Spiritual Warfare - Greater Friendship

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Spiritual Warfare

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©2009 Christianity Today International ChristianBibleStudies.com

Study Through the Bible

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INTRODUCTION

Study 1: WelCOme TO The WaR Leader’s Guide — Participant’s Guide

Study 2: PRePaRINg fOR The BaTTle, PaRT 1 Leader’s Guide — Participant’s Guide

Study 3: PRePaRINg fOR The BaTTle, PaRT 2 Leader’s Guide — Participant’s Guide

Study 4: STayINg IN The BaTTle Leader’s Guide — Participant’s Guide

Study 5: CamP ON gOD’S gOODNeSS Leader’s Guide — Participant’s Guide

Study 6: WIN WITh WORShIP Leader’s Guide — Participant’s Guide

www.christianbiblestudies.com


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How to UseThis Course fora Group Study

S p i r i t u a l W a r f a r e

How to Use This Course for a Group Study

This course can be used for individual or group study. If you intend to lead a group study, follow these simple suggestions:

• MakecopiesoftheParticipantGuidesforeveryoneinthegroup.Orifyouwouldlikethemtohavemoreinformation,youcangiveeveryoneacopyoftheLeader’sGuideinstead.Youhavepermissiontomakeupto1,000copiesforyourchurchorgroupaslongasyoudonotchargeforthem.

• Makesureyourgroupagreestocompleteconfidentiality.Thisisessentialtogettingpeopletoopenup.

• Whenworkingthroughthequestions,bewillingtomakeyourselfvulnerable.It’simportantforyourgrouptoknowthatotherssharetheirexperiences.Makehonestyandopennessapriorityinyourgroup.

• Endthesessioninprayer.


L e a d e r ’ s G u i d e


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A l l C h r i s t i a n s a r e i n v o l v e d i n a s u p e r n a t u r a l s t r u g g l e a g a i n s t t h e f o r c e s o f e v i l a n d a r e c a l l e d t o s t a n d i n G o d ’s p o w e r .


Welcome to the WarL e a d e r ’ s G u i d e

Welcome to the War

Scr ipture : Ephesians 6 :10–20

Based On: The sermon “ Welcome to the War, ” by Coy Wyl ie, PreachingToday.com

Satan is after you; if you are not facing conflict

from the enemy, it’s because he already has you!

If you are a child of God—chosen from the

foundation of the world, adopted into God’s

family, redeemed through his blood and sealed

by his Spirit, you can be sure that Satan is after you.

If you are walking after Christ, are being filled with the

Spirit and submitting to other believers, seeking peace in all relationships—

in the church, in your marriage, with your family, and in your workplace—

you can be sure that Satan is after you.



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Part 1 Identify the IssueN o t e t o l e a d e r : Pr o v i d e e a c h p e r s o n w i t h t h e Pa r t i c i p a n t ’s G u i d e, i n c l u d e d a t t h e e n d o f t h i s s t u d y.

Ephesians6:10–20isaboutthebeliever’swarfare.WatchmanNeesaidthatEphesianscouldbesummedupwiththreeverbs:wesitinheavenlyplaceswithChrist,wewalkinaworthymannerinlove,light,andwisdom,andwestandagainsttheschemeoftheevilone.

SpiritualwarfareisnotanoptionintheChristianlife.Ifyouareabeliever,youareinvolvedinthestruggle.Nooneelsecanfightthebattleforyou.TherearenoeliteChristianswhospecializeinrebukingthedevil.TherearenospiritualSpecialForces,GreenBerets,orSealTeams.Iaminthebattle.Youareinthebattle.Likeitornot,wemustfight.Wecannotignorespiritualwarfare.

Thereisacosmic,invisiblestrugglebetweengoodandevil,lightanddarkness,GodandSatan.Thecasualtiesaremen,women,boys,andgirls.Inthiswarthereisnoceasefire,notruce,notimeout,andnoprisoners.ButEphesianstellsusaboutourpowerandourprotection.

Discussion Questions:

[Q]Haveyoueverheardofspiritualwarfare?Ifso,whatdoyouknowaboutit?

[Q]Howdoyouknowwhetherornotyouarewinningthebattle?

[Q]WhatdoyouthinkSatanmostoftenusestoattackyou?

Optional activity:

Purpose: To help us identify our misconceptions about Satan.

activity: Ask the group to name the things that pop into their minds when they think about Satan. Record their answers on a whiteboard or poster board. When you’ve finished this study, go back to the list and see if the things mention line up with what you learned in this study.



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Part 2 Discover the Eternal PrinciplesTeaching Point One: Our struggle in spiritual warfare is real, personal, and supernatural.

1Peter5:8says,“Beself-controlledandalert.Yourenemythedevilprowlsaroundlikearoaringlionlookingforsomeonetodevour.”People’sideasaboutSatanusuallyfallinoneoftwoextremes.Ononeextremearethosewhodonotbelieveinthesupernatural.Theyarepurelymaterialisticandcannotenvisionanylifebeyondthephysicalplane.TheyseeSatanasasymbolofevil,nottheembodimentofevil.

Ontheotherextremearethosewhoblamethedevilforeverything.Thesefolksseeademonbehindeverybushandaroundeverycorner.Theyroutinelycastdemonichordesoutofcrashedcomputersandfaultytrafficlights.

Somewhereinthemiddleisthebiblicalreality.SatanandhisdemoniclegionsarealiveandwellonplanetEarth.SatanistheenemyofGod,andbecausehecannotdoanythingtoGod,hechoosestoattackwhatisprecioustoGod—us.

[Q]Wheredoyoufallbetweenthetwoextremesdescribed?Howdoyouviewthedevil?

ReadEphesians6:10–20.

Thisstruggleispersonal.Noticetheword“struggle”inverse12.Itmeanshand-to-handcombat,mano a manoastheSpanishwouldsay.Itdoesnotportrayarrows,artillery,orlongrangebombing,butratherbeingdowninthedirt,fightingwithblood,sweat,andtears.Thisisapersonalfightforeachofus.

Ourenemyfightstocauseyoutobeproudinsteadofhumble,dividedinsteadofunified,lustfulinsteadofloving,indarknessratherthanlight,foolishinsteadofwise,angryinsteadofself-controlled,bitterinsteadofjoyous,drunkinsteadoffilledwiththeSpirit,andself-servinginsteadofmutuallysubmissive.

[Q]Whatdoesitmeanthatthestruggleispersonal?Howdoesthataffectyourlife?

Ourstruggleisalsosupernatural.Paulsaysthatourfightisnot“againstfleshandblood.”Thishand-to-handcombatisnotfoughtbyconventionalmeans.Wecannotfighttheenemylikewewouldfightamereperson.That’swhyverse10saysweareto“bestrongintheLordandinhismightypower.”



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Youcannotcontrolafloodwithaflame-thrower.Flameshavenoeffectonawallofwater.Youcannotputoutaforestfirewithafloodlight.Shininglightonafirewillnotstopit.Inthesamewaywecannotfightaspiritualfightwithearthlytactics.Oneofthereasonswelosethefightsooftenisthatwetrytowininourhumanstrength.

Hereisagreattruth:Ifyoutrytoresistevilinyourhumanstrength,youwilllose.

Ourstruggleisagainstpowerfulenemies.Thelatterpartofverse12describesthe“spiritualforcesofevil”whoaretheinvisiblebutdeadlyarmyofSatan.WenotonlyfightagainstSatan,butagainsthislegionsoffallen,evilangels.

Here,asinotherpassages,Pauldescribestheranksandorganizationoftheseunseensupernaturalevilforces.Thereare“rulers,…authorities,…powersofthisdarkworld”and“spiritualforcesofevilintheheavenlyrealms.”Theyinhabitthe“heavenlyrealms,”thatis,theinvisiblespiritualrealm.TheydonothaverunofthehighestheavenwhereChristisseated,buttheydorunroughshodovercreation.

[Q]CanyougivesomeexamplesofhowSatanandhislegionsrunroughshodovercreation?

Ephesians2:2saysweonce“followedthewaysofthisworldandoftherulerofthekingdomoftheair.”ThesedesignationsofrankssuggestthatLucifer’sforcesareorganizedinavast,effectivehierarchy.TheGreekwordbehind“powers”iskosmokratos,orcosmocrat,meaning“worldrulers.”Thismayrefertohigh-rankingfallenangelssuchastheprincesofPersiaandGreecewhohinderedtheangelicmessengersenttoDaniel(seeDaniel10:12–13,20).

Whateverthesetitlesmean,wecanbeassuredthatwehavepowerfulenemiesarrayedinadefinedanddisciplinedarmy.Theyareconstantlyinbattleagainstyouandme.Theywanttohurtanddestroyus.Iftheycan’tdothat,theywillsettleforruiningourliveswithbrokenhomes,addictions,bitterness,despair,depression,violence,andsoon.

Ourspiritualstrugglehasseriousimplicationsforus.First,Satanisterriblypowerful.HeisnotaspowerfulasGodis.GodisCreator.Satanisacreation.Yetheisapowerfulcreation.Hetemporarilydominatestheworld.UnlikeGod,hecanonlybeinoneplaceatatime.However,hisimmenseorderofdemons,orfallenangels,dohisbiddingaroundtheworld.FirstJohn5:19says,“WeknowthatwearechildrenofGod,andthatthewholeworldisunderthecontroloftheevilone.”

Jesuscalledhim“theprinceofthisworld”inJohn12:31.2Corinthians4:4describeshimas“thegodofthisage”whohas“blindedthemindsofunbelievers,sothattheycannotseethelightofthegospelofthegloryofChrist.”Ephesians2:2callshim“therulerofthekingdomof



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theair,thespiritwhoisnowatworkinthosewhoaredisobedient.”Acts26:18givesusPaul’scommission,“toopentheireyesandturnthemfromdarknesstolight,andfromthepowerofSatantoGod.”InRevelation9:11,heisdescribedbytheHebrewwordAbaddon andinGreekasApollyon.Bothwordstranslateasdestroyer.

[Q]CanyougivesomeexamplesofhowSatanhas“blindedthemindsofunbelievers”orisat“workinthosewhoaredisobedient”?

[Q]HowdidChrist“open[your]eyesandturn[you]fromdarknesstolight,andfromthepowerofSatantoGod”?

Second,Satanisterriblyevil.Romans1–3teachesusthatmanbyheredityistotallydepraved.Noonehastoteachustosin.Everypartofournatureistaintedbysin.However,thisdoesnotmeanweareasbadaswecouldbe.Wecanbecomeworse.Somehumansfalltoadeeperlevelofdepravityandbecomemurderers,rapists,childmolesters,andsoon.YetnoonehasfallentoSatan’slevel.Heisutterlyevil.Hehasnoconscience,nocompassion,andnoremorse.Hefeedsonpainandsuffering.Hedelightsinanguishandfilth.

[Q]Canyougiveexamplesofhowsinispartofournaturefromthebeginning?

•Whatisyourearliestmemoryofsinning?

Third,Sataniscunning.Verse11speaksoftheschemesofthedevil.TheideaofSatan’scunningcomesfrommethodia,meaningmethodsorstrategies.Satanhasbeenhoninghismethodsformillennia.Let’slookatthreeofhisschemes.Scheme1isdiversion.Thedevilisamasterathidingbehindthescenes.Whenheattacksus,weoftendon’tevenrealizethatitishim.Weblameothersorcircumstances,anddon’talwaysthinkthatitcouldbeSatandoingbattlewithus.

[Q]CanyougiveanexampleofwhenSatanuseddiversioninyourlife?

Scheme2isdivision.Satan’smottois“DivideandConquer.”Weneedeachothertodefeathim.

[Q]CanyougiveanexampleofhowanotherChristianhelpedyoudefeatSataninsomeareaofyourlife?

Scheme3isdeception.2Corinthians11:14says,“Satanhimselfmasqueradesasanangeloflight.”Hedoesn’tattackourweaknessessomuchasourstrengths.HegetsustorelyonourowntalentsorgiftednessinsteadofontheGodwhogavethemtous.



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[Q]CanyougiveanexampleofatimeSatanuseddeceptiontofoolyou?

Teaching Point Two: Our power and protection in spiritual warfare is god’s power.

Theenemydefeatsuswhenwerelyonourownpower.Ifyouaretrustinginyourownpowerandstrength,youareissuingthedevilaninvitationtobeatyouup.Thestupidestthingwecandowhenwefacesomedifficulty,temptation,orstruggleistotrytodealwithitonourown.Ifyouarethinking, I can handle it on my own,youarebeatenanddon’tevenknowit.

[Q]Whatdoesitlookliketoresistevilinhumanstrength?Canyougiveanexample?

WedefeattheenemywhenwerelyonGod’spower.Paulsays,“BestrongintheLord.”Why?BecauseGodisgreaterthanSatan!Satanispowerful,butheisnoteveninthesameclassasGod.1John4:4says,“Theonewhoisinyouisgreaterthantheonewhoisintheworld.”

