The Spiritual War

1. What is the Spiritual War?
Introduction to Spiritual Warfare

For the skeptic and materialist in this world, the whole idea of Spiritual Warfare might cause a good laugh. NBCs comedy program, Saturday Night Live had a character known as the Church Lady who attributed everything to Saaatan!. People in the audience and all over America roared in laughter at the characterization of a Christian who attributed events to a being known as Satan. The audience response is completely understandable; Satan is a biblical revelation, so why would we expect the world to take such a thing seriously. This comedic sketch is just an example of how pervasive the Spiritual War is around us. What! How is a simple comedy skit on a Saturday night, part of a Spiritual War you might ask? Satan according to the Bible is a very real being, who is opposed to Gods work in every way. According to Jesus, he (Satan) is the father of lies (John 8:44), there is no truth in him. Therefore, with millions of people watching, Saturday Night Live plays its role in causing many to doubt Satan exists, bringing doubt to the words of Jesus in the Bible. This is just one of many examples of the Spiritual War taking place all around us. So what is the goal of this Spiritual War? Where is it all going? First, we have to understand the only reason we know there is a Spiritual war taking place is because God choose to reveal it to us through the prophets in the Bible. Without the Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a revelation of scripture, we would be blind to this battle. Therefore, to understand this war, we need to see what scripture roaring lion, seeking whom he may says, and not rely on our feelings and emotions. Again, devour. I Peter 5:8 understanding the Spiritual War requires revelation from God, so its understandable the world would be skeptical of such a conflict. Secondly, the Bible tells us, there is an invisible realm, which is distinct from our physical realm. Our physical world is in many ways under the power this spiritual world. Much of the evil in the world is direct result of this unseen war. The number personalities involved in this conflict, are huge, they involve both the forces of Satan composed of fallen angels and of God, along with His angels. This battle is played out in the realm of humanity, the physical world. According to scripture, the target of this battle is the souls of humanity, (I Peter 5:8-9), and the battlefield is in mind of humanity, blinding them from the truth, that they perish without salvation.
3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
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This is the conflict raging all around us, as the kingdom of Satan wages war on the kingdom of God, for the souls of humanity. When we come to Christ, we are saved, but Gods
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The philosophy which teaches all that exists is the material, as opposed the existence of a spiritual realm.
http://www.truthnet.org/Spiritual-warfare/
program does just not end at our salvation. We now become part of the kingdom of God, opposed to the kingdom of Satan, bringing salvation to the lost. We become an adversary to the god of this age, who has blinded the lost. Understanding, the dynamics of this spiritual world is key, to having victory not only in our life, but also in advancing the kingdom of God, in territory claimed by the enemy. Why we need to understand Spiritual Warfare? Have you ever played a game, not knowing or understand the rules? Imagine you are invited to play in a football game, without understanding the rules. You might find yourself asking these questions. What do you do with the ball? Why are these players hitting me? You might find yourself quitting or lying on the ground in agony, not understanding why the other team hit you. This happens in the spiritual realms, when someone comes to Christ, and is born again. Many times the new Christian finds himself/herself in the middle of a war, not understanding the conflict. The purpose of understanding Spiritual Warfare is so that we can understand the dynamics of the conflict, and move forward in victory, rather than lie in defeat. Our goal is to advance the Kingdom of God, take territory from the enemy and bring souls into the kingdom. If we understand how our enemy works, his traps and strategies are less likely to take us by surprise. Satan understands the redeemed (saved) are his mortal enemy. His goal is to remove the advantage of victory they have in Christ, by causing the saved to wallow in bondage and defeat. A defeated Christian is one less enemy Satan has to worry about; one more warrior of the Kingdom of God taken out of commission. Knowing this is Satans goal, allows the believer to pursue victory rather than wallow in defeat. We need to understand just how Satan wages war in our lives, and in the lives those around us. If we know his methods, we will then be equipped to disarm, and tear down the strongholds, which cause our constant defeat. Knowing the method of spiritual warfare, allows us to go on the offense, rather than responding from a position of defense and weakness. When did Spiritual Warfare begin? To understand the origin of this Spiritual conflict, our knowledge of this war comes through scripture alone. God has revealed through the prophets, in both Old and New Testaments, the origin of this war. The being known as Satan has many names in scripture; one among them is Lucifer, who was the angel who covered the throne of God. His beauty and pride made him rebel against Gods authority, causing him to lead a rebellion of 1/3 of the angels against God. These angels along with Lucifer became fallen angels. The nature of Satans fall is covered in Ezekiel 28:1-18, and Isaiah 14:1-19, where Satan is referred to as the King of Tyre (Ezekiel) and the King of Babylon (Isaiah).
12 "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north;
Isaiah 14:12-13 14 "You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. 15 You were perfect in your ways from the d ay you were created, Till iniquity was found in you. Ezekiel 28:14-15
We will cover the details of his fall in a later study, but for now we need to understand that Satan fell from a point of perfection, through the agency of free-will. He chose to reject Gods authority, along with 1/3 of the angels (Revelation 12;4). With the fall of these spiritual beings, the war began. As a place for punishment, God created the everlasting fires of Hell for the Devil and his angels.
41 Then He will also say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: Matthew 25:41
But before Satan was dispatched there, God made humanity and allowed Satan to question His authority. The fall of Man Along with the creation of angels, God also created the physical world, and humanity, which was made in the very image of God. Like the angels, humankind had the ability to choose to reject or obey Gods commands. God created man and then woman, Adam and Eve, and placed them in the Garden of Eden. Humanity, like the angels, could choose to obey or reject the command in the Garden. Adam and Eve, made in the image of God, were given dominion over the earth; they were to subdue the earth and have dominion over it, being made in the image of God.
28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth. Genesis 1;28
God also permitted Satan, the fallen angel to tempt Adam and Eve. By questioning Gods nature and commands in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve, like 1/3 of the angels paid attention to Satan, and rejected Gods command. They rebelled against God and fell. They turned over their rights of dominion to Satan, who was thengiven authority over humanity. In rejecting Gods command Adam forfeited his assignment. For this reason, Satan could tempt Jesus on the mountain, and offer him the kingdoms of the world, if Jesus would fall down and worship him.
5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 "Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours." 8 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.' " Luke 4:5-8
Though Adam and Eve delivered the nations. The nations (the descendent of humanity) to Satan, God established a plan of redemption through the seed of Eve, the woman. A descendent (a seed) of the woman would crush the head of the Serpent (Satan). The war, which began in the Spiritual realm, now entered the physical world, as God promised that the judgment on Satan, would come through the offspring of the woman. The Messiah, a descendent of Eve, would one day crush Satan.
14 So the Lord God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, And you shall eat dust All the days of your life. 15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel." Genesis 3:14-15
After mans fall, followed by Gods declaration, humanity became the battleground between the forces of God and the forces of Satan. The Spiritual War now entered the physical world. From the time of Cain and Abel, we see two groups of descendents emerge from Adam and Eve, one who seeks God and one who rejects God, like our spiritual counterparts the angels. For this reason, God called out a people from the earth, who would serve him. These people are the redeemed of the earth. They are the Lords army representing God in the Spiritual War, opposing the work of Satan. Meanwhile, Satan and his fallen angels works to corrupt and subvert Gods people, trying to prevent his final end. The redemption of humanity and Satans fall Prior to the birth of Jesus, and even after His birth, Satans goal was to prevent the redemption of man. From the point when Cain killed Abel, the Seed of the Serpent has pursued the Seed of the Woman. In the days of Noah, God separated His people, the family of Noah, from fallen humanity. After Noahs Ark landed, and his descendents began to multiply, we see Satan continue the battle, which began in the garden. Again, God calls out a people, Abraham and his descendents who are chosen, to be Gods people, oppos ing to the work of Satan. Remember, Satans goal is to prevent the fulfillment of Gods Word, which declared his being crushed by the Seed of the woman. God chose Israel, descendents of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, as His people. In the book of Exodus God refers to the children of Israel, the descendents of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as My people nineteen times. He makes a distinction between His people and the people of Egypt.
7 'I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. Exodus 6:7
Through the descendents of Israel, God would complete his plan of redemption in the world. Satan again tries to prevent this. In Exodus chapter 1, Satan through Pharaoh, tries to integrate Israel into Egypt by killing all the male children, which would have forced Israel to become Egypt. Out of this struggle, Moses emerges to lead the people of Israel back to the land of Canaan,, the land of promise. On the way the land, God again declares the distinction between His people and the rest of the nations.
5 'Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 'And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation .' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel." Exodus 19:5-6
Israel, was created to be distinct on the Earth, a unique people, a holy people. The Hebrew word for holy is Xwdq Qadowsh, meaning sacred, set apart or saint, the New Testament equivalent is hagios, which translates as saint. Israel was to be a nation of saints, among fallen humanity. Through the nation, God would bring forth the Messiah, who would crush Satan. As we read the stories of war and battles in the pages of the Old Testament and the nation struggles with sin, what underlies everything is the Spiritual War through which Satan tries to prevent the Messiahs birth. The prophets such as Isaiah declared the Messiah (Christ), would be a descendent of King David, who would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:1-2). He would rule on Davids throne over the nations and His kingdom would be eternal (Isaiah 9:6-7). However, the Messiah would suffer and pay for the sins of man, before he came in glory and power to judge the nations (Isaiah 53). Jesus at the cross, defeated Satan who earlier tempted Jesus to worship him, promising Jesus the nations in exchange (Luke 4:5-8). When Jesus died on the cross, He redeemed what Adam and Eve lost and paid for the sins of humanity. He suffered, the Serpent bruised (crushed) His heal (Genesis 3:15) , but in the process the Messiah became the payment of sins for all humanity. Again, God was redeeming His people from those on the earth. The Church is the body of Christ on the earth
representing Gods presence in the world. In the same way Israel represented God during the Old Testament period, we represent God today. We have been grafted into the covenant blessings of Israel (Romans 11:17). Jesus declared his victory over Satan, giving authority to His people, the saints, over the fallen angels. Therefore, redeemed by the blood of Christ, we carry the battle forward, 2 having authority over the enemy. We have authority over the demonic realm in the name and power of Christ. This is what Satan tried to prevent, from the fall of man until the time of Jesus Christ.
17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." 18 And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:17-20
Satan, however, is still at work trying to prevent the advance of the Kingdom of God in the world, despite his defeat at the cross. He understands his time is short and that one day the saints, the redeemed of the earth, will inherit all things. We see this declaration in the book of Daniel, over 500-years before the birth of Jesus.
27 Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him. Daniel 7:27
We, those in Christ, march forward in victory over the power of Satan. Satans goal for the Christian, is to take away the victory we have in Jesus Christ, causing us to live a life of defeat. By doing this, he removes one more threat against his work. God however has put limits on just how far Satan can go, whether he likes it or not. We see this in the book of Job as Satan rejects Jobs righteousness, because he (Satan) does not have the permission to touch him, because the Lord has put a hedge around him.
8 Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?" 9 So Satan answered the Lord and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 "Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. Job 1:8-10
The Invisible world of the Spiritual realms Satans work against the Kingdom of God, takes place in the invisible realms. We cannot see the spiritual world with our physical eyes, but its effects are just as real. Scripture clearly declares the existence of the unseen invisible world (Romans 1:20, Hebrews 11;27, Colossians 1:16). This world cannot be comprehended with our physical senses. The idea of a spiritual world, stands in contrast the philosophy of materialism , which teaches all that exists is the physical or of matter. Pauls in Ephesians chapter 6, tells us not only is this spiritual realm invisible but it is organized with a structure of rule. The battle we face in the world is not one in the physical world but one in the spiritual.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12
The word for wrestle pavlh Pale, is found only here in the New Testament. The wrestling contest referred to here, means a contest between two in which each endeavors to throw the The word demon comes from the Greek word daimonivzomai Daimonizomai, meaning to be possessed with devils, or fallen angels who are opposed to Gods work.
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other, and which is decided when the victor is able to hold his opponent down with his hand upon his neck. Paul uses this example to illustrate the contest; we face against the invisible spiritual realms. Our battle is very real, its actually against an organized system of power and influence in the heavenly realms. Paul wants us to understand that the root behind the conflict is not the physical, but the spiritual. The angelic world and the demonic (fallen angels) conflicts are being played out in the physical realms, which involves us. The extent and nature of this invisible world is probably more than we can imagine. However, the Bible gives us glimpses of how the invisible world interacts with the physical. In II Kings 6, the King of Syria is at war with Israel, Elisha the prophet kept telling the king of Israel what the Syrian king planned to do. Finally, the Syrian king sent an army to get Elisha. The morning they arrived, Elishas servant was shocked and frightened, and he cried out to Elisha.
15 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?" 16 So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 17 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. 18 So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, "Strike this people, I pray, with blindness." And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. II Kings 6:8-17
Now Elisha, understood the situation from a spiritual rather than physical viewpoint. The servant was there for our benefit, God allowed us to see the situation as the servant saw it, so that we could understand the world we live in. Here two men stood, Elisha and his servant, who represented the Lord, versus a much larger physical army of chariots and horses from Syria. In the world of flesh, Elisha would have no chance of escape. The physical world however, is subject to the spiritual realms. The spiritual realms are just as real as the physical only they are not seen with our physical eyes. This is the point Elisha wanted his servant to understand and God wanted us to know. The armies of the Lord are present in the world, and servants of the Lord have authority over the fallen realms through the power of Christ. Another example of this invisible world is the New Testament Mark 5:1-13, when a man who was possessed with demons confronts Jesus. Through this event, Jesus allows us to see the operation of the demonic realms of this invisible world.
1 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and t he shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. 7 And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me." 8 For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!" 9 Then He asked him, "What is your name?" And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many." 10 Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. 11 Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. 12 So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them." 13 And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea. Mark 5:1-13
From this event, we can glean a great deal of insight into the spiritual realms. However, let us just look at some of the major points for now. The man had a supernatural strength but his power was subject to God. The man in whom the demons dwelt was in torment He recognized who Jesus was, and appealed to Him. The spirit dwelt in the man, allowing him to interact in the physical world. The demon was frightened of Jesus
