The Battle for Man's Spirit

The Battle is On

I wish that I had spent more time recording my experiences during the war. Things tend to blur with time. Fortunately, I did try to capture some moments the occasion when I learned that we were going to war. President Bush was scheduled to speak at 2000 hours. Most of our battalion had gathered into a rec hall to watch the announcement on television. I wrote:

President Bush soon stepped into place. The Rec Center went quiet. As he began to speak the large television could be heard then echoed by the smaller television now to my left. No one moved to change the station and the echo created a cavernous feeling that seemed to make the moment of more importance. Here we were soldiers but without a war up to this point. Perhaps this would give us purpose? Was this really a just purpose? No one knew. Soon into the speech it was made clear that Saddam Hussein had 48 hours to get out of the country. After that the United States would begin, at some point, to remove him from power if necessary. No one cheered or booed. Soldiers. “Ours is not to question why. Ours is but to do and die.” Not quite accurate. The previous weeks and following weeks all had been and would be filled with discussion over the moral irregularities or imperatives of the action. It just depended on which camp you were in. Some changed camps regularly, while others remained steadfastly to their cause no matter what.

The President continued to argue the case. The action, he deduced, was necessary to protect our nation from another 9-11 incident and was justified within the United Nations itself. He claimed to desire a better life for the Iraqi citizen, free from rape, poverty, and inhumane treatment. He spoke solemnly and with the authority of a man backed by the might of a nation with a military presence unlike anything seen before. Saddam Hussein’s greatest weapon was likely to be his use of chemical agents. It would be the equivalent of a Hail Mary pass with one second left to go. The best use would be before the United States were to attack. Probably by now the entire land force in theatre would have already moved to MOPP level 2. President Bush pleaded with the Iraqi military and civilians to assist the United States in order to lessen the casualties of the war. His speech was short and to the point. As he concluded his remarks only a few claps were given, and a few utterances of “It’s about time” were whispered. But most turned quietly away and moved back toward their barracks rooms, surrounded by cinder block walls, boxy wall lockers, and bunk beds that sagged in the middle. We wondered how soon we would be validated, and how soon the ‘circus’ buses would show up to transport us to McGuire AFB and we too would be a part of the war.

The Dogs of War had been loosed. Ft. Dix quietly went on about its business. The barracks continued to debate politics, but now Commanders told their troops to call home to assure loved ones that all would be okay. At some level each soldier now had to deal with the question of what would happen next.

That was my impression of the introduction to the reality of war. Only 10-15% of the military ever sees combat. In spiritual warfare it is different, 100% of Christians will deal with spiritual warfare.

We Are Warriors!

Over the past 2 weeks we have talked about angels and demons. We have learned that there is a real devil with real demons that want to torment mankind. There is a battle for the human spirit. Paul challenged us to be spiritual warriors.

Ephesians 6:10–12 NIV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For 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.

1 Timothy 4:1 NIV

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

In the arena of warfighting every warrior has to acknowledge the ROE’s or rules of engagement. That is what, in essence, this message is about today. How are we affected by spiritual warfare and how does the enemy engage with us?

The Battle for the Human Spirit

This study has made me make an adjustment to the way I’ve understood the design of man. We would all agree that man is made of body, soul, and spirit. But I have understood the spiritual component to become alive at salvation.

After studying this subject this week it makes more sense to me that we were always body, soul, and spirit but that the spirit was corrupted because of sin (unregenerated). So, until salvation we can say that our spirits were dead (or corrupted) in our trespasses. At salvation our spirits are made alive (uncorrupted or regenerated). Both heaven and hell are interested in our spirit. The devil wants our death and the Lord wants to give us life.

Dr. Royer explains the human spirit from his book Out of Darkness Into His Wonderful Light. “God has created the human spirit after his own image. Therefore, each human spirit has a unique personality, unique creativity, and freedom of choice. We have human giftings with which we live our lives, but also our spirits can be influenced either by God’s spirits or demonic spirits.”[1] The spirit is the target of both the devil and God.

7 Major Sources of Oppression

As the conflict in Iraq progressed, we saw the tactics of the enemy evolve. The 1st threat was the Iraqi army and their ability to launch scuds. These traveled over our location toward Kuwait City but could have fallen short on our location. Our greatest concern was chemical. Once those were destroyed there was the regular army, then pockets of resistance. Then it became individual actors, VEID’s, EID’s, and more. The environment kept changing.

That was in the natural for a specific time in history. The attacks of the devil can come from 7 different fronts.

#1 - Entering Demonic Activity

This is generally self-inflicted or out of pure ignorance. It happens when we make a choice “to give heed to demonic voices, to go to a fortune teller or to attend a spiritist demonstration. Sometimes people will willfully enter demonic activity for thrill-seeking or future-seeking.

When Cindy and I lived in south Louisiana we saw many demonic activities. Voodoo dolls were used to curse the church. Palm readings and Tarot cards were offered to tell your future. These are all invitations for demonic activity. Rather than provide a list of don’ts, I encourage you to..

1 Corinthians 12:7–10 NIV

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

We need to develop and exercise the gifts of the Spirit to avoid entering demonic activity.

#2 - A Wounded Spirit

In this case I am talking about the effects of dealing with other men and women just like ourselves. It is often the case that some of our deepest wounds will be received by other people. It could be unintentional or done on purpose, but it is important that we are healed from this type of wound.