[Q]WhatdoesitlookliketoresistevilinGod’sstrength?Canyougiveanexample?

JesusultimatelydefeatedSatanatthecross.Colossians2:14–15speaksofhowJesustookourguiltofsin,“nailingittothecross.Andhavingdisarmedthepowersandauthorities,hemadeapublicspectacleofthem,triumphingoverthembythecross.”That’sapictureofaRomanvictoryparade.

AtthenameofJesus,thehostsofhellquiver.James2:19says,“Eventhedemonsbelievethat—andshudder.”WhenthedisciplessawtheravagesofthedemoniacintheregionoftheGadarenes,I’llbettheydrewbackinfear.However,thedemonsinthatmanfearedJesus.

MartinLutherwroteofthatinA Mighty Fortress is our God:

Forstillourancientfoedothseektoworkuswoe;

Hiscraftandpoweraregreatandarmedwithcruelhate

Onearthisnothisequal.

ThePrinceofDarknessgrim,wetremblenotforhim;

Hisragewecanendure,forlohisdoomissure;

Onelittlewordshallfellhim.

SatantookhisbestshotatJesusandlost.BecauseweareinChrist,wehaveultimatevictory.Wejusthavetofight.Don’ttrustyouownstrength.BestrongintheLord.Gotoyourknees.Findyourstrengthinhim!



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[Q]Whydoesgoingtoourkneesinprayergiveusvictorythatnothingelsecan?

Teaching Point Three: Our protection in spiritual warfare is the armor of god, which enables us to take a stand against the enemy in battle.

Ourprotectioninspiritualwarfarerequiresourmakingastand.Thisisamilitarytermthatreferstoholdingacriticalpositioninbattle—makingastand.Herearethreekeystomakingastandagainsttheevilone.

Remember that we have been delivered. Colossians1:13says,“ForhehasrescuedusfromthedominionofdarknessandbroughtusintothekingdomoftheSonheloves.”TheonlyholdSatanhasonyouiswhatyougivehim.Thevictoryisalreadyours.

[Q]Whydoesknowingwehavebeendeliveredhelpusinthebattle?Ifyoucan,giveanexample.

Remember we can’t just send demons away. Saying“inJesus’name”won’tnecessarilymakeeverythingeasier.WedefeatthehoardsofhellbybeingfilledwiththeSpiritandlivinginholinessandpeace.James4:7says:“Submityourselves,then,toGod.Resistthedevil,andhewillfleefromyou.”

[Q]Whatdoesitmeantoresistthedevilinoureverydaylives?

Remember, we are strongest when we are weakest. WhenwerestintheLord,wearemostsecure.GodsaidtoPaulin2Corinthians12:9,“Mygraceissufficientforyou,formypowerismadeperfectinweakness.”Paulthensaid,“ThereforeIwillboastallthemoregladlyaboutmyweaknesses,sothatChrist’spowermayrestonme.…ForwhenIamweak,thenIamstrong.”

[Q]WhydoyouthinkGod’spowerismadeperfectinweakness?

Part 3 Apply Your FindingsApastor,whowasalsoaveteran,sharedthestoryofhow,attheendofbootcamp,hewasassignedtoaplatoonwithanexperiencedsergeant.Hesaidthesargedeployedthegreenrecruitsinatrenchonabattlefield.Hetookhisbayonetandscratchedmarksinthedirtoneithersideofeachman.Thenhesaid,“Soldier,yourbattleexistsbetweenthesetwomarks.Yoursoletaskistodefendyour24inchesofbattleground.



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Don’tworryabouteverythingandeveryoneelse.That’smyjob.Don’tworryaboutthewholebattle,that’sthebrass’sjob.Youjustworryaboutyour24inches;that’syourbattlefield.”Sometimeswecangetsooverwhelmedbythetitanicclashbetweenrighteousnessandevilthatweforgetourpersonalbattlefield.Warsarefoughtandwoninsmallskirmishes.

Romans16:20says,“TheGodofpeacewillsooncrushSatanunderyourfeet.”

action Point: are you holding your 24 inches? are you making your stand? If not, ask the group to pray for you in the area you are struggling.

—Study by Coy Wylie, with JoHannah Reardon



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P a r t i c i p a n t ’ s G u i d e


Welcome to the WarP a r t i c i p a n t ’ s G u i d e

A l l C h r i s t i a n s a r e i n v o l v e d i n a s u p e r n a t u r a l s t r u g g l e a g a i n s t t h e f o r c e s o f e v i l a n d a r e c a l l e d t o s t a n d i n G o d ’s p o w e r .

Welcome to the War


Based On: The sermon “ Welcome to the War, ” by Coy Wyl ie, PreachingToday.com

Satan is after you; if you are not facing conflict

from the enemy, it’s because he already has you!

If you are a child of God—chosen from the

foundation of the world, adopted into God’s

family, redeemed through his blood and sealed

by his Spirit, you can be sure that Satan is after you.

If you are walking after Christ, are being filled with the

Spirit and submitting to other believers, seeking peace in all relationships—

in the church, in your marriage, with your family, and in your workplace—

you can be sure that Satan is after you.



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Part 1 Identify the IssueSpiritualwarfareisnotanoptionintheChristianlife.Ifyouareabeliever,youareinvolvedinthestruggle.Nooneelsecanfightthebattleforyou.TherearenoeliteChristianswhospecializeinrebukingthedevil.TherearenospiritualSpecialForces,GreenBerets,orSealTeams.Iaminthebattle.Youareinthebattle.Likeitornot,wemustfight.Wecannotignorespiritualwarfare.Thereisacosmic,invisiblestrugglebetweengoodandevil,lightanddarkness,GodandSatan.

Thecasualtiesaremen,women,boys,andgirls.Inthiswarthereisnoceasefire,notruce,notimeout,andnoprisoners.ButEphesianstellsusaboutourpowerandourprotection.

Part 2 Discover the Eternal PrinciplesTeaching Point One: Our struggle in spiritual warfare is real, personal, and supernatural.

Teaching Point Two: Our power and protection in spiritual warfare is god’s power.

Teaching Point Three: Our protection in spiritual warfare is the armor of god, which enables us to take a stand against the enemy in battle.

Remember that we have been delivered.

Remember we can’t just send demons away.

Remember, we are strongest when we are weakest.

Part 3 Apply Your FindingsApastor,whowasalsoaveteran,sharedthestoryofhow,attheendofbootcamp,hewasassignedtoaplatoonwithanexperiencedsergeant.Hesaidthesargedeployedthegreenrecruitsinatrenchonabattlefield.Hetookhisbayonetandscratchedmarksinthedirtoneithersideofeachman.Thenhesaid,“Soldier,yourbattleexistsbetweenthesetwomarks.Yoursoletaskistodefendyour24inchesofbattleground.



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Don’tworryabouteverythingandeveryoneelse.That’smyjob.Don’tworryaboutthewholebattle,that’sthebrass’sjob.Youjustworryaboutyour24inches;that’syourbattlefield.”Sometimeswecangetsooverwhelmedbythetitanicclashbetweenrighteousnessandevilthatweforgetourpersonalbattlefield.Warsarefoughtandwoninsmallskirmishes.

Romans16:20says,“TheGodofpeacewillsooncrushSatanunderyourfeet.”

action Point: are you holding your 24 inches? are you making your stand? If not, ask the group to pray for you in the area you are struggling.





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Preparing for the Battle, Part 1L e a d e r ’ s G u i d e

Preparing for the Battle, Part 1

A ll b el ievers should prepare for spir i tual war fare by putt ing on the b elt of truth, the breastplate of r ighteousness, and the sho es of p eace.


Based On: The sermon “Prepar ing for the Batt le, Par t 1 , ” by Coy Wyl ie, PreachingToday.com

All believers are caught up in a great war

between God and Satan, and have been given

full armor—the spiritual equipment needed to

defeat the enemy. Paul describes our salvation

and our sanctification as pieces of armor. Six

specific pieces are mentioned. We will look at the

first three in this study.



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Satan,ourenemy,wantsto“devour”you.Whenyouspeakharshlytoyourwife,hegainsground.WhenChristiansdivorce,hepushesfartherahead.WhenaChristianleaderfallsintosexualsin,abattleiswon.Whenachurchbecomesfracturedandsplits,hepourssaltintothewoundsoftheSavior.

AllbelieversarecaughtupinagreatwarbetweenGodandSatan.Hehastwoweapons.Thefirstistheworldanditslies,theexternalweapon.Thesecondisthefleshanditsdesires,theinternalweapon.

Jesushasalreadywonthewar.Heroseinvictoryfromthegrave,butthatdoesn’tstopSatanfromfightingustoday.That’swhyPaultellsustostand(vv.11,13,14).Tostandistofight.Theoppositeofmakingastandisgivingin.

PaulwasprobablychainedtoaRomanguardashewrotethisletter.Thoughtheguardwasn’tinfullbattlegear,PaulhadknownmanyRomansoldiers.Heusedthemetaphorofasoldier’sequipmenttoexplainthespiritualequipmentGodhasgivenustodefeattheenemy.

Wearetousethe“fullarmor.”Wecan’tpickandchooseourgear.Weneedeverypiece.Weneedthisarmorsothat“whenthedayofevilcomes,[we]maybeabletostand[our]ground.”Whenisthedayofevil?Everydaythatwestrugglewithsinandwrestlewiththeforcesofhell.

Christhaswontheultimatevictory.Yetwemuststruggle.Wemustbeabletosaythatwehave“doneeverything.”WhenMartinLutherwascondemnedasahereticbeforetheDietofWormsforproclaimingthatfaithinChristalonebringssalvation,hesaid,“MyconsciousiscaptivetotheWordofGod…HereIstand,Icannotdootherwise.”Neithercanwe.

Optional activity: From the 2003 movie Luther, show the scene where he stands firm during the second day of the Diet of Worms (elapsed time: 01:15:20–01:20:41).


[Q] Ifyouhaveeverbeeninphysicalcombat,tellusaboutthatexperience.

•CanyouseeanyspiritualanalogiesfromyourcombatexperiencethatwillhelpusunderstandhowtofightSatan’sattacks?

[Q] WhenhaveyoufeltyoutookastandforChrist?Tellusaboutit.



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[Q] Whenyou’vehadavictoryoversin,whatgaveyouthatvictory:willpower,determination,admittingyouwerepowerless,etc.?

Part 2 Discover the Eternal PrinciplesTeaching Point One: To defeat Satan, we must cinch on the belt of truth.

Ephesians6:14saystobuckleonthebeltoftruth.Romansoldiersworewide,thickleatherbelts,orgirdles.Thebeltheldthesoldier’sswordandotherequipment,muchlikethewebgearofthemoderninfantryman.Italsocincheduphistunicandkilttoallowfreedomofmovementinbattle.Whenhetightenedhisbelt,hewasreadytofight.Thisbeltwasanindispensable,essentialpieceofhisarmor.

Inmuchthesameway,truthistheessentialcenterpieceoftheChristian’sarmor.Wemustberootedandgroundedintruth,orourlivesaremeaningless.Truthisessential.TheBiblecontinuallyspeaksoftheindispensablenatureoftruth.

[Q] Howdothefollowingversesshowthattruthisessential:Proverbs3:3;23:23;1Corinthians13:6;Philippians4:8?

Second,truthisimmutable.Immutableisahigh-soundingwordthatbasicallymeans“notsubjecttochange,”or“changeless.”Newdiscoveriesornewinformationneverchangethatwhichistrue.AlltruthisGod’struth.TruthisimmutablebecauseGodisimmutable.Jesusistheessenceoftruth.

[Q] Howdothefollowingversesshowthattruthisimmutable:Hebrews1:11–12;13:8?

Third,truthisunchanging.Itcannotbeimprovedorperfected.Itisperfectjustasitis!

[Q] Howdothefollowingversesshowthatthetruthisunchanging:2Samuel22:31;Matthew24:35?

Fourth,truthis objective.Tosaythattruthisessential,immutable,andincorrigibleistosaythattruthisabsolute.Itisobjective.Itisverifiable.JesussaidinJohn8:32,“Thenyouwillknowthetruth,andthetruthwillsetyoufree.”

WhenSatan,disguisedasabeguilingserpent,spoketoEve,thefirstthinghedidwastoquestiontheobjectivetruthofGod.Speakingoftheforbiddenfruit,Evesaidtheywerenottoeatofit,or



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touchit,ortheywoulddie.Satanresponded:“Youwillnotsurelydie.…ForGodknowsthatwhenyoueatofityoureyeswillbeopened,andyouwillbelikeGod,knowinggoodandevil”(Gen.3:4–5).He’sbeentwistingthetruthintolieseversince.

Ifwearetostandfirminspiritualwarfare,wemustbeimmersedinobjectivetruth,whichistheWordofGod.PauldescribesGod’sWordas“theswordoftheSpirit.”Itisnotonlyanoffensiveweapon,butadefensiveweaponaswell.

