This mean WAR! SPIRITUAL WARFARE (2)
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WELCOME (title-slide)
As stated last week, following up after Angels and demons, for the last weeks of the semester we are studying SPIRITUAL WARFARE! (titled “This Means War.”)
The interns agreed that this would be a great study so blame them if you do not like the topic. But I assure you spiritual warfare applies to you as it does all of us.
Perry taught just before this about the spiritual beings angels and demon and satan. We studied some of what scripture says they do and what they have to do with us. One thing that we know is that they are very involved in spiritual warfare (as we are as well.)
WE NEED TO KNOW AND TAKE SERIOUSLY OUR ENEMY AND THE WAR WE ARE IN!
(trans: let’s quickly review what we established last week…) WE FOCUSED ON TWO MAIN THINGS: (1) The reality of spiritual warfare and the enemy we are fighting and (2) the need to study it and understand it.
Q: WHY DID WE SAY THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO STUDY SPIRITUAL WARFARE?
(1) Because we need to be watchful as tells us. We need to have an awareness of what is going on in our spiritual lives and hearts.
It is hard to aware of what the enemy is doing if we never think about it and are not watchful. It is easy to be outwitted if we live like we are not at war.
(2) So that we will not be outwitted by Satan. This is the main purpose of this class that we will be more aware and wise to how the enemy is trying to get us and how we can overcome through God’s truth and God’s Spirit.
so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
Q: Do you think the enemy knows your weakness? Yes!
Satan knew exactly how to approach Eve (with pride, desire, doubt) and Jesus and the enemy knows how to attack you.
Q: Do you know your weaknesses? Do you know what the enemy is doing right now in your life to get you to fall?
We need to know and believe and see through faith that God is working in our lives. We also need to see what the enemy is doing to work in our lives as well so that we can be wise to his schemes (which often match up to our desires and weaknesses.)
THAT IS THE MAIN REASON FOR THIS STUDY TO HELP US BE AWARE OF THE WARFARE WE ARE IN AND HOW TO SURVIVE.
Those of you who got up last week and wrote on the board “what the enemy is doing to get to you” gave examples of your your own weaknesses and your awareness.
WE NEED TO ALWAYS BE ASKING SOME VERSION OF THIS QUESTION TO HELP US BE WATCHFUL AND AWARE OF WHERE YOU MIGHT BE WEAK.
(3) SO WE CAN KNOW HOW TO USE “THE WEAPONS” GOD HAS GIVEN US. (As the talks about.)
We are going do a little practice tonight if we have time to understand what it means to destroy strongholds.
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
How many people know what the weapons are that we have that have divine power?
TR: let’s look at again so we can conceptualize this war going on behind the scenes of our world and our lives.
(3) SO WE CAN KNOW HOW TO USE “THE WEAPONS” GOD HAS GIVEN US. (As the talks about.)
We are going do a little practice tonight if we have time to understand what it means to destroy strongholds.
THE REALITY OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE
THE REALITY OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE
WE BELIEVE THAT SPIRITUAL WAR IS REAL. (Everyone agreed with this statement…)
Q: How do we know that satan and demons and spiritual warfare is real?
GOD’S WORD TELLS US WE HAVE AN ENEMY AND WE ARE AT WAR!
Scripture presupposes that we are in a real spiritual battle on a daily basis and that we need to be ready. Let’s look at two scriptures about Satan and two about spiritual war:
and testify to the reality of Satan and his work and the fact that we must be ready and watchful.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.”
and speak of the spiritual warfare we are in and the fact that we must be ready but also that we have the power through Christ to and God’s word to overcome.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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.
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
Q: BESIDES SCRIPTURE, WHAT OTHER EVIDENCE IS THERE THAT WE ARE AT WAR?
We stated that the evil that Jesus characterized Satan by; being a liar and murderer are pervasive in our world and culture.
