Understanding Spiritual Warfare and Battling the Spiritual World
Spiritual warfare involves a continuous battle against the world, the flesh, and Satan in order to prevent non-Christians from embracing faith and to hinder the effectiveness of Christians. Strongholds, the three enemies (the World, Flesh, and Devil), and warfare with Satan are essential components of this spiritual conflict. Through spiritual awareness and reliance on God's strength, believers can combat and overcome these forces that seek to oppose God's purposes.
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SPIRITUAL WARFARE SPIRITUAL WARFARE An Awareness of the Spirit World & An Awareness of the Spirit World & How to Fight the Battle How to Fight the Battle
What Is Spiritual Warfare? Spiritual warfare is the ongoing conflict against the human race with its enemies the world, the flesh, and Satan for the purposes of... Keeping non-Christians from coming into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ Rendering Christians ineffective
What is a Stronghold? A spiritual stronghold is a deeply rooted thought pattern dominated by our three enemies: Worldly thinking Fleshly habits Satanic influences
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. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)
The Three Enemies The World The world is that invisible system of ideas, activities, and purposes that Satan rules in opposition to God and His rule. (John 17:14; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15) The Flesh The word flesh refers to the physical body. The term living in the flesh refers to living out of one's own resources instead of out of Christ's resources. (Romans 7:18; 13:14) The Devil (Satan) The devil is the supreme adversary of God and is leader of the spiritual forces of evil .A demon is an evil spirit, a fallen angel who chose to follow Satan, his commander-in-chief, and who continues to obey his commands. (Matthew 25:41)
Warfare with Satan Satanic attacks from without... oppression The soul and the body confusing the emotions weakening the will menacing the mind afflicting the physical body "So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head." (Job 2:7)
Warfare with Satan Satanic strongholds from within... obsession consuming thoughts phobias (excessive fears) compulsive actions addictions In your anger do not sin': Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. (Ephesians 4:26-27)
Warfare with Satan Satanic control... Possession (St. Luke 8:26-39) violent dreams/nightmares unnatural attachment to items of the occult speaking in unknown languages unrestrained outbursts of anger infirm bodies... twitching, uncontrollable itching violent reaction to the name of Jesus Christ and/or the things of God mental torment chronic fear convulsions voice changes state of trance psychic powers insensitivity to pain supernatural strength sudden personality changes
Stand against Satan Satan is NOT all-powerful BUT he is powerful. He cannot be greater than God, who created him. Jesus is the One who is victorious over Satan and the One who indwells the believer by His Holy Spirit. "The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1 John 4:4)
Stand against Satan Satan is NOT present everywhere. Satan is a fallen angel, and angels cannot be in all places at once. BUT he has a legion of fallen angels working for him in many places, Satan can travel only from one place to another at a given time. "The LORD said to Satan, 'Where have you come from?' Satan answered the LORD, 'From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.'" (Job 1:7)
Stand against Satan Satan is NOT all-knowing BUT he is cunning, crafty and clever. Does Satan have the power to know our thoughts? NO! The Bible says that only God has the power to know the hearts of all men. "Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor." (Ezekiel 28:17) ...You alone [God] know the hearts of all men." (1 Kings 8:39)
Stand against Satan Satan has been confined to boundaries. Satan cannot test a believer without God's permission. It is important to know that God allows Satan's activity in our lives only to strengthen and purify us. "The LORD said to Satan, 'Very well, then, everything he [Job] has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.'" (Job 1:12)
Stand against Satan Satan CANNOT tolerate resistance. Satan loves nothing more than to pull you into quarrels, divisions, doubts, despair; etc. You cannot win a battle with him in your own strength. You resist his attacks by standing in your position in Christ. "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)
Stand against Satan Satan hates the blood of Christ. When Christ's blood was shed at Calvary, Satan had no further opportunity to defeat Christ. Christ's blood signaled Satan's defeat. Therefore, as a Christian, since you are in Christ and Christ conquered Satan, you too are a conqueror. "They [believers] overcame him by the blood of the Lamb." (Revelation 12:11)
Stand against Satan Satan is defeated by positive testimonies. Satan rejoices in grumbling, complaints and criticisms but he is defeated by the testimonies of true Christians who give thanks for the blood of Christ that purchased their full forgiveness. "They [believers] overcame him by... the word of their testimony." (Revelation 12:11)
VICTORY PRAYER Thank You, Father, that I am Your child and that Christ, who is in me, is greater than Satan, who is in the world. I acknowledge that Satan is a defeated enemy. He was defeated when the blood of Christ was shed at Calvary. His blood paid for the guilt of my sins. I am a child of God, and Satan has no authority over me. I've been bought with a price. My body is not my own. It belongs to Christ. I refuse all thoughts that are not from God, and I resist Satan in the name and strength of Jesus Christ. As I stand in the full armor of God, I ask You to bind Satan and his demonic realm from any influence over me. Just as You put a hedge of protection around Job, I ask You to put a hedge of protection completely around me for my good and for Your glory. In the precious name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
