Spiritual Warfare
II Corinthians 10:3-6
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Two Battle-Fronts
There are two battle-fronts for every Christian.
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- Self-inflicted or self perpetuated problems.
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These problems are brought on by our own negligence or indifference (i.e.—not paying your bills; not taking care of your health; not doing proper maintenance on your auto or home.)
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- Satanic-inflicted or satanic-perpetuated problems and battles
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The devil will use anything or anyone he can to do spiritual battle with you. He will use people, such as family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, even strangers.
He will use things. Such as job, car, mechanical devices, weather, music, books, TV, etc.
Though Satan uses people and things, our enemy is not the specific people or the things being used. THE ENEMY IS THE DEVIL.
Let me say at this point, the devil is an already defeated foe! Calvary took care of him for us. But we do need to appropriate the works of Calvary in our daily lives. IF WE CAN EVER MASTER THE FLESH AND ITS DESIRES, THE CONQUEST OF THE DEVIL IS A SNAP! He is, and knows that he is, no match for the saint of God who has conquered their self-life and knows their God! Jesus said in Luke 10:19 "�?.Behold, I give you power (exousia/authority)…�?I>over ALL power (dunamis/miraculous ability) of the enemy…�?
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
WILES - METHODEIAS (Greek) Meaning methods, the various means, plans and schemes used by the devil.
WRESTLE - PALE (Greek) Meaning to strike, thrust, throw with violence and intensity. It refers to the warfare in general between the saints and evil spirits out to destroy us.
So, we see that our battle is not with flesh and blood (persons or things) but a spiritual battle with the enemy of our soul.
Four Terms to describe the Spirits we Battle
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Paul uses four descriptive words to make us understand exactly what and who we are fighting with. As you can see, there are four levels of spiritual warfare.
- PRINCIPALITIES - ARCHAS (Greek) Meaning Chief rulers or beings of the highest rank and order in the satanic kingdom. Every single nation in the world has a principality over it.
- POWERS - EXOUSIAS (Greek) Meaning those who derive their power from and who execute the will of the chief rulers (principalities) Supernatural influences in government.
- RULERS OF THE DARKNESS - KOSMOKRATOPAS (Greek Meaning the spirit-world rulers, or lords of the age. Such as lust, depression, fear, perversion, etc. that may plague a person personally. (Ephesians 2:2)
- SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS - PNEUMATIKA (Greek) Meaning the wicked spirits sent by Satan.
The devil is, according to Ephesians 2:2 "…the prince and power of the air�?. The enemy cannot set up a kingdom over an area unless man has first mapped it out and given it a name. (Once again we can clearly see by this, man’s dominion over the devil, IF he will exercise it.) For example, the Prince of Persia in Daniel 10:13, the Prince of Grecia in Daniel 10:20, and Paul’s beasts at Ephesus in I Corinthians 15:32.
In Revelation 2:12-13 "…Satan’s seat�?.where Satan dwelleth�?" Reveals to us that satanic influence and control ONLY resides where men have given him THEIR will and authority to exercise. Satan did not do away with the angelic order of authority, but kept it and uses it where men give him control. In this manner he has gained some measure of control of many world systems and governments. Remember this, the enemy’s domain is only territorial. HE IS NOT THE RULER AND CONTROLLER OF THE WORLD! The Bible says in Psalms 24:1 "�?The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof." Praise God forevermore!
Satan’s Limitations
Satan has many limitations. He is not as powerful as many proclaim him to be. He is not who many think he is.
He is not equal with God.
Remember, he was cast out of heaven for declaring himself equal with God. It was the original sin in heaven. Lucifer dared to exalt himself to be like God when he clearly was not. It is wrong today for Christians to speak of him as being equal with God.
He is a fallen angel.
He is subject to the limitations of an angel. He is counterpart to an angel, certainly not God.
He is not omnipotent (all powerful)
Only God has all power. Satan’s power is limited by what God allows him to do in the earth. He can do no more or no less.
I John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
He is not omniscient (all knowing).
Though he does not have the "all knowing" power of God, he does have more knowledge than mere humanity. He has been studying humanity’s habits for 6,000 years. He is more aware of the end of time than we are. He knows that his time is short.
He is not omnipresent (all places at once)
God fills the universe. Because Satan is a fallen angel he is limited to one place at a time. He can go from place to place as swiftly as an angel, but cannot be two places at once. This is where satanic command comes into play. He orders spirits to go to and fro doing his bidding.
He cannot know your thoughts or read your mind
You can pray in your mind (silently), or in the spirit (in tongues), and he cannot know what you are asking God or rebuking in your mind.
He doesn’t even know if the temptations he drops in your mind are working unless you manifest them outwardly or dwell on them. When you are tempted, start thinking good thoughts, pray, think of a worship chorus, etc. The evil thoughts will flee and Satan’s strategy is defeated.
We’re not Ignorant of his Devices
Satan is a liar and the father of all liars. All lies come from him. His biggest lie is that he has power over you, your life, your family, your job, etc. as a child of God. NOT SO! Not for a moment! As we understand his lies, we become more powerful in our fight against evil.
II Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
He cannot get an advantage over us if we know his tricks. How do we learn his tricks? Read in the scripture where he tried to trip up other men and women of God. He still uses the same tactics today.
The Weapons of our Warfare
II Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;
What weapons of warfare are at the disposal of the child of God?
At the sound of the name of Jesus the devil trembles. We have power attorney. We have been given the right to use His name because we are his children and have been baptized in His name.
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
- His Power and Authority in Us
Luke 10:19 "�?.Behold, I give you power(exousia/authority)………over ALL power (dunamis/miraculous ability) of the enemy…�?
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
The word power (Acts 1:8) comes from the Greek word DUNAMIS. From that Greek word we get the English word DYNAMITE.
Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Matthew 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Where there is much prayer, there is much power; where there is little prayer, there is little power; where there is no prayer, there is no power at all.
The devil can’t handle a child of God who prays and fasts. It has been said before far more eloquently than I could have, this: A man stands tallest when he stands on his knees in prayer.
Jude 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
Hebrews 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Revelation 20:1-3 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb�?.
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by�?the word of their testimony�?
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and the intents of the heart.
You are Part of a Powerful Church
II Corinthians 10:4-6 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Destruction of Strongholds
We stand against the philosophies of the day which are vying for a stronghold in society. This would include such things as Humanism, evolution, abortion, New Age, amoral value systems, etc.
We stand against the dogma and tradition of man made religion.
We stand against the thinking and attitudes of Godless people who intend to change the laws of our nation to anti-God laws and standards.
Casting Down Imaginations
We defy and intend to destroy, through prayer, all theory, reasoning, religion, mythology, metaphysics, sublime doctrines, or philosophy set forth to divide or defy the knowledge of God.
Bringing into Captivity
We take every thought prisoner and lead it into captivity to obey Christ.
Lascivious, vain and evil thoughts of all kinds, are brought down and made obedient to the law of God. Which includes all thinking which is contrary to virtue, purity and righteousness.
Having a Readiness
We stand at all times ready to purge anything opposing the Word of God.
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