Spiritual Warfare

Read

Luke 4:1-13

I want you to see something in Jesus’ Life one He had just been baptized he goes on a incredible journey in the wilderness for forty day he eats nothing during this time the texts say nothing about what he was doing but only that he ate nothing however from Jewish tradition and even that of later statements of Jesus we can conclude this was a time of deep meditation and prayer with the Father

Remember Jesus said some things only come out with prayer and fasting linking these two acts of devotion together so during this time he was in a deep time of meditation and prayer with his father

vs1

Notice something else interesting in this passage notice the purpose and whom led jesus it was

The Spirit of God who led Jesus and where did He lead him to be tempted by the devil

Sometimes i have seen people who get baptized then it seems right afterwards their life gets difficult. I had one young boy tell me a month or so after his baptism I thought my life would be easy now why does it seem that im having it harder now than before.

To answer that question

the first thing me must do is acknowledge that we are not greater than our master

John 15:20 NASB95

“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

and if he had to go through it the so must we for we are to be carved into his image and carving take time and sometime the cuts run deep but its through those cuts we grow the most,

2. God cannot tempt not cause you to sin but he does allow the devil to to test your faith

James 1:13–17 NASB95

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

the devil uses our own desires against us

Now God uses trials and storms and even the temptation to comform us to be like his son

Romans 8:28–29 NKJV

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

in 1 peter he explains

1 Peter 1:6–7 NASB95

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

or how about

James 1:2–12 NASB95

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away. Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Jesus Preserved under the greatest pressure he recognized it to be what it was Spiritual warfare look how he used scripture to attack his enemy

When you are in this world as a beliver you must put on the armor of god

Ephesians 6:10–17 NASB95

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

You are in a battle for your mind for your spirit for your soul

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 NKJV

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

the devil is fighting you not your sister not your husband not your wife. So what thoughts do i need to bring captive

Spiritual warefare is all around us the bible says to be casutios for you never know when you are entertaining angels

1 Peter 5:8 NASB95

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

These cosmic forces of good and evil are all around us influincing us our neighbors our families be carful to what you watch who and what conversations you entertail. be careful to what you allow in your home. Let only that which would please God in the Home and nothing that would repel the Holy Spirit of God.

Jesus talks about the seeds the seed that is thrown on the side the bird snatch it up and carry it away Jesus explains it as the evil one who comes and snatches it away there is a warfare happining even while the sermon is being given its a war for you for your soul for your eternity. The devil doesnt want you to get it he wants you not to pay attention he wants you to fall asleep or get mad Jesus said this is spiritual warefare

Its real can anyone testify with a raise of hands if you think you experenced either a angel or demon they are real and

We must be prepared one of the greatest tradgadiesin church is that we dont prepare the people for the spiriture battle they will go through we must have our armor on we must brong our thoughts into captivity with the word of God and by doing this alone can we be like Jesus and say Get behind me Satan

Let us pray