DoyourecallthetemptationofJesus?Everytimetheenemymadeanempty,boastfulpromise,ourSaviorquotedScripturebacktohim.Hesaid,“Itiswritten….”Goodstrategy!

EvernoticehowharditistogetstartedstudyingtheBible?Knowwhy?It’sawar.TheenemyattacksyoueverytimeyoueventhinkaboutpickingupyourBible.ThisiswhyScripturememorizationissoimportant.Psalm119:11says,“IhavehiddenyourwordinmyheartthatImightnotsinagainstyou.”

[Q] Readthefollowingversesandexplainhowmemorizingeachonemighthelpyouavoidthesinlistedafterit:

•Psalm101:3(lust)

•Romans1:16(denyingChrist)

•Ephesians4:25(lying)

Fifth,Truthispractical.Notonlyarewetoknowtruthobjectively,wearetoexhibittruthfulnessasalifestyle.Wearetobeknownastruth-tellers.InJohn8:44,JesussaidthatSatanisaliarandthefatherofalllies.Whenwetelllies,anylie,weareimitatingandactingonthebehalfoftheprinceofdarkness.

Whenwelie,wetakeoffthebeltoftruthanddropitinthedirt.Nowwhatwillyouhangyourswordon?Howcanyouwieldtheswordoftruthwhenitissheathedinascabbardofdeceit?Whenwelie,wehangourselves.Thetruthwilleventuallybeknown.Satanencouragesustolieandthenlaughsatuswhentheconsequencesofourdeceitcomeoutinourlives.

Wanttowinyourpersonalbattleagainstthedevil?Thefirststepistobeltontruth.ImmerseyourselfinthetruthofGod’sWordanddealtruthfullywithothers.Whenyoutellthetruthevenwhenyoufeellikelying,youslapSatanacrosstheface!



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Teaching Point Two: To defeat Satan, we must strap on the breastplate of righteousness.

Thebreastplatewasavitalpieceofarmorthatcoveredthechestandtheback,likeamodernpoliceman’sbodyarmor.Itspurposewastodefendasoldierfromarrows,spears,orswordsbeingthrustatthevitalorgans—namelytheheart.TheChristian’sheartisthedevil’sprimarytarget.That’swhyProverbs4:23says,“Aboveallelse,guardyourheart,foritisthewellspringoflife.”Whatprotectsourheartsfromtheattacksoftheenemy?Righteousness!

TherighteousnessinEphesians6doesnotrefertoself-righteousness.Itisnotthekeepingoflegalisticdo’sanddon’ts.Itisnotapharisaicalsmugnessthatfeedsthefleshlyego.Infact,Isaiah64:6says,“Allourrighteousactsarelikefilthyrags.”Self-righteousnessisoneofSatan’sgreatestdeceptions.

Instead,thisistalkingaboutpracticalrighteousness.Applyingpracticalrighteousnessmeanslivinginminute-by-minuteobediencetotheFather.Thismeansjoyfulliving.Johnwrote,“Wewritethistomakeyourjoycomplete”(1John1:4).

[Q] Howcanrighteouslivingbejoyfulliving?Giveanexample.

Applyingpracticalrighteousnessmeansbearingfruit.JesussaidinJohn15:5:“Iamthevine;youarethebranches.IfamanremainsinmeandIinhim,hewillbearmuchfruit;apartfrommeyoucandonothing.”

[Q] WhatdoesitmeantoabideinJesus?

[Q] Practicallyspeaking,howisabidinginChristdifferentthanstrivingtoaccomplishgoodworksinourownstrength?

Applyingpracticalrighteousnessbringsrewards.Inmanypassages,theNewTestamentteachesusthatbelieversreceiverewardsinheavenforfaithfulnessnow.Colossians2:18says,“Donotletanyone…disqualifyyoufortheprize.”Satanwouldlovetodothat!

[Q] Whatdoyouimagineourrewardwillbeforlivingrighteously?

ApplyingpracticalrighteousnessbringsglorytoGod.Titus2:10suggeststhatpracticalrighteousnesswill“maketheteachingaboutGodourSaviorattractive.”

[Q] Giveanexampleofhowyourrighteousness(frombearingfruit,notself-righteousness)cangiveglorytoGod.



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Teaching Point Three: To defeat Satan, we must lace up the shoes of peace.

Ephesians6:15tellsustoputontheshoesofthegospelofpeace.Todaywehavespecializedshoesforeveryconceivableactivity.TheshoesofaRomansoldierwerespecialized,too.Theywereboots/sandalscalledcaliga.ThehistorianJosephussaidthattheywere“thicklystuddedwithsharpnails,”likecleats.Thesewarbootsenabledinfantrymantodiginandmakeastandinhand-to-handcombat.

WhenPaulspeaksofthegospelhere,heisnottalkingabouttakingthegoodnewstotheworld,butaboutstandingfirm.Heisnottalkingaboutwitnessing,butaboutaspiritualbattle.Becausewehavereceivedthegospel,wehavepeacewithGod.

[Q] ReadRomans5:1.Howhasthisbeentrueofyou?CanyourememberthefirstmomentyousensedpeacewithGod?

[Q] IfwereceivepeacewithGodthemomentwearebornagain,whymustwe“puton”thepeaceofGoddaily?

Le a d e r ’s N o t e : B e ca u s e o f “ t h e g o s p e l o f p e a ce, ” w e a r e n o w a t p e a ce w i t h G o d a n d ca n r e s t i n t h a t p e a ce w i t h co n f i d e n ce. We h a ve t h e p e a ce o f G o d b e ca u s e w e s t a n d i n h i s s t r e n g t h , n o t o u r o w n . T h i s i s t h e k i n d o f co n f i d e n ce G i d e o n h a d w h e n h e w e n t u p a g a i n s t a f o r ce o f 3 2 , 0 0 0 M i d i a n i t e s w i t h o n l y 3 0 0 m e n a r m e d w i t h t r u m p e t s, t o r c h e s, a n d c l a y p o t s ( J u d g e s 7 ) . T h i s i s t h e k i n d o f co n f i d e n ce t h a t J e h o s h a p h a t h a d w h e n h e s e n t J u d a h’s c h o i r o u t i n f r o n t o f t h e a r m y a n d a g r e a t v i c t o r y wa s w o n w i t h o u t a w e a p o n b e i n g ra i s e d ( 2 C h r o n . 2 0 : 2 1 – 2 6 ) .

IfwelookatPhilippians4:6–7,weseethatwehaveeternalpeacewithGod,butwemustdailyputonthepeaceofGod.Ifwedon’t,theevilonewilleatusforlunch.

Part 3 Apply Your Findingsaction Point: Jesus is the truth. he is our righteousness. he is our peace. To put on spiritual armor is to put on Christ every day. It is to breathe each breath and seize each moment in service to him. When we do so, we are invincible before our enemy! Take time this week to think about which of the three pieces of armor we discussed you most need to “put on.” Tell your answer to someone else in the group and ask them to pray for you in this area.




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Preparing for the Battle, Part 1P a r t i c i p a n t ’ s G u i d e


A ll b el ievers should prepare for spir i tual war fare by putt ing on the b elt of truth, the breastplate of r ighteousness, and the sho es of p eace.



All believers are caught up in a great war

between God and Satan, and have been given

full armor—the spiritual equipment needed to

defeat the enemy. Paul describes our salvation

and our sanctification as pieces of armor. Six

specific pieces are mentioned. We will look at the

first three in this study.



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Part 1 Identify the IssueSatan,ourenemy,wantsto“devour”you.Whenyouspeakharshlytoyourwife,hegainsground.WhenChristiansdivorce,hepushesfartherahead.WhenaChristianleaderfallsintosexualsin,abattleiswon.Whenachurchbecomesfracturedandsplits,hepourssaltintothewoundsoftheSavior.

AllbelieversarecaughtupinagreatwarbetweenGodandSatan.Hehastwoweapons.Thefirstistheworldanditslies,theexternalweapon.Thesecondisthefleshanditsdesires,theinternalweapon.

Jesushasalreadywonthewar.Heroseinvictoryfromthegrave,butthatdoesn’tstopSatanfromfightingustoday.That’swhyPaultellsustostand(vv.11,13,14).Tostandistofight.Theoppositeofmakingastandisgivingin.

Part 2 Discover the Eternal PrinciplesTeaching Point One: To defeat Satan, we must cinch on the belt of truth.

first, truth is essential.

Second, truth is immutable.

Third, truth is unchanging.

fourth, truth is objective.

fifth, truth is practical.

Teaching Point Two: To defeat Satan, we must strap on the breastplate of righteousness.

Teaching Point Three: To defeat Satan, we must lace up the shoes of peace.

Part 3 Apply Your Findingsaction Point: Jesus is the truth. he is our righteousness. he is our peace. To put on spiritual armor is to put on Christ every day. It is to breathe each breath and seize each moment in service to him. When we do so, we are invincible before our enemy! Take time this week to think about which of the three pieces of armor we discussed you most need to “put on.” Tell your answer to someone else in the group and ask them to pray for you in this area.





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A ll b el ievers should prepare for spir i tual war fare by using a shield of faith, a helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spir i t .



Paul said in Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is

not against flesh and blood.” If God would just

give us a glimpse of the enemy, if we could just

for a moment see Lucifer and his legions of

demonic forces, we would forever give up fighting

him in our own strength. We would run to God’s

armory and take up the “whole armor of God” so that

we might stand and fight in the evil day.



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Thesoldierwhosteppedoutoftheranksandissuedthechallengewasanincrediblesight.Hewasoverninefeettall—agiantamongmen.Hisweightwaseasilyover400pounds,andbeneathhisskinonecouldseetherippleofbulgingmuscles.Heworea“coatofmail”—armorthatweighedover125pounds.Hecarriedaspearthatwas14feetlonganditsironpointweighedabout15pounds—that’slikeputtingacollegiateshotputontheendofapole-vaulter’spole.Altogether,thegreatspearprobablyweighed30pounds.HisnamewasGoliath.

Whentheshepherdboy,David,proposedtofighthim,KingSaulofferedhisroyalarmor.Saulwasasize52,butyoungDavidwasasize38.Thearmorwastoobig.Youknowthestory.Daviduseddifferentweaponsandadifferentstrategy.Theresultwasoneverysurprisedandverydeadgiant.Davidsetasidetheconventionalarmorandchosedressandweaponssuitableforhisuniquebattle.

WefightanenemymuchgreaterandmuchmoreintelligentthanthegiantPhilistine.LikeDavid,wecannotuseconventionalmeanstofightsuchanimposingenemy.PaulsaidinEphesians6:12,“Forourstruggleisnotagainstfleshandblood.”IfGodwouldjustgiveusaglimpseoftheenemy,ifwecouldjustforamomentseeLuciferandhislegionsofdemonicforces,wewouldforevergiveupfightinghiminourownstrength.WewouldruntoGod’sarmoryandtakeupthe“wholearmorofGod”sothatwemightstandandfightintheevilday.


[Q] WhatisyourfavoritepartoftheDavidandGoliathstory?

[Q] Haveyoueverhadanexperiencethatyouthoughtwasspiritualwarfare?

[Q] Whataresomethingsthatconfuseyouaboutspiritualwarfare?



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Part 2 Discover the Eternal PrinciplesTeaching Point One: To defeat Satan, we must hold high the shield of faith.

OfthemenwhosurvivedprisonerofwarcampintheVietnamwar,almostallhadtwothingsincommon:theydevelopedamentalshieldandtheyheldontenaciouslytowhattheyknewastruth.Everyday,theNorthVietnamesewouldpumppropagandaintotheircellsvialoudspeakers.TheytoldtheseAmericansthattheirgovernmentwascorrupt,thatthemilitaryhadabandonedthem,orthattheirwiveshaddivorcedthemandremarried.

Thesebraveprisonersdevelopeddifferentwaystoblockoutthelies.Onewasapianist;heplayedconcertsinhismind.Anotherwasanarchitect;hedesignedhundredsofbuildingsinhishead.Stillanotherwasagolfer;everydayheplayedmentalroundsofgolfonthecoursesinhismemory.Theyblockedtheliesoftheenemywiththeirmentalshieldsandcombatedtheliesbyremindingthemselvesofthetruth.Theyhadceasedtofightaphysicalbattle,butneverstoppedfightingabattleofmindandspirit.That’swhateverybelieverdoesinspiritualwarfare.

Thebeliever’sshieldishisorherpersonalconfidenceinJesus.Romansoldiersusedtwotypesofshields.Onewassmallandlight.Itwasemployedinhand-to-handcombat.Theother,calledascutum,orwarshield,wasabout4.5feettalland2.5feetwide.Itwasthesizeofasmalldoor.Theoldsayingwas,“Youeitherreturnfrombattlewithyourshieldoronyourshield.”

Theshieldwasmadeoflaminatedwoodcoveredwithhardenedleatherandlinedaroundtheedgeswithmetal.Usually,therewasanironornamentdecoratingthefront.Theseshieldsweresolargeamancouldkneeldownandputhisentirebodybehindone.Theseshieldsalsocouldbelinkedtogethertoformamovingwall.Tostormcitygates,theywerelinkedtogethertoforma“tortoise”thatprovidedprotectionfromthetopaswell.