This fits perfectly with what scripture says about our world. Read ;
We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
Lies: Many of the lies in our culture go directly against what God’s word tells us and are doing so much damage to our society.
Q: What are some of the lies or popular beliefs IN OUR CULTURE that go against DIRECTLY AGAINST God’s word?
Marriage is a bad idea, it will destroy your relationship. Follow “your truth” or “you do you.” You can’t judge anyone…everyone is ok....
There are so many other things, epidemic of pornography, abortion, human trafficking, among other things....
We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
1 John 5:19
So with the truth of the reality of spiritual warfare firmly established…still...
Q: WHY DID WE SAY THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO STUDY SPIRITUAL WARFARE?
(1) Because we need to be watchful as tells us. We need to have an awareness of what is going on in our spiritual lives and hearts.
It is hard to aware of what the enemy is doing if we never think about it and are not watchful. It is easy to be outwitted if we live like we are not at war.
(2) So that we will not be outwitted by Satan. This is the main purpose of this class that we will be more aware and wise to how the enemy is trying to get us and how we can overcome through God’s truth and God’s Spirit.
so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
Q: Do you think the enemy knows your weakness? Yes!
Satan knew exactly how to approach Eve (with pride, desire, doubt) and Jesus and the enemy knows how to attack you.
Q: Do you know your weaknesses? Do you know what the enemy is doing right now in your life to get you to fall?
We need to know and belief and see through faith that God is working in our lives. We also need to see what the enemy is doing to work in our lives as well so that we can be wise to his schemes (which often match up to our desires and weaknesses.)
THAT IS THE MAIN REASON FOR THIS STUDY TO HELP US BE AWARE OF THE WARFARE WE ARE IN AND HOW TO SURVIVE.
Those of you who got up last week and wrote on the board “what the enemy is doing to get to you” gave examples of your your own weaknesses and your awareness.
I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO ALWAYS BE ASKING SOME VERSION OF THIS QUESTION TO HELP YOU BE WATCH AND AWARE OF WHERE YOU MIGHT BE WEAK.
TR: let’s look at again so we can conceptualize this war going on behind the scenes of our world and our lives.
(3) SO WE CAN KNOW HOW TO USE “THE WEAPONS” GOD HAS GIVEN US. (As the talks about.)
We are going do a little practice tonight if we have time to understand what it means to destroy strongholds.
Q: IS SPIRITUAL WARFARE SOMETHING THAT IS EASY TO CONCEPTUALIZE? No! Why is it hard for us to grasp and keep in mind daily?
The physical is so close to us (see it and feel it and hear it) and the spiritual takes faith and spiritual sight.)
As we said last week, we all believe in it but we do not think about it on a daily basis. We often go about our lives as everyone else is as if there is no spiritual war going on.
Also, our culture does not take the spiritual things seriously. So we have to really “walk by faith, not by sight” (as says) and think outside the box to see things as things as they really are.
(That is one main reason for this study so that we will be more aware and ready. It is impossible to win the spiritual battles we face if we never think about them.)
Q: IF THERE WAS A PHYSICAL WAR BEING FOUGHT ON CAMPUS HOW WOULD YOU KNOW IT, what evidence would there be?
You would hear the sounds of bombs and guns and you would see dead bodies and destroyed buildings. The destruction would be obvious like in these pictures of place before and after war... (Slides of before and after war buildings).
It would be easy to see the evidence from the war, we wouldn’t have to try. But to see and understand the spiritual war we are in we have to see through the eyes of faith.
Q: WHAT EVIDENCE DO YOU SEE ON CAMPUS OF THE SPIRITUAL WAR HAPPENING?
Do you see people who are lost spiritually and confused about life who need someone to lead them? How does that show in their lives?
Do you see people who are dead or dying spiritually?
Do you see people who are in trouble/confused emotionally, relationally or even psychologically who do not know where to turn? (Yes, how?)