He had an identity, he was named Legion He was more then one demon They could only do what was permissible, such as entering the pigs The detail presented here is no accident, Jesus wants us to understand the detail of the Spiritual War, so we can comprehend the conflict we are in. In our day, its not uncommon for many to dismiss the whole idea of demons and possession as a relic of from the past. Satans goal is not to be seen, but to deceive. In a secular, skeptical world its to Satans advantage for people to think he does not exist. When Bible teachers and church leaders reject Satan existence, they not only reject him, but they reject Jesus words, which is Satans object, because Jesus proclaims Satan does exist. He is very real, and he has a goal, which is to blind those who are perishing, Satan is called the god of this age, who prevents the lost from seeing the truth. In fact according to some polls the majority of people in America reject the teaching, of Satan as a personal being, including the churches.
In 1995, about 58% of American adults believed that Satan is "not a living being but is a symbol of evil."1 More detailed data, collected in 1991, is listed below. 2 Only among born again Christians did a majority believe in Satan as a living being. A large percentage of Christians appear to disagree with the teachings 3 of their churches:
Group Average of American Adults 65 years and older Born again Not born again Evangelical Christians Roman Catholics Mainline Protestants
Satan is only a symbol of evil 60% 49% 43% 68% 47% 69% 65%
Satan is a living being 35% 38% 52% 25% 49% 26% 27%
http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_sat4.htm
4. How Satan wages War?
We are the Lords army occupying enemy territory, with the battle raging all around us. Those who live in the flesh do not comprehend this war. Satan leads his army against the Lord, comprised of his angels and servants. The world cannot see this battle; they only reap the influences, because this battle is invisible, beyond the physical realms. We know about this battle, through scripture the Lord has revealed the details. So we, His army, can know how to wage war on enemy territory. Understanding our enemy and his tactics is central to our victory, when attacked. Knowledge of Satans tactics is called is called Intelligence, in the United States we have the CIA, which stands for the Central Intelligence Agency. The goal of the CIA is to gather intelligence or knowledge about the enemy. They role is to understand the potential threats to the United States and its citizens. In the former Soviet Union the KGB operated in a similar way, regardless of your political viewpoint, intelligence of the enemy is important. We are in a war, with a real enemy, who sees us (those who know Christ) as his very real threat. Intelligence of enemy operations is important for victory. This flows both ways, Satan is on the prowl to uncover and take down threats to his work. The purpose here is to shed light on Satans method of warfare so we know how to better defend, and then advance the Kingdom of God in enemy territory. Satans Army Satans Angels Those who dismiss Satan and his army of fallen angels do so only to their detriment. Satan is real enemy with both a visible and invisible army. For now, we will focus on the invisible portion of this army, the fallen angels. Does Satan have angels? Where did they come from? Satan himself is a fallen Cherub (Ezekiel 28:16), the angel who was over the throne of God. They are called his angels (Satans angels), because they rejected their creator in favor of Satan. They are under his power and serve him they have no other choice. They are doomed too an eternity in the lake of fire with Satan.
41 "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: Matthew 25:41 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12:9
Like Satan, they had the freedom of will to reject or accept Gods rule, they choose to reject the Lord and choose Satan. One third of the angels fell, following Satans lead (Revelation 12;4). They work under Satans authority and direction, executing his plan against God and humanity, those made in the image of God. The method of their warfare is systematic, with a hierarchy of control and authority.
Scripture indicates there are two groups of these fallen angels; one group has freedom and the other group is chained. Fallen angels without chains Liberty The group of fallen angels most are familiar with through scriptures are those angels who have freedom of operation on the earth. We see them in both the Old and New Testaments, the distinction between these two groups is more fully revealed in the New Testament. These angels operate within the guidelines established at the fall. A great example occurs in the New Testament, when the demons, who called themselves Legion did not want to leave the region, and especially did not want to be bound to the abyss, where the second group of fallen angels are.
28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!" 29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. 30 Jesus asked him, saying, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion," because many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. 32 Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. 33 Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. Luke 8:28
Notice the demons are subject to the command of Jesus, they understand a coming judgment awaits them. They requested to not be sent to the abyss, where the bound angels are. These fallen angels like the others in the region, took possession of people. They operated in a territory. They had an identity, along with liberty to operate. The evil in the region gave them the ability to operate freely. First, the large number of pigs, 2000 (Mark 5:13) indicates a large gentile influence in the area, which would have included their pagan practices. Territory Another point is the reaction of the people in the area of the 1 Gadarenes . When the feeders of the pigs, reported what happened, we might expect awe or wonder. We get fear and dread instead. Rather then, the village seeking truth and light from Jesus, they ask him to leave. Darkness does not want light; the territory was in darkness controlled by demonic spirits (John 3:19). The fear the people exhibit is the same fear the demons dwelling in the man showed. The people of the area wanted nothing to do with Jesus.
34 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country. 37 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. Luke 8:34,37
This was an area of demonic activity, where darkness reigned. Compare this to the reaction of the man who was possessed by the demons. He wanted to go with Jesus, stay with and be near Him. Why is there such a contrast of reactions?
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These three names are used indiscriminately to designate the place where Jesus healed two demoniacs. The first two are in the Authorized Version. (Matthew 8:28; Mark 5:1; Luke 8:26) In Gerasenes in place of Gadarenes. The miracle referred to took place, without doubt, near the town of Gergesa, the modern Kersa , close by the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, and hence in the country of Gergesenes.
The territory was under demonic control; Jesus was demonstrating this principal for the church. By coming to the area where the demonic force known in the spiritual realms as Legion operated. He demonstrated how we can claim territory. The situation is no different today, forces of fallen angels rule over areas and regions. When we bring the Gospel into those areas, we are claiming territory from Satans reign. This is the reason an area might oppose the Gospel, because there is demonic opposition.
Demonic authority Demonic forces are not just territorial, but they exercise authority over areas as evidenced in scripture. In Daniel chapter 10, Daniel prayer is resisted for three-weeks, 21-days, because we later find out the Prince of Persia opposed the angel who was to deliver the message. The Prince of Persia is not the earthly ruler, but a spiritual ruler, who prevented the angel from reaching Daniel, until Michael the archangel came to the scene. The message and revelation then was able to reach Daniel, the message, which follows in Daniel 11 and 12. Why does scripture reveal this scene? God wants us to understand how demonic realms operate, in our physical world. Daniels prayer brought the angels to the scene, his prayers after 21-days also resulted in Michael coming to spiritual conflict with the Prince of Persia, allowing the fallen angel, who ruled over Persia to be overpowered. This is the point, Paul is establishing in Ephesians, the battle we face is a spiritual one, where fallen angels rule and have dominion. This is also what Jesus is wants to understand, our battle is not one of physical realms, but spiritual.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12
We are part of this struggle when we come to Christ. The demonic forces understand we are the Lords army, advancing on enemy territory. This is why Paul stresses our battle is not against flesh and blood, the physical, but against spiritual wickedness in high places. This is why Jesus sent his disciples out on training, and specifically told them not to take anything with them, so they could see the spiritual power they had in His name, as opposed to the flesh.
1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3 "Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 4 "Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 5 "But whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house.' Luke 10:1-5
These seventy disciples were in training, they were also a demonstration for the rest of us. Jesus wants us to know we do not need to depend on the physical, for the work at hand. We need to trust him, and not rely on our own abilities. The spiritual power we operate under is greater then anything the world can offer. Sometimes we need to empty ourselves of the things the world offers and rely on the Lord alone.
16 "He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me." 17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." 18 And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:16-19
We need to understand our position in Christ. This is what Satan wants to keep from us. The demonic realm has authority in this physical world; the demonic authority is subject to the authority we have in Christ. Like Daniel, we have power of the heavenly realms, which Satan and his fallen angels cannot resist. Jesus let the disciples go forward in his power, as a demonstration to us about the power we have. Our feet and prayers advance the kingdom of God on Satans
territory, held under demonic authority. In Matthew 28:18-19, Christ gives us the authority to advance the Gospel on earth. This is the secret the enemy wants to keep from us, he wants us to live in defeat so the Gospel cant be advanced.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. Matthew 28:18-20
In chains of darkness Second groups of fallen angels are angels reserved in darkness until the day of judgment. Here is where Legion begged Jesus to not send them, before the day of torment. Peter and Jude refer to these fallen angels. There are many theories regarding what separates these fallen angels from the others.
4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 2 Peter 4:4 6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; Jude 1:6
Most feel these angels are the ones referred to in Genesis chapter 6, verse 4. Called the sons of God, these angels left their first estate and married the daughters of men. Corrupting the humanity, violence on earth became intolerable, except for Noah and his family. These angels were sent, to what Peter calls tartarovw Tartaroo or Tartarus2 a separate compartment in Hades, where they are chained in darkness for the Day of Judgment. Some feel these same fallen angels are released in the end times, as part of the judgment on a fallen world. Revelation 9:1-11, the fifth trumpet and Revelation 9:14-16, the sixth trumpet, involve demons and fallen angels released on the world for judgment. Demons are after the destruction of humanity, they are not friends of people, they only want the worst, and they like Satan are hunting for souls of the weak and lost.
His boundaries
Despite all the blustering and threats from Satan and the fallen angels, they are limited in what they can do. Several places clearly show, Satan must get permission to go beyond his limitations. Satan could only attack Job, once the Lord allowed it. Satan cannot go beyond the hedge of protection which surrounds Gods elect. Satan can never do more to us, then God allows. God is in control Satan is not, Satan is subject to Gods authority.
10 "Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. Job 1;10
Satan again, needed permission to test Peter. Jesus after the Passover supper, which Judas had left to betray Him, told Peter about Satans request,
2
Tartarous and Hades are both places known in Greek mythology for the place of the dead. These are names used in the Greek to explain the after life. They are not meant to be the equivalent of the Greek meaning, but a term used which a Greek speaking audience would understand. The Hebrew word is Sheol for grave, meaning the place of the dead.
to sift Peter as wheat. Two important points here to note, first Satan could not just attack Peter, he needed permission, Jesus was aware of the situation. Second, Jesus also knew Peter would recover from Satans attack, and that he would be able to strengthen the brethren with the experience.
31 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 "But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." Luke 22:31-32
For Peter, Jesus used prayer to help Peter endure the trial, Jesus knew he was about to go through. Here is a lesson for all of us, when we are in the midst of Satans attack. We must remember: He can only go as far as God permits Jesus knows what we are going through Like Peter, God will use our trials to strengthen us Whatever our circumstances Satan has his limits. In addition to a hedge of protection around the saved, Satan can only tempt, to a degree. We have the power to say no to the temptations in our life. (See also 2 Peter 2:9)
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. I Corinthians 10:13
Satans Goal The Bible is clear; Satan is fighting from a position of defeat. He cannot defeat God no matter how hard he tries. Satan is a fallen angel, created by an all-powerful God. Jesus at the cross defeated Satan. Since that is the case, why does Satan still fight? Satans goal is the destruction of humanity; he knows his judgment is coming. He knows what salvation is, and what the saved have in store. So his goal is simple, to prevent humanity from coming to salvation. All his efforts have this one goal in mind, preventing the salvation of man.
3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
Remember from the beginning, Satan has tried to prevent the coming of the Messiah, who would save humanity. Now the Messiah, Jesus Christ has arrived, He has paid for sins, eternity is offered to lost humanity. Satans plan is to prevent the message of salvation from reaching the lost, since he can no longer prevent salvation. Satan has two distinct strategies, one for the lost, the other for the saved. For the lost its simple, keep people lost, prevent them from seeing the Gospel. For the saved, its a little more complex. When someone is saved, they are now a threat. A saved person is walking dynamite, as far as Satan and the fallen angels are concerned. Jesus has given us authority over the demonic realms, in his name. Satans goal for the saved is to keep them in a defeated, ineffective mindset. When the saved are defeated and distracted, they cannot advance the Kingdom of God. Satan has the victory he needs. He is then free to concentrate on his war at hand, against the Creator God, preventing the lost from being saved. Satans Battleground In this physical world, when we look at war, what are the reasons warfare is conducted? For the most part, war are fought for two reasons for land or ideology. A ruler wants or demands more territory, so he/she conquers surrounding lands. A nation believes their philosophy is
right, and others must follow so war ensues, examples include Islam, Communism, Socialism, Capitalism and others. The more land under control, the more dominant the ruler or ideology. Satan operates in the same way. He is at war, but his battlefield is the mind. The mind is the territory he seeks; control of the physical just follows the control of the mind. If we look at 2 Corinthians 4:4, what part does Satan blind? Its not the physical eyes, he is after the mind. The Greek word for mind is novhma Noema, translates mental thought or perception, that which thinks. Here is where Satan fights for control. All for the purpose of blinding the person from the Gospel. How we think, the inner-man guides our perceptions. Here is where Satan is at work, and here is where scripture warns us to guard. Gods word implores us to be of one mind, and to guard our mind, against the ways of this world.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Satan and his fallen-angels, through the proxy of fallenhumanity, battle for control of our thinking. When a person is saved, their perceptions change, because the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit is now dwelling within. Satan looses total control over their mind. The kingdom of God has advanced on his territory. His Weapons In this war for humanity, Satan has a vast assortment of weapons at his disposal. His goal is not to spread one particular ideology, but to keep the mind in blind to the Gospel. To accomplish this task, he looks to our flesh, our fallen nature. Regardless of our culture or geography, all of humanity has a human nature. This nature is fallen, in this nature the flesh rules. Satan rules in this realm, he keeps those under his influence as captives.
1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. Ephesians 2:1-3
A relationship with Jesus Christ liberates us from Satans power. We are now a part of the Lords army, advancing the kingdom of God on enemy territory. Satan works through the lusts to keep his captives. The word for lust in Greek is ejpiqumiva Epithumia, and means desire, craving and longing, the desire for what is forbidden. Satan pursues our fallen nature through, the mind, feeding our lusts with perceptions. There are three areas Satan uses to attack, these are listed in 2 John 2:16.
16 For all that is in the world -the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -is not of the Father but is of the world. 2 John 2:16
The Carnal nature craves all three areas, Satan in this world operates and tempts, controlling the lives of the lost in one or three of these aspects. Here John gives us a broad overview of Satan areas of attack. Lust of the flesh Lust of the eyes Pride of life
Through these areas, Satan seeks to develop strongholds, which allows him to have a grip. The mind becomes dependent on an aspect of sin, Satan, is like an archer whose quiver is full, he has many arrows to send. Lets look at our own life, what prevented us from finding Christ? Where did Satan have control? Were we too proud to need a savior? Did we have habits which we could not give up? Did we worry what our friends and family would think? Were we too wise for the simple Gospel? Whatever our reasons in the past, we were also once blinded by Satan. Now that we know Christ, we are freed from his power. Satans goal now is to deceive the believer, to take away from him/her the victory and potential we have in Christ. He wants to keep us in bondage and defeat, though we have power and authority. Today, Satan uses these same weapons to hold others under his power. Look at the works of the flesh below in Galatians 5, each one of these is like an arrow in Satans quiver.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
5. Our Place in Christ