TheBibleusessuchashieldasametaphoroffaith.Paulsaysthat“aboveall”or“inadditionto”thebeltoftruth,thebreastplateofrighteousness,andtheshoesofpeace,youalsoneedtheshieldoffaith.

Whatisfaith?Thesubjecthereisnot“thefaith,”asinthebodyofChristianbeliefs,butratherpersonalfaith—ourconfidenceinGod,believingwhatGodhassaidandbeingcommittedtoit.

Everyone,Christianandnon-Christian,practicesfaith.Wehavefaiththatabridgewillnotcollapsebeneathus,thatfoodinarestaurantisnotpoisoned,thatachairwillholdourweight,orthataplanewillnotcrash.

Ourshieldagainstthedevil’sattackisourfaiththatGodwillkeephispromisesandthathewillbefaithfultous.InseveralpassagestheBiblesays,“Thejustshalllivebyfaith.”Second



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Corinthians5:7says,“Welivebyfaith,notbysight.”TheimageisthattheLordislikeashieldforthosewhotrusthim;itisseeninmany,manypassages.Herearejustafew:

[Q] ReadGenesis15:1.HowwastheLordAbraham’sshield?Giveexamples.

[Q] Read2Samuel22:31.HowisthewordoftheLordashieldtous?Giveexamples.

[Q] ReadPsalm3:3.HowisGod,himself,ashieldtous?Giveexamples.

Psalm5:12says,“Forsurely,OLORD,youblesstherighteous;yousurroundthemwithyourfavoraswithashield.”Psalm91:4says,“Hewillcoveryouwithhisfeathers,andunderhiswingsyouwillfindrefuge;hisfaithfulnesswillbeyourshieldandrampart.”Psalm119:114says,“Youaremyrefugeandmyshield;Ihaveputmyhopeinyourword.”Proverbs2:7says,“Heholdsvictoryinstorefortheupright,heisashieldtothosewhosewalkisblameless.”Proverbs30:5says,“EverywordofGodisflawless;heisashieldtothosewhotakerefugeinhim.”

Theshieldoffaithprotectsusfromtheenemy’sarrows,whicharetemptationstodisbelieveJesus.Ephesians6:16alsosaysthatwiththeshieldoffaithwewillbeableto“extinguishalltheflamingarrowsoftheevilone.”

[Q] Whataretheseflamingarrows?Whatdoesitmeanto“extinguish”them?

InPaul’sday,archers’arrowswereoftenwrappedinclothanddippedinpitchoratar-likesubstance.Thispitchwassetaflamebeforethearrowwasshotattheenemy.Onimpact,thepitchwouldspatterandburnanythingthatwasn’tfireretardant.ThelargeRomanshieldswereespeciallyeffectiveatthwartingflamingarrows.Itissaidthatintheheatofbattletheshieldsoftenbristledwithsmokingarrowslikeroastedporcupines.

Everyday,Satanandhisevilminionslaunchdozensoffierydartsatus.Inourlifetimesasbelievers,wefacehundredsofthousandsofflamingarrowsfromhell.Let’sconsiderexamples:

[Q] GiveanexampleofhowSatanshootsthearrowofdisappointmentatus.

[Q] GiveanexampleofhowSatanshootsthearrowoflustatus.

[Q] GiveanexampleofhowSatanshootsthearrowofdoubtatus.

[Q] GiveanexampleofhowSatanshootsthearrowofothers’criticismatus.

[Q] GiveanexampleofhowSatanshootsthearrowofprideatus.

Asweraisetheshieldoffaith,aswerefusetobelievetheevilone’sliesandinsteadrelyonGod’s



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truth,theflamingarrowsareharmlesslydeflected.1John5:4says,“Thisisthevictorythathasovercometheworld,evenourfaith.”

[Q] Ourfaithbecomesstrongerwhenweareunited.WhentheenemiesofRomesawthosewidecolumnsofshieldstheyoftenbrokerankandescapedinterror.HowcanChristiansuniteagainstSatan?

Teaching Point Two: To defeat Satan, we must put on the helmet of salvation.

Salvationequipsuswithacalmassurance.Romansoldiersworehelmetsmadeofthickleatherthatwereoftencoveredwithmetal.Therewerethickbandstoprotecttheforeheadandthecheeks.Themetalcoverextendeddownthebacktoprotecttheneck.Whenitwastightlystrappedon,theonlyexposedareasweretheeyes,nose,andmouth.

Helmetswereinvaluableinbattle.Imaginestandinginthemidstofflamingarrows,swingingswords,andthrustingspearswithoutsomethingtoprotectyourhead.Ahardblowtothebodymightmaimorseriouslyinjure,butahardblowtotheheadwouldkillinstantly.

Paulsayswearetoputon“thehelmetofsalvation.”Thisdoesnotrefertobeingbornagain.Remember,Paulistalkingtopeoplewhoalreadyhadbeensaved(cf.chapters1–3).Rather,itmeansrestingintheassuranceofthesalvationthatisalreadyours.

Everwatchan8-year-oldputonafootballhelmet?Theybecomeinstantkamikazes!Why?Becausetheyfeelinvincibleintheirhelmets.Inthesameway,thehelmetofoursalvationgivesusconfidencebecauseweknowthatnomatterwhathappens,wewillultimatelywinthevictory.Salvationinfusesuswiththeoptimismthatvictoryisassured!

Lettheenemyattack.Lettheforcesofhellrageagainstus.Letthemshoottheirfierydarts.Wemaybewounded.Wemaysuffermomentarydefeats.Wemayfalterandstumble.However,becauseoftheCross,victorywillultimatelybeours!

[Q] Asbelieversclothedinourspiritualarmor,whatpromisecanweclaimfromRomans8:31,35–39?

[Q] Salvationcommitsustoablessedhope.WhathopedowefindinGalatians6:9;1Thessalonians5:8;Titus2:13;andHebrews6:11?

InotonlyhaveassurancethatIcanmakeastandinthispresentbattle,Ihavea“blessedhope”thatonedaythebattlewillbeover.ThewonderfulpreacherE.V.Hillpreachedamessagecalled“ThisAin’tIt.”Don’tletthisbattlegetyoudown,becauseonedayitwillbeover!



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Whathopemeansisthis:whenwearediscouraged,whenwearetroubled,whenwehavesinned,whenwefeellikegivingup,whenwethinkwecan’tgoon,werememberthatwehaveaneternalsalvation.Thislifetimeisbutaninstantcomparedtoeternity.

Teaching Point Three: To defeat Satan, we must unsheathe the sword of the Spirit.

TheswordoftheSpiritistheWordofGod—aspiritual,powerful,andnecessaryweapon.First,theWordisaspiritualweapon.The“sword”fromwhichPaulmakesthisanalogywastheshortswordoftheRomanarmy.Itwasabout18incheslonganddual-edged.Itwasaclose-quartersweapon.Paulcallsitthe“swordoftheSpirit”andlikensitto“theWordofGod.”BecausetheBibleis“oftheSpirit,”itwasnotdesignedbyhumanauthorsbutinspired,orGod-breathed.Itisnotmerelyabook,butaspiritualweapon!

ScottishpastorThomasGuthriewrote,“TheBibleisanarmoryofheavenlyweapons,alaboratoryofinfalliblemedicines,amineofexhaustlesswealth.Itisaguidebookforeveryroad,achartforeverysea,amedicineforeverymaladyandabalmforeverywound.RobusofourBible,andourskyhaslostitssun.”

Second,theWordisapowerfulweapon.Jesususedthe“swordoftheSpirit”toparrySatan’sattacksintheirduelinthedesert.Hesaideachtime,“Itiswritten….”

[Q] ReadHebrews4:12.ExplainhowyouhaveseenGodusehisWordtodoallthethingsmentionedinthispassage.

Third,theWordisanecessaryweapon.Almostallofuswouldsay“Amen”tothat.ButpeopleclamortohangtheTenCommandmentsinacourthouse,yetcan’trecitefiveofthem.Theypleadforprayerinschoolsbutdon’tpray.TheyinsisttheyknowGodbutcouldn’ttellyouthreeofthefourGospels.Youdon’treallyknowGoduntilyouknowhisWord!

ThisswordoftheSpiritisonlyusefulifitisread,meditatedon,studied,andmemorized.

[Q] Whyisn’titenoughtojustreadtheWord?Whymustwegobeyondtomeditate,study,andmemorizeit?

Optional activity: To illustrate how we combat Satan’s lies, ask the group to call out what some of those lies are. Record their answers on a poster board or whiteboard. Then ask them to come up with a verse from the Bible that refutes each lie. Write the reference next to the lie it refutes.



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Part 3 Apply Your Findingsaction Point: young David had the right equipment and the right strategy to defeat goliath. he shouted up to goliath, “all those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the lORD saves; for the battle is the lORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands” (1 Samuel 17:47). Pray this week that you will have the kind of courage David had as you battle Satan’s temptations and attacks. Try this:

• Start each day by giving it to God. Ask him to make you aware of Satan’s temptations and attacks so that you can battle them.

• Commit one verse from this study to memory and use it throughout the week in your battle.

• Close each day by reflecting on how you did in the battle. Commit any area you struggled in to god, and ask him to show you how to do better in this battle in the future.




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A ll b el ievers should prepare for spir i tual war fare by using a shield of faith, a helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spir i t .



Paul said in Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is

not against flesh and blood.” If God would just

give us a glimpse of the enemy, if we could just

for a moment see Lucifer and his legions of

demonic forces, we would forever give up fighting

him in our own strength. We would run to God’s

armory and take up the “whole armor of God” so that

we might stand and fight in the evil day.



30

Part 1 Identify the IssueWefightanenemymuchgreaterandmuchmoreintelligentthanthegiantPhilistine.LikeDavid,wecannotuseconventionalmeanstofightsuchanimposingenemy.PaulsaidinEphesians6:12,“Forourstruggleisnotagainstfleshandblood.”IfGodwouldjustgiveusaglimpseoftheenemy,ifwecouldjustforamomentseeLuciferandhislegionsofdemonicforces,wewouldforevergiveupfightinghiminourownstrength.WewouldruntoGod’sarmoryandtakeupthe“wholearmorofGod”sothatwemightstandandfightintheevilday.

Part 2 Discover the Eternal PrinciplesTeaching Point One: To defeat Satan, we must hold high the shield of faith.

Teaching Point Two: To defeat Satan, we must put on the helmet of salvation.

Teaching Point Three: To defeat Satan, we must unsheathe the sword of the Spirit.

Part 3 Apply Your Findingsaction Point: young David had the right equipment and the right strategy to defeat goliath. he shouted up to goliath, “all those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the lORD saves; for the battle is the lORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands” (1 Samuel 17:47). Pray this week that you will have the kind of courage David had as you battle Satan’s temptations and attacks. Try this:

• Start each day by giving it to God. Ask him to make you aware of Satan’s temptations and attacks so that you can battle them.

• Commit one verse from this study to memory and use it throughout the week in your battle.

• Close each day by reflecting on how you did in the battle. Commit any area you struggled in to god, and ask him to show you how to do better in this battle in the future.







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There are several admirable qualities in a

soldier: courage, strength, self-sacrifice,

perseverance, and faithfulness. Those are

the qualities we want to have when we are

in the midst of the battle all Christians are

engaged in.

We battle spiritual powers through mercy in Jesus’ name.

Scr ipture : 2 Samuel 11:1–12:31

Based On: The sermon “ Warr iors on Their Couches, ” by Peter Hiett , PreachingToday.com

Staying in the Battle


Staying in the BattleL e a d e r ’ s G u i d e



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WecanactuallylearnalotaboutsomeofSatan’sstrategiesinspiritualwarfarebystudyingthemilitarystrategiesofthewarriorsofold.InhisbookHead Game,authorTimDownswrites:

Psy-opsstandsforPsychologicalOperations,aformofwarfareasoldastheartofwaritself.AnearlyexampleofthiscanbefoundinthebattlestrategiesofAlexandertheGreat.Ononeoccasionwhenhisarmywasinfullretreatfromalargerarmy,hegaveorderstohisarmorerstoconstructoversizedbreastplatesandhelmetsthatwouldfitmen7or8feettall.Ashisarmywouldretreat,hewouldleavetheseitemsforthepursuingarmytodiscover.Whentheenemywouldfindtheoversizedgear,theywouldbedemoralizedbythethoughtoffightingsuchgiantsoldiers,andtheywouldabandontheirpursuit.

Satanlikestoplayheadgameswithus,too,oftenleavingusdemoralizedbyfearordoubt.


[Q] CanyouthinkofsomeheadgamesSatanhasplayedwithyouinthepast?Tellusaboutthem.

[Q] Howdidsuchheadgamesmakeyoufeellikeabandoningthefight?

