Spiritual Warfare Class
1) Tempt through lust of eyes, lust of flesh and
pride of life 2) Steal, Kill and Destroy
3) Oppose the Gospel of Christ 4) Veil the mind from
the truth 5) Weaken faith in God
1) Proper context for spiritual warfare:
submission to God’s will
2) Mindset for the Battle
3) Case studies of spiritual warfare from
scripture
a. Shield of Faith b. Helmet of Salvation
c. Breastplate of Righteousness d. Belt of Truth e. Feet shod w/ preparation
of the Gospel of peace f. Sword of the Spirit g. Prayer in the Spirit
The authority in Christ that God has given us:
John 1:12-13: He gives us the right to be sons of God and exercise the
authority thereof.
Matthew 18:18-20 (for additional insight,
the Amplified translation): God gives us power to “bind” and “loose”
on earth, which also affects the heavenly realms.
This
is a way of declaring what is lawful or unlawful in the spiritual realm.
God
gives us the promise of answered prayer when it is done in agreement with
another person
Mark 16:17-18: We have the power to drive
out demons, speak in new tongues, survive natural hazards (such as poison and
snakes) and initiate healing through the laying on of hands (in prayer).
In addition to the authority of Jesus,
God has given us the Holy Spirit.
John 14:15-17, 26: helper, guide in
truth, teacher and reminder of God’s word
John 16:13: Guide us in all truth,
revealer of things to come
Romans 8:11-13: enables us to live as new
persons in obedience to God
Acts 13:6-12. The Holy Spirit in Paul.
The Holy Spirit gave Paul supernatural
discernment of Elymas’ character, spiritual condition and intent.
He also enabled Paul to pronounce temporary blindness on Elymas.
Armed
with the authority of Jesus and the Spirit of God living in us, we have many
additional spiritual weapons at our disposal to fight the enemy.
It is up to us to learn about these weapons and use them.
If we wait for a crisis to get familiar with our weapons, our lack of
skill will likely result in our defeat. Our
enemy is a highly skilled adversary and his forces are experienced veterans.
They know our weaknesses and how best to exploit them.
God calls us to be good warriors, trained and skillful in using the
weapons he has given us.
2 Corinthians10: 3-5. What
are our weapons capable of doing?
The overthrow and destruction of
strongholds
Refuting arguments & speculations
that are contrary to God and his laws
Taking every thought captive to the
obedience of Christ
Ephesians 6:10-18. 7
components of the Armor of God?
Helmet of Salvation Shield of Faith
Breastplate of Righteousness Belt of Truth Shoes fitted with the Gospel of
Peace Sword of the Spirit Prayer in the Spirit
Ephesians 6:11. What is the purpose of the Armor of God? Enable
us to stand against the schemes of the devil
The Shield of Faith two definitions of faith?
Hebrews 11:1: “The substance of things
hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”
2 Thessalonians 1:11 (Amplified):
“Leaning of the whole human personality on God in absolute trust and
confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness”
Hebrews 11:1 The armor is spiritual and
therefore invisible. Faith believes in the unseen; secures the armor to us.
1 Peter 1:3-5. Our faith hooks our shield up to what power source?
“God”
Ephesians 6:16. Extinguishes all the
flaming arrows of the evil one
Psalm 91:2-10. What are some examples of
the “arrows” the enemy may send our way? Terror, traps (“snare of the
fowler”), sickness/plague, destruction, death, evil, calamity
Mark 9:23-25 & Heb12: 2 If our faith
is weak, who can we ask for help in strengthening our faith? “Jesus “
Luke 17:6: faith as small as a mustard
seed could cause a mulberry tree to be uprooted and thrown into the ocean
Matthew 17:20: faith as small as a
mustard seed could move a mountain; nothing is impossible when you have faith!
2 Corinthians 10:3-5: The helmet of
salvation covers our heads which contain our minds The mind is the strategic
battle ground where spiritual warfare is fought.
Romans 8:5-7: The mind is the key control
center for a person.
2 Corinthians 4:4.
Satan, “The god of this world,” has blinded the minds of
unbelievers so they can’t see the truth of the Gospel of Christ. Prayer is
the ways we engage God’s protection. Hebrews
4:15-16, Hebrews 10:19-22 Romans 5:1-2 Romans 6:23
Philippians 4:6-7.
We engage God’s protection of our mind by taking everything to him in
prayer
Isaiah 26:3. The key to remaining in
God’s peace? We must keep our
minds “stayed” on him.
The
Breastplate of Righteousness
Genesis 3:7-10. They realized they were naked; they were ashamed;
they were afraid of God
Adam and Eve lost their “spiritual covering” by sinning,
because God’s glory (i.e. righteousness) no longer clothed them.
Isaiah 59:15-17. Jesus was sent to first put on the breastplate of
righteousness it sustained him
Philippians 3:8-9. What
is the source of the righteousness in our breastplate?
