Spiritual Warfare Pt3

Five Basic Truths

1. There is an invisible world.
   Through the yeas there have been TV shows that have shown an invisible world, Bewitched , Buffy the vampire slayer,Charmed and many others . The way the invisible world is presented in these shows is considered pure fantasy ,but in reality the invisible world represented in these shows is Biblical truth. The Bible is clear that Evil spirits( demons)existence and have been interacting with human history. Eph 6:12 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. The Bible speaks of a battle a spiritual one and if the spiritual world of angels and demons is not a reality the neither is the Bible a reality.
   Some reference to the unseen spiritual world becoming visible
   2 Kings 6:8 Once when the king of Syria was warring against Israel, he took counsel with his servants, saying, "At such and such a place shall be my camp." 9 But the man of God sent word to the king of Israel, "Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are going down there." 10 And the king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God told him. Thus he used to warn him, so that he saved himself there more than once or twice. 11 And the mind of the king of Syria was greatly troubled because of this thing, and he called his servants and said to them, "Will you not show me who of us is for the king of Israel?" 12 And one of his servants said, "None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom." 13 And he said, "Go and see where he is, that I may send and seize him." It was told him, "Behold, he is in Dothan." 14 So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city. King Aram was wanting Elisha dead once he found out Elisha's location he sent his army to surround and kill him .What happens next is powerful
   2 Kings 6:15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" 16 He said, "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, "O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see." So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. Elisha's servant awoke and saw that the city was surrounded ,Elish told his servant do not be afraid for those that are with us are more than with them. Then Elisha prayed that his servants eye;s would be open and the invisible world became visible . The servant saw horses and chariots of fire surrounding the enemy Elisha new they were there and now so does the servant. In Daniel 10:10 And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you." And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, "Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, .It clearly shows that Daniel had a visitor that the visitor came to let Daniel know his prayers have been heard and that he was delayed in telling him do to fighting with the prince of Persia ( The angelic influence or demonic influence over Persia) Until Michael ( The Archangel) came to help . This shows things going on in a wrould that is unseen.
   2 Cor10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, The weapons we use are not of the flesh but of divine power so as to be able to break strongholds of demonic influence. The issues many believers face are not simply ,psychological, socialization,random accidents,or fully explainable by organizational dynamics or theories. They are spiritual and the forces behind them are personal. Paul speaks of these forces repeatedly ,when speaking about the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving and the planes of the enemy to create bitterness and division in the church. Satan and his demons are behind unbelief ,deception, fear, false religions,and persecution . No place in the Word of God do the writers say that evil is impersonel and that it can be naturally explained.. Jesus himself experience the unseen world and has made reference to it mutile times. To not belive what Jesus say's is to not believe Jesus. The Bible tells us of the existence of angels ,Satan , And demons to denie these truths in scripture is to denie the very words of God .

Spiritaul Warfare Pt2

Eph 6:12 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.

There is a heavy to the death ( not necessary a physical death )spiritual death that is with supernatural

,evil beings (demons). The battle may present its self in circumstances ,policies, and evil behavior, but our battle is not in the flesh and blood its against spiritual forces of wickedness its an invisible war.

The Bible does acknowledge that there are advisories doing battle in the spiritual realm and that’s were our battle is. In today’s world to say there are demons waiting to trip you up is like saying “I want to tell you a joke “ you just might get laughed at. Its easier to denie than except. Our world view can prevent us from seeing the real cause of an issue we would rather blame someone or something be cause we can see that. Not everything that happens is do to demonic activity we are responsible for making our own choices ,but everything can be used by the demonic to turn you away.

Quote from C.S.Lewis” the danger is to put either to much or to little emphasis on Satan and demons most people put to little The fact is we will have to do battle with the enemy in one way or another especially Christians for Satan has the non Christians already. Chip Ingram points out 3 responsibility's for us.

1 :be aware of the battle

2:depend on God's strength

3:use the protection God has provided

Many of us don't see abnormal behavior coming from those whom seem normal , (voice's ,strange behaviors,ect) many feel there is a better explanation than a demonic influence. There are some things that psychology,sociology and biology can't explain.

Every believer will either defeat or be defeated by the some form of demonic influence. Only by having a true understanding of our spiritual armor, can we be prepared for battle in the spirit.

Chip points out 5 truth we should believe as to why we need God protection.

There is a reality we can't see ,were the real battles of life take place

Spiritual Warfare Part #1

 

Spiritual Warfare

Eph 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

The beginnings of battle with the unseen spiritual world starts with being strong in the LORD in his strength and might ( other versions use power) the word power in the Greek is were we get the word for DYNAMITE .We have the power of the Holy Spirit via the Holy Spirit to battle Satan and his Demons in the unseen world. As long as we are relying on the LORD and not on our own knowledge.

Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil

Put on the Armor of God this is a constant multiple effort ,whether we want to admit it or not we as Christians are in a spiritual battle. The schemes of the Devil is to drive us away from God to fill us with half truths to and untruths to lure us into false religions and false doctrine ,false teaching ,into false hope ,false joy ,to lead us AWAY !!!! From the one true GOD

The word schemes is come from the Greek word for strategies , that means our temptations are not random, the false perspectives aren't haphazard , the lies we hear the cravings that consume us at our weakest point , they are all an assault to hit us below the belt to make us inefficient for Christ.