[Q] Whathelpedyougetbackinthefight

Part 2 Discover the Eternal PrinciplesTeaching Point One: To stay in the fight, we must realize how wicked the enemy is.

In2Samuel11,allofIsraelisatwar.Everyone,thatis,exceptDavid;hestayshome.IsraelwasbesiegingRabbahoftheAmmonites,whowereworshipersofMolech.Historianssaythisreligionincludedculticchildprostitutionandthesacrificeofchildrenthroughfire.Rabbinicwritersdescribedabronzestatueinhumanformwiththeheadofanox.Itwashollowandheatedfrombelow.Childrenwereplacedinthebronzestatue,wheretheywereconsumedasdrumsdrownedoutthesoundoftheirscreaming.



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MostscholarsthinkMolechmeans“KingofShame.”Inotherwords,IsraelwasbattlingtheKingofShame—ademonicprincipalitythatconsumedhumanlife.JeremiahprophesiedthatonedayMolechwouldbesentintoexile,butthatGodwouldrestorethefortunesoftheAmmonites.Yousee,Israelwasn’treallybattlingtheAmmonites(fleshandblood).TheywereatwarwithMolech(theprincipalityandpower).Theproblemwas,theycouldn’textractMolechfromtheAmmonites.

Wefaceasimilarbattletoday.PaultellsusinEphesians6:12that“ourstruggleisnotagainstfleshandblood,butagainstthe...spiritualforcesofevilintheheavenlyrealms.”WebattleSatan,theAccuser.HesoundsalotlikeMolech—KingofShame.Youweremadetobeawarrior,andthisisawarworthfighting.

[Q] WhenyouthinkofSatan,whatcomestomind?Why?

[Q] Nameafewofthemostevilthingsyoucanthinkofthathappenintheworld.WhenyouthinkofSatanbeingbehindthosethings,howdoesitaffectyourviewofhim?

[Q] Read2Corinthians11:14–15.Accordingtotheseverses,whydoweoftenfailtorecognizeSatan’smethods?Canyougiveanexampleofwhenhehasmasqueradedasan“angeloflight”?

Teaching Point Two: To stay in the fight, you cannot let your guard down.

In2Samuel11:1,DavidwasnotfightingtheKingofShame.Davidwasawarriorwhohadfoughtremarkablebattles,butheforgothewasatwarandinsteadfoundhiscouch.Inthefollowingverse,Davidfelltotemptationbecausehewasnotwherehewassupposedtobe.Hefeltshame,butinsteadoffightingit,hetriedtohideit.Isuspectyouknowthestory:DavidsentforUriah(Bathsheba’shusbandwhowasonthebattlefront)andarrangedforUriahtosleepwithBathsheba,sothebabywouldappeartobeUriah’s.However,UriahrefusedtosleepwithhiswifewhenhisfellowIsraelitesweresleepingintentsonthebattlefield.SeeingUriah’sbehaviorcausedDavidtofeelmoreshame.HearrangedforUriahtobekilledinthebattleagainsttheAmmonites.HesacrificedUriahtotheKingofShame,thentookBathshebaashisown.ItwouldappearthatMolechhadwon.God’schild,Uriah,wasmurdered.God’sdaughter,Bathsheba,wasraped.God’sson,David,wasimprisonedinshame.

JustasMolech,KingofShame,seemedtodefeatIsrael,soalsoherulesinourtimesthroughadultery,divorce,abortion,andrape.AndjustasMolechwoninIsraelbecauseDavidwasnotfightingGod’swar,soheiswinningherebecausewehavefailedtostayinthebattle.Ifwe’renotbattlingforourLord,weendupbattlingforMolech.Jesussaid,“Hewhoisnotwithmeisagainstme,andhewhodoesnotgatherwithme,scatters.”Bob



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Dylanputsitanotherway:“You’regonnahavetoservesomebody,/Well,itmaybetheDeviloritmaybetheLord/Butyou’regonnahavetoservesomebody.”

[Q] Warriorswithoutawarwillbeconscriptedbysomeoneorsomething.Canyougiveanexampleofhowthishappensinthespiritualrealm?

[Q] Don’tanswerthisaloud,butareyoufightingforyourselfandyourkingdom?Areyoufightingtoprotectyourdignityorcoveryourshame?Ifso,you’rereallyfightingforMolech.Takeafewminutestothinkaboutit.

InordertogetDavid’sattention,GodsentNathantheprophet.NathantoldDavidastory.Read2Samuel12:1–14.David’sprivatelifehadapowerfulpublicimpact.

Goddoesnotrespectourrighttoprivacy.ReadLuke12:2–4.

EventhoughDavidrepented,greatdamagewasdone.OneofDavid’ssons,Amnon,rapesoneofDavid’sdaughters,Tamar.AnotherofDavid’ssons,Absalom,murdersAmnontocovertheshame.ThenAbsalomdespiseshisfatherandoverthrowsDavid’srulejustasDaviddespisedGodandoverthrewhisrule.Then,todemonstratehisvictory,AbsalomhassexwithtenofDavid’swivesontheroof,beforeallIsrael.

Sinhasconsequences.ToknowGod’smercy,perhapsyouhavetoseeyoursinandtasteitspain.Toknowforgiveness,perhapsyouhavetoknowwhatyou’reforgivenof.

[Q] Davidfellintosinwhenheleftthebattleandwasalone.HowisthattrueofChristianswhoisolatethemselvesfromotherChristians?

[Q] HowcanweuniteagainstSatan?Namepracticalways.

Teaching Point Three: No matter what, it’s not too late to rejoin the battle.

TheLordafflictedthechildthatUriah’swifeboretoDavid,andhebecamesick(2Samuel12:15).Davidprayedforhissickchildandfastedforafullweekuntilthechilddied.Whenheheardthatthechildhaddied,hearose,washedhimself,andwenttothetempletoworship.Wouldn’tyouliketoknowwhatDavidsaidinworshipthatday?Itappearswedo.ReadPsalm51.

Thissondied,buttheLordisstillgracioustoDavid(andBathsheba).BathshebaconceivedasonwhomtheynamedSolomon,whichmeanspeaceful.TheLordlovedthechildandsentamessagebyNathantheprophettocallthechildJedidiah—“belovedoftheLord.”HewasbornoutofDavid’ssin,sorrow,andshame.HewasbornoutofthedominionofMolech.



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Later,Solomonascendedtothethroneandbuiltthetemple.HeaccomplishedthegreatestdeedsinIsrael’shistory.ThereweretwosonsofDavidinthisstory:onethatboreDavid’ssin,andasecondthatrosefromDavid’sashesandbuiltthehouseofGod.ThetwosonsofDavidrepresenttheoneSonofDavidwhowasyettocometoEarth.HisnameisJesus.

HowdoyoubattletheKingofShame?Youcan’t.ButGodcan,throughhisgreatmercy.JesuswasbornoutofDavid’sfailure.Hewasbornoutofourfailure.Whenwestophidingandguardingourshame,andsurrenderittotheFather,hekissesourwounds.ThenhebattlestheKingofShamethroughus.JesusistheGreatWarrior,andhisbattleagainstevilisourgreatwar.WebattletheKingofShamebybearingwitnesstomercy,preachingthegospelofgrace,andofferingthekissofgrace.

[Q] Givepracticalwayswecanbear“witnesstomercy,”preach“thegospelofgrace,”andoffer“thekissofgrace.”

Ittakescourage,strength,self-sacrifice,perseverance,andfaithfulness—allthevirtuesofawarrior.Jesusgivesyouthosevirtueswhenyoujoinhiswar.

[Q] CanyouthinkofatimewhenGodgaveyoucourage,strength,self-sacrifice,perseverance,orfaithfulnessthatyouknewwasbeyondyourownabilities?

InhisbookHead Game,authorTimDownsgoesontosay:

WeassumeSatanisbiggerorgreaterthanhereallyis.AndthequickestwaytothwartourEnemy’spsy-ops,whenwefeellikeabandoningthefightaltogether,istogazeuponthegreatnessofourGod.PerhapsallittakesisaquicklookatJob38:4–7.

[Q] WhydoestakingourfocusoffofourselvesandputtingitontoGodchangethedynamicsofthebattle?

[Q] Canyouthinkofotherbiblicalcharacterswhodemonstratedthis?

Optional activity: Bring out two Styrofoam bowls. One should be intact, and the other should have holes in the bottom (use a pencil to poke two or three holes). Hold the one with holes over a bucket and pour water into it. As you do, explain that with our own strength, we are like this bowl. We cannot hold what we are supposed to because we are full of holes and flaws. Then pour water into the intact bowl. Explain that Christ fills the holes and makes us useful vessels for his kingdom.



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Part 3 Apply Your Findingsaction Point: We tend to think of spiritual warfare as some strange little corner of the Christian life. No—spiritual warfare is the Christian life. To help you focus on the greatness of god, rather than your own inadequacies, read Job 38–42 this week. Pick a few verses out of these chapters to memorize. Choose ones that will help you to stay in the battle.

—Study by Peter Hiett, with JoHannah Reardon



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Staying in the BattleP a r t i c i p a n t ’ s G u i d e

There are several admirable qualities in a

soldier: courage, strength, self-sacrifice,

perseverance, and faithfulness. Those are

the qualities we want to have when we are

in the midst of the battle all Christians are

engaged in.

We battle spiritual powers through mercy in Jesus’ name.

Scr ipture : 2 Samuel 11:1–12:31

Based On: The sermon “ Warr iors on Their Couches, ” by Peter Hiett , PreachingToday.com

Staying in the Battle



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Staying in the BattleP a r t i c i p a n t ’ s G u i d e

Part 1 Identify the IssueWecanactuallylearnalotaboutsomeofSatan’sstrategiesinspiritualwarfarebystudyingthemilitarystrategiesofthewarriorsofold.InhisbookHead Game,authorTimDownswrites:

Psy-opsstandsforPsychologicalOperations,aformofwarfareasoldastheartofwaritself.AnearlyexampleofthiscanbefoundinthebattlestrategiesofAlexandertheGreat.Ononeoccasionwhenhisarmywasinfullretreatfromalargerarmy,hegaveorderstohisarmorerstoconstructoversizedbreastplatesandhelmetsthatwouldfitmen7or8feettall.Ashisarmywouldretreat,hewouldleavetheseitemsforthepursuingarmytodiscover.Whentheenemywouldfindtheoversizedgear,theywouldbedemoralizedbythethoughtoffightingsuchgiantsoldiers,andtheywouldabandontheirpursuit.

Satanlikestoplayheadgameswithus,too,oftenleavingusdemoralizedbyfearordoubt.

Part 2 Discover the Eternal PrinciplesTeaching Point One: To stay in the fight, we must realize how wicked the enemy is.

Teaching Point Two: To stay in the fight, you cannot let your guard down.

Teaching Point Three: No matter what, it’s not too late to rejoin the battle.

Part 3 Apply Your Findingsaction Point: We tend to think of spiritual warfare as some strange little corner of the Christian life. No—spiritual warfare is the Christian life. To help you focus on the greatness of god, rather than your own inadequacies, read Job 38–42 this week. Pick a few verses out of these chapters to memorize. Choose ones that will help you to stay in the battle.

—Study by Peter Hiett, with JoHannah Reardon




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Camp on God’s Goodness


Camp on God’s GoodnessL e a d e r ’ s G u i d e

S atan comes in disguise and attacks G o d’s charac ter so that we doubt G o d’s Word and his go o dness.

Scr ipture : G enesis 3 :1–6

Based On: The sermon “D on’t D oubt G od’s G oodness, ” by Haddon Robinson, PreachingToday.com

You’re a Christian; temptation dogs your path

and trips you at every turn. The questions you

must face are, “How does the Tempter do his

work? How does he come to us? How does he

destroy us?” Scripture is full of stories about sin

and its destructive power, but we find victory as

we camp on God’s goodness.



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HaddonRobinsonsharesthisstory:

OneofthemoredifficultresponsibilitiesIhaveasthepresidentofDenverSeminaryliesinreadingmymorningmail.AfewmonthsagoIreceivedaletterfromayoungmaninapenitentiaryinTexas.Heisservingfrom10to20yearsforattemptedrape.HewasaChristian,andheaskedifIwouldsendhimabookthatwasnotavailableforhimintheprison.Igladlyrespondedtohisrequest.Buthisletterdeeplydisturbedme,becausetheyoungmanhadbeenastudentofminewhenItaughtatDallasTheologicalSeminary.

Helefttheseminarywithgreatgiftsandvision.Hepastoredtwodifferentchurches,andbothofthem,humanlyspeaking,weresuccessfulcongregations.Inthesecondchurch,whichIknewbetter,peoplewereledtoChristasaresultofhiswitness.HewasacarefulstudentoftheScriptures,andsomesaidashestoodtospeaktheycouldsensethepowerandpresenceofGod.Hehadadisciplingministrytothemeninthatcongregation.Infact,whenhiscrimewasdiscoveredandheadmittedhisguilt,meninthatcongregationraisedover$20,000forhislegaldefense.AndnowheisaprisonerinapenitentiaryinTexas.Inonedarkhouroftemptation,hefellintotheabyss.Heruinedhisreputation,destroyedhisministry,andleftanuglystainonthetestimonyofChristinthatcommunity.