Proverbs 4:23. Righteousness covers our spiritual heart The heart
is the wellspring of life; it can be corrupted
Through
faith in Christ, however, God confers righteousness upon us. God still expects us to
live
in a righteous manner out of love and devotion to him.
Romans 6:13. How are we to “present ourselves” each day?
As instruments of righteousness.
John 17:17. God’s
word is truth; he uses the truth to purify, consecrate, and separate us for
Himself; to make us holy
John 8:31-32. The truth sets us free from the power of lies
John 8:31-32 AMP. Abiding in God’s word (holding fast to
Christ’s teachings and live in accordance with them)
Joshua 1:8: Scripture meditation and memory
Psalm 63:1, Isaiah 26:9: Having a regular quiet time
Deuteronomy 30:16: Obeying God’s commands (ex. loving God, loving
people, honoring parents, visiting the sick, abhorring evil, helping the poor,
etc.)
2 Timothy 3:16-17: Studying the Bible
Hebrews 10:24-25: Staying connected with the Body of Christ The
truth will break the power of the lies involved in the temptations
John 16:13. The Holy
Spirit, who is the “Spirit of truth”
“helper” thas God given us
"And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy
with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the iness produced by the
good news] of the Gospel of peace” Ephesians 6:15 AMP
Romans 5:1-2. "Gospel of Peace" refers to the peace we
have with God through faith in Jesus Christ
Ephesians 2:18-19. We are citizens of God’s kingdom and members
of his household
Philippians 4:6-7. Take it to God in prayer, giving thanks.
Logos and Rhema, which are often used for
the "word" of God in the New Testament:
Logos - the word of God (see Strong's
#3056): Logos is often used to
identify the written scriptures in the Bible, which were given to people under
the inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Collectively, the Bible, as God's "word," is the written,
divine expression or revelation of God to humanity. Jesus completed this expression as the literal embodiment of
God's word, logos (John 1:1-5,14).
Rhema - the word of God (Strong's #4487):
Rhema is the spoken word of God, and is the Greek word used in the
Sword of the Spirit verse (Ephesians 6:17).
Strong's concordance says that rhema is "that which is or has been
uttered by the living voice."
Applying
those definitions, use the Sword of the Spirit to verbalize specific scripture
verses (logos) to the situations we are facing. This can be done through declaration, prayer or song.
Luke 4:1-13. Jesus
used scripture to defeat Satan in the wilderness temptations It is written
Acts 4:24-31: A group of believers prayed the word and the result
was that the place was shaken, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and
spoke the word of God boldly
Acts 13:38-43: Paul quoted the word as he preached
God’s word did/does:
Hebrews
11:3: God created the earth and heavens by his word (rhema)
Isaiah
55:11: God’s word will not return void; it will accomplish all that he
desires
Jeremiah
23:29: God’s word is like a hammer that breaks rocks
Numbers
23:19. How reliable of God’s
word?
As
God’s adopted children
(Romans
8:17) who are made in his likeness
(Genesis
1:26), we too have the ability to release power through speech.
Proverbs
18:21: our words can bring life and death
James
3:8-10: Our words can bless and encourage people, yet they also can be used to
curse and tear them down.
Joshua
1:8: Meditate on the word
Matthew
22:29: Know the scriptures
Acts
17:11: Search and study the scriptures daily
Ephesians 6:17-18. At
all times
James 4:6-8. Prayer is an acknowledgement that we are not in
control and need God to intervene attitude of humility
Romans 8:26-27. Prayer in the Spirit is especially profitable when
we don’t know how to pray in a situation, He comes to our aid and helps us
in our weaknesses He intercedes for us with God the Father Perfects our prayer
and corrects the manner and delivery to be acceptable to God Increases
effectiveness of prayer for others (intercession) Aligns our prayer with God's
will
1 Corinthians 14:14-15 Praying in tongues combined with praying
with his mind
1 Corinthians 14:5,18. Paul spook in tongues frequently
1 Corinthians 14:2 Speaking and praying in tongues is another way
of humbling ourselves before God, as we usually will not know what we are
praying.
Ephesians 6:18 Praying in tongues is an example of the types of
prayer The beauty of tongues is that our will isn’t able to corrupt our
prayers.
Jude 1:18-23 Jude mentioned prayer in the Spirit
Eph
6; 11-12 AGAINST
THE DEVIL'S SCHEMES 6:11 AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES (or
authorities)-6:12
AGAINST
POWERS-6:
12 AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD-6: 12
AGAINST
SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES-6: 12 [Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical
Theology]
Daniel
10: 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty one days:
but, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there
with the kings of Persia.
