Spiritual Awakening Brings Spiritual Warfare

Opening Thoughts

There is nothing like being a part of a spiritual movement; when you realize you are a part of something bigger than yourself. God is at work all around you. The power of the gospel is transforming family and Friends. There is clarity and unity around the vision God has for you. But with every spiritual awakening, there will be spiritual warfare.

The Scripture contains many proofs of the raging battle between good and evil. If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time, I am sure you have experienced spiritual warfare in your own life.

Illustration: Lady in Borger said she would never start discipleship again.

Think about the ministry of the disciples. As the movement of Jesus was taking shape and momentum, there was a devil in the midst. Someone in their group of twelve would betray the Messiah and sell out the group. The Master died, was buried, and rose again according to the scriptures, but that doesn’t remove the sting of Spiritual betrayal.

Acts 1:12–14 ESV

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

The twelve were now eleven. There had been backstabbing, payoffs, death, and suicide. Amid all the Spiritual blessings, they had to deal with the dark cloud of spiritual betrayal.

How many people do you know that no longer go to church because of spiritual betrayal? Someone supposedly filled with the love of God became an enemy of the cause and hurt people in the process. The story is all too familiar.

The Spirit of Betrayal

Acts 1:15–17 ESV

15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.”

I define “Spiritual betrayal” as an act from a Christian contrary to Christ’s nature and cause.

Spiritual betrayal begins with devilish thinking.

James 3:13–16 ESV

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Spiritual betrayal is an abomination to God.

Proverbs 6:16–19 ESV

16 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, 19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Signs of Spiritual Betrayal:

Haughty eyes: Jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart

A lying tongue

Devaluing human life: emotionally, physically, or Spiritually

Devious plotting

Unrepentant

False witness

Sowing discord among the brethren

We must be self-aware and constantly be examining our hearts.

Who was Judas Iscariot?

Acts 1:18–19 ESV

18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

Judas was a devil.

John 6:70–71 ESV

70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.

John 13:27 ESV

27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”

Judas was Antichrist

The Seed of Satan

Judas was the literal fulfilment of Genesis 3:15

Genesis 3:15 ESV

15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

The Son of Destruction

Judas and Antichrist share the same title.

John 17:12 ESV

12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 ESV

3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

The Spirit of Antichrist (Apollyon)

1 John 2:18 ESV

18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.

Judas was taken to his own place.

Acts 1:24–26 (ESV)

24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

The bottomless pit has a king (Apollyon).

Revelation 9:11 ESV

11 They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon.

The many antichrists throughout the Bible.

Revelation 17:10 ESV

10 they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while.

Nimrod at the tower of Babil

Pharaoh of Egypt during the Exodus

Nebuchadnezzar

Sennacherib

Antiochus Epiphanes

Domitian

Gog

Fighting the Spirit of Betrayal

Anyone of us can get caught up in a spirit of betrayal. As Christians we have a war going on inside of us between the Spirit and the flesh (Our sin nature and our divine nature).

It’s getting harder and harder to discern good and evil in these last days before the return of Christ. This is no accident but a scheme of the Devil to deceive the nations.

The only way to combat the lies and protect the way of Christ is the truth of God’s Word.

Be Strong in the Lord

Ephesians 6:10–12 ESV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Learn to yield to the power of the Spirit.

Faith in the Lord reveals the strength of the Lord.

Stand Firm in the Lord

Ephesians 6:13–18 ESV

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Your ability to stand is determined by the Armor you put on.

Truth

Righteousness

A gospel of peace

Faith

Hope of salvation

The Sword (Word)

Prayer

Once you Stand in the Spirit you are ready for a movement of the Spirit.