Deliver Us From Evil - Spiritual Warfare

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Matthew 6:9–13 ESV

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

RAYMOND EDMAN was dying of typhus fever at the age of twenty-five in the jungles of Ecuador. His doctor— a specialist in tropical diseases-had advised Raymond's wife to start preparing for his funeral. Men were already making his coffin. Edith was busy dyeing her wedding dress black.

But that same day, three thousand miles north of Ecuador, in Attleboro, Massachusetts, Raymond's uncle Joe became deeply, inexplicably troubled. He knew nothing of his nephew's actual predicament but couldn't shake the sense that he was in some kind of grave danger.

Joe, who was attending a conference at the time, felt so stirred that he persuaded its two hundred delegates to join him in urgent intercession for Raymond to be "delivered from evil," even though none of them knew the nature of the evil they were fighting. The conference rose up and prayed so fervently that, years later, many of those present still recalled the intensity. Consumed with a sense of imminent danger, they fasted from lunch and continued interceding until the middle of the afternoon, at which point a great peace settled on them. The sense of danger subsided. Somehow, they knew that their prayers had been heard-that Raymond Edman, far away in Ecuador, had been delivered from evil

Meanwhile, Raymond had fallen unconscious and, in his comatose state, became aware of a loving presence slowly entering the room, rising from the ground to the level of his bed and eventually filling the building. "I experienced a sweet sense of the love of God in Christ, such as I had never known before in all the years of my life," he recalled. "It is sufficient to say that I have no fear of dying." He felt himself ascending with great joy, until a quiet voice told him to return. To the amazement of those preparing his funeral, Raymond Edman regained consciousness and was completely healed. In later life, he would become president of Wheaton College and a mentor to the great evangelist Billy Graham. "We will never know the full evaluation of his life and ministry until we stand at the judgment seat of Christ," said Billy, "but still I have to say that he was the most unforgettable Christian I ever met."

This story like so many others that we’ve discussed through out is evidence that there is a spiritual war going on in and for our world.

“Deliver us from evil” = all types of trouble from the enemy

It is needed more then ever to realize the in our modern times that we must acknowledge that we, as one of my favorite pastors puts it, “are spiritual beings living in an enchanted world”. Furthermore

There is a war going on in and for this world.

Satan who is the “Adversary” is bent on destroying God’s creation and people.

As we spoke of last week, we have a simple binary choice. We can pick the side of rebellion and destruction or we can pick the side of life.

John 10:10 ESV

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Two options. Destruction or life.

"There is no neutral ground in the universe," says C. S. Lewis. "Every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counterclaimed by Satan."

- C.S. Lewis

Further C.S. Lewis describes Jesus’ invitation to take part in this war:

Enemy-occupied territory-that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.

- C.S. Lewis

Nobody can stand on the sidelines. This isn’t a spectators sport. One of the most appealing and unique traits of the Gospel is that God doesn’t just save us then tell us to sit quietly in the corner and behave ourselves. But He calls us to join in with Him. We are called to join the fight to hold the powers of darkness at bay, to even push them back entirely.

And Jesus says the way that we do this, isn’t through military technology, or karate crane kicks, but through the most powerful privilege and force on earth. Fervently pray against all forms of evil in our world.

We must all practice violence and remember that he who prays is fighting against the devil and the flesh... Satan is opposed to the church... the best thing we can do, therefore, is to put our fists together and pray.

- Martin Luther

If we are to effectively fight this enemy we need to three things in order to do so well.

3 things to effectively fight the enemy with prayer:

1. Know you enemy.

1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Our world as it currently stands want’s to explain away “evil” in our world through every definition other than the true source.

LGBTQ = Born this way

Murder of the pre-born = Pro-choice or women rights / healthcare - Youtube reel

Our world seeks to explain away every form and evidence of evil in the world, so that they can justify and embrace it to suit their own wicked desires.

As Christians its undeniable that Jesus acknowledged the reality and activity of the enemy, his works, and effects.

Before Jesus began his ministry he went in to the wilderness to duke it out with Satan for 40 days.

Jesus regularly encountered Satans minions

Then Jesus proclaims to the disciples at the Last Supper that Satan asked to destroy them.

To believe in Jesus is to believe in what Jesus believed in, which was the forces of evil.

Stories of demonic activity

It is of the utmost importance to acknowledge the reality of spiritual activity in our world.

Daniel and Michael the archangel

Know your authority.

Many folks in Christians today don’t necessarily have a problem with acknowledging evil in the world, escpecially considering the evidence that world provides.

However, many people (Christians included) have an inaccurate understanding of Satan and his level of power and authority concerning believers.

Hollywood

Trick or Treat

1 Corinthians 8:4 ESV

4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.”

Many Christians don’t have a proper understanding of the authority that they have and how it is more authoritative than Satan.

Paul took the time to explain this the church in Ephesus when he said this:

Ephesians 1:20–21 (MSG)

20 ...God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, 21 in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever.

Then later in chapter 2 Paul says this

Ephesians 2:5–6 (ESV)

5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Once again this speaks to what we’ve studied in the past. Jesus’ work on the cross and victory secured in the resurrection has placed us in a position of power and authority.

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

“Christ has given you all of His power to accomplish all the plans He has for your life, and the only thing Satan can do is talk you out of it.”

- Heath Adamson

(If Time Allows) Already/Not Yet

3. Know how to fight.

Knowing proper techniques in a fight can be a game changer.

3 Question To Ask To Fight Evil With Prayer

Discernment

Diagnose - What is the enemies strategy against this person(s)?

Praying Biblical Promises

Prognosis - What might be God’s purpose for this person(s)?

Becoming the Answer to your prayers

Prescription - What can I do to help ( prayerfully and practically) to defeat Satans influence over this person(s)

It’s important to understand that as we are more prayerful on how we can help we will undoubtedly be more aware of opportunities to help in the situations that we are waging war in.

In a way it’s God using us to answer our own prayers.

Practices

Daily Prayer Rhythm

Morning - Pray for a good day

Midday - Intercede for the lost

Evening - Gratitude

Prayer Framework

Pause

Rejoice

Ask

Yield

Prayer Posture

Find a posture that works for you that intentionally sets your entire self. Body and mind pointed at God. These examples might help.

Running

Sitting in your living room chair with a cup of coffee

Rocking chair on the porch

Walking in the woods

Kneeling

Sitting

Standing

Whatever gets you to a place of your heart set on things above…Thats where your should be.

Tone

When you pray remove all the common Christian jargon, and truly approach the Father like His child. When you pray imagine the Father relaxed and eager to hear your requests.

Prayer Through Examination

Replay the events of the day. Where was God in the midst of those moments

Rejoice over every little gift no matter where you find it.

Repent and release every moment that didn’t bring you closer to the Father

Reboot and pray for more grace tomorrow!

3 Question To Ask To Fight Evil With Prayer

Diagnose - What is the enemies strategy against this person(s)?

Prognosis - What might be God’s purpose for this person(s)?

Prescription - What can I do to help ( prayerfully and practically) to defeat Satans influence over this person(s)

The Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10–20 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. 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, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

As you pray visualize putting on the full armor of God as you “put on” each piece as you gear up for the fight ahead of each day.