Here we stand in the midst of a fallen world, while the spiritual battle rages all around. Satan and his fallen angels work night and day to preserve their kingdom, from the advancing Kingdom of God (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). The battle is over the souls of humanity, as Satan works to keep lost humanity from finding salvation, blinding those who are perishing. He also works to prevent the saints (the saved) from advancing the Kingdom of God, through a catalog of weapons and tactics. For those new to the faith, the reality of spiritual warfare can be a shock. However, the Lord through scripture has prepared us to expect the war and the attacks. If God is so powerful, why doesnt God just eliminate Satan and his of fallen angels? Many of us ask this question ourselves in the midst of the struggle. Why do we have to struggle with Satan, and go through his attacks? Have you ever found yourself asking this question? If you have, you are not alone, when we struggle and feel helpless; sometimes it is hard for us to see any good in the struggle. One thing we need to remember is God does not need angels or humans, to do His work or us. He is completely able to accomplish His will. If he made the universe, including the spiritual realms, at the command of His word, He could finish it at the command of His word. However, God chooses to use us, and allow us to participate in His work. In the process, we the saints (believers in Christ) transform into the image of Christ. Satan serves the purpose of the Lord, because his attacks cause us to grow, being more like Christ ( 2 Cor 3:18). Imagine if you as child growing, never experienced pain, or failure, then as an adult you were expected to cope with pain or failure. How do you think you would handle the trials of adulthood, without having the trials of childhood? When we fall off the bike, or struggle to learn to walk, falling and crying we are being transformed into adults, through trials. In the same way, when we struggle spiritually we are being transformed, the Holy Spirit is conforming us to the image of Christ. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, urging us to pray.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8;26
Through the process of spiritual warfare, the redeemed are tested and tried, learning to trust and depend on the Lord. In the spiritual war Satans hands are tied, he is limited in what he can do; God knows our limitations too, not allowing more then we can handle. The spiritual war As we see from scripture spiritual warfare is very real, and involving both the physical and spiritual worlds. In our physical world, we see the effects of this spiritual conflict, between angelic and demonic realms. Through scripture, God has revealed to us the supernatural world, vying for the souls of humanity. This struggle involves us, whether we want it or not, once someone comes to Christ they become Satans mortal enemy, rather then his mortal victim. Satan understands the stakes of a saved soul used by the Lord.
Before the person is saved Satans goal was to keep the person in darkness, by blinding the lost from seeing the gospel. All this changes when someone comes to the light, Satans goal shifts from keeping a person lost, to defeating the new believer, to keep them from living a victorious life. He wants them to be defeated, in bondage, wallowing in the struggles of their life. He (Satan) wants to keep them becoming effective warriors for the Kingdom of God, he does this through his attacks. God uses these same attacks to advance His kingdom, through them the saved, learn to the way of the spiritual warrior. This war however is not primarily played out in the physical world, but the spiritual as Paul states in Ephesians chapter 6. It is imperative for everyone who serves in the army of the Lord to understand just how and why the enemy battles. For this reason, Paul makes a the distinction between the two realms, the physical and the spiritual. Our battle takes in spiritual places, even though it may seem to be physical, the source is spiritual, in heavenly realms.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12
Before we continue to understand the spiritual war and the role we play, we should have a clear understanding of the nature of spiritual warfare. Lets make sure we have a clear understanding of the background of spiritual war, in relation to the Christian. 1.Who is our enemy? First our enemy is Satan, a fallen angel of the cherub order (Ezk 28:14), who deceived 1/3 of the angels who followed him in rejected their Creator (Rev. 12:4), the Lord God of the Bible. He along with his horde of fallen angels (demons) unite in their assault against humanity (Eph. 6:12). They work through fallen humanity, who is deceived by Satan (John 8:44). 2. What is the spiritual war? The Spiritual war is a war between the forces of God, including angels and saved humanity versus Satan and his fallen angels (Luke 4:8-9). The battle is for the souls of souls of lost (I Cor. 4:3-4), to bring them to salvation. Satan has blinded the eyes of those who are perishing, so they stay in their lost condition. Our goal is to advance the kingdom of God on Satans territory, through the power of the Gospel, which transforms lives, bringing the lost to salvation (Matthew 28:18-20) 3. Where is the spiritual war fought? The Spiritual war is being fought in heavenly realms (Eph. 6:12), on the battlefield of the minds of humanity (I Cor. 4:14). The physical world is merely a byproduct of the events taking place spiritually. When souls come to salvation, territory is taken away from Satan. He and his fallen angels control geographic areas, keeping souls under in a lost condition. When the Gospel is advanced on enemy territory, Satan looses control. He looses territory, when minds turn from his control, to Christ. 4. When does the spiritual war take place? The war started at the fall of the angels, and the battle was transferred to earth when Adam and Eve fell. Satan became the god of the age, he exercises their (Adam and Eve) dominion over the earth. Satan works to prevent the lost from being saved, by keeping them in blindness to the gospel. When a person is saved by being Born again, they are removed from Satans power, they now have Holy Spirit power. At this point, Satan begins his battle to destroy the testimony and walk of the newly saved believer.
5. How is the spiritual war fought? Satan wages war on two fronts, the spiritual and the physical front. In the spiritual front, Satan controls areas of the physical earth, through the fallen angels who rule over spiritual principalities (Ephesians 6:12, Daniel 10). Satan is behind deceptive teachings to keep regions under darkness. This battle is also fought in the minds and hearts of humanity. Satan opposes the advancing Gospel, because it frees minds from satanic deception. To summarize these five points: Satan is our enemy Spiritual warfare is the battle for souls Spiritual warfare takes place in the mind Spiritual warfare begins the day we are born Satan uses deception to blind the mind
What is our position? Having reviewed the state of the spiritual warfare, next we need to understand where we stand in relation to this conflict. When someone comes to Christ, he/she becomes Satans mortal enemy. Satan is fearful and powerful, but he is chained and limited in how he can wage war. Deception is Satans weapon of choice; even though he is limited, his goal for us (the redeemed) is to give him control, even though we have victory. The Christian is not fighting for victory; he/she is fighting from victory. Satan is a defeated in enemy. We fight from victory Our battle against Satan is not for victory; Jesus has already won the victory. Christians are already the victors when they come to Christ. We are fighting from the position of victors in Christ conquering enemy territory. Satan knows our position, his goal is to deceive us, trying to convince us we must still attain victory, rather then advance forward in our victory through Christ. Jesus Christ has guaranteed our redemption, He will complete our salvation, and the Holy Spirit is the down payment. Paul writes about this in Ephesians, the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance.
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14
Therefore, we are conquerors taking territory, not warriors fighting for victory. The war is already over, the enemy is defeated Satan has lost. His goal is to take away our victory, through deception. We need to remind Satan he is defeated, and his only power over our lives is the power we give him. We have authority Jesus sent out the seventy disciples, who later returned with joy. Rejoicing they have authority over the demonic realm, in the name of Jesus. Jesus replied, I saw Satan fall like lighting from heaven. What did Jesus mean by this statement? As the seventy went from village to village, Jesus was watching another spectacle he saw Satans defeat. Jesus saw territory taken away from him. At the loss of territory, and the subjection of his demonic realms Christ saw Satan fall, like a bolt of lighting from Heaven.
17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." 18 And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:17-19
Not only do we fight from the position of victory, we have the authority, which comes with the victory. Satans agenda is to take away the strategic advantage of the believer. For this reason, Paul admonishes us to put on the whole amour of God. We can be prepared against the wiles or scheme of Satan. Satan is not going to go down in defeat without a fight.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11
Satan wants to take away our power in Christ, he wants to stop the authority we have, Satans kingdom is at stake. Therefore, he uses methods or schemes to assault the believer, causing them to not use the power, we have in Christ. He wants us to live a defeated existence. The Greek word of wiles is meqodeiva Methodeia, meaning follow up or investigate by method. This is where the English word, method is derived. Satan has a method to his work, he knows what he is doing, he is not haphazard, but methodical in his pursuit. Again, Satan goal is to remove our authority, take victory from our mind, and make us useless to the kingdom of God. He can remove our authority, by causing us to fall. We have authority to reprove the world of sins, in the power of Christ. How much authority does a believer have, when he is engaged in the same activity? Not much, at least in the eyes of those reproved. That is why Christian leaders, who fall, become mocked. Their fall not only takes their authority away, but the whole kingdom of God suffers. Satan hunts Christian leaders and Christians his goal is to remove authority, hurting the kingdom of God in the process. We advance the kingdom Satan rejoices in the destruction of humanity. Souls who come to Christ remind him of his loss and eventual judgment. Therefore, Satans goal is taking away our victory and authority, to stop the advance of Gods kingdom. We are the advance team; through us, God advances His kingdom in enemy territory. Think about it! God could by very word advance His kingdom, but he chooses to allow us to participate in the war. We are warriors in the Lords army, taking dominion from Satan. Whatever our profession whatever the world thinks of us, does not matter, as children of God, we are soldiers of God. If we are CEO of a major fortune 500 company, or the clerk in a Wal-Mart, both stand on equal footing in the kingdom of God. The CEO, who fears what his colleagues think of Christ and fails to advance the kingdom of God, has fallen to Satan schemes. He has allowed the deception of pride and honor in this world, keep him/her back from what God offers. God will take us where we stand, and use us if we are willing to be used, He does not need the prestige offered by the world. He (God) rejoices in uses the things despised of by the world. If we are willing to commit to Him, He will take us beyond anything we could imagine of ourselves. Remember, when Jesus chose the disciples, they were not worlds all-stars. They were fishermen, tax-collectors, prostitutes and plain ordinary folk. What you and I see is the power of the Spirit in their lives. This same power of Gods Spirit dwells in us if we are saved. God reminded Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah not to rely on human power or effort but on the Spirit of God.
6 So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the Lord of ho sts. Zechariah 4:6
Therefore, wherever we stand in this world, does not matter, it is who we are in Christ, thats all that matters. Our goal is to be faithful with the work we have at hand, God will take care of the rest. We can take comfort, in that the Lord rejoices in confounding the ways of the world. He rejoices in taking the simple and despised in this world, and using them to show His greatness.
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. I Corinthians 1:18-21
So lets rejoice in our simplicity! We are warriors of the Lord operating in enemy territory, taking dominion away from Satan. If we are a clerk at Wal-Mart, or the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company we have the same calling. God rewards the faithful, and despises the ways of the world. Put n our armor and go to war! What can Satan do to us? Since we have victory, authority and we are to advance the kingdom of God on Satans territory what can Satan do? Paul reminds us to put on the armor of God to be able to resist the schemes of Satan. Satan is not without resources, he has a whole catalog of methods to take down believers. Remember, by taking down a believer he removes their authority, securing his kingdom. Before we examine Satans tactics, let us review Satans position is in relation to the believer. 1. He is limited Satan requires permission before he can sift us. We see this in Job where he complains Job has a hedge around him (Job 1:10). Jesus also tells Peter, Satan has requested the permission to Sift him as wheat (Luke 22:31). Satan is the accuser, who stands before the throne of God accusing, the redeemed (Revelation 12:10). 2. He is defeated Jesus beheld Satan falling like lighting (Luke 10:18). Our job is to take his territory from him, advancing the Kingdom of God. Satans end is already declared in and seen in scripture. John taken into the future, saw the day when Satan was cast into the Lake of Fire, for the rest of eternity.
10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:10
Satan operates from the position of defeat, he wants us to think otherwise. He knows his time is limited, he knows were his eternity is. 3. He attacks causes us to grow Satans existence must be a frustrating one, because God uses his attacks to transform His church into the image of Christ. Satan is limited, and when he is allowed to attack its for our growth. We need to keep this in mind when we suffer; God takes our sufferings and causes us to grow.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. I Peter 5:8-10 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, I Peter 1:6-7 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 2 Corinthians 4:14
Satans Tactics Satans tactics for the lost are different then the saved, for the lost the goal is keep them in blindness. For the saved person, Satan has a multi pronged approach, Remove victory from their mind Distract us from the Lords work Take away our authority Stop the advance of the Kingdom of God
We will examine this issue with more detail in later studies. 1. Remove victory from their mind A. Self-righteousness, rather then the Lords righteousness B. Not trust in the promises of the word C. Causes us to wallow in our sin, rather then overcome it D. Establishes stronghold in our life 2. Distract us from the Lords work A. He uses our pride B. He uses the things of this world to engage us C. He uses relationships D. He causes us to envy others 3. Take away our authority A. He tempts us B. He demonstrates our hypocrisy C. He makes us fall in the midst of the people we need to 4. Stop the advance of the Kingdom of God A. He attacks the Word of God (The Bible) B. He attacks the person of Christ C. He spreads heretical doctrines D. He creates false religions E. He spreads lies in education F. He controls access to scripture through government G. He destroys families
The Armor of God: Our Weapons
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness 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. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; Ephesians 6:11-17
7. The Armor of God Part II

