SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Understanding, Engaging, and Embracing in Spiritual War
There is a war about us—most assuredly a war—but it is not just out
there. There is a war within us!
ITS CALLED SPIRITUAL WAR
Understanding, Engaging, and Embracing Spiritual War
Ephesians 6:12 (CSB)
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness,
against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.
EVERY SINGLE HUMAN IS IN THIS WAR
1. UNDERSTANDING
HOW DID THIS WAR START?
When God created the rhythms of thought and the human psyche,
he made a few non-negotiables on which human thought should be
based.
The war OUT THERE started the moment Satan no longer
submitted to these truths. The war WITHIN began the moment
humankind considered the idea that these truths were not absolute.
SATAN ATTACKS US TO DEFEAT GOD
• The Word is questioned.
• God’s love and righteousness are undermined.
• Our authority is overly exaggerated.
• Our purpose is corrupted.
When humans base every thought and action on the absolute
truth of God’s character, this is called obedience.Satan needs us to be disobedient by diverting our attention from
the WORD OF GOD.
Spiritual death is denying the truth of God (Disobedience).
Genesis 2:17 (CSB)
…but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good
and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die.
John 10:10 (CSB)
A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so
that they may have life and have it in abundance.
GOD RESPONDS (THE WAR OUT THERE)
Genesis 3:15 (CSB)
I will put hostility between you and the woman and between your
offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will
strike his heel.
THIS IS THE WAR WE DON’T HAVE TO FIGHT. IT’S JESUS’S
WAR. WE WIN THE WAR WITHIN BY BELIEVING THAT JESUS
HAS WON THE WAR OUT THERE!
2. ENGAGE
WE FIGHT BY LIVING OUT HIS VICTORY!
If you want to receive the accolades of Jesus’ victory (more than
conquerors), then you have to win the battles of the mind. We must
return our thoughts to God’s character and Jesus’ victory.THE POSTURE OF A WARRIOR
1. NEVER OVERSTEP
John 6:38 (CSB)
For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but
the will of him who sent me.
2. DON’T GET CAUGHT IN MEDIOCRITY
God’s promises are our weapons, His Word is our defense,
and Who He Is is our armor.
Matthew 13:19 (CSB)
When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and doesn’t
understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what
was sown in his heart. This is the one sown along the path.
3. DEAMPLIFY DOUBT
Satan needs you to doubt Jesus’s victory.
Hebrews 11:1 (CSB)
Now, faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what
is not seen.
4. STOP THE BLAME, END THE SHAME
We know who we are, so we will know what to do…
1 Peter 5:8
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking
for someone to devour.
WE ENGAGE DAILY!
Romans 8:37
No, in all these things we are MORE than conquerors through
him who loved us.We are conquerors when we powerfully ENGAGE in the spiritual
war, but we are more than conquerors when we embrace our
supernatural impact!
3. EMBRACE
John 17:3 (CSB)
This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and
the one you have sent
— Jesus Christ.
Amid the war we embrace life..
Embracing all that God’s character establishes and that Jesus’
victories provide gives us life.
Ephesians 6:13-18 (CSB)
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil
comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have
done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth
buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in
place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from
the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of
faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil
one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which
is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all
kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always
keep on praying for all the saints.
WE DO NOT FIGHT FOR VICTORY
–
WE FIGHT FROM VICTORY
1 John 4:4 (CSB)
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.SUPERNATURAL VICTORY
Jesus won the war out there and then sent the Holy Spirit to
help us win the war within.
Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV)
We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces
perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
John 14:15-17 (CSB)
If you love me, you will keep my commands. And I will ask the
Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you
forever. He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive
him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know
him, because he remains with you and will be in you.
To step into supernatural victory, we must agree to be
guided in this war by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit will…
• Empower and embolden your Salvation (John 3:5-6)
• Direct you to walk in God’s will and all truth (John 16:13)
(Check your thoughts)
• Guide you to reflect God’s Character (Galatians 5:22-23)
• Encourage you to react to God’s Word boldly (Acts 4:31)
(Immediate Obedience)
• Counsel you to live a Holy life – free from blame, shame, and
condemnation (Romans 8:5-6)
0 Comments