Do you see people who are chasing after things that are not good for them (whether relationships, to trying to find fulfillment through things or substances, or otherwise)
THE REALITY OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE SHOULD BE A PART OF OUR WORLDVIEW
Look at what Jesus understood about satan in .
I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me,
HOW JESUS VIEWED THE WORLD: If we view people and our world as Jesus did we will see things totally different. Notice how Jesus saw people for the spiritual state that they were in. (We need to see people and our world the same way…) Let’s read a few verses...
Jesus understood people through spiritual eyes and saw their spiritual state of people as says.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Jesus understood that many people were dead or dying spiritually (Matthew 8:22).
And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”
Q: How can a dead person bury a dead person? The spiritually dead can bury the physical dead.
(Tr: so if we see people and the world as Jesus did we will see the spiritual war we are in.)
Scripture presupposes that we are in a real spiritual battle on a daily basis and that we need to be ready.
and testify to the reality of Satan and his work and the fact that we must be ready and watchful.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.”
and speak of the spiritual warfare we are in and the fact that we must be ready but also that we have the power through Christ to and God’s word to overcome.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. 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. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Before using this verse to answer a few questions about spiritual warfare from this verse let’s quickly go over what we found last week;
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
QUICK RECAP: Last week we determined:
Q: WHY DID WE SAY THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO STUDY SPIRITUAL WARFARE?
SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS A VERY IMPORTANT STUDY! Do you remember why?
(1) Because we need to be watchful as tells us. We need to have an awareness of what is going on in our spiritual lives and hearts.
It is hard to aware of what the enemy is doing if we never think about it and are not watchful. It is easy to be outwitted if we live like we are not at war.
(2) So that we will not be outwitted by Satan. This is the main purpose of this class that we will be more aware and wise to how the enemy is trying to get us and how we can overcome through God’s truth and God’s Spirit.
Q: WHY DID WE SAY THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO STUDY SPIRITUAL WARFARE?
so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
Q: Do you think the enemy knows your weakness? Yes!
Satan knew exactly how to approach Eve (with pride, desire, doubt) and Jesus and the enemy knows how to attack you.
Q: Do you know your weaknesses? Do you know what the enemy is doing right now in your life to get you to fall?
We need to know and belief and see through faith that God is working in our lives. We also need to see what the enemy is doing to work in our lives as well so that we can be wise to his schemes (which often match up to our desires and weaknesses.)
(1) Because we need to be watchful as tells us. We need to have an awareness of what is going on in our spiritual lives and hearts.
THAT IS THE MAIN REASON FOR THIS STUDY TO HELP US BE AWARE OF THE WARFARE WE ARE IN AND HOW TO SURVIVE.
Those of you who got up last week and wrote on the board “what the enemy is doing to get to you” gave examples of your your own weaknesses and your awareness.
I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO ALWAYS BE ASKING SOME VERSION OF THIS QUESTION TO HELP YOU BE WATCH AND AWARE OF WHERE YOU MIGHT BE WEAK.
It is hard to aware of what the enemy is doing if we never think about it and are not watchful. It is easy to be outwitted if we live like we are not at war.
TR: let’s look at again so we can conceptualize this war going on behind the scenes of our world and our lives.
(3) SO WE CAN KNOW HOW TO USE “THE WEAPONS” GOD HAS GIVEN US. (As the talks about.)
(2) So that we will not be outwitted by Satan. This is the main purpose of this class that we will be more aware and wise to how the enemy is trying to get us and how we can overcome through God’s truth and God’s Spirit.
We are going do a little practice tonight if we have time to understand what it means to destroy strongholds.
so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
We all believe we are in it, but we do not think about being in it very often. I
(3) SO WE CAN KNOW HOW TO USE “THE WEAPONS” GOD HAS GIVEN US. (As the talks about.)
We are going do a little practice tonight if we have time to understand what it means to destroy strongholds.
so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
THE SPECIFICS OF OUR SPIRITUAL WARFARE
That is the reason that says, “be watchful, (why?) Your ___________ the devil (is doing what?) ___________ around like a roaring lion (why).