WhenIreadthatletterandknewwhathadhappened,Ifoundmyselfwrestlingwithallkindsofquestionsandemotions.What happens in a person’s life who does that? What went through his mind? What was it that caused him to turn his back on all that he had given his life to?

IrealizedasIwasaskingthosequestionsthatIwasnotsimplyaboutaskingabouthim,butaboutmyself.Whatisitthatluresustodestruction?

It’saquestionyouface.You’reaChristian;temptationdogsyourpathandtripsyouateveryturn.Thequestionsyoumustfaceare,“HowdoestheTempterdohiswork?Howdoeshecometous?Howdoeshedestroyus?”Scriptureisfullofstoriesaboutsinanditsdestructivepower.

Genesis,chapter3,isacasestudyintemptation.Asacasestudy,whatyouwanttodoistogetridoftheindependentvariablestostudythethingitself.AndcertainlyasEveisapproachedbytheTempter,therearemanythingsthatwerenottrueofherthat



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mightbetrueofus.Forexample,shehasnopoisonedbloodinherveins.Shedoesnothaveaheritageonwhichshecanblamehersin.Evecomes,asAdamdid,fromthedirectcreationofGod,andwhenGodcreatedAdamandEve,Goddeclaredthatthecreationwasverygood.Whatismore,EveandAdamlivedinaperfectenvironment.Theystoodinthemorningofcreation.Nosinfulheritage,nosinfulenvironment.Wehaveacasestudyintemptation.

AswewatchthewaytheTemptercametoEve,werecognizethatwhilethisstorycomestousoutoftheancientpast,it’sasrealasthetemptationyoumaybefacing.Thescenehaschanged,butthemethodologyhasnot.


[Q] Whydoyouthinkapersongivesintotemptation,eveniftheyknowit’sgoingtoruintheirlife?

[Q] Whenweareinthemiddleofatemptation,whydoyouthinkwefailtorecognizethatSatanistemptingus?

[Q] HowfamiliarareyouwiththestoryofAdamandEve?Arethereanydetailsfromthataccountthathasconfusedyouinthepast?

Part 2 Discover the Eternal PrinciplesTeaching Point One: We must recognize how Satan tempts us.

ReadGenesis3:1–6.

TheTempteroftencomestousindisguise.ThewriterofGenesissaysthattheserpentwascraftierthanallofthewildanimalstheLordGodhadmade.Thisscenehappensbeforethecurse,beforetheserpentcrawlsonitsbellyupontheground.Therearenorattlersherethatwarnofanapproachingpoison.There’snothingherethatwouldmakeEvefeelalarmed.WhenSatancomestoyou,hedoesnotcomeintheformofacoiledsnake.Hedoesnotcomeastheroarofalion.Hedoesnotcomeasthewailofasiren.Hedoesnotcomewavingaredflag.Satanjustslidesintoyourlifeandseemsalmostlikeacomfortablecompanion.

[Q] Canyougiveanexamplefromyourorsomeoneelse’slifeofSatancomingsubtly?

TheNewTestamentsaysthathecomesasanangeloflight,asaministerofGod—sometimesasaministerofrighteousness.Onepointthat’squiteclearisthatwhentheEnemycomesto



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attackyou,hecomesindisguise.AsMephistophelessaysinFaust,“Thepeopledonotknowthedevilisthereevenwhenhehasthembythethroat.”

[Q] WhataresomeexamplesintheBibleofpeoplewhowereunawarethatSatanhadapowerfulholdoverthem?

Teaching Point Two: We must know our Bibles to combat Satan.

Notonlyishispersondisguised;hispurposesaredisguisedaswell.Whenhecomes,hedoesnotsaytoEve,“Ihavecometotemptyou.”Heinsteadcomestohaveareligiousdiscussion.Hewantstotalktheology;hedoesn’twanttotalksin.Hebeginshistemptationbysaying,“DidGodreallysay,‘youmustnoteatfromanytreeinthegarden’?”Youcan’targuewiththat.Satancomesandsays,“Look,Ijustwanttobesureoftheexegesis.IjustwanttobesureoftheideaGodwastryingtogetacross.Didhereallysayyoucan’teatofanyofthetreesofthegarden?”

Yousee,heisareligiousdevil.Hedoesn’tcometoyouandknockonthedoorofyoursoulandsay,“Pardonme,sir,givemeahalfhourofyourlife.I’dliketodamnyouanddestroyyou.”No,allhewantstodoistalkabitoftheology.HewantstobesureheunderstandstheWordofGod.Itispossible,isn’tit,todiscusstheologytoyourperil.ItisverypossibletogetintothosekindsofdiscussionsinwhichyoutalkaboutGodinakindofabstractway,likeamathematicalformula,sothatyoucanconstructatheologythatleadsyoutodisobeyGod.

[Q] HowcanbadtheologyleadtoSatan’sinfluenceinourlives?

You’rebigongrace,verystrongonChristianliberty.YouknowthefreedomofthesonsofGodandyouwilldebatethatwithanyonewhocomesalong.Youcandoanythingyouwant,atanytimeyouwant,withanyoneyouwant.Norestrictions,nohangups;you’refree,youknowGod’sgrace.Everymanwho’severturnedlibertyintolicensehasdoneitontheologicalgrounds.Youcangettotheplacewhereyoudecide,“EvenwhenIsin,God’sgraceabounds.Isn’titwonderfulthatIamservingGod’sgracebecauseIshowhisforgiveness?”

YoucanbebigonGod’ssovereignty.Noonewilloutpaceyouwhenitcomestoadoctrinelikethat.Godissovereignovertheaffairsofmenandnations.NotonlyisGod’seyeoverhistory,hishandisonhistory.Hishandisuponyourlife,andbeforelongGodissosovereignthatyouhavenoresponsibility.Afterall,inasense“alltheworldisastage,allthemenandwomenmerelyplayers.”Godmapsouttheaction,plansthedialogue.Yougothroughyourpaces,butit’sallofGod.Evenyoursin.Andoutofthatdiscussionyoucomeawayfindinggood,soundreasonsfordisobeyingGod,allbecauseyouwanttodiscusstheologywiththewrongmotive.AChristiancanfindalotofreasonsfordoingwrongwhilesoundingtheologicalinhisorherdisobedience.

AnotherthingthatSatandoesinthisconversation,thisdiscussionaboutGod,isfocusEve’sattentiononthatsingletreeinthecenterofthegarden.Hesays,“Itseemsinconceivabletome



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thatGodwouldn’tletyouhaveanyofthesetrees,”andthenEvecomestoGod’sdefense.She’sawitnessforGod.Shesays,“No,wecaneatofallofthetreesofthegarden,butwecan’ttouchthattree.”Goddidn’tsaythat.Hedidn’tsayanythingabouttouchingit.ButoneofthethingspeopledoindefendingGodisbecomemorerighteousnessthanGod,stricterthanGod.WhatSatanhasdone,ofcourse,istofocushermindonthatsingletree,theonethingprohibited.

[Q] GivesomeexamplesofhowweChristiansbecome“stricterthanGod.”

[Q] HowdoesthatactuallyfurtherSatan’scause?

SatanalsoattacksGod’sWord.Everesponds,“Wemayeatfromthetreesinthegarden,butGoddidsay,‘Youmustnoteatfruitfromthetreethatisinthemiddleofthegarden,andyoumustnottouchit,oryouwilldie.’”ThenSatanthrowshisheadbackandwithirrepressiblelaughtersays,“Surelyyoudon’tbelievethat,doyou?Thatyouwillsurelydie?Oh,comenow.Abitoffruit?Surelydie?That’sjustabitoforientalexaggerationthatGod’susingtogetyourattention,buthedoesn’tmeanthat.Surelydie?Comenow,you’retoosophisticated.You’retooawaretobelievethattheGodwhogaveyouthismarvelousgarden,andallthesetrees,andthatbountifulfruit,isgoingtobethatexcitedaboutyourtakingonepieceoffruit?Youdon’tbelievethat,doyou?Goddoesn’tmeanthat.Godcertainlydoesn’tmeanthat.”

Howeasilywefallintothetrap.HoweasilywecancometobelieveinsomedoctrineofinerrancyabouttheBibleasawhole,butonthisparticularissue—anissuebetweenmeandGod—hedoesn’tmeanitwhenhesays,“Youwillsurelydie.”

[Q] HowdoweasChristiansfallforsimilarattacksbySatan?

Teaching Point Three: We must take sin seriously to combat Satan.

ForthousandsofyearsSatanhasreusedthesamemethods.Itistheplotofmanymodernnovels:theauthorwritesaboutpeoplewholiveindeepdisobediencetoGod,butattheendeverythingturnsoutwell.It’sthethemeofmodernmovies:thecharacterslivealifeofrebellionagainstGodbutlivehappilyeverafter.

[Q] WhyisGodsoseriousaboutsin?Whydoeshehateitsomuch?

GodisseriousaboutsinbecauseGodisseriousaboutyou.Helovesyouandknowsthedevastationsincancauseinyourlife,relationships,character,andministry.Godisseriousaboutsinasalovingparentisseriousaboutfire,warninghischildaboutitbecauseheknowsthatitcanmaimthatchildforlife.

NotonlydoesSatanattackGod’sWord,buthegoesdeeperandattacksGod’scharacter,whichliesbehindhisWord.Theserpentsaidtothewomaninverse5,“ForGodknowsthatwhen



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youeatofityoureyeswillbeopened,andyouwillbelikeGod,knowinggoodandevil.”WhatSatanisdoingisattackingGod’sgoodness.Whatheissayingis,“YouknowwhyGodgaveyouthatcommand?Hegaveyouthatcommandbecausehewantstospoilyourfun.Thereasonhegaveyouthatcommandisthathewantstokeepyouonatightleash.Hedoesn’twantyoutobefree.Hedoesn’twantyoutoreallyexperiencetheabundanceoflife.Hewantstodenyyourpleasures.Hewantstoshowyouheisincontrol.Hewantstokeepyoudown.Hedoesn’twantyoutohavetheexcitementthatlifeoffersotherpeople.Heknowsthatwhenyoueatityou’llbelikehimandyou’llknowgoodandevil.You’llhaveexperiencesyoucanhaveinnootherway.God’sgotanulteriormotive,ahiddenagenda,andit’sanevilone.”

[Q] GiveanexampleofhowSatancomestoustodaywiththesamemessage.

Optional activity: In our honest moments, there may be several activities that we recognize as sinful, but still think would be fun to try. For example, “I’ve never been drunk, but I sometimes wonder what it would be like to lose control for a little while.”

In your group, pass out a half-sheet of paper to each participant and ask them to write down a similar “sinful” activity that still holds an appeal. Remind them not to put their names on the paper. When everyone is finished, collect all the papers into a hat or bowl, and then pull out one piece at a time and read its contents.

Then ask, “Does anyone have any experience with this activity that can tell us what it’s really like?” For example, another group member might say, “I’ve been drunk plenty of times, and I can tell you that it’s no picnic…” then he or she could explain the reality of what it means to lose control to alcohol.

Teaching Point four: We must be confident in god’s love and goodness to combat Satan.

Oncethewellispoisoned,allthewaterisdestroyed.Forexample,oneofthemostbeautifulconfessionsofloveandfaithintheBibleistheconfessionRuthmakestoNaomi.Shesays,“Don’turgemetoleaveyouortoturnbackfromyou.WhereyougoIwillgo,andwhereyoustayIwillstay.YourpeoplewillbemypeopleandyourGodmyGod.WhereyoudieIwilldie,andthereIwillbeburied”(Ruth1:16–17).Beautiful.

ButsupposesomeonecomestoNaomiandsays,“Naomi,listen.Ruth’sagolddigger.She’samanipulator.WhatRuthreallywantstodo,thatMoabitess,isgetbackintoIsraeltomarryawealthyJew,andsheknowsherpassporthomeiswithyou.She’lltellyoujustaboutanythingtogetafreepassintoIsrael.”IfNaomibelievesthat,thenthewellispoisonedandeverygoodthingRuthdoes,Naomiwillsuspect.EverykindwordRuthspeaks,Naomiwillreject.Whenyoupoisonthewell,allthewaterispoisoned.WhenyoucometotheplacewhereyoudoubtGod’sWordbecauseyoureallydoubtGod’sgoodness,thenSatanhasdonehiswork.