Luke
11 and indicated that it could lead to the person ending up in a worse
condition. 24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walks through
dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, I will return to my house
from where I came out. 25 And when he comes, he finds [it] swept and
garnished. 26 Then he goes, and takes [to himself] seven other spirits more
wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last [state]
of that man is worse than the first.
2
Timothy 2: 26 And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the
devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
John
14:30 After this I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world
is coming, and has nothing in me.
2
Kings 6:15-17 "And when the servant of the man of God arose early and
went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots.
And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" So
he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those
who are with them." And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open
his eyes that he may see." Then 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."
Colossians
1:16-17 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth,
visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers
or authorities . . . all things have been created through Him and for
Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
(Colossians
2:15) When He (Jesus) had disarmed the rulers and
authorities,
He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them . . ..
For
though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the
weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction
of fortresses. We are destroying speculations (reasonings) and
every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking
every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
The uses of this biblical term fall into two major
divisions: referring to "miraculous powers" and to angelic beings
belonging to the hierarchy of heaven. "Powers" translates a number
of biblical words. The background of the key Greek word (dynamis) is found in
the Old Testament. It translates the Hebrew word hayil (over 150 times), often
used as "host" or "power of a host." Dynamis is first
found in Jewish writings referring to angels, and indicates the power of
angelic and demonic forces. There are frequent references in the
intertestamental writings, most notably in 1 Enoch (61:10; 82:8) and Jubilee
(2:2).
The New Testament references to miraculous works
occur in relation to Jesus' miracles and the presence of such works in the
life of the early church. The New International Version translates dynamis as
"miraculous powers" in the Gospels (Matt 13:54; 14:2; Mark 6:14) and
in Paul's writings (1 Cor 12:10), where it relates to spiritual gifts. In
Hebrews 6:5, the reference to "the powers of the coming age" may
allude to similar phenomena (cf. Acts 8:13). Rather than relating to magic or
magical formulas, common in the ancient world, Jesus' powerful Word overcame
demonic forces, and demonstrates "the invading dominion of God, "
expelling Satan and the demons.
There are more frequent references to angels and
demons, members of the hierarchy of heaven, including such titles as
authorities, powers, dominions, principalities, and thrones. These
supernatural beings are the dynameis ("powers"), linked with angels
and demons (Rom 8:38) and authorities (1 Peter 3:22). These forces are not
able to defeat believers, or to separate them from the love of Christ, for
Christ has subordinated them through the cross and his resurrection.
Paul describes the rulers (archas), the authorities (exousias),
the powers (kosmokratoras) of this dark world, the spiritual forces (pneumatika)
of evil in the heavenly realms (Eph 6:12). The term kosmokratoras does not
appear in the Old Testament (LXX), but does occur in the Jewish work T.
Solomon, joined with the expression "the heavenly bodies" (stoicheia)
(8:2; 18:2).
Once these "rulers of this world of
darkness" are made up of seven spirits; again, of thirty-six spirits.
When queried by King Solomon the former reply, "Our stars in heaven look
small, but we are named like gods" (8:4). Yet each of the seven are
opposed and thwarted by one of God's chief angels. All of these creatures
bring about certain types of maladies within human life, but are ultimately
subject to God's judgment. Archas is variously translated as
"powers" (Col 2:15) or "rulers" (Eph 3:10; Col 1:16). It
denotes primacy, sometimes temporal and sometimes in rank, yet these beings
are subject to Christ as the head (Col 2:10), and they were created by him
(Col 1:16). In his death Christ triumphed over them, and made a spectacle of
them. They are described as a train of captives behind a victorious general
(Col 2:15). Finally, "powers" translates kyriotemtes (Col 1:16),
also rendered "dominion" (sing., Eph 1:21). This word emphasizes the
power or rule of a lord. In turn, these angelic beings are subordinated to the
rule of Christ, for he is the ultimate kyrios or Lord, both in virtue of his
role as Creator and as the risen Lord (cf. 1 Cor 15:23-24; Eph 1:21; Php
2:10).
The related word "authorities" is also used
in two basic ways in the New Testament: of earthly rulers (Luke 12:11; John
7:26; Acts 16:19; Rom 13:1; Titus 3:1); and of supernatural or
supraterrestrial beings (Eph 3:10; 6:12; Col 1:16; 2:15; 1 Peter 3:22). The
singular, "authority, " is used in 1 Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians
1:21; and Colossians 2:10. While John and Acts use the word archon, all the
other texts have the word exousia. With the possible exception of Ephesians
3:10, the "authorities" appear to be beings of an evil nature,
opposing the rule of God, the supremacy of the Lord Christ, and the life of
the church.
The word "thrones" means the royal seat, or
the symbol of rule, first of human rulers, then of heavenly beings. It appears
ten times in the Old Testament (NIV), most commonly as a translation of the
Hebrew kisse. An unusual use, and the only one in the New Testament, occurs in
the listing "thrones or powers or rulers or authorities" (Col 1:16).