We do not always think about it this way but
Satan knew exactly how to approach Eve (with pride, desire, doubt) and Jesus and the enemy knows how to attack you.
Q: Do you know your weaknesses? Do you know what the enemy is doing right now in your life to get you to fall?
We need to know and belief and see through faith that God is working in our lives. We also need to see what the enemy is doing to work in our lives as well so that we can be wise to his schemes (which often match up to our desires and times of weakness).
THAT IS THE MAIN REASON FOR THIS STUDY TO HELP US BE AWARE OF THE WARFARE WE ARE IN AND HOW TO SURVIVE.
Q: What evidence
Those of you who got up last week and wrote on the board “what the enemy is doing to get to you” gave examples of your your own weaknesses and your awareness.
I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO ALWAYS BE ASKING SOME VERSION OF THIS QUESTION TO HELP YOU BE WATCH AND AWARE OF WHERE YOU MIGHT BE WEAK.
TR: let’s look at again so we can conceptualize this war going on behind the scenes of our world and our lives.
PERIMETERS OF OUR SPIRITUAL WAR
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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.
Q: ACCORDING TO THIS PASSAGE WHO IS OUR WAR AGAINST?
The devil (yes) but who else? “Spiritual forces of evil” in heavenly places. Just as God has His angels, Satan also has what? His angels! Likely those who followed in His rebellion against God.
Someone read and then .
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back,
Revelation
Perry made the point that Satan is not omnipresent (all places at all times) but He is not the only one on His side. Demons are as well.
Q: Who else is on Satan’s side of the spiritual war we are in?
Those who are not on God’s side. Satan will use anyone He can to be an influence for Him. There is no middle ground.
Q: Could Satan use us to help His side?
Yes!, While we may not be on Satan’s side we need to be careful of what we say and do because we are influencing others. Sometimes it can those closest to us. For example, he used someone close to Jesus. Someone read .
But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
SO THIS TEACHES US TWO LESSONS; (1) HOW ARE YOU INFLUENCING OTHERS AND (2) WHO ARE YOU ALLOWING TO INFLUENCE YOU.
Q: What does this verse show about how to make sure we are not influencing others for the enemy?
Make sure our minds are on the things of God, not man. Know that we are influencing others whether we want to or not.
PERIMETERS OF SPIRITUAL WAR
Let’s define some of the perimeters of spiritual warfare.
WHAT ARE WE FIGHTING FOR?
Q: WHAT ARE PHYSICAL WARS FOUGHT FOR?
Physical wars are fought for land, possessions, power, conquest, freedom, economic gain, resources, hatred,religious beliefs.
Q: WHAT IS OUR SPIRITUAL WAR BEING FOUGHT FOR?
The spiritual war we are in is for something that is infinity more important that any war in history has been fought for. For hearts, lives, souls…ultimately eternity.
WHERE IS THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE FOUGHT?
Q: Who is involved in the spiritual warfare we are in?
Physical wars are fought in specific battles at specific places. For example (for you history buffs: Q: Where was the Battle of Gettysburg fought? (Gettysburg, Penn.)
Q: Where was the Battle of Gettysburg fought? (Gettysburg, Penn.)
Angels, demons, God, Satan and every one of us! We are in the war whether we want to be or not.
Q: Where is are the main battlegrounds of the spiritual war we are in? Q: Where is our spiritual battle fought?
Q: Do you have to know that you are in a war to be in a war?
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.
Q: Where is our spiritual battle fought?
The center of the spiritual battle we are fighting is in the mind and in the heart. This is why so much is said about what goes on in our hearts and minds.
For example:
Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.
to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
Think about where many of the things written on the board from last week have much of their existence; anxiety, negative thoughts, the thoughts “no one will care,” “fear,” “Hate” among the others.
The mind and the heart are where the seeds of our behavior are planted. We have to give place and feed to the things that grow in our hearts.