Paul was a spiritual warrior of the first order; he understood the battle at hand. His goal in Ephesians was to give the church in Ephesus he spent three years teaching, a final message. The message to Ephesus was a message to the whole church, all the saints, by the Holy Spirit, through Paul. Paul wanted to the church established on truth; he wanted the body of Christ to know how Satan works. On his way to Jerusalem, Paul met with the leaders of the church at Ephesus. He warned them of what was coming, in his absence, how wolves would come into their midst, and work within the church. Paul called for diligence within the body of Christ, to combat those who try to do harm to the flock.
27 "For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 "Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. Acts 20:27-31
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword Hebrews 4:12
Notice in verse 28, Paul refers to the overseers, who were established by the Holy Spirit to shepherd Gods church. In verse 30, Paul refers to men who will rise up from within the Church of Ephesus, to draw away disciples after themselves. Paul says to Watch, meaning be on guard, vigilant, alert, waiting for the attacks.
Therefore, the job of the Lords warrior is not only to advance the Gospel or Christ, we are also to defend the Gospel within the church. By wearing the armor of God, we are instruments of defense as well as offense. Satan launches attacks from within and without the church, his goal is destroy and pull down the army of the Lord. As soldiers of the Lord, we are to equip and build up the saints of Christ, and looking for opportunity to advance the kingdom of God on enemy territory. Here is where Paul set such a great example for those who would follow in his footsteps. In his final message to this church, he commands them to put on Gods armor, so they will be successful in these attacks, Satan will wage on them. Pauls message was not only for Ephesus, but for all of us too, instructing us how to be successful in the spiritual war. In verses 10, Paul gives an important key to being successful at Spiritual warfare, which is often overlooked by many saints, he tells the church in Ephesus to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. To be effective in spiritual warfare, we must be willing to be strong in the Lord , meaning we are to discipline ourselves in the knowledge and skills required. The saints need to learn Gods word, increase their faith, and train for battle, like a warrior preparing for combat. When we are strong in the Lord , we are then able to be in the power of His might. Though David was a boy and Paul a weakly looking man, they were both strong in the Lord; this allowed Gods might to be unleashed from their lives. When we are strong in the Lord, we
understand our position, and the awesome responsibility God has given us to represent His kingdom in this fallen world. This is why David was outraged; he could not understand how Israel could just stand there as a Philistine insulted God, even though he was a giant. In verse 11, Paul commands the church to put on the armor of God, so the power of Lord might become active against Satans schemes and attacks. A saint strong in the Lord, without the armor of God, soon becomes a victim of Satans attacks. Satan hunts for weak prey in the same way a lion looks for those he may devour. Where the battle rages for Gods warrior Paul wrote Ephesians, being a prisoner in Rome, seeing the majesty and grandeur of the Roman legion, he tells the church, our battle takes place in the invisible spiritual realms. The warrior wearing spiritual armor has to know where the battle takes place. Why because Satan wants the Lords warriors to misdirect their energy, by fighting against flesh and blood rather then the spiritual kingdoms. For example a Christians who has a conflict with a conflict with an angry foul-mouthed neighbor, might take the attack personally. Developing hatred for the person misses Pauls point. Paul wants us to understand, we see the physical results of a spiritual battle. A spiritual warrior must change their perception. The warrior needs to see through spiritual eyes, not physical ones.
Ephesians 6:10-18
Vs. 12 For we: The message here is for the saint, those who are lost do not know they are captives of a spiritual kingdom. When we were lost, we had no clue we were part of Satans domain, trapped and perishing under his power. When we came to Christ, we became part of the Lords army. do not wrestle against flesh and blood: Our spiritual eyes need to comprehend the war we in. The term wrestle, pavlh Pale refers to a physical competition, where the victor forces the looser to the ground, placing his hand around the neck. We need to comprehend we are involved in a spiritual struggle against Satan; his goal (Satan) is force us (the saved) to the ground, gaining control over our lives, taking away the authority we have in Christ. against principalities: Without understanding the source of our fight, the Lords warrior can waste a great deal of spiritual and physical energy in the struggle. Paul defines our struggle as being against non-physical entities, he calls them principalities, powers, rulers and hosts. Let us take the terrorism for example, many in the secular world, see a clash of cultures, the culture of Islam versus the Western culture. Ephesians defines these conflicts as spiritual, spiritual realms at war. The Greek word for principality is Arche, literally meaning origins or beginning. Kingdoms are called principalities, because they were identified with a specific point where the power originated. The ruler of a principality was as a prince, or in the Greek an Archon. Paul wants the spiritual warrior to understand, there exists literally spiritual kingdoms, or principalities . They are just as real as physical kingdoms, but they exist in spiritual realms. Daniel chapter 10 is an example of such a kingdom, there we see the Prince of Persia at war against the prayers of Daniel. against powers: The second force Paul describes, powers comes from the Greek word ejxousiva Exousia also translated as authority. The war is also against areas of power and authority. Demonic forces exercise authority or power over areas of choice. This would include issues, which plague the world and the church, such as adultery, pornography, abortion, homosexuality, racial prejudice, violence and more. In these areas, demonic forces exist, thy exercise authority over these realms.
When a saint enters these powers without authority, we become subject to these powers. We need to understand, there are literal areas of power where saints are not to tread, without our armor and authority. Remember Satans goal is to get his enemy, the saint, subdued to the ground, placing his hand around the neck. Many saints have fallen pray to Satan, by wandering into areas of authority power under control by the enemy. A saint without his/her armor, becomes hunted like the lion hunts prey. When they are taken, they have been spiritually defeated, loosing their authority. This is an important point to remember, when we are tempted to go in areas under enemy power. Walking into a bar, strip club, violent movies, profane conversations or listening to music which is contrary to Christ, puts in areas of enemy power. These areas are under demonic influence, where the enemy of your soul rules. Now I understand many in the world might dismiss these remarks as fundamentalist prudishness, that is ok, how do expect the world to understand the spiritual realms? We cant! Scripture clearly says, those who are perishing, are blinded by Satan, they dont know they are lost. Therefore its understandable for the lost to dismiss a spiritual message. against the rulers of the darkness of this age: The Christian is to watch because, the battle is very real, there are not only principalities, but princes or rulers , who have dominion. Darkness is the absence of light, light exposes reality. According to scripture, the lost are in darkness, II Corinthians 4;4 proclaims the lost have been blinded, by the god of this age or aion. There are literal beings that are responsible, for those in darkness.
whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them II Corinth 4:4
Satan has an ordered kingdom, with a hierarchy of demonic (fallen angels), which exercise authority and control in these kingdoms of darkness. against spiritual hosts of wickedness: Satan is called prince of the power of the air, meaning the atmosphere of this physical world. Satan is not hindered by physical constraints of the earth; he literally has the ability to operate from celestial plane, from the air.
2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, Ephesians 2;2
This power was demonstrated when in Luke 4:5, when in an instant of time, he flashed all the kingdoms of the earth before Christ, offering Him all the kingdoms if Jesus would just fall before Satan and worship him. We should not think Satan has physical limitations; he operates in the minds of the lost, making them captive in darkness. Therefore, his power is in high places, not limited by physical obstacles. How to face Satan Satan is a very real enemy at war with every saint (believer), his goal is to remove our authority, to vanquish us, by putting his hand over our neck. Forcing us to submit, causing us to loose our authority. His control is redundant in many ways; he has a multi-pronged attack strategy. For example, Satan does not only deceive through false religions and counterfeit Christianity; he also attacks by denying the existence of God. If none of this works, there is always materialism, the deception of wealth and the sensuality of this world to seduce the lost. He has many strategies and schemes to capture lost souls. Scripture alone, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, allows us to see his tactics. However, Paul addresses the armor of God for the believer, how we are to be equipped to withstand what has captured the world. We as believers are separated from the world, the Bible calls us holy, translated saints. This word comes from the Greek a&gio Hagios , meaning separated or called out. Since we are called out from the world, we are no longer to be under Satans authority, but
the Lords authority. To wage successful war against Satan, we need to wear the armor of God, this is the point Paul is making. Vs. 13 Therefore: In verse 12, Paul writes about the reality of the spiritual forces mustered against the saint. The situation might seem overwhelming when understand; shear force and power of our enemy. Who are we to battle against such a foe? We alone are powerless against such an enemy, but its not us alone, we have an ally, who is already victorious against Satan, the Holy Spirit.
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. I John 4:4
With all this force mustered against the believer, what are we to do? take up the whole armor of God: This is how we can be successful in the face of Satans attack. Notice, Paul writes to take the whole armor, being partially armed is not enough. Satan and his minions are looking for holes to bring the believer down. Every piece of Gods armor is required to stand against Satans methods. The Greek word for the whole armor is panopliva Panoplia, which
means full set of armor, a compete set. Every component of the armor is required.
that you may be able: Without the full armor of God, our ability to stand is at great risk. The Greek work for able is duvnamai Dunamai, means having the strength or power. From the same root, we get the word dynamit e or power. Having the whole armor of God gives us the power to stand against Satan. We have dynamic power, Holy Spirit power to withstand Satan. to withstand in the evil day: Satan and his demonic forces will attack the believer, therefore we should be ready when the day comes. The Christian must walk forward, continually we must be on alert for Satans devices, his goal is to disable the believer and keep the lost, lost. We need to be on alert for the coming attack, because we live in evil days, in a fallen world. and having done all, to stand: Putting on and wearing the armor of God is a process. Wearing the armor of God and effectively using the armor is linked with being strong in the lord and in the power of his might. When we have done all, the word here is a&pa Hapas, meaning all things or whole. The armor of God is one whole unit, which functions together, weakness in our gives Satan a platform to launch his attack, preventing us from standing. Paul point here is we should be prepared to stand and not fall for Satans devices. We need to make a conscious effort to stand up against Satans plans. Vs.14 Stand therefore: Once we are wearing the complete set of Gods armor, the panoplia, next we need to make the conscious decision to stand. God has given us the ability to choose, to make the stand. If we do not make the choice to stand, we will fall, and being on the ground is no fun. Satan is not just content with the saint lying on the ground; his goal is choke off the life out of the saved soul. Remember, the term for wrestle is defined as a victory when the opponent has his hand around your neck.
Belt of Truth having girded your waist with truth: The first piece of equipment Paul describes is the belt of truth. The Roman Legion belt was first known as balteus, later it became known as cingulum militare, they were the mark of a solider, common citizens did not wear the distinct belt of a legion. On the belt would the gladius or sword, fastened to the belt, which also kept the tunic and armor in place. The distinct medal studded strips of leather, was unique to the legions belt.
The belt allowed kept the equipment in place, the same way truth keeps the spiritual weapons in place. Truth means what is real, as opposed to what is not real or false. The New Testament rests on the reality of Jesus, Jesus makes this point very clear in John 14:6.
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14;6
On the identity of Jesus, the whole armor of God described here in Ephesians rests. This is an important point, because many cults have a Jesus as part of their faith. However, the Jesus they have is a false Jesus, not the biblical Jesus. So without the truth, they are without any armor, and still in Satans grasp.
Breastplate of Righteousness having put on the breastplate of righteousness: This piece of equipment in the legion is called the Lorica Segmentata, it was constructed of strips of metal fastened together by leather. This was standard issue to the legions during the reign of Augustus. This piece of equipment weighed from 20 to 30 pounds, its design was to protect the vital organs of the legionnaire. The metal was designed to deflect a dart or sword attack, which the shield or sword failed to stop. The goal is to protect the vital organs, from enemy attack. This parallels the righteous life, when we live a righteous life; our vital organs are protected from enemy attack. For example, the Christian who knows the word of God (Sword of the spirit) and has great faith (shield of faith), but lives an unrighteous life, is open to enemy attack, regardless how well they are able to use the other pieces of equipment. That person has put down the breastplate of righteousness; their vital organs are exposed to the attack of the enemy.
Shoes of the Gospel Vs. 15 having shod your feet: As a believer we have authority, given to us by Jesus Christ. Our feet are the method we move in this physical world. What territory do we walk on? The god of this age is Satan, who rules over the nations. We on the other hand advance the Kingdom of God on Satan territory. How is this kingdom advanced? What is the method God uses to advance his kingdom? Is it through the spread of democracy? Is it through higher living standards? Through education? No, its through the Gospel, the good news, which changes lives for eternity. Offering the lost person, liberty from Satans power, is achieved by the spread of the Gospel. If the saved person is not willing to tell others the Good News, the Gospel, Satan wins. with the preparation: Part of our authority is to take the Gospel to enemy territory, our shoes our ability to move on enemy territory, is our being prepared to share the good news. The Roman legion represented, the kingdom of Rome, where they walked was Roman territory, or was being conquered for Rome. The Roman boot was designed to stand ground in battle. The Roman boot was fitted with metal studs, like the cleats of football player, to help him maintain ground in battle. The saint must be prepared to march on enemy territory, prepared with the Gospel. With the Gospel, we free the captive, from Satans control, offering peace to a lost world. the gospel of peace; Satans goal is to keep the lost away from the gospel. The gospel of peace is the restoration of fellowship with God through the work of Jesus Christ, who died for our sins. Our job
is to spread the Gospel. The world is divided into two camps, those who are perishing and the saved. We are the fulfillment of Isaiah words,
7 How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Isaiah 52:7
Shield of faith Vs. 16 above all: What did Paul think the most important piece of equipment was for the Spiritual warrior? Right, the shield! He tells us above all right at the start. Faith is a shield, which allows us to put an immediate end to many of Satans attacks. For the Romans the shield was not just a defensive weapon, it was also an offensive weapon. The metal boss in the center, designed to hit the enemy at impact, allowed the legionnaire to follow up with his sword, to subdue the opponent. taking the shield of faith: How do you take up the shield of faith? What is faith? Faith is often defined as a religious term; religious people are called people of faith. For many secularist, this means blind faith, which means faith without any basis. We however are told to take up or raise the shield. How can we raise our faith? Lets use the atheist for an example. Even atheists have faith, for example if an atheists were to fly in an airplane, does he know for certain, the plane would arrive at its destination? No, he has faith that it will arrive there, he does not know for certain until the event occurs. What is the basis of his faith in the plane? He uses reason and logic, based on experience and history of airplanes. If an atheist were afraid to fly, how might he raise his faith in ability of the plane to carry him? He might read about the engineering of planes, their history and their statistics. Joe Atheist has a reasoned faith in airplanes. There is no reason for a Christian to have blind faith; God has provided us with reasoned faith, faith based upon reason and logic. The Bible is filled with prophetic evidence regarding the Bible, and Jesus Christ, for example Isaiah 52:13-53:12, describes Jesus and his ministry 700-years before his birth. The Bible foretells the exact time of Jesus death 539-years before His birth in the 70 Weeks of Daniel, Daniel 9:24-27. Why did God provide prophetic evidence for the person of Jesus? Why did Jesus do the miracles? To provide evidence of his identity, that we might have faith in Him. We can choose to increase our faith, by learning to have a reasoned defense of the gospel. We are told in Peter to be prepared to give a reason or logic in the Greek, of the hope we have. In other words, we are to give the reason for our faith.
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; I Peter 3:15
you will be able: Raising the shield gives us power or abilities against Satans attacks. The word used here again is duvnamai Dunamai, meaning having power or strength, being capable. to quench all the fiery darts: A fiery dart in Roman times was an arrow, dipped in oil then lit on fire and shot at opposing force. Paul uses the imagery of two warring factions facing each other; he describes Satans attacks as fiery arrows, which the shield was able to deflect. The Roman shield was actually designed and curved to allow the force of the sword or arrow to be deflected to the sides. How does this work in a practice? For example lets take Mary Christian and her co-worker. Mary is at work, and her coworker says, Mary do you really believe Jesus is the son of God? How can you believe such a thing? The co-worker really might be
asking a sincere in her question, or she could be shooting a fiery dart at Mary . If Mary Christian has never learned how to use her shield of faith, the dart might hit Mary, who might ask herself, yeah, why do i believe Jesus is the son of God, how do I know the Bible is true? Now God allows us to experience warfare, because through it our faith can grow. The co-worker may be very sincere in her question, creating a door for Mary to advance the gospel. As Mary learns why the Bible is true, and why she believes Jesus is the Son of God, she can walk over to her coworker, open the Bible (the sword of the Spirit) and show her. Now the fiery dart shot at Mary, becomes the cause of the Gospel is advanced, as Mary explains to her co-worker who Jesus is, and why he is the Son of God. Satan has literally hundreds of fiery darts he can fire at us, in each case; we should learn how to take his attacks and train to respond. Ask yourself, what fiery darts give you the most problems? 1.________________________________________________________________ 2________________________________________________________________ 3_________________________________________________________________ 4._________________________________________________________________ We can choose to raise our level of faith, by learning scripture and the evidences contained within it. The more we engage in spiritual combat training, the more effective we can be with our weapons. of the wicked one: We need to understand Satan is the source of the attack, but God allows the attack for our growth, that we might become more effective in the battle. Whatever attacks Satan wages, not one can occur without Gods knowledge. Helmet of salvation Vs. 17 take the helmet of salvation: Where does the spiritual battle rage? On what battlefield is Satan active? He (Satan) works on making the mind nd captive. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, Satan has blinded the minds. The thoughts and actions of the body proceed from the mind. The head is was a prime target in warfare, because an opponent knows, a direct hit would finish the enemy. Therefore, the legions were equipped with helmets to protect the head from enemy swords or arrows. In the same way, we are to take up our helmet, the covering of our mind, with the salvation of Christ. What a remarkable promise we have in scripture, salvation! We need to learn to trust and rejoice in the hope of our eternity, when we are engaged in warfare. Paul in I Thessalonians describes the hope of salvation as our helmet.
8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, I Thes. 5:8-9
Whatever our circumstances, we have eternal hope. Our home is not in this world, what is the worst that can happen to us? Death!, then we spends an eternity with Christ in Heaven. Scripture gives us the picture of eternity in Revelation 21 & 22, so we can learn to set our mind on our eternal dwellings, putting our hope in salvation, not this world. When Satan throws his fiery darts at our minds, we need to remind him, where we are spending eternity. What our promises are? Satan targets each of us with his own particular weapon suited for us. For example, to the Christian who thought money was the focus of life, before he was saved. Satan, after his salvation, may use his past as a foothold. He may call the person a looser, for not putting money and success first, how could we respond? The same way Jesus did, through scripture, we might quote back to Satans charges..
26 "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26
Then, wearing the helmet of salvation, we remind ourselves where we will spend eternity, in Heaven, looking forward to that day. This is how we put the helmet of salvation to practice. Read Revelation 21 and 22, try to get a clear picture of your eternity in Christ. The next time you are attacked, remember where you are going, wear your helmet of salvation. Secondly, the Lord wants us to be sure of our salvation, so we dont hang in doubt of his ability to save us. He gives us two strong pictures; one is that of a down payment, the other that of a shepherd who does not loose his sheep.
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14 27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. John 10:27-29
So if the Holy Spirit is our down payment, until redemption how good is Gods guarantee? If we are part of Jesus flock, how secure are we? Jesus says no one can snatch us out of His hand nor the Fathers hand? We need to learn how to rest in the promise of salvation, putting our in the helmet of salvation.
Sword of the Spirit the sword of the Spirit: We have a weapon more powerful then any earthly weapon. The weapon is a spiritual weapon, which is God extension through us. As saints, we are Gods warriors, representing His Kingdom in this fallen world. We have authority and power through Christ; we also have a sword beyond any comparison in the physical world. The sword used by the Roman legions was called the Gladius Hispaniensis, the word gladius is rd the Latin word for sword, the Romans adopted the Spanish sword in the 3 century B.C. The Roman legions were in constant training with their sword. The sword was to become an extension of the nd arm; the legionnaire goal was for the sword to become 2 nature. Paul would have seen the legions training for hours on end, perfecting their skills in combat. New legions learning the process of sword fighting, the more experienced and trained legions sparing with the new recruits getting them ready for the battle. Paul envisioned the same for the Church at Ephesus in spiritual warfare. As the legions were proficient in their handling the sword of steel, Paul wanted the church to proficient in the Spiritual sword. which is the word of God; The spiritual sword is none other then the word of God, Hebrews defines this sword for us. Gods sword is an eternal weapon, while the earthly sword is very limited in scope. Gods weapon is living, while the earthly sword has no life.
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
The world is subject to Gods sword, Satan and his minions fear Gods sword, why do you think so many atheistic and Muslim nations outlaw the Bible? Because the conflict is taking place in Spiritual realms, Satan understands the power of the word of God. The word of God has the power to transform and pull down kingdoms.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; Psalm 19:7-8
For this reason, every spiritual warrior needs to learn to become expert in their handling the word of God. In the same way the legions of Rome trained for physical battle with a physical battle, the legions of God need to train for battle against their invisible enemy.
8. What are strongholds?