#3 – (You) Giving the Enemy a Foothold

The strange thing with this one is that it is completely self-inflicted.

Much of the oppression we face in life is a result of the wrong choices we make. -Dr. Royer[2]

“Some people over-spiritualize and blame everything on good or bad spirits instead of recognizing that what is happening is simply a result of what the person “set up” for the law of sowing and reaping. For example, a person may choose to be rude and unkind to people in general, and then tell the pastor, ‘The devil just puts it in everyone’s heart to not like me!’”[3]

[My Trailblazer breakdown].

The Bible is filled with wisdom about relationships, marriages, finances, work habits, health, and so much more!

#4 - Direct Attack of the Enemy

A direct attack from the enemy is when evil forces initiate an attack against a believer. These attacks are meant to deter the believer from fulfilling the will of God.

1 Peter 4:12 NIV

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

Dave Roever often tells the groups that he speaks to that they can expect an attack from the enemy after the powerful spiritual experience that they just had. The devil wants to destroy what God wants to do in our lives!

#5 - Nature’s Laws of Science

We live in a physical world that is waiting for its redemption from the curse of sin. Bad things will happen to good people.

Matthew 5:45 NIV

that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

We experience sickness, accidents, hurricanes, earthquakes, on and on. Being a victim of any of these circumstances can oppress a believer.

#6 - Permission from God

Of course, the story of Job is the most common understanding of this, but it still is very confusing. Let’s use an illustration to understand.

The only way to ship fresh North Atlantic cod from Boston to San Francisco during the nineteenth century was to sail around the South American continent. That trip took months, so, as you can imagine, the first attempts to dress the cod in Boston and pack it in ice failed miserably. The fish was inedible when it got to California.

In the next attempt, the cod were placed in holding tanks full of water, shipped to California alive, and dressed there. The results were also less than satisfactory. The fish didn’t get much exercise during the trip, so they were pasty and relatively tasteless.

Finally, someone suggested, “Why don’t we put some catfish in with the cod?” That wasn’t such a wild idea, since catfish are the natural enemy of cod.

Sure enough, when a few catfish were placed in the tanks with them, the cod kept swimming to stay out of eating range. When they reached San Francisco, they were in perfect shape.[4]

A great example of God using difficulties is the story that we recently studied in our community groups about Joseph. Rejected by his family, sold into slavery, falsely accused, forgotten…all of this God used for the deliverance of the descendants of Abraham. Regardless of the source, the solution is God.

#7 - Spirit of Infirmity

The Bible does not teach that all sickness is attributed to demonic activity. Jesus healed many times without any reference to any type of spirit. However, there are some rare occasions.

Luke 13:10–13 NIV

On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

We should not immediately jump to the conclusion that because people are sick there is a spirit of infirmity on the person. As I’ve said, it is far more likely to be the result of nature’s law and the problem of original sin, but there is a possibility. When considering this passage, Bruce Barton commented:

Jesus attributed the woman’s illness to Satan and bondage by him. In this fallen world, disease and disability are common. Their causes are many and often multiple—inadequate nutrition, contact with a source of infection, lowered defenses, and even direct attack by Satan. Whatever the immediate cause of an illness, its original source is Satan, the author of all the evil in the world. The good news is that Jesus is more powerful than any devil or any disease. He often brings physical healing in this life; and when he returns, he will put an end to all disease and disability.[5]

As always, we must use discernment, mercy, and grace. The important thing is that the person be healed and recovered. It was a shame that the Pharisees were furious about Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath. They ignored the need and the miraculous healing available through Christ.

Gear Up!

You can probably remember a time when you were oppressed by each one in the list we’ve discussed. Remember that we are equipped to be conquerors through the work of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

In December 2004, a single question from a young soldier touched off a media firestorm. U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld had come to deliver a pep talk to the troops at Camp Buehring in Kuwait. But the usually unflappable secretary found himself blindsided by a bold query. As news cameras rolled, Army Specialist Thomas Wilson of the 278th Regimental Combat Team asked Rumsfeld, “Why do we soldiers have to dig through local landfills for pieces of scrap metal and compromised ballistic glass to up-armor our vehicles?”

Specialist Wilson clearly felt he was being sent into battle without proper protection. As Christians, however, we shouldn’t have that fear. Our Supreme Commander generously equips us with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.

But it’s up to us to put them on and put them to use.[6]

About a year ago we took a look at the provisions that Christians have been given to not just fight, but to win in spiritual warfare.

Ephesians 6:10–18 NIV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For 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. 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 Lord’s people.

Regardless of which of the 7 categories of oppression that you are experiencing in your life, God is with you. You are able to be a conqueror! [Pray for those struggling with oppression].

[1] Royer, Gary Dr. Out of Darkness Into His Wonderful Light. Amazon Publishing. 2020. [2]Ibid. 81. [3]Ibid. 81 [4]Craig Brian Larson and Phyllis Ten Elshof, 1001 Illustrations That Connect (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2008), 159–160. [5]Bruce B. Barton et al., Luke, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1997), 343. [6]Craig Brian Larson and Phyllis Ten Elshof, 1001 Illustrations That Connect (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2008), 17.