Look at what Jesus said in .
But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.
Q: How does the enemy influence our minds and hearts?
We allow Him to by listening to outside influences that are not from God. (Friend, message on media such as song, movie, show, or teacher, etc.
God’s messengers are not the only ones who are good at planting seeds. The enemy is very good at planting seed in our minds and heart that when they grow they HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO overshadow God’s truth in our mind and do a lot of damage.
Q: WHAT SEEDS DOES THE ENEMY PLANT IN OUR MINDS?
Seed of self doubt, “You are inadequate,” “you cannot do this.”
For example: ________
Where do
Comparison, self-doubt,
Seed of justifying sin, “I have the freedom now”
Q: What can we do to keep the enemy out of our hearts and minds?
We can guard our heart and be very intentional about what we allow to come through. It is not about being to strict, it is about being smart. (for example: if you have a problem with drunkenness do you need to be around the friend who…or lust…example…)
This verse presupposes the war that we are in just as does that we read last week. God tells us how to be prepared for war, how to fight and even give us examples of what to do.
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
Notice that again your behavior flows from your heart. So the seeds of sin in your life starts in your heart and mind.
We cannot control everything that we encounter so how what do we do with the thoughts that are hard to shake? Like, “self-image” thoughts...
Look at the wisdom in this verse; someone read .
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Notice that it says every opinion and every thought that is against Christ...
Q: How do we know if a thought or feeling in our hearts is truth or not?
God’s word is truth. Jesus said in “Sanctify them in the truth, your word is truth.”
We need to test our thoughts, motives and feeling against the truth of God’s word.
but test everything; hold fast what is good.
This is why so much of our transformation has to do with the mind.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
THIS PRINCIPLE IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT PRIMARILY NEXT WEEK.
USING GOD’S WORD TO RENEW OUR MINDS AND DO BATTLE
LET’S TAKE THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE ON THE BOARD AND PRACTICE USING GOD’S WORD TO FACE THESE ISSUES.
Q: WHAT DOES GOD TELL US THAT HELP US IN THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE AGAINST THESE THINGS?
APATHY
Q: what truth does god give us to overcome apathy?
tells us to be zealous for serving God.
Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
“no one will care”
Negativity:
HATE
SELF-IMAGE
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
WHAT ARE WE FIGHTING FOR?
Ephesians
Q: WHAT ARE PHYSICAL WARS FOUGHT FOR?
Q: where does our behavior originate befor
The mind and the heart are where the seeds of our behavior are planted. We have to give place and feed to the things that grow in our hearts.
Look at what Jesus said in .
Matthew 15:
But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.
Q: WHAT ARE PHYSICAL WARS FOUGHT FOR?
We are in the war whether we want to be or not
Q: Even though we are in this war is everyone “waging war?” (Spiritually?) Does everyone believe in it?
No, because it is a war we see and fight through faith. But we do because we “walk by faith, not by _____” right, as says.
Physical wars are fought for land, possessions, power, conquest, freedom, economic gain, resources, hatred,religious beliefs.
YES! In fact the evidence of it is all around us, every day. Our world and lives are filled with people whose physical lives are being affected by the spiritual.
Q: WHAT IS OUR SPIRITUAL WAR BEING FOUGHT FOR?
For example: (People trying to fill their spiritual thirst with temporary physical things...
The spiritual war we are in is for something that is infinity more important that any war in history has been fought for. For hearts, lives, souls…ultimately eternity.
GOING TO WAR AGAINST THE ENEMY
I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 Corinthians 10;
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Q: WHAT IS A STRONGHOLD IN WARFARE?
Q: WHAT ARE THE STRONGHOLDS IN THE SPIRITUAL WAR WE ARE IN?
Q: WHAT STRONGHOLDS DOES THE ENEMY HAVE IN YOUR HEART?
Q: WHAT DIVINE POWER DO WE HAVE TO DESTROY STRONGHOLDS?