Today a walled city is mostly outdated, modern warfare has made the walls useless. Airplanes have taken away any advantage the walls can provide. However, even before aircraft, the development of the cannon demonstrated the days of walled cities were limited. Cannons allowed attackers to pulverize walls with artillery, causing the walls to crumble. Artillery also shocked the inhabitants inside the walls, who never faced anything like it before. The smashing artillery caused a quick surrender of its inhabitants; therefore, the cannon caused the walled stronghold to cease. In history strongholds played a vital role, no army could successfully defeat an opponent and let their stronghold stand within conquered territory. One of the main objectives of armies were to remove strongholds within conquered territory. We as the Lords army need to take notice, of the objective to remove strongholds. Like conquerors of old, we need to target the spiritual strongholds of our enemy, Satan. Mehmett II demonstrated this point in 1453, with the fall of Constantinople. He hired the famous Hungarian gunsmith Urban to construct cannons whose size was unheard of before. With these cannons, he was able to pound the walls of Constantinople, also known as ancient Byzantium. Over a thousand years before Mehmett II, Constantine created Constantinople (Byzantium) as the capital city, of the Eastern Roman Empire in 330. Constantinople was a stronghold, the seat of Byzantine Christianity for more than 1100 years, now it became the seat of Islamic power. The Muslim ruler changed the name from Constantinople to Istanbul. From this city, Mehmett II planned to advance his kingdom throughout Europe and the Middle East, establishing world empire, he died before he could succeed. The history of Constantinople allows us to illustrate the meaning of the term strongholds, which Paul refers to both directly and indirectly. What is a stronghold? Strongholds are an ancient part of human history, as populations of earth multiplied they formed communities called cities. People soon realized living in the open allowed you to become a victim to the fallen nature. Invading or marauding people would attack unsuspecting or defenseless cities, taking goods and people. Putting walls around your settlement, with a gate, gave the inhabitants a source of protection and control, since the walls needed to breached, before contact made. The better the defense, the more secure the inhabitants. Soon builders of walled cities realized, walls also make good offense, because it allowed an army a secure base of operations. An army could rest and relax between offensive campaigns. The more secure the location, the more effective and powerful the
The reconstructed walls of Nineveh with one of its gates
force within. A city with strong walls and secure location, usually a hilltop or mountain would be able grow in stature and power enriching its inhabitants. As the city prospered, it could then begin to exert control on the surrounding cities and villages, which were less secure. Soon the city would become known as a citystates, examples of these city-states are Babylon, Nineveh, Damascus, Rome, Carthage and others too numerous to list. Eventually some of these city-states became nations; some would become empires, like Rome and Assyria. This was a common occurrence throughout the earth, as humanity spread following the days of Noah. The importance of the walled city would diminish as technology became more pervasive. Nonetheless, the picture of the walled city or fortress was known as a stronghold . Strongholds were points, which were hard to defeat, because of their design, walls, located on a hilltop, along with the offensive capabilities of an army within. The army could launch attacks, and then retreat to the safety of its walled city. Thus, their point of operation became a strong hold. This picture of the physical stronghold is used to also represent the spiritual stronghold. Spiritual strongholds are represented in scripture, in the same way as physical ones. They are points of operation, where attacks are waged on outlying areas. The become points of offensive operations, which are hard to remove, unless concerted effort is made to remove them. Spiritually speaking, Paul defines strongholds as an argument or high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God . A stronghold is a point of operation from where Satan can keep the nd unbeliever captive or the believer incapacitated. See 2 Corinthians below.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 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, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Israel an example of war Waging war in the spiritual realms illustrates events in the physical. Israel entering the Promised Land is an illustration of the faithful entering the land of promise and rest. We see from Israels example, a nation, who because of unbelief was not able to receive the promises of God, because they lacked faith. Only when they believed, could they enter, but the faithless generation was kept out. In the same way today, many born-again saints fail to receive the blessings promised because of disbelief. We do not believe God is strong enough, to overcome the strongholds in our life. Before Israel was to enter the Promised Land, Moses had the nation of Israel send out 12 spies, into the land to see what the cities were like, including if there were any stronghold in the land (Numbers 13:19).
17 Then Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said to them, "Go up this way into the South, and go up to the mountains, 18 "and see what the land is like: whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, few or many; 19 "whether the land they dwell in is good or bad; whether the cities they inhabit are like camps or strongholds; Numbers 13:17-19
The twelve spies returned and reported what they saw; we get two different perspectives from the spies. Ten spies reported the land was too strong to take, cites were fortified (Strongholds) and large, the inhabitants were giants, according to the 10-spies.
27 Then they told him, and said: "We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 "Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. 29 "The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan." Numbers 13:27-29
Caleb and Joshua rejected the view of the 10-spies; they saw God as capable of giving them victory over the giants and strongholds of the land. The ten spies rejected Caleb plea, restating the
hopeless situation of the nation found itself. All hope was lost; the nation would need to find a leader to take them back to Egypt.
30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it." 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we." Numbers 13:30-31
You could almost see the struggle, the faithful minority versus the faithless majority. The people were so defeated and faithless in Gods ability they would have stoned Moses, Joshua and Caleb if the Lord did not intervene (Numbers 14). They were planning to go back to Egypt after they selected a leader. The Lord would have destroyed the faithless generation, but Moses interceded. God instead allowed the generation of faithless Israel to wander the deserts of Sinai and die there. We must remember, this rebellion follows the miracles of Israels deliverance from Egypt, and their seeing Gods presence leading them in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night. Israels plight illustrates a point, when we reject Gods promises because of unbelief; we end up wandering in a wilderness, because we refuse to take God at His word. This is the reason we need to put on the whole armor of the God. Joshua and Caleb were able to see victory despite the strongholds in the Promised Land. Joshua and Caleb were wearing Gods armor, as opposed to the 10-spies. They were willing to wage war on the Canaanite cities, because they new it was not them, but the Lord who would give them victory. Wearing the Armor of God Israel sets the example for the faithful; within the nation were two groups, those who believed the Lord and those who did not. Because of the unbelief of the majority, the nation was forced to wander in the dusty and rocky Sinai desert for 40-years. We (the saved), grafted into the covenant of Israel, should take notice, why did Israel fail to enter the land? Was it because God was unfaithful? No, it was because the people would not trust Him. Why did Israel tremble in fear at Goliath, and David boldly want to fight? In both cases, the faithful trusted the Lord, Joshua and Caleb saw God open the Red Sea, they saw Him in the cloud and fire, they knew their God. David too, knew his God; He was more then capable of giving David victory (I Samuel 17). Before the battle took place in the field, it was in the mind. The minds of the 10-spies were controlled by fear. The army of Israel before the Philistine Goliath, a giant, was defeated in the mind, before on arrow flew. The battle began in the mind, just as it does for us. The armor of God gives us the ability to be victors in the battle of the mind . Putting on the full armor of God, allows us to stand against the schemes of Satan, whose goal is to pin the faithful to the ground. Here we stand, Gods warriors about to enter battle, how are we to wage war? First, we must remember Pauls instructions, we need to put on the full armor God , having done that, we need to make the conscious decision to stand. We need to choose to stand, as opposed to being taken down by our opponent Satan. We must prepare for battle, in the spiritual war; our objective should always be victory through the Lords strength, not our own power. Look in verse 10 and 11 of Ephesians, what is the key to success?
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12
The key to Joshua, Caleb and David was their reliance on the Lords ability, His power and might. They were strong in the Lord. In verses 10 and 11, our part is to make a conscious effort. Verse 10 tells us, be strong , verse 11, says put on. Are you willing to move forward in battle trusting the Lord?
Preparing to assault strongholds: Spying out the land Using Israel as our example, what was their first action before they entered the promise land? Moses told them to spy out the land, to survey it, locate the stronghold. We need to do the same; we need to locate places where the enemy has strongholds in our life. Remember our battle is not physical but spiritual. In Ephesians 6:10-18, only two pieces of the armor are offensive in nature, what are they? They are the sword (vs. 17) and prayer. In describing the armor, many times people stop at verse 17, but verse 18 is just as much a part of the armor.
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints Ephesians 6:18
The sword of the Lord, the word of God and Prayer are offensive weapons against the strongholds, which allows Satan to keep people captive. With these two weapons, we can take the offensive, rather then being defensive. We can pursue our strongholds, to pull them down. We need to enter the battle wearing our armor, prepared to assault the stronghold with our sword and prayer. Looking back at Israel, the first generation of the Exodus failed to enter the land of promise, however the next generation, now led by Joshua did not fail. Because they believed, they prepared for battle against the stronghold of Jericho. The Lord Himself led the battle as the commander of Lords hosts; Joshua was merely to follow orders (Joshua 5). They succeeded; Jericho fell because the Ephesians 6:10-18 (NKJV) nation obeyed the Lord (Joshua 6). However, the next battle was not so successful, because the nation disobeyed; the stronghold of Ai was able to defeat the armies of Israel (Joshua 7). Why could a little stronghold defeat Israel? The nation sinned, when Achan of Judah took garments from Jericho, he violated Gods command and the whole nation suffered, falling to the stronghold of Ai. Take a personal inventory of your life. What areas of your life cause you to fail? Like faithful Joshua and Caleb, we need to spy out the land. We need to determine where Satans strongholds are. Our goal is to enter the Promised Land of Gods promises. The issue here is not salvation, but victorious Christian living (See chart at the bottom). In the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-28), the seed is sowed on different types of soil, in the end, the abundant crop comes from good ground. Why did the good soil produce a fruitful crop? Good ground was clear of those things, which prevented growth. In the parable, the weeds, stones and thistles, choked off the seed (word) planted by the sower (Jesus). Jesus describes the weeds as the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches.
"But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." Matthew 13:23
Jesus tells us the key to bearing an abundant crop in this life requires we Hear the word Understand the word Bear fruit Satan does not want us to bear fruit, his goal is to defeat us, and prevent us from having fruit. The strongholds are points of operation, allowing Satan to maintain power over us. Only through the Lords power will we be able to be break free from Satans control. We have no power from within or without, except for the Lord. Gods word reveals the control of Satan in our lives, through strongholds. Satan uses these strongholds to launch attacks on us. Therefore, we need to identify where these stronghold are, and remove them. Just like an ancient army first had to remove strongholds, to hold the land, we need to do the same.
Identifying your strongholds Wearing the armor of God, prepares us for battle, we need to identify just where our strongholds are located. Paul in several portions of scripture identifies specific areas, where the flesh is opposed to the spirit. The scripture below lists areas or strongholds where Satan can wage war. Therefore, we need to identify these strongholds in our own life. How does Satan continue to cause us to fall? What area of our life gives him the ability to wage war with us? 1.____________________________________________________________ 2.____________________________________________________________ 3.____________________________________________________________ 4.____________________________________________________________ 5.____________________________________________________________
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. Ephesians 4:17-19 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 i n which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, Colossians 3:5-10
20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; 21 lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced. 2 Corinthians 12:20 -21
Once we begin to identify the strongholds, we need to wage war against them. Paul describes the type of warfare the Spiritual warrior is to engage in. For example, Satan had a stronghold in my life (the author); he made me think money was the only way to have friends, power or value. Therefore, from the age of 15, I remember making a concerted promise to gain wealth, so I could master the world around me. My whole life from that point was focused on money and power; I made it my god and idol. Only after my idol was crushed in my early twenties did I out of desperation, seek to find truth. Satan ruled over my life from his stronghold, from there, he was able to keep his hold on me; I was a bitter and angry person, who did not want to live. I found Christ and my life changed. The strongholds of life still existed however, Satan was able to wage war with my thinking, causing me defeat and fear. Through scripture, I was able to make these thoughts captive to Christ. I learned from scripture the riches of this world were very temporary, that even if I was able to gain the whole world, I would be broke when I died. Scripture revealed to me, true treasure was what you could keep forever. The words of Jesus became instrument of spiritual warfare, Jesus said in Mark 8,
35 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. 36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 "Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:35-36
Therefore, every time Satan would whisper to my mind, the importance of great wealth and fame, I learned to quote this verse back. Soon I was able to wage war against this stronghold in my life, and claim victory, no longer trusting in earthly riches as my hope. I soon learned to move on to other strongholds and areas where Satan would launch attacks. Like the armies of old, my goal was to claim territory from the enemy, I needed to assault his strongholds, and free the Promised Land from his control. Once free from strongholds, I learned to rest in His promises. Waging war on your stronghold In 2 Corinthians 10 verses 3 to 5, we are instructed on how to war against strongholds, where Satan launches his attacks. What can we learn from this portion of scripture about spiritual warfare?
nd
The battle is not physical Our weapons are not physical Our weapons are able to pull down strongholds, arguments and high things The war is that which exalts against the knowledge of God (The Word) Victory is achieved by bringing every thought into captivity of obedience of Christ. We have two offensive weapons in this battle, one the sword of the Lord (Gods word) and two, prayer. These are two mighty weapons, which allow us to pull down strongholds. Our warfare is against that which is opposed to the knowledge of God. The revelation of Gods word exposes these
strongholds, for that reason it is important to combine Gods word, the sword with prayer to overcome these points of satanic power. Satan knows if we are able to remove these strongholds, a mighty warrior will emerge. His goal is to prevent the victorious spiritual warrior from taking the field.
9. Overcoming Strongholds
Spiritual warfare and strongholds Strongholds mean exactly what the word implies. They are areas of land, which have a strong hold. A fortified structure, which is able to resist by assault by enemy forces is they picture of a spiritual stronghold. An army invading enemy territory needs to take down the strongholds to hold the land. If strongholds remain, they will become a continual threat to the army and citizens in the land. When we were lost, we were under enemy control; our lives were subject to strongholds. These strongholds were constructed, for a purpose. They were designed to keep us lost; Satan in his war is in the business of constructing strongholds, which feed our fallen nature. His desire is to keep us blind from the Gospel of Christ, so we perish in a lost condition.
3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory nd of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
When we come to Christ, the army of the Lord invades our life; the battle for territory has begun. Satan is not willing to give ground to his enemy, the Lord of Hosts; he does not want us to live a successful spiritual life. Therefore, his goal is to keep as many strongholds standing in our life as he can, allowing him to wage war on our souls. Remember, Satan goal is to prevent the power of God, from being established in the believers life. He does this through strongholds, if Satan can establish areas of operation in our life; he then will have the ability to attack at will. He can then keep us from being on the offensive, against his kingdom. For this reason, its imperative for us to have these Satanic strongholds pulled down. If we dont remove strongholds, we invite failure and defeat in our spiritual walk. Because we are giving Satan a base from which to wage war. The only way we can assault spiritual strongholds is through the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in our life. Without the heavenly power, in our lives we are at Satans mercy. The Holy Spirit through Paul shows us how to wage war.
Being a soldier in the Lords army, we should have a clear view and vision of the landscape before us. This section of scripture addresses these vital areas of understanding. Where the war is fought? How the war is fought? How victory is achieved? Where the war is fought? verse 3 we walk in the flesh: We live in the physical word, in the world of flesh and blood, is where we see the work of the spiritual realms, played out. We cannot divorce ourselves from the flesh, but this is not where our battle takes place. The evil we see in this world, is the result of this spiritual war, this however is not
where the battle is taking place. We need to change our perspective as the Lords army; we need to train our spiritual eyes, recognizing the source of this conflict. according to the flesh: As the Lords army, we waste our time with waging war using weapons of flesh, because that is not where the battle is. Paul wants us to understand the nature of war in the spiritual realms. Many times, we can waste our energy focusing on the wrong solutions to a problem. We might think secular council or therapy can solve our problems, when the issue is spiritual. To understand this war, lets take a married couple, Jim and Sandy Smith for example. They are having tremendous conflicts within the marriage. Jims anger is out of control, Sandy is disgusted by his rage, she thinks Jim is having a self-esteem problem; he is taking it out on her. Sandy is thinking about divorce, she cant handle these outbursts, life is no longer fun. Jim after work has so much stress, he needs to stop at the bar, have a few drinks and watch some sports to unwind. He hates going home, because he feels so put down, he does not get respect. Their kids Jimmy 8 and Johnny 10 are having nightmares; mommy and daddy are always fighting. E verything seems like its falling apart for the Smith family. Sandy Smith has a friend, Lisa a Christian who has asked Sandy if she would like to go to church. However, for Sandy, Sunday is the only day she can relax all day Saturday, she is driving the kids from one sporting event to another, and she needs Sunday to herself. Lisa understands the answer here is not secular counseling, money, a job promotion or more things. This family needs the Lord in their lives, so she knows it involves spiritual warfare. Lisa knows both Jim and Sandy do not know the Lord, and Satan would love to destroy this family, creating misery and anger at a God they never knew. Lisa is at war, for the souls of a family, who is entrapped by strongholds they dont even know, exist. Lisa understands what scripture means, though we walk in the flesh....we do not war according to the flesh. Lisa sees with Spiritual eyes, through the lens of scripture. Many times, we Christians fail to see the Spiritual war taking place around us. Our eyes need spiritual training, we have train ourselves to see the lens of scripture. How the war is fought? Vs. 4 the weapons of our warfare: In the description of the armor of God, only two offensive weapons are listed. The shield, breastplate, belt, shoes and helmet are essential, but they are mainly defensive in nature. Our offensive weapons are word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit (Hebrews 4:12, Eph 6:17) prayer (Eph. 6:18). The Word of God The Bible is is a weapon. The world we live in is subject to the invisible spiritual world, created by almighty Gods word.
By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:3
God works according to His word, meaning Gods Word is stationary, while the world is fluid. The spiritual world is subject to Gods authority, and therefore subject to Gods word. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus declares He has all authority in Heaven and on Earth, Jesus then gives His authority to us. We operate under His authority, therefore knowing His word, allows us to wield a weapon that both the physical and spiritual worlds are subject too. The sword of the spirit has eternal implications, while an earthly sword can only have an effect in the physical world. The universe is subject to Gods word, let alone our neighborhood. Prayer Along with the word of God (sword of the Spirit) we have prayer (Eph. 6:18). The word of God along with the power of prayer, create the most formidable weapon in the universe. Think about it, God
made the Heavens and the Earth through His word alone! Now because of Christs work on the cross, we now have access to Gods throne in Heaven. We have the power and authority to access the throne of God in Heaven.
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16
The Lord works according to His word, by understand and applying Gods word, we have access to the same power, which created the universe. The power of the prayer as a weapon has no limits. Remember Daniel, he was praying about his people, who were captives in the Babylonian and then Persian kingdoms. The prince of Persia was moved out of the way, because of Daniels prayer. The level of the persons faith, determines the size of the stronghold, they are willing to wage war with. How we wage war not carnal but mighty in God: Carnal means flesh, the weapons we use, access heavenly power, the power of God. The spiritual realms operate all around us; the natural world does not comprehend the spiritual. Therefore the natural, tends to ridicule the spiritual. The Holy Spirit wants us to know just what type of power we have, as contrasted to the carnal. The word actually used here in the Greek is dunatov Dunatos , means able, powerful, and strong, the word has the same root word, to our word for dynamite. Our weapon in other words is spiritual dynamite. pulling down strongholds: With this spiritual dynamite, we have the ability to literally pull down strongholds. What does Paul mean by strongholds? Paul defines this term in the next verse as anything, which pits itself up against the knowledge of God. There are many levels of strongholds, small scale and large scale. We have individual strongholds such as alcoholism, racism, and pride that we face on a personal level. There are also worldwide strongholds, exerting power over large groups of people such as Islam, atheism, materialism and pornography. The term stronghold means an area where an entrenched power exerts control over an individual, group, generation, territory in opposition to the knowledge of God. We, the army of the Lord on earth, use our weapons, to pull down or destroy these strongholds. The Greek word for stronghold is, ojcuvrwma Ochuroma , means a castle, stronghold, fortress, fastness. We are to destroy these structures using our spiritual weapons. Returning to our story of the Smith family, Lisa, Sandy Smiths friend, understands strongholds, she understands the Smith family from a spiritual lens, Lisa seeks to uncover the strongholds in her friends life. Lisa, a warrior for the Lord, knows Sandra Smith did not come into her life for no reason, Lisa understands she must now intercede for the souls of this family. Using scripture and prayer, Lisa has the power of God to overcome strongholds. Through the battles in her own life, overcoming the strongholds of sin, she learned how to wage war. Lisa through war, learned the power of scripture and prayer. Lisa is battling for the souls of this family, conducting spiritual warfare on Satans domain. The powers of strongholds are not just on a personal scale, they also affect generations, and large segments of populations. For example Alcoholism, the addiction to Alcohol, can have a stronghold on entire generations of families. Religions are also strongholds, which claim billions of souls, entrapped in deceit. For this reason, not every believer fights the same battle; some are called to distant lands to confront strongholds. Missionaries who bring the Gospel to areas of darkness are doing exactly that, they are confronting spiritual strongholds on enemy territory. God calls others to mission in the neighborhood, bringing the light of the Gospel to their next-door neighbor like Lisa. Wherever we find ourselves, we are on Gods mission, until we are called elsewhere, our goal is to advance the gospel, pulling down strongholds, bring people into the Kingdom of God that is our purpose.
Vs.5 In verse 5, strongholds are defined as arguments and high things , which are placed above the knowledge of God. By comparing the knowledge of God to our actions and thoughts, we can expose not only our strongholds, but the strongholds of those around us. For example, someone might know pornography is wrong and against Gods word, they watch anyways despite the knowledge of sin. Why, because the power of the stronghold has overcome the persons inner objections, where does this control come from? This exposed stronghold should then become a target for the believer to attack. Our mission, literarily destroy these arguments and high things. casting down arguments: The word argument in Greek is logismov Logismos, means logic or understanding. We are to pull down false ways of thinking, or false reasoning. This covers a very broad spectrum on both small and large scales. Many of our isms are essentially spiritual strongholds of false reasoning. Take your pick, Communism, Hinduism, Alcoholism, Atheism, Racism and more are all forms of logic, which make sense to the people entrapped. We are called to cast down or destroy this false logic. and every high thing: What is a high thing? In ancient Israel, one of the besetting sins of the people was their setting up of images on hilltops and in groves. The pagans of Canaan (Palestine) were removed from the land for their sins; the people of Israel were to be a holy and upright people. They were to be different then the people of the land before their occupation. However, Israel soon began to adopt the customs of the people around. They disobeyed God, by setting up competing places of worship. They set up idols and images in highplaces, in defiance of God.
9 Also the children of Israel secretly did against the Lord their God things that were not right, and they built for places of ancient Israeli city of Arad themselves high places in all their cities, from watchtower to fortified city. 10 They set up for themselves sacred pillars and wooden images on every high hill and under every green tree. 11 There they burned incense on all the high places, like the nations whom the Lord had carried away before them; and they did wicked things to provoke the Lord to anger, 12 for they served idols, of which the Lord had said to them, "You shall not do this thing." 2Kings 17:9-12
High
Paul uses this imagery to illustrate the picture of a stronghold, a stronghold does not only have to be a way of thinking, it can be an idol, set up to worship. For example, our business, clothes, cars and homes can become a high-thing. Because, we choose to exalt the material thing above the knowledge of God. When we examine the various kings of Israel, we get a contrast in people. Some kings were noted for their wickedness, others were praised for being faithful. Many times its how the kings responded to high-places, which indicated the level of their relationship and sincerity with the Lord.
15 Then he appointed for himself priests for the high places, for the demons, and the calf idols which he had made. 16 And after the Levites left, those from all the tribes of Israel, such as set their heart to seek the Lord nd God of Israel, came to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the Lord God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 11:15-16
Jeroboam (king of Israel B.C. 975-954)
Jehoshaphat (914 B.C., King of Judah)