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Howeasilywedothat.AllofushaveservedthePrinceofDarknessandlivedinhisrealm,andwhenwecometothekingdomofGod’sSonwehaveawayofbringingourdoubtsandsuspicionswithus.Somethinghappensinyourlifethatisdifficult,andyoufindyourselfaskingwhy—andthatquestionmarkislikeadaggerpointedattheheartofGod.HoweasilywebegintosuspectthatwhatishappeninginourlifeisreallyademonstrationthatGodisagainstus.Wesufferfromsuchatwistedmindthatevenwhengoodthingshappentous,wedoubtGod’sgoodness.Somethingmarvelouscomesintoyourlife,somethingunexpected,andyou’redelighted.Thenallatoncethereisashadowthatcrossesyourmind,afearthatbeforelongitwillbetakenaway.ThatGoddoesn’treallywantyoutoenjoytheexpansionofhisgoodness;justasyougettoenjoyit,he’llsnatchitbacklikesomecruel,sadisticparent.SoweknockonwoodandsmashattheheartofGod.WhenyoudoubtGod’sgoodness,you’lldoubthisWordandyouwillseeGodrestrictingyouandholdingyouback.Theworkoftemptationisdone.

[Q] Haveyoudoneeitherofthosethings:thoughtarestrictionwasjustGod’scruelty,orsomethinggoodjusttemporary?Ifso,howdidyouworkthroughthoseideas?

Andsothewritertellsusthatatthatmoment,inverse6,“Whenthewomansawthatthefruitofthetreewasgoodforfoodandpleasingtotheeye,andalsodesirableforgainingwisdom,shetooksomeandateit.”Itnowbecomespleasingtotheeye.ItbecomesdesirablebecauseshehaslistenedtothelieoftheTempterandhersensestakecontrol.WhenyougetGodoutofyourlife,whenyoucometoquestionGod’sWordandGod’sgoodness,thensuddenlyyoursensescomealivetowhatisevil,andwhatwasonceoutofboundstoyoubecomesthethingyoudesire—andoftenthethingthatwilldestroyyou.

AdamandEveweredisobedienttoGod’sWordanddistrustfulofGod’scharacter.WheneveryoucometodenyordoubtthegoodnessofGod,you’llcometodenyhisWord.

IfSatanhadcometoEveinthatearlymorningandsaid,“Look,signthispaper.SaythatyouaredonewithGod,”shewouldneverhavesignedit.WhenSatancomeshenevercomesdraggingthechainsthatwillconfineus.Hecomesbringingacrownthatwillennobleus.Hecomesofferinguspleasure,expansiveness,money,popularity,freedom,enjoyment.Infact,heneverreallysaystherewillbeanyconsequencesatall,justthatwewillfulfillallthedesiresofourhearts.Itistherewearedestroyed.That’sthelesson:thetemptationsthatdestroyusstrikeattheheartofGod,atGod’sintegrityandgoodness.Whenwedenyhisgoodness,werejecthisWord.WhenwerejecthisWord,wedosoatourperil.

[Q] WhywoulddoubtingGod’sgoodnessleadtodenyinghisWord?

Optional activity: Take a fairly new $20 bill and show it to everyone. Then wad it up and stomp on it. Pick it back up and ask if they think anyone would still want this bill. Most would say yes, because it’s still worth as much as when it was new and clean.



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You may feel like you’ve been stepped on, beat up, or kicked around. You may feel dirty, unworthy, or useless. But be encouraged by the $20 bill—no matter what you’ve been through, you still have value to God! He loves you just as much now as he did when you were born.

Part 3 Apply Your Findingsaction Point: Christianity is not mere morality. It’s not a matter of toeing the line and keeping the rules. Christianity is a relationship with a god who loves you so much that he gave you his Son and gave you every good and perfect gift. This week, write down all the things that usually cause you to doubt god’s love for you. Then find a corresponding verse to write next to each thing, to assure you of god’s love.

—Study by Dr. Haddon Robinson, with JoHannah Reardon



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Camp on God’s GoodnessP a r t i c i p a n t ’ s G u i d e

Camp on God’s Goodness

S atan comes in disguise and attacks G o d’s charac ter so that we doubt G o d’s Word and his go o dness.

Scr ipture : G enesis 3 :1–6

Based On: The sermon “D on’t D oubt G od’s G oodness, ” by Haddon Robinson, PreachingToday.com

You’re a Christian; temptation dogs your path

and trips you at every turn. The questions you

must face are, “How does the Tempter do his

work? How does he come to us? How does he

destroy us?” Scripture is full of stories about sin

and its destructive power, but we find victory as

we camp on God’s goodness.



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Camp on God’s GoodnessP a r t i c i p a n t ’ s G u i d e

Part 1 Identify the IssueHaddonRobinsonsharesthisstory:

Genesis,chapter3,isacasestudyintemptation.Asacasestudy,whatyouwanttodoistogetridoftheindependentvariablestostudythethingitself.AndcertainlyasEveisapproachedbytheTempter,therearemanythingsthatwerenottrueofherthatmightbetrueofus.Forexample,shehasnopoisonedbloodinherveins.Shedoesnothaveaheritageonwhichshecanblamehersin.Evecomes,asAdamdid,fromthedirectcreationofGod,andwhenGodcreatedAdamandEve,Goddeclaredthatthecreationwasverygood.Whatismore,EveandAdamlivedinaperfectenvironment.Theystoodinthemorningofcreation.Nosinfulheritage,nosinfulenvironment.Wehaveacasestudyintemptation.

AswewatchthewaytheTemptercametoEve,werecognizethatwhilethisstorycomestousoutoftheancientpast,it’sasrealasthetemptationyoumaybefacing.Thescenehaschanged,butthemethodologyhasnot.

Part 2 Discover the Eternal PrinciplesTeaching Point One: We must recognize how Satan tempts us.

Teaching Point Two: We must know our Bibles to combat Satan.

Teaching Point Three: We must take sin seriously to combat Satan.

Teaching Point four: We must be confident in god’s love and goodness to combat Satan.

Part 3 Apply Your Findingsaction Point: Christianity is not mere morality. It’s not a matter of toeing the line and keeping the rules. Christianity is a relationship with a god who loves you so much that he gave you his Son and gave you every good and perfect gift. This week, write down all the things that usually cause you to doubt god’s love for you. Then find a corresponding verse to write next to each thing, to assure you of god’s love.

—Study by Dr. Haddon Robinson, with JoHannah Reardon




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Scr ipture : 2 Chronic les 20:1–30; Psalm 44:4–8; 2 Cor inthians 10:3–5

Based On: The sermon “ Worship & Spir i tual War fare, ” by Coy Wyl ie, PreachingToday.com

A longtime missionary worker from Africa

related, “In the midst of all the demonic

activity and all the pressures on my life,

I have one little way to function: I sing the

doxology and dismiss the Devil.” Paul and

Silas won the victory by singing in the depth

of the Philippian prison and were freed by an

earthquake. Jonah worshiped God in the belly of

the great fish and was spewed up onto the shore. Worship brings victory!

We learn from examples in the Old Testament, principles in the New

Testament, and contemporary applications that worship and spiritual

warfare go hand in hand.

Wo r s h i p a i d s u s i n s p i r i t u a l w a r f a r e .

Win with Worship


Win with WorshipL e a d e r ’ s G u i d e



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Part 1 Identify the IssueN o t e t o l e a d e r : Pr ov i d e e a c h p e r s o n w i t h t h e Pa r t i c i p a n t ’s G u i d e, i n c l u d e d a t t h e e n d o f t h i s s t u d y.

ItwassevenonaFridayeveninginSanFrancisco.JerryBrandt,headofActionEvangelism,hadscheduledanoutdoorpraise-and-prayerserviceinUnionSquare.Itwastotakeplaceateightandkickoffadriveforthecity’shomeless.Jerryhadfilledoutthepaperworkandreceivedapermitfortheuseofthepark.Asheandahandfulofvolunteersweresettingupfortheevent,alargecrowdofangrypeoplegathered.Onemanshouted,“Who’sinchargehere?”

Brandtreplied,“JesusChristisincharge.”Thecrowdignoredhim.Theydidn’tcareaboutpermissionorpermits.

Themansaid,“We’vegotathousandpeopleontheirwayhere,andassoonastheyarrive,we’retakingthisplaceover.”

Brandtbegantosilentlyprayforwisdom.HefelttheLordsayingthroughhim,“You’retoolate.Jesushasalreadytakenthissquare,andwe’regoingtolifthisnametonightinthisplace.”Hegatheredhisvolunteerstogetherandprayedthattherestoftheirpeoplewouldshowupsoon.OneofthecrewreadDeuteronomy28:7:“TheLORDwillgrantthattheenemieswhoriseupagainstyouwillbedefeatedbeforeyou.Theywillcomeatyoufromonedirectionbutfleefromyouinseven.”ThentheybegantosingpraisechorusestoGod.

Astheirworshipbegan,somethingdramatichappened.Themilitantmarchersstoppedintheirtracks.Theyturnedandranawayfromthesquareasfastastheycould.TheworshipofGodhadaprofoundeffect.“Lookingback,”Brandtrecalls,“werealizedGodhaddeliveredusandhadusedthepowerofpraisetodoit.Eversincethatnight,inourworkinministeringtopeopleonthestreets,wehavediscoveredthatpraiseandworshiparethekeystospiritualwarfare.”

MostChristiansthinkofworshipassomethingwedoaswecometogetheronSundaymorning.We’velearnedthatworshiphelpsusenduretrialsandempowersusforwitnessing.However,didyouknowthatworshipaidesusinspiritualwarfareaswell?TheworshipandpraiseofAlmightyGodgivesusvictoryovertheenemy.

IntheOldTestament,thepeopleofGodlearnedthatworshipandwarfarewenthandinhand.OverandoverwereadofsituationsinwhichthepeoplefailedtoworshipGodwiththeirwholehearts.Asaresulttheirenemiesdefeatedthem.However,whentheyrepentedandtrulyworshipedGod,healwaysgavethemvictory.Theycouldnotwinawarwithoutsincereworship.



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Someonesaid,“Satanisallergictopraise,sothatwhereverthereismassive,triumphantpraise,heisparalyzed,bound,andbanished.”


[Q] Whydoyouthinkworshipturnedbacktheangrydemonstratorsinourstory?

[Q] Haveyoueverhadasimilarexperiencewherepraiseturnedasituationaround?Ifso,tellusaboutit.

[Q] CanyouthinkofexamplesfromtheBiblewhereworshipandwarfarewenthandinhand?

Part 2 Discover the Eternal PrinciplesTeaching Point One: The Old Testament provides an example of worship and warfare.

Read2Chronicles20:1–30.

In2Chronicles17–19,wegetapanoramicbackdrop.JehoshaphatwasthefourthkingoftheSouthernKingdom,Judah.Hisnamemeans“Jehovahjudges.”HewasthesonofthegodlyKingAsa.Asadied,andJehoshaphatwasabout35yearsoldwhenheascendedtohisfather’sthrone.Hereigned25years(875–850B.C.).SecondChronicles22:9describeshimasaman“whosoughttheLORDwithallhisheart.”

SecondChronicles17tellsusabouthisearlyreign.Verse6says,“hisheartwasdevotedtothewaysoftheLORD.”Hewasmoreofapastorthanaking.Imaginehavingsuchapresident!HesentmenthroughoutJudahtoteachGod’sWord(vv.7–9).Asaresultofhisefforts,“thefearoftheLORDfell”(v.10),andhe“becamemoreandmorepowerful”(v.12).

Chapter18describesJehoshaphat’sdownfall.Verse1sayshe“alliedhimselfwithAhab.”AhabwasadespicablekingofIsraelwhowasmarriedtoJezebel.HewasanidolaterwhohatedtheonetrueGod.Jehoshaphatgoofedbymarryingthisman’sdaughter.Throughthisrelationship,Jehoshaphatwasledastray.AhabconvincedhimtousehisarmiestohelphimfighttheSyrians.Ahabdisguisedhimself,buttoldJehoshaphattowearhisroyalrobes(v.29).ThinkingJehoshaphatwasIsrael’sking,theyattackedhim,butGodsavedhim(vv.30–32).However,Ahabwaskilled(vv.33–34).WhenJehoshaphatreturnedtoJerusalem,Jehucameouttoquestionhim(19:2).HerepentedoftrustinginAhabandwentbacktoseekingtheLord(v.9).



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In2Chronicles20:1–4,wefindakingdominadesperatesituation.Afteraperiodofpeaceandspiritualrenewal,theMoabites,Ammonites,Syrians,andothersmountedamajorassaultonJerusalem(v.2).EnGediisabout35milessoutheastofJerusalem.

Verse3saysplainlythatJehoshaphatwasalarmed.Thereisnothingwrongwithbeingafraid.Heknewhecouldn’tdefeathisenemiesonhisown.However,hedidn’tseekanalliancewithman.HesoughttheLordandproclaimedafastthroughoutallJudah.PeoplecamefromallthecitiesofJudahtoseektheLord.

Whenyouareintrouble,thereisnothingbetterthangatheringbelieverstogethertoprayandworshipGod.Toomanytimes,seekingtheLordisourlastresort.Itshouldbeourfirstthought!

In2Chronicles20:5–13,weseeanationhumbledbeforeGod.Theseversesdescribeamightyworshipservice.Verse13saysmen,women,andchildrenallstoodbeforetheLord.ImaginesomethinglikethatontheMallinWashington,D.C.Imagineourpresidentleadingusinnationalprayer.