While no real distinction is possible among these terms, the references taken
together may well be to the highest classes of angelic/demonic beings. And
all, being created in, through, and for Christ, are subject to him.
Kingdoms in Conflict: Spiritual Warfare is the conflict
between good God’s kingdom and evil Satan’s kingdom.
The
origin of the conflict between good and evil goes back before the creation of
Man
Lucifer,
played a key role. One of God’s
angels,.
God
had ordained and anointed Lucifer as a guardian cherub
Ezekiel 28:13: – 15 Some details about Lucifer’s original
character and appearance? Model of perfection Full of wisdom Perfect in beauty
Every precious stone was his covering had “timbrels and pipes” built in to
his body
Isaiah 14:11-12: –
he had “harps”
Ezekiel 28:15 Lucifer’s first mistake was that he entertained sin
in his heart.
Isaiah 14:12-15: Ascend to heaven Raise his throne above the stars
of God. Sat on thrones on the mount of assembly Ascend above the tops
of the clouds and make himself like God
Revelation 12:3-9 Lucifer Deceived one third of God’s angels
(stars) to follow him
Ezekiel 28:16-19: God removed his beauty, disgraced him and made a
spectacle of him before kings Expelled him from the mount of God Made fire
come from within him and consume him; reduced him to ashes
Isaiah 14:12,15, Revelation 12:7-9: Cast them out of heaven to
earth Removed his power Brought him down to the pit
Genesis 1:26-27. In whose image and
likeness did God create humans?.
Genesis 1:26,28, Psalm 8:4-8. What
authority/power did God give to man? Rule over the works of God’s hands –
everything was put under Man’s feet
Genesis 3:17-19, 2
Peter 2:19, Romans 5:6,12-14,17,20-21.
Three things happened as a result of Adam and Eve’s sin?
1. Man came under a curse affecting the
ground
2. Man became a slave to sin
3. Man was stripped of his power
Romans 8:19-21 Creation was subjected to frustration and bondage to
decay
Luke 4:5-6: Satan gained authority and power of all the world’s
kingdoms
John 12:31: He is the current ruler of the world
Ephesians 2:2: He is the “prince of the power of the air”
Hebrews 2:14-15: He gained the power of death and uses the fear of
death to enslave people
1 John 5:19: He is able to sway (deceive) the entire world
1 Corinthians 15:21-22: Death
came through Adam to all people; the resurrection of the dead (i.e. life)
comes through Jesus
1 Corinthians 15:27: He
had dominion over all things; just as Adam originally had dominion over the
earth and its creatures (Genesis 1:28)
1 Corinthians 15:45-47: The first Adam became a living being;
Jesus, the “last Adam,” became a “life giving spirit”
Romans 5:12-19: Sin
and death entered the world through Adam; God’s grace and gift of
justification came through Jesus;
1 Corinthians 15:22-28. As a “second Adam”, Christ’s
objective is to restore order and rule of God’s kingdom both on earth and in
the heaven; he will subdue all God’s enemies and then turn over the kingdom
to the Father.
Luke 4:18-21. Jesus’ initial mission objectives
Luke 4:31-32 he preached the word of God with authority next, he
demonstrated that authority.
Luke 4:33-37,41, Luke 8:26-33:
Cast evil spirits out of people Luke 4:38-39: Rebuked a high fever and it left
Luke 4:40: Laid hands on people and healed them of various kinds of
sickness Luke 5:4-8: Performed
miracles that demonstrated authority over all creation; in this case, a large
catch of fish Luke 5:20-26: Forgave sins and healed a paralytic Luke 7:12-15:
Raised a widow’s dead son
Luke 8:22-25: Calmed the storm; demonstrated authority over the
wind and waves (i.e. the elements) etc….
Philippians 2:9-10: He
was exalted to the highest place and received the name that is above every
name
Ephesians 1:20-23: God
seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, and placed all things
under his feet
Hebrews 1:3-4: Became far superior to the angels
John 1:12: Gave them the right for them to be called children of
God
John 3:16: Gave them eternal life
Romans 5:1: Brought peace between them and God
Romans 6:4-5: Enabled them to live a new life
Romans 8:9-13: Enabled them to receive the Holy Spirit
Romans 8:16-17: Designated them heirs of God and co-heirs with
Christ
Matthew 28:18-20: Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
Satanic attacks on people.
Matthew 13:24-30,36-43: “Sows” evil servants among God’s
people to do evil and cause sin
Luke 8:12: Comes and takes away God’s words from people’s
hearts, so that they do not believe
Luke 22:31-32: Uses persecution and trials to “sift”
Christians; i.e. testing their faith
John 10:10: Comes only to steal, kill and destroy.