32 And he walked in the way of his father Asa, and did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord. 33 Nevertheless the high places were not taken away, for as yet the people had not directed their nd hearts to the God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 20:33
Josiah (641 B.C. King of Judah)

For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father
David; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the wooden nd images, the carved images, and the molded images. 2 Chronicles 34:3
The same is the case today, are we willing to remove our high-places, or things which compete for worship with the Lord. Josiah was an praised king; he was young when he became king, eight years old. When he was 16, he began to seek God with a sincere heart, during his reign Judah had a revival. Both Daniel and Ezekiel were the product of the revival. Jeremiah cried at the death of Josiah, who was considered one of the most righteous kings of Judah. What separated Josiah from the others was his sincere heart and his willingness to do what others would not do. He did not want anything to compete with the Lord, no matter how unpopular it made him, and God blessed his reign. He removed the highplaces. As part of the Lords army, our job is to pull down the high-things, the idols set up in the lives of people. We are to be salt in the earth. that exalts itself against the knowledge of God: Anything, whether intentional or non-intentional, which is placed above God is an idol. Strongholds are fortified area, which are opposed to the knowledge of God. How victory is achieved This would include arguments and high-things, which competes for truth. bringing every thought into captivity: We are to subject this fallen world, to the power of Christ. How are these strongholds destroyed? By bringing every thought into captivity, our minds and heart need to submit to the will of the Lord. First, we need to make the decision, before we can be effective on the spiritual battlefield, make our thoughts subject to the Gods will.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. 8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. 9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:7-9 14 O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, That you may be saved. How long shall your evil thoughts lodge within you? Jeremiah 4:14
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Love of God
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Rom. 5:8 I Tim. 3:16 John 13:1 John 1:1,14 John 15:13 Matthe w 1:22,2 3 Isaiah 9:6 John 6:35 Matthe w 20:30, 32b-34 John 1:3`` Mat. 25:3132 John 8:24 Col. 1:1214 Mat. 26:28 Gal. 5:6 Psalm 108;4 Isaiah 55:1 Phil. 2:15 Isaiah 5:11 Prov. 16:25 I Cor. 6:9,10 Roma ns 8:6, 7 John 10:17, 18 Psalm 139:78,12 2 Pet. 3:7 2 Cor. 5:10 I Peter 5:5b Matthe w Rev. 1:5 John 10:30 John 3:16 John 14:9,10
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Jer. 31:3
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The Deity of Jesus Christ
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Jesus the Son of God Jesus tells us who He is Some miracles Jesus did
I John 4:15 John 8:23,58 Matthew 14:19-21
Luke 1:35 John 4:25,26 Luke 5:5,6
Matthew 17:5 John 9:5
John 9:36,37 John 10:7
Colossia ns 2:9 John 11:25
John 13:13
John 14:6
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Jesus Christ is creator and Lord Jesus Christ is judge of all Redemption only through Christ Redemption only through Christ The atonement of Christs blood Salvation by faith in Christ Gods mercy God Invites us to come to Him Not all people are Gods children What God says about strong drink Sincerity is not enough Be not deceived Sin brings death
Eph. 3:9 Rom. 14:10 John 10:9 I Cor. 1;30 Rom. 5:9 Eph. 2:8,9 2 Cor. 1;3 Isaiah 1:18 I John 3;10 Gal. 5:19-21 Matthew 22:37,38 Gal. 6:7 Rom. 5:12
Col. 1:16 2 Tim. 4:1 John 14:6 Titus 2;14 Eph. 1:7 Rom. 5;1 Micah 7:18 Rev. 22:17 Rom. 8;14,15 Rom. 13:13,14 Mark 10:17-22 I John 3:7,8a James 1:15
Phil. 2:11 John 5:22 Heb. 5:9 Luke 19:10 I Pet. 1:1819 Acts 16:31b Lam. 3:22,23 John 7;37 2 Cor. 6:17,18 Prov. 23:31,32
Heb. 1:1a,2 Rom. 2:16 Rom. 3:23,24 Rev. 5:9 I John 1:7 I John 5;4 Psalm. 103;11,17 Mark 10;14 John 1;12 Prov. 20:1
Acts 2:36 Acts 10:42 Hebrews 7:25 Eph. 5;2 Heb. 9:14 John 6;28-29 Titus 3:5 Matthew 11:28
Rom. 14:9
I Cor. 1:9
Acts. 4:12
i Thes. 5:9
Rom. 5:11 John 20:31
Eph. 5:6 Ezekiel 18:20 Luke 7:14, 15a
James 1:22 Luke 15:32
Gal. 6:3 Prov. 11:19 1 Cor. 15:26
Mat. 24:5 Rom. 6:23a
Christ conquered death The commandments of God You cannot hide from God Everlasting punishment of the ungodly Judgment ahead The grace of Jesus Christ Repentance
Romans 1:4 Deut 5:7-21 Job 34:2122 Matt. 13:41-42 Acts 17:31 Rom. 5;15 Acts 17;30
John 11:43, 44
Revelation 1:18
Jer. 23:24
Prov. 15:3 2 Thes. 1:9 I John 4:17 2 Cor. 8:9 Acts 2:38, 3;19
Heb. 4:13
Luke 8:17 Matthew 25:46 Rev. 20:12a Acts 4;33 Prov. 28:13 Rom. 14:12
Psalm 9:17 2 Pet. 2:9 Rom. 9:16 Luke 13:3
Matthew 18:8 Hebrews 9:27 Romans 5:20b,21 Ezekiel 18:31a
2 Cor. 7:10
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The forgiveness of sins Separation of worldliness The new birth Dead to sin-Risen in Christ E ternal Life
Ezekiel 18:21 Titus 2:11,12 Ezek. 36:26 Eph. 2:1,6 Gal. 6:8
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3;2 Matt. 6:14 Eph. 5:11 I Cor. 6:11b Col. 3:1-4 John 17:3 John 14:21 Roma ns 14:17 2 Thes. 1:7-9 I John 4:2 Eph. 6:1011 Acts 26:18 John 21;16 Acts 10:3941 Rom. 8:1011 I Thes 4:1-4,7 Isaiah 35:8 Ezk. 36:27 Mark 9:23 Isaiah 43:2a Rev. 3:5 Luke 16:18 Mark 8:38 2 Tim 3;16 I Pet. 3:18a
Mark 2:5
Col. 3:2 I John 2:29, 5:18 I Pet. 2:24 John 3:14, 15 I John 5:1113a John 16:22b Rom. 6;16 Mat. 10:32-33 Matt 4:1,10-11 I John 3:8 Gal. 5;22, 23a Rom. 4:25 Rom. 6:3-5 2 Cor. 7:1 Eph. 1:4, 4:24 Acts 4:31 Isaiah 66:2 Rom. 16:20a Rev. 3:12 Rom. 7:2,3 Matt. 24;30 2 Pet. 1:21 Isaiah 59:2
I John 2:15,16 John 3;3 Gal. 5:24,25 John 3;36
Acts 13:38b, 5:31 James 4;4 2 Cor. 5:17 Romans 6:2,11 Romans 6:23 Gal. 4:6 Gal. 2:20
Rev. 3;20 Isaiah 1:16 I Pet. 1:23
Luke 24;47
John 5:24 I John 4:13 John 15:11
Assurance of salvation The indwelling of Christ gives joy Obedience to the Lord necessary Confession of Christ necessary Satan our arch enemy Victory over Satan Love, the test of discipleship The resurrection of Jesus Christ The resurrection, our glorious hope Holiness unto the Lord Holiness unto the Lord Spirit -filled men Wonderful promises to Christians Promises to the tempted Promises to over comers God speaks to us about divorce Jesus Christ will return to earth The Word of God Pray and forgive Gods way of Salvation
Rom. 8:16 John 17:13 I Sam. 12:15 Phil. 2:11 I Peter 5:8,9a Heb. 2;14 I Cor. 13:1 Mark 16:9 John 5:25b,28,29 Luke 1:68b,74,75 Heb. 13;12 Luke 11:13 Psalm 34:18 Heb. 2:18 Rev. 21:7 I Cor. 7:10,11,39 John 14:3 Luke 21:33 Rom. 3:23
Isaiah 32:17 Isaiah 12;3 Deut. 11:26-28a I John 4:15 2 Cor. 10:4 Rom 8:35,37 John 14:15 John 20:26-28
2 Tim. 1:9b, 10 I John 2:3 Psalm 16:11
I Pet. 1:8
Rom 10:9,10 John 8:44b James 4:7,8a I John 4:20
I John 2:23 2 Cor. 2:10b, 11 John 12:31 John 13:35
Luke 9:26
I John 3:14
I John 5:3
I Pet. 1:15,16 I John 1:9 Rom. 8:9 I Pet. 4:12,13 I Cor. 10:13 Rev. 3:21 Mat. 5:32 I John 3:2,3 Psalm 119:105 Prov. 28:13
2 Pet. 3:11 Acts. 1:8a Rev. 21:4 Psalm 34:19 Rev. 2:7
Heb. 12:14 Acts 11;24a Psalm 37:3 Romans 8:28 Rev. 2;26
Psalm 29:2 Acts 13;52 Mat. 6;33 Heb 4:15
Eph. 5:18
Luke 12:40 Mat. 6:9-15 Acts 3:19a
Matt 16:27
John 1:12
I John 5;12a
John 5:24
Scripture Memory Interest

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10. Pulling down Strongholds

When an invading conquered foreign territory, their top priority was to remove the power of strongholds. A failure to remove strongholds, would nullify any victory of land. Since an invader could not occupy every square mile of land, as soon as the army moved, the enemy in the stronghold could reoccupy conquered territory. Many Christians who find salvation in Christ, struggle in their walk, because they fail to remove strongholds. They are constantly besieged over and over again, from the same area. This happens because, the enemy is still occupying a part of their life, and unless these strongholds are pulled down battle will continue to rage. When conquers took territory, they would locate the strongholds. Secondly, they would gather intelligence on the stronghold. Before operations against the stronghold could begin, the conqueror needs to know the answers to specific questions. How is the stronghold supplied? How large is the force within its walls? Where does it get its water from? How high and thick are its walls? What kind of weapons do they have? Are enemy reinforcement nearby?
Once the commander understands the background of the Stronghold, he can begin preparations of the siege. The warfar e against physical strongholds parallels in many ways the battle against spiritual strongholds. For us to have a victorious Christian life, we need to wage war on our strongholds. If we fail to subdue the strongholds, we will constantly be subjected to strong enemy attacks. Therefore, there is a process to being successful in our walk, it does not automatically happen. We need to decide to follow Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. The process to pulling down strongholds is as follows. Identify the strongholds in your land Develop a strategy to subdue the stronghold Lay siege to the stronghold Subdue the stronghold to the obedience of Christ
Identify the strongholds in your land How do we identify strongholds? When we come to Christ, an amazing event happens, The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within our tent or body. Our body becomes the Temple of God, when we become saved as God literally takes residence in our body (Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Cor. 6:6, I Cor. 6:19). Now the Holy Spirit is called the Comforter, who teaches us (the saved) all things. Therefore, the Holy Spirit will reveal to us the areas in our life, where Satan has established strongholds. In Romans, Paul tells us how the Holy Spirit intercedes with our spirit.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27
In verse 26, Paul writes how the Spirit pricks our inner-man, with groaning or sighing, the Spirit testifies and intercedes where we are feeble. Now the areas where we are we weak are because stronghold dominate, causing us to be weak. One persons weakness might not be anothers, which is why it is important to rely on the conviction of God. 1. The Holy Spirit causes groaning Scripture, the Sword of the Spirit, along with the Holy Spirit will shine the light on the strongholds in our life. The first step is to make our life sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God. As we read scripture, where do you feel convicted by the Spirit? 1____________________________________________________2____________________________________________________ 3____________________________________________________ 4____________________________________________________ 2. Do you have fruits of the flesh? In the book of Galatians, Paul identifies two sets of fruit, (fruit) works of the flesh and fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) . In addition to these two sets of fruits, Paul also lists areas of the flesh, which separate those who walk in the Spirit as opposed to the flesh. As you read these lists of fruits, do you identify with any of them?
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; 21 lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced. 2 Corinthians 12:20-21 9 Do you not know that the unrigh teous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. I Corinthians 6:9-10 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Colossians 3:5-8
Are there areas here listed here in scripture that cause you to stumble? Have you tried and tried to change, but have not been able to gain victory in your life in certain areas? If so, the area is a stronghold, from which Satan is able to wage war on the soul. List area in scripture you are having problems getting control of in your life. 1._____________________________________________________ 2._____________________________________________________ 3._____________________________________________________ 4._____________________________________________________ 3. Do you have generational strongholds in your life? When we examine lives of people and families, we see there are strongholds of sins, which, can be traced back for generations. Scripture refers to these strongholds of sin, which transfer from generation to generation. In the Ten Commandments, the sins of the fathers are passed to the children, until a generation breaks the cycle. Idol worship was a stronghold in ancient Israel, which eventually caused God to judge the nation (Jeremiah 5:7-19, Ezekiel 8:6-18).
8 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image-any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 9 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, Deuteronomy 5:8-9
We can see in Jeremiah how this sin was transferred from family to family, eventually corrupting nearly the entire nation. The people became hostile to God and His prophets; they were hostile to the Word, as their sin controlled their lives. Even after Jerusalem was destroyed they fled with their sin rather then obeying Gods word, through Jeremiah.
18 "The children gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead dough, to make cakes for the queen of heaven; and they pour out drink offerings to other gods, that they may provoke Me to anger. 19 "Do they provoke Me to anger?" says the Lord. "Do they not provoke themselves, to the shame of their own faces?" Jeremiah 7:18-19
One of the greatest example of generational strongholds was conducted in In 1900, A.E. Winship tracked down fourteen hundred of the descendants of Jonathan Edwards a pastor and university president and Max Jukes, he published his study of the Edwards children in contrast to the Jukes children.
Jonathan Edwards: Born 1703

A man of God and married to a woman of like character. He was 24 and she was 17. On their wedding night they committed their marriage to the Lord. Their descendants included:
Max Jukes: Born 1700

A non-believer, who married a woman of like character. She lacked principle, among other indecencies, including the occult. Of their 1200 descendants -
300 clergymen - some missionaries 310 were professional vagrants. and theological professors. 440 wrecked their lives through debauchery. 100 professors. 130 went to jail - 7 for murder, average sentence: 13 100 attorneys. years. 30 judges, 1 dean of a law school. More than 600 became alcoholics. 60 physicians, 1 dean of a medical school. 60 were habitual thieves. 3 mayors of large cities. 190 became public prostitutes. 60 authors of fine classics. 20 became tradesmen, 10 of whom learned their
1
http://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/world/readfile?fk_files=179099
14 presidents of universities. 3 State Governors. 1 Controller of the US Treasury. 1 Vice-President of the USA.
trade in prison. That decadency cost the state of New York $1,250,000.
Generational strongholds, are ways of thinking and blindness transferred from generation to generation. Only the power of Gospel, has the power to break these generational strongholds, which can dominate families. Idolatry is a sin transferred from generation to generation, maintaining a stronghold on a family. Many forms of family idolatry pass down the family line. Most are familiar with alcohol; just about, everybody knows families affected by this stronghold. Generational strongholds can include quite a number of variable forms, many of which might not seem so obvio us. In third commandment, idolatry is that which is worshipped above the Lord God. When something is placed above the lord it becomes idol worship. The love of money can be passed down from generations, where a family might put great pride in their business skills, not realizing it really a stronghold, trapping generations. In many ways it is no different then alcohol, its only another form of stronghold. Drugs: A drug culture and mindsets can be passed down from generations, as children listen to the glorification of drugs and rock n roll, the stronghold is established in offspring. lewdness: Children model what they see, if parents are model lewdness by what they watch, and say. The pattern can easily be accepted by children, who think lewdness is part of being adult. Love of money: A successful family member in a family history can set the stage for generations to come. Each modeling their lives after the Idol maker, who taught them the power of money. Politics: Politics has a lure all its own, because violence: Family often transfer violence, from generation to generation. adultery/fornication: Children model what they see, what becomes acceptable for kids, is often what kids look for in spouses. Thus the patterns become a stronghold in the generation. Cutting off the supply routes When an army decided to destroy a stronghold, one of the first things needed to do was to isolate the stronghold. This was done by cutting off supply routes to the stronghold, one method used by the Romans was to construct wall around the stronghold. This way they could be sure no one slipped in or out without their knowing. The goal was two fold, one, cause the stronghold to surrender by cutting off supplies of food and weapons. Two, prevent any one from leaving to provide intelligence to allies, who might try to come to rescue the stronghold. The Romans were masters at conquest, they understood the need to subdue enemy strongholds. They spent two years, taking the Jewish stronghold of Masada, 15,000 men working to take down a stronghold of 1000-men, women and children. We can learn a principle from Roman siege craft if they understood the value in blockading strongholds, we should follow their example. How can we blockade our strongholds? One way is to cutoff the supply line, which feeds our stronghold. For example, if alcohol is the stronghold, if you are serious about taking the stronghold, you need to destroy your supply. You need to cut off those who would reinforce your supply, such as friends who want to take you drinking. If pornography is a stronghold, the same principles apply, cut off the supply routes, control what gets to the stronghold to supply it. Serious action needs to be taken, to pull down strongholds. Without serious action, strongholds will remain a constant presence in the believers life. Get rid of the cable television, the internet, the subscriptions and the friends who would supply the stronghold. This same principle goes for all strongholds; ask what is supplying the stronghold? You know what feeds it? The goal is to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 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, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
Ask yourself these questions, to help you direct your assault against the stronghold.
1. What is the stronghold in my life?______________________________________________________ 2. How is this stronghold supplied?________________________________________________________ 3. Do people in my life supply this stronghold?____________________________________________ 4.What in my environment is feeding and supplying the stronghold?____________________ 5. Am I serious about pulling down the stronghold?_______________________________________ 6. Am I willing to make myself accountable to Christian friends?________________________
Building your base camp After cutting off supplies to the stronghold, the Romans will build the assault camp, the place where the soldiers would camp out, so they can keep an eye on the stronghold. In the same way, we need to surround ourselves with people, who can help us assault the stronghold. Again, if we are serious we need to seek out people who can help us tear down the walls, people with experience. Waging war on the stronghold The weapons of our warfare, the Sword of the Spirit and Prayer, with this double-edged sword, we have the ability to tear down any stronghold. We need to learn to take God at His Word, the weapon of our warfare is more powerful then anything the world can ever offer.
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
To apply this double edged sword in combat, after we have identified the target stronghold. Learn what scripture has to say about particular issue. The stronghold of pride as example Let us take pride for example, over 40 versus in scripture mention pride. Start out by finding the verses in Gods word, which deal with pride. List them, learn what they are referring to? A Bible Concordance, Strongs Concordance for example, dictionary or software can help you locate versus. Under pride, I would list several verses including the ones below. I would mediate on these verses; I would then begin to pray these verses so they apply to me.
19 I will break the pride of your power; I will make your heavens like iron and your earth like bronze. Leviticus 26:19 9 The Lord of hosts has purposed it, To bring to dishonor the pride of all glory, To bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth. Isaiah 23:9 3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, You who dwell in the clefts of the rock, Whose habitation is high; You who say in your heart, 'Who will bring me down to the ground?' Obadiah 1:3
16 For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world. I John 2:16
After praying on these verses, memorizing them, I would begin to wage war on the stronghold. One way is to the exact opposite of your flesh. Volunteer in a homeless shelter, do something humble refrain from exalting yourself, this only feeds the flesh. Daniels gave advice to Nebuchadnezzar on how he was to overcome the stronghold of pride; I would use Daniels advice to the king.
27 Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity." Daniel 4:27
Praying the Word of God

We can take the Word of God and pray what it says into our life. Lets take Leviticus 26:19,
19 I will break the pride of your power; I will make your heavens like iron and your earth like bronze. Leviticus 26:19
We can take this verse and personalize a prayer, as the Spirit groans with our pride. We might come before the throne of God and say;
Lord I know you hate Pride, your Word says you will break the pride of power, and you will make the heavens like iron and the earth like bronze, please Lord....Take my pride from me, humble my heart...let me learn to rejoice in your power and not mine own...
When we pray, we literally enter Heaven, we enter the throne room of God. When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain in the Temple was ripped from top to bottom, signifying the separation between man and God was eliminated because of the blood of Christ.
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16
Fasting and Prayer Along with prayer, we have an additional tool called fasting. Fasting adds power to our prayer, it helps us focus and demonstrates to us, how sincere we are about getting rid of our stronghold. Jesus clearly says, some issues require both prayers along with fasting. Referring to the demon possessed boy, who the disciples could not deliver. Jesus said, However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and
fasting(Matthew 17:21).
13 But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart. Psalm 35:13 3 Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. Daniel 9:3 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. Luke 2:37
In Summary the process of pulling down strongholds is