Infrontofthenation,KingJehoshaphatprayedandpraisedGodforwhoheis,whathehasdone,andwhatthekingknewhecoulddo.

[Q] Lookagainatverses5–9.Howdoestheking’spraisebecomeaspecificrequest?Whatisheprayingfor?

[Q] Lookagainatverses10–12.Whatisthekingexpressingattheendofverse12?

Notethedifferencebetweenthiscrisisandthefirstone.Earlier,JehoshaphathaddependedonevilAhab.Nowhe’slearnedhislesson.HedependsonnoonebutGod.

[Q] In2Chronicles20:14–19,weseeaprophetwithanencouragingmessage.Inthosedays,Godspoketohispeoplethroughthemouthsofhisprophets.Howdoeshespeaktoday?

Le a d e r ’s N o t e : H e s p e a k s t h r o u g h r e ve a l e d S c r i p t u r e, t h r o u g h t h e p e r s o n o f t h e H o l y S p i r i t , a n d t h r o u g h g o d l y co u n s e l o r s .

[Q] Onthatday,Godansweredthenation’sprayersbyspeakingthroughamannamedJahaziel.Lookagainatverse17.HowcanweapplythisversetothebattleswemustfightwithSatan?

[Q] Whatcanwelearnfromverse18abouthowweshouldbattleSatan?

[Q] In2Chronicles20:20–30,weseeaworshipservicethatwonthewar.Readverse21¬.WhydoyouthinkJehoshaphatdidthis?



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[Q] Notewhattheysang.Whyasongofpraisewhentheywerefacingabattle?

Teaching Point Two: The New Testament provides a principle of worship and warfare.

Read2Corinthians10:3–5.

Weareinvolvedinagreatspiritualwar(v.3).Allaroundusisatitanicstrugglebetweengoodandevil,betweenGodandSatan.Wearecaughtupinthiswar.Itisawaroftemptation,lust,anddomination.Itisspiritual,notphysical.Ephesians6:12says,“Forourstruggleisnotagainstfleshandblood,butagainsttherulers,againsttheauthorities,againstthepowersofthisdarkworldandagainstthespiritualforcesofevilintheheavenlyrealms.”

Thespiritualbattlecannotbewonwithphysicalweapons(v.4).Wecanfighthumanenemieswithtanks,planes,andsmartbombs.Wecan’tfighttheEvilOnelikethat.Paulsaystheweaponswefightwitharenotoftheworld.

Oneofthegreatestweaponsinourarsenalisworship.Ephesians6describesthe“armorofGod”andsomeoftheweaponsofspiritualwarfare.ButanothermightyweaponthatcausesSatantofleeistheworshipofAlmightyGod.

[Q] NameasmanyspiritualweaponsasyoucanthinkofthatarementionedinScripture.

[Q] Whatdoesitmeanto“demolishstrongholds”?

Le a d e r ’s N o t e : T h e Quest Study Bible s a y s, “ [ S t r o n g h o l d s w e r e ] t h e wa l l e d c i t i e s o f t h e G ra e co - R o m a n w o r l d. Pa u l ’s e n e m i e s w e r e u s i n g a r g u m e n t s, p r e t e n t i o n s a n d ra t i o n a l i z a t i o n s a s wa l l s a g a i n s t t h e C h r i s t i a n v i e w. C h r i s t i a n s a r e t o co u n t e r f a l s e t e a c h i n g — d e m o l i s h i n g s t r o n g h o l d s. ”

Teaching Point Three: Worship and warfare also have a contemporary application.

WorshipfocusesusontheLord.Whenwetrulyworship,wetake“captiveeverythoughttomakeitobedienttoChrist.”Wecan’tworshipandbetemptedtosin.Wecan’tworshipandlust.Wecan’tworshipandlie,hate,covet,gossip,cheat,andsoon.WorshiplaysoursoulsbaretoGod.

[Q] Whatdoesitmeantotake“captiveeverythoughttomakeitobedienttoChrist”?Howdowedothatinoureverydaylives?



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Worshipbringsaboutthevictory.Acoupleofstoriesdrivehometherelevanceofworshipinspiritualwarfare.First,theshock-rockerandself-proclaimedpriestoftheChurchofSatan,MarilynManson,wasscheduledforaconcertinCedarRapids,Iowa,onApril28.Thisbroughtaboutagreatuproarfromthecommunity,becausehismusicwaslinkedtotheshootingsatColumbineHighSchoolinColorado.Lawenforcementpreparedforanuglyscene.

Thenagroupofpastors,youthpastors,andotherbelieversgottogetherandorganizedprayer-and-praiseservicesbeforeandduringtheconcert.Throughthepowerofworship,theseChristiansdecidedtobless,notcurse,theconcertgoers.Theypassedoutoveronehundredpizzasandtwelvehundredsoftdrinksintheparkinglot.Theypaidforparkingformany.“ManyMansonfansshoweda‘Thisdoesnotcompute’lookastheyscratchedtheirheadsinbewilderment.”Theresults?Mansonbecamesooutraged,hedestroyedhisNazi/antichristsetandstormedoffthestageveryearlyintheshow,vowingnevertoreturn.AtleastthreepeoplecametofaithinChrist.Worshipisanincrediblypowerfulweaponinspiritualwarfare.

Secondstory:In1987,inasmallcommunityinSoutheastAlabama,therewasarashofteenagesuicidesthatnoonecouldexplain.ABaptistpastorbythenameofRickHagensunderstoodthatthishadtodowiththesatanicactivitythatwasgrowingintheircommunity.Somekidsinhisyouthgrouptoldhimaboutafriendoftheirswhowasinaclubandwantedtogetout.Hesaidthattheleadersoftheclubsaidtheywouldkillhimifheleft.

HesaidtohisChristianfriends,“IfIamfounddead,Iwantyoutoknowitwastheclubmemberswhokilledme.”Afewweekslater,hewasfounddeadinacar,withahosetotheexhaustpipetapedtohiswrist.Hisdeathwasruledasuicide,butPastorHagensandhisyoungpeopleknewbetter.TheydecidedtomotivateotherChristianstohelpinwhathebelievedwasspiritualwarfare.

Theylearnedfromthepolicethatthesesataniccultmemberswereactuallysinglingoutstudentsandpressuringthemtocommitsuicide.Iftheydidnot,theywerekilledandlefttoappearassuicidevictims.Everydayforaweek,theywenttotheareawherethesatanicritualstookplacetoprayandworshipGod.RickHagensdecideditwastimeforashowdown.TakinghiscuefromtheOldTestamentstoryofElijahfacingtheprophetsofBaalonMountCarmel,heannouncedonradioandtelevisionthatheandmanybelieversfromtheareawouldmeetthepeoplefromthedemoniccultinthegraveyard,atmidnightonHalloweennight.

Hagenssaid,“I’vealwaysfoughtthedevilwithprayerandpreaching,butasIprayedabouthowtodothis,Godseemedtobetellingmethatprayerandpreachingwerenottobethefocusthatnight,butthatweweretopraisehimandworshiphim.Wehada12-footcrossthatwehadmade,andeachpersonhadabagoftractstopassout.ItseemedasiftheLordsaid,‘Putthecrossup,putlightsonitsothatitcanbeseen,anddonothingelsebutworshipme.’”



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That’sexactlywhattheydid.Itwassodarktheycouldn’tseetoreadwordsfromapage,andtheydidn’tknowmanyworshipchorusesbackthen,sotheyjustsangoldhymnslike“JustasIAm”and“TheOldRuggedCross”frommemory.Astheyenteredthegraveyard,theyfoundacowthathadbeenmutilated.Sureenough,aroundmidnighttheenemycame.Theyweredressedasghoulsandvampires,withhoodsandcloaks.

“Wedidn’tpraywarfare-typeprayers,”saidHagens.“Wedidn’tbreakcursesortalkaboutstrongholds.AllwedidwaspraiseandworshiptheLord.Aswedid,God’sSpiritseemedtocaptivatethecrowd.Theystoppedjeering.Theystoppedtaunting.Theysattheretransfixed,listeningforhoursaswesangpraises.”At4:00a.m.,theyleft.Notonesinglethreatwasmadeagainstthem.Accordingtoofficialreports,fromthatnighton,therewerenomoreteenagesuicides.

[Q] Haveyouheardanystoriesabout,orexperienced,avictoryoverSatanthatwaswonwithworship?Ifso,tellusaboutit.

ReadPsalm44:4–8.

Optional activity:

Purpose: To demonstrate our being “in Christ” in our battle against sin and Satan.

activity: You will need a small fish tank partially filled with water (any clear receptacle will work); three nails; and a block of wood (a piece of 2 x 4 about 6 inches long). Prior to the demonstration, saw the block of wood in half lengthwise. Then attach the halves together with rubber bands.

Using three volunteers, have each one drop a nail in the water. Point out that the properties of the nail cause it to sink every time, no matter who drops it. The nails represent our own efforts to battle Satan.

Then place the block of wood in the water, demonstrating that its properties cause it to float. Point out that Jesus Christ “knew no sin,” and therefore can do what we could never do. Then remove the bands from the block of wood, place a nail between the halves, and re-band and put the block back in the water. This gives a visual demonstration of the believer’s need to battle Satan in Christ’s power rather than their own.



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Part 3 Apply Your FindingsDuringamedicalmissioninMombasa,Kenya,thousandsofpeoplecamefromalloverthecountry,bringingthesickanddying.TheycameformedicalhelpandtohearthemissionarytellthemaboutGod’slove.Halfanhourbeforetheservicesweretobegin,themissionariesplayedaworshiptapecalled“AllHailKingJesus”overtheloudspeakerssetupoutside.Eventhoughmostofthepeopledidn’tunderstandthewords,theyknewGodwaspresentinthatmusic.

OnesongonthetapeseemedtobeespeciallyusedofGod:“WeAreStandingonHolyGround.”Oneofthemenwhowroteabouttheevangelisticcrusadesthattookplacetheresaidthateverynightasthatsongwasplayed,everyonecouldliterallyhearthedemonscryoutaspraisewaslifteduptoGod.Wecan’tcomprehendthedemonicpowerthatispresentonthemissionfield.However,theworshipofGod’speoplesentSatan’sminionsrunning.

action Point: Take your cue from Jehoshaphat: When attacked, worship. This week when you are struggling with temptation and sin, get on your knees. Plug in a worship tape. Sing. Pray. Read the Psalms. memorize 1 John 4:4: “you, dear children, are from god and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”




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Win with WorshipP a r t i c i p a n t ’ s G u i d e

Scr ipture : 2 Chronic les 20:1–30; Psalm 44:4–8; 2 Cor inthians 10:3–5

Based On: The sermon “ Worship & Spir i tual War fare, ” by Coy Wyl ie, PreachingToday.com

A longtime missionary worker from Africa

related, “In the midst of all the demonic

activity and all the pressures on my life,

I have one little way to function: I sing the

doxology and dismiss the Devil.” Paul and

Silas won the victory by singing in the depth

of the Philippian prison and were freed by an

earthquake. Jonah worshiped God in the belly of

the great fish and was spewed up onto the shore. Worship brings victory!

We learn from examples in the Old Testament, principles in the New

Testament, and contemporary applications that worship and spiritual

warfare go hand in hand.

Wo r s h i p a i d s u s i n s p i r i t u a l w a r f a r e .

Win with Worship



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Win with WorshipP a r t i c i p a n t ’ s G u i d e

Part 1 Identify the IssueMostChristiansthinkofworshipassomethingwedoaswecometogetheronSundaymorning.We’velearnedthatworshiphelpsusenduretrialsandempowersusforwitnessing.However,didyouknowthatworshipaidesusinspiritualwarfareaswell?TheworshipandpraiseofAlmightyGodgivesusvictoryovertheenemy.

IntheOldTestament,thepeopleofGodlearnedthatworshipandwarfarewenthandinhand.OverandoverwereadofsituationsinwhichthepeoplefailedtoworshipGodwiththeirwholehearts.Asaresulttheirenemiesdefeatedthem.However,whentheyrepentedandtrulyworshipedGod,healwaysgavethemvictory.Theycouldnotwinawarwithoutsincereworship.

Someonesaid,“Satanisallergictopraise,sothatwhereverthereismassive,triumphantpraise,heisparalyzed,bound,andbanished.”

Part 2 Discover the Eternal PrinciplesTeaching Point One: The Old Testament provides an example of worship and warfare.

Teaching Point Two: The New Testament provides a principle of worship and warfare.

Teaching Point Three: Worship and warfare also have a contemporary application.

Part 3 Apply Your Findingsaction Point: Take your cue from Jehoshaphat: When attacked, worship. This week when you are struggling with temptation and sin, get on your knees. Plug in a worship tape. Sing. Pray. Read the Psalms. memorize 1 John 4:4: “you, dear children, are from god and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”



Spiritual Warfare - Greater Friendship

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