Ephesians 6:12: Uses spiritual forces of evil to wrestle against
Christians
Ephesians 6:16: Shoots “fiery darts”
Revelation 2:10: Throws Christians into prison to test them and
persecute them
Revelation 12:17: Makes war on those who keep the commandments of
God and hold to the testimony of Jesus ETC..
Weapons
1 Hope 2 Praise 3 The Blood of Jesus
4 Love 5 The Gifts of the Spirit 6. Spiritual Gifts 7. Anointing with
Oil 8. Prayer 9. Fasting
Romans 15:13. What is
the Holy Spirit’s role concerning our hope?
The Holy Spirit helps us “abound in hope” by giving us joy and
peace in believing his promises; God is the God of Hope.
Romans 15:4. What is
another source that will encourage us in our hope? The scriptures
Hebrews 13:15 refers to praise as a sacrifice that we should
continually offer to God.
Psalm 34:1. When did David say to praise the Lord?
At all times; continuously
Psalm 117:1-2: All nations
Psalm 150:6: Every thing that has breath
Psalm 33:1-2, Psalm 92:1-5: with joyful singing and musical
instruments
Psalm 100:4-5: "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his
courts with praise”
Isaiah 42:12; Psalm 51:15: by declaration
A spiritual warfare weapon, praise can do many things.
2 Chronicles 20:21-22: Brought deliverance from the enemy
Psalm 8:2 (NIV): Praise silences evil forces
Psalm 22:3 (AMP): Invites God into our lives, as God literally
inhabits the praises of his people.
Psalm 63:3-5: Releases God's blessing
Isaiah 61:3: Praise counters the spirit of despair/heaviness
Acts 16:25-26: Brings about miracles - Paul & Silas singing
praise to God while in jail; an earthquake ensues which breaks open the prison
cells; ultimately the jailer and his entire family become Christians.
Examples of praise.
Psalm 149: Sing,
dance, play music with instruments; praise and the sword of the Spirit will be
used by God’s children to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment to
the wicked. They will execute God’s judgment including binding “kings”
with chains and “noble” with fetters of iron
2 Samuel 6:12-15, 2 Samuel 7:1: David praised God with singing and
dancing (vigorously) as the Ark was brought to Jerusalem; the people shouted
and played trumpets; David also offered many burnt sacrifices.
God blessed David and gave him rest from all of his enemies.
2 Chronicles 20:15-22: Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, appointed men to
sing to the LORD and to praise him as they went out at the head of the army,
saying: "Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever."
As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the
enemy and they were defeated.
Isaiah 30:31-32: The people’s praises accompany the Lord’s
shattering of Assyria: "The voice of the LORD will shatter Assyria: Every
stroke the LORD lays on them with his punishing rod will be to the music of
tambourines and harps, as he fights them in battle with the blows of his
arm." (NIV)
Revelation 12:10-11. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and
by the word of their testimony
The
hyssop that applies the blood of Jesus to our lives
Note:
Hyssop was a plant the Israelites used to sprinkle the blood on their
doorposts during Passover.
What the blood of Jesus does for you:
Romans 5:9: Justification – We are made right in God’s sight
Ephesians 1:7: Redemption, meaning we are freed from the captivity
of sin and the death sentence sin merits
1 John 1:7: Cleanses us from ALL sin
Hebrews 9:14: Cleanses our conscience from the dead works of sin
Hebrews 10:19: Enables us to boldly approach God's throne without
fear of punishment
Believing
in all that the blood accomplishes, we can “pray it” or “speak it” in
warfare situations.
Luke 15:11-32. What does this parable tell us about God’s love?
It is unconditional, merciful and forgiving
1 John 3:1. As a father loves his children
Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27,35: Love your enemies with God's love; pray
for those who persecute you; do good to those who hate you
Luke 10:25-27: Love God with all your heart and soul, and love your
neighbor as yourself
Ephesians 3:14-19: Love is to be the foundation for everything we
do – we are to be rooted and grounded in it; this will help us be filled
with all fullness of God and knowledge of Christ’s love
1 Corinthians 16:14 love is to characterize everything we do
2 Timothy 1:7. God
gives us a spirit of power, love and a sound mind
Romans 12:19-21. What happens when love is used in spiritual
warfare?
1 John 4:14-19 fear is “driven” from us.
Romans 8:35-39. What are the things that can separate us from
God’s love?
1. Word of wisdom 2. Word of knowledge 3.
Discerning spirits 4. Gifts of healings 5. The working of miracles 6.
1 Corinthians 12:7. The gifts of the Spirit are for common good of
all in the Body of Christ
1 Corinthians 12:11 The Holy Spirit decides what gifts are given to
each person?
