spirit, be alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

1 Peter 5:8–9

Counter Attack

Expect attacksResist himBe firm in faith

The same experiences of suffering are being shared by others

A Good Commanding OfficerThe Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

2 Timothy 2:24–26

Training the troopsKind PatientTeaching Correcting

Escape from the snare of the devilHeld captive by him to do his will.

Ephesians 6:10–18 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

Spiritual WarfarePart 2