1. Identify the stronghold 2. Gather intelligence about the stronghold 3. Sever and blockade the supply lines to the stronghold 4. Establish a base camp of friends (warriors) 5. Wage war against the stronghold a. Scripture b. Scripture memory c. Pray Gods word d Pray and fast
My Battle Plan 1. My Stronghold___________________________________________________ 2Intelligence 1. What is the stronghold in my life?______________________________________________________ 2. How is this stronghold supplied?________________________________________________________ 3. Do people in my life supply this stronghold?____________________________________________ 4.What in my environment is feeding and supplying the stronghold?____________________ 5. Am I serious about pulling down the stronghold?_______________________________________ 6. Am I willing to make myself accountable to Christian friends?________________________ 3. Severe the Supply lines ____________________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ 4. Who do I know that can help me wage war ? _______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 5. What verses apply to the stronghold? _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________
The Fall of Masada2

Masada occupies the entire top of an isolated mesa near the southwest coast of the Dead Sea. The rhomboid-shaped mountain towers 1,424 feet (434 m) above the level of the Dead Sea. It has a summit area of about 18 acres (7 hectares). Some authorities hold that the site was settled at the time of the First Temple (c. 900 BC), but Masada is renowned for the palaces and fortifications of Herod the Great (reigned 374 BC), king of Judaea under the Romans, and for its resistance to the Roman siege in AD 7273. The site was first fortified either by Jonathan Maccabeus (d. 143/142 BC) or by Alexander Jannaeus (reigned 10376 BC), both of the Hasmonean dynasty. Masada was chiefly developed by Herod, who made it a royal citadel. His constructions included two ornate palaces (one of them on three levels), heavy walls, defensive towers, and aqueducts that brought water to cisterns holding nearly 200,000 gallons (750,000 l). After Herod's death (4 BC), Masada was captured by the Romans, but the Zealots, a Jewish sect that staunchly opposed domination by Rome, took it by surprise in AD 66. The steep slopes of the mountain made Masada a virtually unassailable fortress. Following the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Second Temple (AD 70), the Masada garrison the last remnant of Jewish rule in Palestinerefused to surrender and was besieged by the Roman legion X Fretensis under Flavius Silva. Masada's unequaled defensive site baffled even the Romans' highly developed siegecraft for a time. It took the Roman army of almost 15,000, fighting a defending force of less than 1,000, including women and children, almost two years to subdue the fortress. The besiegers built a sloping ramp of earth and stones to bring their soldiers within reach of the stronghold, which fell only after the Romans created a breach in the defenders' walls. The Zealots, however, preferred death to enslavement, and the conquerors found that the defenders, led by Eleazar ben Jair, had taken their own lives (April 15, AD 73). Only two women and five childrenwho had hidden in a water conduitsurvived to tell the tale. Masada was briefly reoccupied by the Jews in the 2nd century AD and was the site of a Byzantine church in the 5th6th century. Thereafter, it was abandoned until the 20th century, except for a brief interval during the Crusades; the Arabs called the mountain As-Sabba (The Accursed). A general survey of the ruins was made by Israeli archaeologists in 195556, and the entire mountaintop was excavated by Yigael Yadin in 196365, assisted by thousands of volunteers from around the world. Descriptions by the Jewish historian Josephus, until then the only detailed source of Masada's history, were found to be highly accurate; the palaces, storehouses, defense works, and Roman camps and siege works were all revealed and cleared, as was the winding trail (the Snake Path) on the mesa's northeastern face. A synagogue and ritual bath discovered on Masada are the earliest yet found in Palestine. Among the most interesting discoveries is a group of potsherds inscribed with Hebrew personal names. These may be lots cast by the last defenders to determine who should die first. In the 20th century Masada became a symbol of Jewish national heroism, and it is now one of Israel's most popular tourist attractions
Encyclopedia Britannica 1994
11. Waging War in the Spiritual Realms

We are the Lords Army on earth; we are under our commander the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus has given us authority to wage war in spiritual realms, advancing the Gospel of Christ. Satan understand the battle, he knows when the Gospel advances, he and the fallen angels loose. Therefore, the battle rages for the souls of humanity, Satan seeks to keep souls captive, in darkness, while Christ through His people chooses to free the captives. When Jesus was in the synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus read from the book of Isaiah, declaring the fulfillment of the following scripture (Luke 4:17-21).
The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, Isaiah 61:1-2a
Jesus came to free the captives, every lost person is a captive of Sa tan, as the Lords army we represent the kingdom of God, in a lost and fallen world. No wonder the Church, the Bible and Christians are so hated in this world. This world is under Satans authority (Luke 4:6), he does not want to give up territory. Therefore, it should surprise no warrior of the Lord why the world hates the God 1 of the Bible, His people and His words is Satans method, to preempt the advance of the Gospel. Since the Gospel advances through Gods people, Satan goal is prevent the advance, through the war on Gods people. Satan accomplishes this through strongholds, which can dominate and defeat the Lords people. Strongholds in the life of the believer Israel is an example to all saints, Israel was told to go into the Promised Land, remove the idols from the land, unless they become a snare to Israel (Deuteronomy 7:1-5). This is exactly what happened, Israel began to copy the ways of the land, and their neighbors, worshipping their gods, sinning against the Lord. Their sins brought Gods judgment, God judged His own people. It might have seemed like Satan won to any outside observer. However, God was purifying his people through judgment. Israel failed for two reasons, one they did not follow the Word of God, with their heart. Second, they did not remove the strongholds from their midst, Satan was able to use the people of the land to lead people astray. For this reason, Gods people need to strive to seek and destroy strongholds in their life. Satan understands, if he can defeat Gods people, they will be prevented from advancing the Gospel. They will live a life of bondage and defeat, never experiencing the victorious life. Why does this happen? Simple, because we fail to take God at His Word, it is that simple. If we live life Gods way, we will have a prosperous and successful life.
7 "Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way
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The identity of the Biblical God is contained in His Word the Bible. Though many in the world profess to believe in God, many peoples concept of God is a creation of their own making, as opposed to the Biblical identity of God. http://www.truthnet.org/Spiritual-warfare/
prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:7-9
Satan tries to keep strongholds in our life, so we cannot complete our assignment, advancing the Gospel. When we let strongholds, control our life, we tend to be self-focused, always being defensive, struggling to maintain, rather then conquering. Scripture tells us more then conquerors through Jesus Christ, Jesus came to set us free from our captivity. We are to advance the Gospel through our victorious life. Once we have victory over our strongholds, we can spend our energy engaging the enemy, this is what Satan wants to prevent. Preparing for battle As part of the Lords army, our commander has given us our marching orders, along with his authority, to take dominion from the enemy. The Holy Spirit in Ephesians 6 presents the equipment of our warfare. In the Spiritual war, the Lords soldier need to be equipped with the armor of God, not the armor of flesh. For this reason, we need to plan and prepare for battle. Overcoming the Strongholds in our own life is training for those, who choose to advance the kingdom of God. We are now to apply the lessons we learned in defensive warfare, and apply them in offensive warfare. Types of Warfare In any battle, there are two sides, offensive and defensive . For example, Rome conquered territory from tribes and nations, starting from the city-state of Rome. They took territory from defending forces, which resisted Romes advance. Rome was on the offensive, however once territory was taken and held, Rome would setup strongholds, to keep territory. Eventually over time, other nations and groups rose up with sufficient power and strength to resist Rome. Rather then defending themselves, they went on the offensive, conquering territory from Rome. For example the Carthaginian general Hannibal (247-183 B.C.), led an army into Italy, after crossing the Mediterranean Sea, to the very gates of Rome. The history of nations and kingdoms can be traced to offensive and defensive campaigns. Israel, the descendents of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, were literally claiming territory for the Kingdom of God, by advancing in the land of Canaan. Canaan was a land dominated by darkness; Israel was to displace the darkness, establishing a kingdom of Priests and Kings obeying the righteous commands of the Lord. They did not complete the task. In the same way, we have the opportunity not only to defend ourselves from Satan Defensive Spiritual Warfare . We can advance the Kingdom of God on Satans kingdom, claiming territory he controls. This is offensive; we are taking away Satans domain, with the authority given to us by Jesus Christ this is Offensive Spiritual Warfare. Defensive Spiritual Warfare Defensive Spiritual Warfare, as I would define it is, the war around us, where Satan and his angels are attacking. They are on the offensive; we (the saved) are on the defense. Satan has established stronghold in our life, which we are not able to overcome or pull down. He is on the offensive, seeking, hunting, and looking for our weakness.
We are commanded to be vigilant, and resist the Devil (I Peter 5:8-9). Further, Paul commands to wear the full armor of God to stand against the wiles (methods, strategy) of the Devil (Ephesians 6:11). Both of these verses refer to defensive warfare. When the armies of Rome advanced, the first thing they would do is establish a base camp, where they camped in the night. The base camp was itself a fortress, which the legion would be able to defend against offensive attacks. Offensive warfare does not displace Defensive warfare; they are both part of the same battle. Defensive warfare, gives us the ability to go on the offensive against Satan, without being surprised by his attacks. We are to expect his attacks, even while we are on the offensive. The problem with Defensive warfare is too many times, Christians find themselves constantly on the defensive, never learning how to advance on Satans territory. Satan goal is to keep us on the defensive, without an offensive. Spiritual warfare is to reverse this principle, meaning we stay defensive while learning to become offensive. Through defensive warfare, we learn how to repulse these attacks, pulling down personalstrongholds in our own life, claiming territory from Satan. From the principles of pulling down personal strongholds, we learn the principles of warfare, allowing us to take these principles for offensive purposes. God allowed Israel to battle, that they would learn warfare. God could have removed their enemies, but he used the vehicle of the nation Israel, to be His instrument of wrath and judgment. In the same way, God does not need us to be His offensive weapon He chooses to use us, to advance the Gospel on enemy territory. He gives us the honor, of having our names associated with His Son of being His agents of Spiritual warfare.
13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. I Peter 4:13-14
Therefore, those who hold back, from the Spiritual battle, because they fear human rejection, loose the blessings of the Holy Spirit. Rejection for Christ is a sign of Gods blessing, therefore the warrior in Christ needs to learn how to rejoice, at being Gods servant. (Acts 5:31)
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. Matthew 5:10-13
This is the perspective; we need to take into Offensive Spiritual Warfare, we have the honor and privilege to advance the Kingdom of God, on enemy territory. Offensive Spiritual Warfare Now how do we advance the Kingdom of God on Satans domain? First lets review, what is the battle about? The aim of the war is for the souls of humanity. Jesus came to set us free, to redeem us from our captivity. His death on the Cross did exactly that, our sins were paid for. We (the saved) are no longer under Satans dominion, we are under the Christs dominion. Satan goal is to prevent, the lost from being saved, as I Corinthians 4:3-4 declares.
3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. II Corinthians 4:3-4
Second Corinthians divides the world into two groups, one, those who are perishing , secondly, and those who believe. The Perishing are kept in blindness, by the god of this age. Now we have authority, through Christ over Satan dominion, to remove his au thority. Through Jesus Christ we have authority to set the captive free, to pull down strongholds of the enemy.
19 "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. Matthew 28:18-20
Offensive Spiritual warfare, is going on enemy territory, pulling down strongholds, setting Satans captives free. This is the point Paul makes in 2 Corinthians 10.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, nd bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Paul was a great example of taking the Gospel to areas, where it was unknown, setting captives of free, establishing churches in enemy territory. Paul was strategic, as he intentionally looked for way to bring Christ to the Gentile world. Take for example chapter 17 of Acts; here we see Paul waging war in enemy territory. He is on the offensive, going into regions controlled by Satan, establishing the Church. The Spiritual Warfare in Acts 17 Thessalonica In Thessalonica, Paul reasoned with the Gentiles from the scriptures, explaining the Suffering Messiah. Notice the battle is in the minds, as people make decisions for Christ, others became opposed. Opposition arose to the Gospel; this was a satanic assault on Paul. Satan knew his territory was under assault, so he raised people up. God allowed this to happen, because Paul le aves the Church established there, and heads to Berea, waging war there.
Acts 17 1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ." 4 And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas. 5 But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. 7 "Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king-Jesus." 8 And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. 9 So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
Berea Paul flees Thessalonica, goes to Berea. You might think Paul is tired of running at this point, he might want to just relax and catch his breath. Not so! Paul goes right back into the war being waged. He is claiming territory from Satan. Paul like the Legions understood, the territory he stood on belonged to the Lord. Paul uses scripture as his weapon of assault on Satans territory. Wherever Paul arrived, he looked for an opportunity to introduce the Gospel. The Gospel of Jesus Christ set the captives free. Here again, Satan pursues Paul sending people to prevent the Gospel, from being established. We watching spiritual war in action, as Satans territory is being assaulted by Paul.
10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. 13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. 14 Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there.
Athens Paul is sent from Berea to Athens, there he waits for Silas and Timothy. Paul however, could not just wait; he knew he was in enemy territory, so he began to wage war. First Paul takes the Gospel to the synagogue, again using scripture as his assault weapon. The war was in the minds of the people, as Paul reasoned (vs.17), Paul was not worried about offending people, he was taking the authority, he had in Christ. Paul looked for a place, of assault, he choose two, the synagogue and the marketplace, he daily waged war, while waiting for Silas and Timothy. Because of daily waging war, Paul met people there at least that are how it seemed on the outside. Spiritually, God sent people, who took Paul to the Areopaqus, there Paul introduced to the philosophers Jesus Christ. Paul was prepared to present the Gospel to whichever group he was placed. Paul allowed the Spirit of God to direct his life. He was not worried the circumstances, he knew his mission was to advance the Gospel. Paul was not worried about offending his new friends in Athens; he introduced Christ to them, by looking for a bridge of commonality. He saw this bridge in the altar to the UNKNOWN GOD. Some mocked the message (Vs.32), others believed. That is the nature of Spiritual warfare, because it is a battle for souls, some will believe others will not. We are just required to be obedient to the command of Christ, by advancing the Gospel.
15 So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed. 16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. 17 Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. 18 Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, "What does this babbler want to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods," because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? 20 "For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean." 21 For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing. 22 Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; 23 "for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: 24 "God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25 "Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. 26 "And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 "so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 "for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' 29 "Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising. 30 "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 "because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."
32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, "We will hear you again on this matter." 33 So Paul departed from among them. 34 However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them. Acts 17:1-34
From Acts 17, we can see Paul in action, Paul did not just talk the talk, he was a doer, who waged war until his last day in Rome. There he was executed for the sake of the Gospel. Waging Offensive Spiritual Warfare There are quite a number of ways offensive warfare can be waged; the first thing is to pray about being on the offensive. God wants us to not just be defensive, but to take territory from the enemy. So we need to seek Him, and ask God where we are needed. Like Isaiah, who heard God ask, whom shall I send? He immediately replied, Here am I! Send me. Isaiah wanted to be used by God, he was willing to face the hardships. God even told him the people would not listen to him, it did not matter Isaiah wanted to be on the Lords side.
8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." 9 And He said, "Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' ...11 Then I said, "Lord, how long?" And He answered: "Until the cities are laid waste and without inhabitant, The houses are without a man, The land is utterly desolate, Isaiah 6:8-9,11
Preparing for service When a new soldier joined the Roman army, he was not immediately a legionnaire; he first had to train intensively for six-month, day an night to bring him to the level of a legion. The same goes with the Gospel, we have to be willing to invest time and energy to be effective with the Word of God. Notice in Athens, Paul reasoned from the scriptures, because Paul knew the Word of God, he was able to wage war with. Paul was prepared to give an answer for his faith. To be effective for the kingdom, we need to heed the words of Peter. In I Peter, Peter uses two words, which are translated defense and reason. The Greek word for defense is ajp ologiva Apologia , meaning answer or defense. The other word reason, comes from the Greek word lovgo Logos, meaning word or command. From this word we get our word logic.
14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; I Peter 3:14-15
Our faith in Christ is not blind faith, but reasoned faith, based on logic. We need to prepare to answer those around us, for the reason we believe. Ask yourself these questions, Why do you believe Jesus is the Son of God? Why do you believe the Bible is true? Why do you believe Jesus is God? How do you know what happens after you die? Were you able to give reasoned arguments for your faith? If not, this is an area you need to begin with. Specialized Warfare Special Ops, US Army When a new recruit would join the legions, the would learn to use the armor of the legions, many times he would specialize learning about one aspect of warfare, more then others. In todays military, they call them Special Op, short for Special Operations. These are soldiers prepared for special service or operations. We have the same in the spiritual realms, a missionary, an evangelist, an apologist, a
youth pastor, youth worker and more. Someone whose goal is to reach a specific group or target with the Gospel is a spiritual, Special Ops. Specialized training is often times necessary to reach specific groups of people. Cults for example, capture people using arguments which may seem biblical, but they are false. Many times these groups present, another Jesus or a false gospel. So training in reaching Muslims, is necessary to tear down the strongholds. The same goes with Atheism and other strongholds, the more experience the soldiers of the Lord acquire the more effective their presentation of the Gospel. Prayer Warfare Another area of spiritual warfare, often overlooked is the power of offensive prayer warfare. We are not limited by physical terrain, in our service to the Lord. Daniel was a prayer warrior, even in his old age. Daniel was in his eighties when he was thrown into the den of lions (Daniel 6). Whatever our circumstance, we can always wage prayer warfare on enemy strongholds. We can target our prayers, like Daniel, who prayed for his nation, in opposition to the rulers of pagan Persia. Prayer target____________________________________________________________________ Strongholds opposed?______________________________________________________________ What to pray for?__________________________________________________________________ Who is involved?_____________________________________________________________________ How is the advance of the kingdom involved?____________________________________________
12. Waging War in the Spiritual Realms

