First of all let’s refresh our memories about what I mentioned in Parts 1 and 2 (in January).
1. Why has a Christian been called into spiritual warfare?
• To carry on the ministry of Jesus
• For individual refining
• To glorify Jesus (To honour Jesus)
• Spiritual warfare is not an option
2. Where does spiritual warfare take place?
God in His Word speaks of three areas where we as Christians fight our spiritual battles.
• The flesh
• The World
• Satan and demons
3. When can a Christian expect battles to take place?
• After conversion (e.g. after Jesus’ baptism – Matt 4, Mk 1, Lk 4
• When serving God• When physically tired
• When disappointments take place
• If personal boundaries are removed
• After some personal ministry achievements (successes)
• When ignorant
• Attack after ground reclaimed
• Resisting false beliefs
Jesus was ready for spiritual battles, unpleasant as they must have been. And He gave strong warnings to His followers that spiritual battles would be a part of following Him.
But in saying this, Jesus states very clearly we have some responsibility in order to stand. We must be alert / be watchful.
WATCHFUL / VIGILANT
• At the end of the age
Mark 13:32 – 37 three times Jesus says’ “Watch”. Note in particular verse 37
37What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' "
• At crucial ministry times
In the time of His own battle, in the Garden of Gethsemane Mark 14:32 – 42 three times Jesus says, Watch”
• When pride is evident
The warning Jesus gave His disciples when speaking to Peter Luke 22:31 the ‘you’ is in the plural.
31"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.
Experience speaks out
• Apostle Peter’s warning to believers
When Peter tells his readers about their enemy being like a roaring lion 1 Peter 5:8
1 Peter 5:8-9
8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
We now pick up on some practical points about spiritual warfare.
Watch for symptoms of disunity and confusion
Being in agreement in prayer – in the blessings of God (Matt 18:19 20 – in the context of restoring relationships)
The evil one will actively try to bring division into our relationships
- Marriages
- Families
- Work places
- Friendships
- Christian ministry
I think it would be reasonable to say that spiritual battles will take place anywhere in our lives and in at any relationships we are a part of.
We must be ready to make a stand, in fact to take a stand:
Ephesians 6:10-12 (New International Version)
The Armour of God
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
We have probably heard of the armour of God, which is listed in the verses following this call to stand firm.
This armour is important, but before referring to this let me talk about a few other highly important reasons as to why we can stand and face spiritual battles.
4. A Christian’s new birthright – their position in Jesus Christ
• We are God’s children.
Galatians 4:6-7 To show that you are His sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who cries out, ‘Father, my Father’. So then, you who are no longer a slave but a son.
• We have the presence of God.
Matthew 28:20b I am with you always, to the end of the age.
• We are a kingdom of priests.
Revelation 1:6 And He made us a kingdom of priests to serve his God and Father.
Revelation 5:10 You have made them a kingdom of priests to serve our God, and they shall rule on earth.
• We are a new creation in Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17 When anyone is joined to Christ he is a new being, the old has gone, the new has come.
• We have power and authority in the name of Jesus.
Luke 9:1-2 Jesus called the twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases.
• We have won the victory in the name of Jesus.
Colossians 2:14-15; John 16:33
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
5. What are the weapons of our warfare?
2 Corinthians 10:3 – 6
“Indeed we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards; for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. We are ready to punish every disobedience when your obedience is complete.”
• Divine power
The gift of the Holy Spirit – the baptism which Jesus promised His followers – so that they could be His witnesses (Acts 1:8; Ephesians 5:18)
The gifts of the Holy Spirit
• Word of testimony
Jesus used Scripture to defeat Satan in the wilderness temptations (Matt 4:1 – 11, Luke 4:1 – 13)
• Faith in God
Hebrews 11; Matthew 21:22fig tree – mountain – believing prayer (; Mark 11:24 (faith in God – throw mountain in sea); Philippians 4:13 (“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
• In the name of Jesus
Luke 10:17 (the return of the 72 – demons submitted because of the authority Jesus had given them); Ephesians 1:18 – 23 (the power at work in us is that power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead); Philippians 2:9 – 11 (at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow); Acts 16:18 (a spirit cast out of the girl in Philippi); Revelation 12:7 – 12 (the devil, or Satan, hurled down and defeated by the blood of the Lamb and the word of believers’ testimony)
• The whole armour of God
All the armour comes through knowing the Word of God.
Ephesians 6:13-18
13Therefore put on the full armour 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. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And 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.
• Recognise the tactics of the Evil one
- brings doubt
- Sows unbelief
These are often expressed through our mouths – Proverbs 18:21.
• Fasting
Luke 5:35. Jesus speaking about the time when the “bridegroom will be taken away” and then those who follow Him will fast.
Some manuscripts include fasting in the comment made by Jesus when He talks with His disciples following the healing of the by with an evil spirit (Mark 9:28).
To be a more submitted person to God
The bottom line is obedience to what God says – in His Word and as directed by Holy Spirit. (Note: the Holy Spirit will never ask anything of us that contradicts God’s written Word.)
Some indicators about whether one is responding rightly in battle or fighting / walking away from active duty:
• Is what I’m doing lining up with God’s character – honouring Him?
• Is what I’m doing strengthening the fruit of the Holy Spirit in my life – shaping my character to look more like that of Jesus?
• Am I building others up or knocking them down – pointing them to Jesus?
• Am I relying on God, or am I relying on my own abilities, unpowered by God’s Spirit?
Our Response
• What is your attitude to spiritual warfare?
• Alert and active?
• Passive or non-combative.
• Ready to take a fresh or new stand in the strength Jesus gives?
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