1 Corinthians 12:1, 1 Corinthians 14:1: We should be aware of what
our spiritual gifts are and we should eagerly desire them
1 Corinthians 12:12-27: Avoid thinking our gifts make us better
than other Christians; we are all parts of Christ’s body
1 Corinthians 13:1-3: Use our spiritual gifts in love; without love
the gifts are useless to the Body of Christ
Romans
12:6-8: We should exercise our gifts
1. Prophecy 2. Service 3. Teaching 4. Exhortation 5. Giving 6.
Leadership 7. Mercy
Anointing
with oil is a physical act that we do to symbolize a spiritual dedication or
consecration of a person, object or location to God’s purposes.
As a spiritual weapon, it is a way of staking claim to a territory for
God’s kingdom. Webster's definition of consecrate is “To devote
irrevocably to the worship of God."
Oil
is the most commonly used substance for anointing.
In the Old Testament law, God gave a special, exclusive recipe for holy
anointing oil. Under the new covenant, however, we see that other substances
may be used for anointing as well. For
example, Jesus anointed the blind man in John 9:6 with clay and spit!
Exodus 40:9-11,13,15. What did God instruct Moses to do with the
tabernacle, utensils and priests to prepare them for God’s service?
1 Corinthians 6:19. Under the new covenant through the blood of
Jesus Christ, where is God’s tabernacle / temple?
Anointing our bodies with oil is a key element
James 5:14: the church elders should anoint sick people with oil in
the name of the Lord and pray for them
Mark 6:13: The disciples “drove out many demons and anointed many
sick people with oil and healed them” (NIV)
2 Samuel 12:20: Ourselves; David anointed himself & worshiped
God
Luke7: 37-38: Everyday sinners; Mary anointing Jesus’ feet
w/fragrant oil
Exodus 40:9-11: Dedicating objects to glorify God (examples:
computer, monitor, VCR, eyes, hands, house, bed, etc…)
Exodus 40:13: When preparing to serve the Lord in a special way
2 Samuel 1:21, Isaiah 21:5: Prior to going to battle
2 Samuel 12:20: After confessing and repenting from our sin;
rededicating ourselves after a fall
Ezekiel 16:9: After cleansing ourselves
Prior
to using oil or any other substance, I ask the Lord to bless it and use it as
a holy medium for his purposes.
The
significance of anointing is not in the substance used, but rather in the
spiritual reason behind the anointing.
Matthew 28:19 & James 5:14 instruct us to anoint "in the
name of the Lord."
of
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, we can say this when anointing:
“I
anoint ___________ in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
When
I anoint, I lightly wet my fingertip with the oil and touch the object while
saying the words. It matters not
so much what you do or say when you anoint as much as what your intent is
spiritually.
We
can anoint people, places and things to consecrate them to God’s purposes.
Leviticus 21:10-12 Anointing is a significant act and should be
taken very seriously. It is important for us to do our best to ensure that the
things we anoint will not be used to dishonor God.
8. Prayer
Luke 5:16. Did Jesus pray?
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Without ceasing
Matthew 18:18-20: Bind
evil; loose God’s plans
Mark 14:38: Strength in withstanding temptation
John 17:13-15: Protection from evil; Jesus prayed that God would
keep his followers from the evil one
Romans 1:9: Intercession; Paul made mention of other Christians
without ceasing in his prayers
Acts 4:21-33: The
people prayed for protection and boldness in speaking the Word; also prayed
for God to heal, perform signs and wonders through the name of Jesus; as a
result the place was shaken, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and
they spoke the word of God with boldness and power
Acts 12:1-11: Deliverance; People prayed fervently for Peter’s
release from prison; an angel came and freed him
Philippians 4:6-7: Protection/deliverance from fear/anxiety; taking
our requests before God in prayer yields the peace of God which guards our
hearts and minds
James 5:13-16: help during suffering; healing from sickness;
forgiveness of sin
Mark 1:29-39: Jesus
takes time out to pray early in the morning just as his healing ministry is
getting started; he is in high demand, yet takes time to pray
Mark 14:32-39: Jesus prays in Gethsamene, as he prepares to face
his greatest trial ever
Luke 3:21-22: Jesus praying while he was baptized; the Holy Spirit
came down like a dove and God spoke to him
Luke 5:15-16: Jesus would often slip away to the wilderness and
pray, in this case when the crowds were seeking his help
Luke 6:12-13: Jesus prays all night before choosing the 12
disciples
Acts 1:12-14: The
disciples and others were joined together constantly in prayer after the
resurrection
Acts 2:41-43: The new believers continued steadfastly in doctrine,
fellowship, breaking of b and prayers – results: “fear came upon every
soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.”
Acts 6:3-5: The apostles appointed overseers for the ministry so
that they could devote themselves continually to preaching and prayer
Acts 10:1-23: Cornelius was a devout man who feared God, gave alms
to the poor generously and prayed always; an angel appeared to him during
prayer and instructed him to send men to find Peter
Acts 16:24-26: Paul
and Silas were praising God and praying at midnight in the prison
9. Fasting
James 4:6-7 By denying
our flesh and its desires for food and/or water, we fortify our commitment to
following God.
