fight on

SPIRITUAL WARFARE Demon possession, the exorcist heads spinning around pea soup vomit projectiles. This is all that some people think of when they hear of spiritual warfare. While others deny the existence of Satan and his minions attacks on us all together. Listen to what Wikipedia has to say about Spiritual Warfare. “Spiritual Warfare is the concept that demons or fallen spirits attempt to thwart goodness and the will of God. Some believe this “warfare” to be manifested in multiple ways, including by demonic possession, demonic harassment, by attacks on a person’s thoughts, relationships, or life with God. Some Evangelicals believe that when someone is attacked by demons or fallen spirits, the targeted person can combat the attack by prayer, fasting, consulting with spiritual advisers, and perhaps also by a process known as casting out of demons.” Think how many times you have thought something and then said “Whoa where did that come from.” Or have been talking with a spouse, child, or an old friend and they say something that makes you go what planet or you from and what did you do with the real person. We has Christians have discernment through the Holy Spirit to know what is of God and what is not! Throughout the Bible, you will find examples of God’s weaponry in action. For instance, King Jehoshaphat sent out praise sings in front of his soldiers to cause disarray among the enemy: Joshua used singing and trumpets to bring down the great city of Jericho: and hat better example of using faith in battle than David fighting Goliath with a slingshot. Of course, the lesson in all these examples (as in spiritual warfare today) is that it is only God ho allows us to claim victory over evil. We all have heard when it comes to getting rid of bad habits to avoid places things and people that make us to those habits. Well the same cannot be done when we are in a spiritual battle or we would never leave our houses. This only leads us into bondage which some of us know too well! So what do we do when we are shown or are in a spiritual attack? The word shows us many examples have in Ephesians 6:10-18. Now one strong point that many of us miss in this scripture is that God gives us the full armor, but does not turn us lose to get battered and torn under the attacks. He also gives us the mightiest weapon the Sword of Truth which is the Word! The Lord does tell us to stand firm against the attacks of the enemy but look in verse 16(niv) “In addition to all this take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. If you look extinguish up in Random House Collegiate dictionary you can fully understand the awesomeness of this verse. Which is “to bring to an end, or annihilate?” (Annihilate- bring to utter ruin or non-existence). So now read this verse again the Lord is telling us that with the shield of faith the flaming arrows do not just cease to exist but it is like they never existed at all. Now think back when you first thought about accepting Jesus has your Lord and Savior. Didn’t the enemy visit, torment, and attack you like there was no tomorrow. Well to him there wasn’t. He never wanted you saved. Now think about now some of you may think the attacks stopped or are less frequent. Quite the opposite, the enemy just is more precise and strategic now. He uses all he can, remember he is the ruler of this world and has many tools to use. Now that you are the Lords we are all like Job to him. He will use ourselves, our families, our friends, or work, or needs, or desires and the list goes on. Also remember the grace of God is sufficient! We also have many tools that sometimes we forget to use or have a hard time relying on someone other than ourselves. That someone being the Lion of Judah. Remember those tools I just mentioned well here are a few Angels, the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, fellowship, prayer, fasting, the blood of Jesus. Just to name a few. We were all made in his image. Therefore we are all called to be like him. When we think of Jesus often we picture someone compassionate like Mother Teresa. That is true but there is so much more another side. Remember the Lord was tempted in the desert by Satan instead of using kindness; Jesus himself used the sword of truth against every attack. Also picture Jesus like a madman running through the temple and turning over tables and throwing the charlatans out. Now truly embrace this same compassionate warrior that Jesus is also is in us. Mark 16:15-18 Spiritual warfare is a reality of the Christian life, sometimes when we are going through a battle it is hard to remember, but we know the ending-our side wins. Since the Devil has already lost, he has nothing to lose in trying to take as many people with him in defeat. Therefore: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”(Ephesians 6:10-11) When we look closer into these attacks we can come to realize that sin comes from a dual source. It has a human source, wrong choices. But it also has a supernatural source, Satan’s temptations. He plants seeds of evil thoughts and imaginations into human minds and hearts, intensifying the evil already there. (2 cor. 11:2-4) Now this was just a sort of introduction in weeks to come we will look more closely into spiritual warfare through scripture, The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare by Dr. Ed Murphy, fellowship, and by enlightenment through the Holy Spirit. Some of the sub-topics we will cover will be: The Origin and Scope of Spiritual Warfare, A survey of Biblical teaching old and New Testament, and practical considerations. Now some of us have special verses that help us through battles, I would like for us to write them down and next we will share them with each other. Share other verses from sheet. Spiritual Warfare verses: Romans 8:26-39 Ephesians 6:12 Colossians 2:13-15 Hebrews 2:10-14 2 corinthians 4:13-18 James 4:7-12 Ephesians 4:25-32 Revelation 12:10-12 Luke 10:17-20 Galatians 1:3-5 Colossians 1:13-14 Matthew 12:43-45 1 John 3:7-10