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Divine power through God’s word
Jesus is an example
The Holy Spirit in our hearts to bring to mind God’s word and convict us of the truth.
Last week we listed some of the things that Satan uses to get to us individually. We are going to look at some of these things specifically.
We are attacked spiritually very specifically. Satan knows our weaknesses are and goes for our weak spots just as he did Jesus in the wilderness.
These things written on the board are examples of specific weaknesses. We need to know what they are so we know how to defend against them.
For example: illustration…go through each response and ask how we can overcome each one...
The center of the spiritual battle we are fighting is in the mind and in the heart. This is why so much is said about what goes on in our hearts and minds.
For example:
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,
Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.
Ephesians 4:
to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
Ephesians
Q: How does the enemy influence our minds and hearts?
We allow Him to by listening to outside influences that are not from God. (Friend, message on media such as song, movie, show, or teacher, etc.
God’s messengers are not the only ones who are good at planting seeds. The enemy is very good at planting seed in our minds and heart that when they grow they overshadow God’s truth in our mind and do a lot of damage.
For example: ________
Comparison, self-doubt,
Q: what can we do to keep the enemy out of our hearts and minds?
We can guard our heart and be very intentional about what we allow to come through. It is not about being to strict, it is about being smart. (for example: if you have a problem with drunkenness do you need to be around the friend who…or lust…example…)
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
We cannot control everything that we encounter so how what do we do with the thoughts that are hard to shake? Like, “self-image” thoughts...
Look at the wisdom in this verse; someone read .
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Notice that it says every opinion and every thought that is against Christ...
Q: How do we know if a thought or feeling in our hearts is truth or not?
God’s word is truth. Jesus said in “Sanctify them in the truth, your word is truth.”
We need to test our thoughts, motives and feeling against the truth of God’s word.
Q: What is required for us to be able to test everything against God’s truth?
We have to know the truth to be able to do battle with it as Jesus did.
TALKS ABOUT DIVINE POWER AND DESTROYING STRONGHOLDS.
Q: WHAT IS A STRONGHOLD IN WARFARE?
Q: WHAT ARE THE STRONGHOLDS IN THE SPIRITUAL WAR WE ARE IN?
Q: WHAT STRONGHOLDS DOES THE ENEMY HAVE IN YOUR HEART?
Q: WHAT DIVINE POWER DO WE HAVE TO DESTROY STRONGHOLDS?
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 cORINTHIANS 10 :3-5
Divine power through God’s word
Jesus is an example
The Holy Spirit in our hearts to bring to mind God’s word and convict us of the truth.
USING GOD’S WORD TO RENEW OUR MINDS AND DO BATTLE
LET’S TAKE THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE ON THE BOARD AND PRACTICE USING GOD’S WORD TO FACE THESE ISSUES.
Q: WHAT DOES GOD TELL US THAT HELP US IN THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE AGAINST THESE THINGS?
Apathy
Q: what truth does god give us to overcome apathy?
tells us to be zealous for serving God.
Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
“no one will care” - God cares
negativity -
etc...
If Satan cannot win us back he will seek to make us ineffective in the kingdom as possible.
Q: What does the enemy do to keep us ineffective in our work in the kingdom?
Not growing spiritually so that we do not bear fruit or gain any ground...’
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter
Q: What does this verse imply you will be if you are not growing in Christ?
You will be ineffective and unfruitful.
WE SEE WHY THE
Fear; being to afraid to get out of your comfort zone to serve.
Being too busy for Kingdom work. The enemy gets us to believe that we do not have time to give to growing closer to God. Example:
someone read this passages.
Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Q: What was the number one factor to Joshua (and Israel’s) success?
We are attacked spiritually very specifically. Satan knows our weaknesses are and goes for our weak spots just as he did Jesus in the wilderness.
These things written on the board are examples of specific weaknesses. We need to know what they are so we know how to defend against them.
For example: illustration…go through each response and ask how we can overcome each one...