Matthew 6:16-17: Jesus taught the people about fasting; he said
“when you fast” – it was not a question of “if” they would fast
Matthew 9:14-15: John’s disciples questioned Jesus about why his
disciples were not fasting; he explained that they would fast after he left
them
1 Kings 21:25-29: To humble oneself; King Ahab humbled himself
before God by fasting, wearing sackcloth and mourning in.
2 Chronicles 20:2-4: Petition for God’s protection; Jehoshaphat
proclaimed a fast when he learned of a large army coming from Syria to attack
Ezra 8:21-23: Ezra proclaimed a fast to humble themselves, seek
guidance and protection; God answered their prayers
Jonah 3:5-10: Repent from sin; appeal to God’s mercy
Matthew 17:14-21. How
was fasting linked to the disciples’ failure at casting the demon out of the
boy?
Acts 13:2-3. the Holy
Spirit then told them to set apart Paul and Barnabas for their special
assignment; Before sending Paul and Barnabas out, the people prayed, fasted
and laid hands on them
Luke 4:1-2. Jesus, led by the Holy Spirit, fasted for 40 days in
the wilderness prior to facing the devil in the temptations
John 5:19. Jesus
looked to see what the Father was doing – he only did what he saw the Father
doing
Matthew 6:10 KJV). “Thy
kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Jesus
ultimately surrendered his will to the Father to the point of dying on the
Cross
Matthew 26:39,42). Likewise,
we’ll need to surrender our will to God
Luke 9:51-56: We risk violating God’s will; we could do the
enemy’s will instead of God’s will (i.e. destroy lives)
Acts 19:13-17: We risk personal injury!
Temptation
Luke 4:3-12. How did
Satan tempt Jesus to act on his own initiative, apart from the Father?
Satan tempted Jesus to turn the rocks into bread
Satan tempted Jesus with authority over the world’s kingdoms in
exchange for worship
Satan tempted Jesus to test God’s word by jumping off the temple
The
revelation may come through prayer, an inner impression,
A
word of knowledge or wisdom,
circumstances,
another person or the scriptures.
Charging
into the enemy’s camp on our own initiative without orders or covering from
God could be disastrous for us and our families.
Our presumption and pride could give the enemy sufficient footholds
to
counterattack in a variety of ways.
Matthew 6:25-34. “Kingdom mindset” “no mercy” our attitude
toward sin Our Lord commanded us to seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness and not to worry about the cares of the world (wealth, food,
clothing, etc.);
Romans 6:11-14: consider yourself dead to sin, but alive to God in
Christ Jesus; don’t let sin reign in your body so that you obey its lusts;
present your body as an instrument for righteousness
Galatians 4:7: No longer live as slaves to sin, but as sons of God,
empowered to live in righteousness for His glory
Romans 13:12: cast off the works of darkness; put on the armor of
light
Hebrews 12:1-3: lay
aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles
2 Kings 6:8-23:
Elisha and the King of Syria
2 Chronicles 20:1-30:
The Moabites and Ammonites, and some of the Meunites came against
Jehoshaphat
Ezekiel 13:17-23:
Women using false prophesy and magic
Daniel 10:
Daniel, God’s angels (Gabriel & Michael) and Satan’s angels
(Prince of Persia and Prince of Greece)
Mark 5:1-13:
Jesus and the group of demons called “Legion”
Mark 9:14-29:
Jesus, the disciples and a mute spirit
Luke 4:1-13:
Jesus and Satan
Acts 13:1-12:
Paul (Saul) and Elymas the Sorcerer (“Bar-Jesus”)
Acts 16:16-18:
Paul and a spirit of divination
Acts 16:19-34.
Paul and Silas in prison
2 Corinthians 10:3-6:
Who was fighting? People and evil thoughts
Psalm 100:4: Praise
& Worship
Ephesians 6:10-13: Put on the full armor of God
Ephesians 6:18: Prayer
2 Timothy 3:16-17. all scripture is profitable for doctrine,
reproof, correction and training in
Luke 4:1-14 Jesus use the word of God to fight Satan’s
temptations?
Acts 17:10-12. How did
the Bereans test the apostles’ teaching?
Luke 6:43-44 Jesus said, “A good tree bringeth not forth corrupt
fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is
known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble
bush gather they grapes”
2 Peter 2:1-19. Qualities
of false prophets
Deny the Lord
Follow shameful ways
Bring truth into disrepute
Greedy and exploitive
Desire sin
Despise authority
Bold & arrogant
Blasphemous
Like brute beasts
Reveled in their pleasures
Eyes full of adultery
Never stop sinning
Seduce the unstable
Love the wages of wickedness
Speak empty, boastful words
Appealing to lustful desires
Entice people
Slaves to depravity
Revelation 2:2. They had tested them and found them to be false.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22. Test
all things; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil
1 John 4:1-3. Test
spirits; don’t believe every spirit; test them ….
Colossians 2:8: taken captive through philosophy and empty
deception according to the tradition of men …
1 Timothy 4:1-2: fall
away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of
demons
2 Timothy 2:24-26: taken captive to do the devil’s will
2 Peter 2:1-2,18: led astray/enticed into sensuality
John 16:13. The Holy Spirit revelation
Controlling our thoughts
1. Matthew 15:18-20:
The Heart
2. Matthew
16:21-23: People
3. Acts
5:3: The devil
Matthew 5:27-28. “thought-sin”
Matthew 5:21-22? “thought-sin
“
Psalm 66:18: Blocked prayer: “If
I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me”
Ezekiel 14:7-8: God opposes you:
If the people set up idols in their hearts, God would set his face
against them and cut them off from the people
Matthew 13:22: The word can be choked by the worries of life and
the deceitfulness of riches
Romans 1:18-32: Thinking can become futile and darkened; can be
given over to lust & depravity;
Luke 21:34: Guard your heart
Things we can think on
Joshua 1:8: The word of God
Colossians 3:1-4: Things above, rather than earthly things
Philippians 2:1-5: On the interests & needs of others
Hebrews 3:1: Fix your thoughts on Jesus
2 Corinthians 10:3-5: Cast down sinful imaginations and take every
thought captive to obedience of Christ
Philippians 4:8: Fix thoughts on good things
Exercise godliness
by Living and walking in the Holy Spirit,
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 control your thoughts
Romans 12:1-2. Present your bodies as living sacrifices.
James 3:2 Psalm 34:11-13
Galatians 5:13-14, Ephesians 5:1-2. Serve others in love.
,
Galatians 5:16-25 We exercise godliness by following the Holy
Spirit.
1 Timothy 6:10-11, 2 Timothy 2:22 Keep your tongue from speaking
evil & deceit
1 Peter 1:13-16 We exercise godliness by pursuing holiness.
Wounds can come from a variety of sources, including the devil, his
forces and people.
Anger
Weariness
Hunger and thirst
Cold and nakedness,
Resentment,
Bitterness,
Hatred or
Malice
Isolation
Blame
Sin.
Unforgiveness
Sickness & disease
Rejection from friends, family or church members
Offenses / hurt feelings
Physical harm
Depression/Despair/Hopelessness
Hardened heart
Love grown cold
Sinful desires
Financial problems
Family problems
Death of close relatives or friends
Turning away from the faith, apostasy
Corruption from false doctrine
Mental attacks despairing of life,
Sleeplessness
Perils
John 15:4-5 Abiding in Christ, i.e. being connected with the vine
1 Corinthians 12:27, Romans 12:4-8 Therefore, if we are to abide in
Christ, we will need to be connecting with Christians for our spiritual survival
and fruitfulness.
Hebrews 10:24-25 To stir up one another to love and good works
exhort one another in living for God
James 5:15-16. The
believers can pray for the wounded
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 When we’re willing to allow prayer we give
God an opportunity to heal us
Psalm 103:2-5. God heals all of our diseases God redeems our lives
from destruction God crowns us with loving kindness & tender mercies God
satisfies our mouths with good things, so that our youth is renewed
Luke 4:14-21 Jesus quoted Isaiah 61:1-3 To preach good tidings to
the poor Heal the brokenhearted Proclaim liberty to the captives opening of the
prison to those who are bound To proclaim the year of God’s favor and the day
of God’s vengeance To comfort and console all who mourn
Matthew 14:9-14: Jesus
retreated to solitary place when he heard about John the Baptist’s execution
Mark 6:30-32: Jesus
led the disciples to a deserted place for rest from ministry, prior to feeding
the 5000
Matthew 14:21-23: Jesus
retreated to a mountain after feeding 5000 to pray alone
Matthew 17:1-21: Jesus took Peter, James and John up on a high
mountain to pray and he was transfigured. Later,
Jesus cast out the demon from the epileptic boy.
Jesus’ time of prayer on the mountain was likely essential to his
success in casting out the demon, i.e. “this kind does not go out except by
prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21 NKJV)
Matthew 11:28. Go to
Jesus for spiritual rest
John 15:4-8. Jesus is
the vine and we are the branches;
John 14:10-11 To abide in Christ is to connect with him in an
intimate relationship.
Busy-ness
Lack of time invested in God
Pride
Laziness
Performance-oriented perception of God
Fruitless activities that detract from
our relationship with God
Hebrews 12:1. What are we exhorted to do?
Lay aside every weight and sin that so easily ensnares and run the race
with endurance set before us
John 5:19 Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can
do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the
Son also does in like manner”