Exactly what does it mean to wage in wage war in the spiritual realms? This might be a hard concept for some to understand. Most people in the world really do not understand this concept. Even Christians, who read the Bible dont comprehend what it means to wage war in the Spiritual Realms. Why, is this such a hard concept to comprehend? First waging war is a spiritually mature undertaking , if you dont understand there is a war, how are you going to wag war? Only by understanding the deeper aspects of scripture, can someone learn about the battle raging all around. Paul calls these deeper doctrines in Hebrews, Meat as opposed to Milk. Only those who pursue the deeper doctrines of scripture can expect to really understand and be engaged in the spiritual war.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil . Hebrews 5:12-14
Secondly, waging war requires someone to understand who we (Christians) are, and why we are here. Then once understanding our position, we have to be willing to take God at His word and act. We have to be willing to clear the stronghold and traps Satan has put in our way. Satans goal is to prevent the believer from engaging in the war against his realm. Therefore, to reach the point of waging war requires someone who pursues vision cast in scripture. Someone who is willing act on their authority and position they have in Jesus Christ. We have to understand, God gives us the responsibility of making our choices with our life. We have 24 hours a day, 7-days a week, 168-hours per week until the day we die. This resource, Time is the great equalizer, regardless of whether we own a company that employs thousands, or a king who rules a kingdom of millions, or even a beggar in the streets, we all have the same resource. We can choose to spend this resource any way we want. What we choose to do with this resource is a good indication of who we are spiritually. How are we investing this resource? So many options abound; kids, work, education, friends, vacation, fun, sports, yard work just for starters. Despite all these options, we still only have 168 hours per week. What investment of our time will outlast us in the end? Jesus addresses this dilemma in the Gospels. Peter the fisherman, who just heard Jesus reply to the rich young ruler about gaining eternal treasures, makes a statement, See, we have left all and followed You. Jesus replied to Peter,
29 So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, 30 "who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time-houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions-and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 "But many who are first will be last, and the last first." Mark 10:29-31
The disciples were the first line of offense, in the spread of the Gospel. They were the Lords warriors, advancing His kingdom on Satans domain, through the Church. We have been the same authority they have. We are the Lords army advancing on enemy territory, the question is, how willing are we to use the resource of time, given to us by the Lord?
Counting the cost of warfare Is there a cost to being Gods warrior? Yes, there is a cost for everything. Just ask the professional football or basketball player, was there a cost to being the top? Most have spent hours perfecting, their skills, sacrificing other aspects of their life to become the best. Today, many young athletes train with a vision of screaming crowds, multi-million dollar contracts, fame and notoriety, urging them on. Despite all this investment in time, the promise of their glory is temporary and fading. Few today can remember the great names beyond a couple of generations. The rewards this world offers is temporary, however the reward the Lord offers is eternal. Spiritual warfare involves a commitment to the Lords work, many times at the expense of our own lives, dreams and ambitions. This is why spiritual warfare is for the spiritual mature, those willing to exchange the temporary for the eternal. This is meaning behinds Jesus words. Serving the Lord, often requires someone to give up not only time, people who will keep someone from the Lords service. For example, many people who come to Christ in Muslim countries are often forced to choose between Christ and their families. The cost is great, because Satan has blinded the eyes of the lost, and prevents them from understanding the Gospel. Satan holds families hostage, to prevent Gods people from using their authority to advance the Gospel. Engaging in the Spiritual War Once we understand the battle, and have decided to be part of the Lords army, advancing His Kingdom on enemy territory, you might ask yourself the question, How do I start? You m ight say, I have so many commitments, how can I make time to engage in the wars of the Lord? Whatever your situation, you can engage in the spiritual battle, advancing the kingdom of God on Satans domain. God does not require us to have anything other than a sincere heart, with faith in Him, through Jesus Christ. Once we understand God can use us, wherever we are, we can let the power of the Holy Spirit do the work. Its not about our abilities, but our availability. We just need to make ourselves available for His service. Being so busy to be used by God is one of Satans methods. This was the problem of the rich young ruler. He loved his wealth too much to be of any use to God, money was the stronghold on his life, and he was not willing to part with it.
21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 "And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Matthew 19:16-24
The rich young ruler in many ways reflected the church of Laodicea, he was not able to experience the power of God, because his wealth robbed him. He learned to trust in material wealth and power. Jesus describes the wealthy church of Laodicea as wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked (Revelation 3:14-20). Where do I start? First, we need to know its not about us, God does not need our abilities, God wants our availability. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil in the Temple, which separated the Holy of Holies was ripped from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). This signified a very important event, the separation between God and man is eliminated with the death of Jesus. We now have access to Gods throne directly, we dont need a mortal High Priest, we now have a Heavenly High Priest Jesus Christ. Jesus is in Heaven, waiting for us to approach His throne.
9 then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God." He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,
13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. 15 But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, 16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them," 17 then He adds, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." 18 Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. 19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:9-23
Therefore the first place for us to start, when we engage in Spiritual Warfare, is to enter Heaven, before the throng of God in prayer, through the blood of Jesus Christ. What do I pray, you might ask? Here is a sample of a prayer, after praying to the Lord...listen for the Holy Spirit to speak to your inner man.
Dear Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for my sins, and allowing me to approach your throne of Grace.... I am so unworthy, thank you for your mercy. Jesus I dont know where to start, but I want to be used by you. I come here to make my self available for service...I want to be your Spiritual Warrior, Please Lord use me, wherever I can be used...... Please help me to make myself available for service..., Lord fill me with your Holy Spirit, let your love flow from me to those around me....In the name and blood of Jesus I pray....
One the greatest example of prayer in recent memory is George Mueller, this story comes to us from the captain of a ship who witnessed the power of prayer first hand. Who himself became a man of prayer after witnessing it from George Mueller. Mueller was a prayer warrior who established orphanages and was a man of prayer. One day he was on a ship headed to Quebec 1 Canada, for a particular meeting, a thick fog settled in on the water.
the Mueller's set off for the United States in August 1877 aboard the SardianOff Newfoundland the weather turned cold and the ship's progress was seriously retarded by fog. The captain had been on the bridge for 24 hours when something happened which was to revolutionize his life. George Mueller appeared on the bridge. "Captain, I have come to tell you I must be in Quebec by Saturday afternoon." "It is impossible," said the captain. "Very well, " said Mueller, "if your ship cannot take me, God will find some other way-- I have never broken an engagement for 52 years. Let us go down into the chartroom and pray." The Captain wondered which lunatic asylum Mueller had come from. "Mr. Mueller," he said, "do you know how dense this fog is?" "No, my eye is not on the density of the fog, but on the living God, who controls every circumstance of my life." Mueller then knelt down and prayed simply. When he had finished the captain was about to pray, but Mueller put his hand on his shoulder, and told him not to. "First, you do not believe He will' and second, I believe He has, and there is no need whatever for you to pray about it." The captain looked at Mueller in amazement.
George Mueller 1805-1898
http://www.christianadoption.com/goals/mueller.htm
"Captain," he continued, I have known my Lord for 52 years, and there has never been a single day that I have failed to get an audience with the King. Get up, captain, and open the door, and you will find the fog is gone." The captain walked across to the door and opened it. The fog had lifted. It was the captain himself, who later told the story of this incident, and who was subsequently described by a well known evangelist as "one of the most devoted men I ever knew." It was prayer that swept his soul free of doubt, distemper, and the after-effects of a trial by the incoming tide of peace. For this reason he could make such remarks as this entry on March 9, 1847, "The greater the difficulties, the easier for faith." And a later one, "The greater the trial, the sweeter the victory." His victories came through prayer, trust in the Lord's unfailing promises and a faith that God's truth would not fail. "It is not enough to begin to pray," he advises us, "nor to pray aright; nor is it enough to continue for a time to pray; but we must patiently, believingly continue in prayer, until we obtain an answer; and further, we have not only to continue in prayer unto the end, but we have also to believe that God does hear us and will answer our prayers. Most frequently we fail in not continuing in prayer until the blessing is obtained, and in not expecting the blessing."
George Mueller illustrates our need to depend on Prayer and the Holy Spirit to direct us in the Spiritual war. Pray to be equipped and trained Whatever area of Spiritual Warfare the Holy Spirit chooses to assign to us, we need to be equipped. Again, its not about our abilities, but about our willingness. We need to learn to allow the power of the Holy Spirit work through us. So again, we need to pray for the Lord to equip us for service. We need to wear His armor and not the worlds armor. A sample prayer might go something like this....
Lord Jesus I come before your throne because I need the Armor of God, to enter the battle of spiritual realms, I do not want to trust in the armor of flesh, but your armor.... Equip me Lord with the ......belt of truth....breastplate of righteousness....Gospel of peace...shield of faith.....helmet of salvation....the sword of your Spirit....power of prayer and supplication.... Equip me for your war, like your servants David and Paul... Let me know Lord where I need to grow in my knowledge and understanding so I can be used by you. Help me to understand and read your. Put people in my life, to help me Lord. Direct me to the resources I need.... Give me a desire to grow... fill me with your Holy Spirit ...In Jesus Name I pray...Amen
Where can I be used? After praying we need to let the Spirit of God direct our direction in warfare, so we need to be sensitive to the supernatural yearnings of the Holy Spirit. Remember, in Spiritual warfare, we are advancing the kingdom of God on Satans domain. First in our life, overcoming our personal strongholds, then taking in the battle Satans domain. The Spiritual warrior must never forget, we operate not in our authority but Christs authority, which has been given us to advance the Lords Kingdom. Since our battle is taking place in heavenly realms we are not limited by physical terrain. I might live in Cleveland, Ohio but my warfare is not restricted to Ohio. I have authority to advance the Kingdom of God on Satans domain. I am only limited, by my lack of faith,
20 And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither away so soon?" 21 So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. 22 "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." Matthew 21:20-22
Spiritual warfare is a battle between for the souls of lost humanity. effective.
We just need to be faithful, and let the Spirit of God direct us in the Lords battle. The Spirit moved David in his fight against Goliath, God moved him to challenge the giant, who degraded and the God of Israel. We can allow God to move us, in the battle God wants us to engage in. In Spiritual warfare, there are vast number of options available, being where God wants us is where we will be the most
Battlefields to engage the enemy The range of options in Spiritual Warfare is only limited by the amount of faith, which the Spiritual warrior has. Lets look at how anyone willing to engage in Spiritual warfare, can do exactly that. However, lets just review some of the key verses, on spiritual warfare.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:11-12 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. Matthew 28:18-20 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 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, II Corinthians 10:3-5
Any sincere person who knows the Lord, can engage in the war of the Heavenly realms. Since this type of warfare takes place in spiritual realms, it is not limited by physical limitations. Daniel probably the most well known prayer warrior in the Bible, was in his eighties when he battled against the Prince of Persia (Daniel 10). Age or health is no limitation to Spiritual warfare, only availability and faith are. 1. Prayer War One of the most accessible means of Spiritual warfare is the power of prayer, as exhibited by George Mueller. Faith is the main factor in prayer warfare, do you really believe God is able to answer prayer? So how can you be involved in prayer warfare? Missionaries One place to start is the missionaries; they are often front-line workers, who are representing the kingdom of God, to the lost. They need prayer support, especially because they are assaulting Satan domain. Get specific information, which can be used during your prayer time. Find out such items as;
1. What are their greatest struggles? 2. What risks do they face? 3. Specific names of souls and families who are seeking? (To can pray for their salvation) 4. Do they need materials, finances, help? 5. Can they send you pictures? The goal here is to take the missionary before the throne of God, in the process you are empowering God to intercede, through your prayers. God works through the prayers of His people, we are told to bring everything to God in prayer (Phil. 4;6) Intercessory Prayer All around us souls are seeking God, yet Satan has them captive in blindness. As an intercessor, we have the ability to take a soul before the throne of God and plead for salvation. Through the blood of Christ, we have direct access to Heaven. Every lost soul, which comes to Christ, is an advancement of the Gods Kingdom on enemy territory. To be involved in this aspect of warfare, start by collecting names of people who are lost. Ask those around you who are witnessing or working with people, find out who needs prayer for salvation. Intercede for their soul, before the throne of God. Also find out, who might be struggling with their walk, pray for them to endure. Pray for their protection against Satans attack. Satan wants to disable saints, taking away authority. Pulling down strongholds in spiritual realms Our work is not limited by physical terrain. We do not have to be in a location, to be involved in the spiritual realms. Remember our battle is against principalities and rulers in heavenly realms. For example we can pray for believers in countries where there is persecution. For example, we can take North Korea, before Gods thrown, praying against the realms, like Daniel prayed about Persia. We can pray for angelic intervention, we can empower the Kingdom of Heaven, against demonic strongholds. A. Territorial strongholds In Matthew 28, Jesus was given all authority in Heaven and on Earth, we have access to that authority. Our problem is our lack of faith, are we willing to use the authority we have? You can start by getting specific information about the region, what is happening there? the strongholds? How many Christians are there? A great place to start is a book called Operation 2 World by Patrick Johnstone and Jason Mandryk, containing over 700-pages of vital prayer information, for the prayer warrior. B. False Arguments and mental strongholds Satan also works in this world by creating false doctrines, working through cults. These cults entrap people by presenting an false christs. We can pray for their downfall, we can pray their foundations crumble, since souls are entrapped by their false doctrines. We can ask the Lord of the Harvest to send the workers, to pull down these strongholds. To be involved in this type of warfare, get specific information to take before the throne of God. Ask the Lord to equip saints to combat heretical teachings. Choose a stronghold and take it to the Lord in prayer, some examples, New Age cults, Mormonism,
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Islam Jehovah Witnesses Atheism Earth worship Buddhism
Other stronghold established, which saints can pray against are ways of thinking, which entrap souls in darkness. Some examples here are; Racism Homosexuality Violence Pornography Abortion Materialism Adultery
2. Taking authority around us We have authority from Christ, we need to learn how to use the authority, we already have. One of the best training grounds is the world around us. When we come to Christ, we have the awesome promise of Heaven, why keep such a good thing to yourself. Around each of us, is a lost and dying world. Lets exercise the authority we have in the world God has placed us. Start by collecting names of people around you, 1. People around me, family, friends, work, etc., etc..... 2. Begin to pray for their salvation 3. Ask God to fill you with love and compassion for the lost. 4. Pray God that eternity becomes real to you...Heaven....Hell 5. Pray that you take the position serious, its a matter of eternal life of death. 3. Expanding our personal victories Have you overcome strongholds in your life? Maybe God has called you to help others with a similar stronghold. Maybe God wants you to use your experience, to rescue people trapped, people who are today, where you were. This might include, Alcohol, drugs, gambling, abortion, pornography, money, pride and more. Once you have been freed, its might be your calling to engage in Spiritual warfare, in these very same issues. You can partner with people who have experienced like events and form a ministry. Or you can join a ministry, already working with people. 4. Attacking strongholds One area of Spiritual warfare, you might choose is front line work, allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to lead you into the enemy camp. Examples of this work include missionaries, track ministry and outreach ministries. This type of work is often specialized, requiring training and study, to reach a specific group or group of people The goal here is summed up in 2 Corinthians 10.
4b pulling down strongholds, 5 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, II Corinthians 10;4b,5
Missionaries in Muslim countries, have to understand Islam to reach Muslims. Those who want to reach atheists or skeptics, should learn how to counter their arguments, and lead them to Christ. For example to reach this group, the warrior should learn to demonstrate the evidence of scripture. He should also prove, why belief in God is logical, based on cosmos and creation. 5. Rescuing the lost Another area of Spiritual warfare is the rescue of lost souls. This is the heart of Spiritual warfare. Because Satan has blinded the minds of the lost, therefore the core of every soldier of the Lord is bringing people to Christ. Since this is the case, we need to know how to lead someone to Christ. Being able to explain the Gospel step by step, is essential to winning souls to Christ. Wherever we are, we represent Christ, if we learn to make ourselves available to people, the Spirit will send the lost our way. To get involved in this aspect of Spiritual warfare, approach God, with prayer and supplication. You might want to ask the Lord for the following. 1. Pray the Lord gives you a love for lost humanity 2. Pray the Lord makes eternity real to you, give you an urgency for the lost. 3. Pray the Lord, send the lost to you 4. Pray the Lord gives you the desire to spend time with lost people. 5. Pray the Lord gives you the ability to clearly explain the gospel to the lost. 6. Disciplining warriors Once you have honed your skill in Spiritual warfare, and reaching people, you can disciples others. Paul set this example with Timothy, he took time to help Timothy grow in his walk, understanding his work would be carried on through Timothy. Jesus did the same with the disciples, therefore if Jesus and Paul used this method to advance the Gospel; this is probably the most effective form of Spiritual warfare. This does mean we should not witness and advance the Gospel on our own, but only we should also be looking for people to train and disciple to do the same. God gives us knowledge, not to keep to ourselves but to share. Discipling is imparting the knowledge of your experience in Christ to younger believers, helping them to advance the Gospel. Jesus gives us the mandate to disciple the nations.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. Matthew 28:18-20
GEORGE MUELLER (1805-1898) If we were to list only a few men of God that have had the most influence upon the Christian Adoption ministry, the life and example of George Mueller would have to appear in that list. Of course-- our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the perfect example for us to follow and to imitate. George Mueller was a man of faith and miracles. Certainly he was one of the greatest prayer warriors of the past century. His ministry was prospered because he trusted fully in God and he started a work that was born in his heart. During his ministry of 63 years, he supported missionaries, established the Scriptural Knowledge Institute in England, taught Sunday schools as well as day schools where teachers were Christian, distributed Bibles and religious tracts, and cared for orphans. He was directly involved in the Christian instruction of 121,683 pupils. He distributed 281,652 Bibles, 1,448,662 New Testaments, 21,343 copies of the Book of Psalms, and 222,196 other portions of the Holy Scriptures. He financially supported missionary operations in 26 different countries. He distributed 111,489,067 tracts/booklets/pamphlets, and was directly involved in the conversion of 2,813 orphans. He mastered 6 languages: French, German, Hebrew, Latin, Greek, and English.
George Mueller 1805-1898
Mr. Mueller was a native of Prussia, born in Kroppenstaedt, on September 27, 1805. He looked, after the shadow of God's glory rested upon him, beyond time and saw God. He realized that God alone was able, and in that realization the puny supplies of man dwarfed beside the reservoirs of God's grace which he tapped by faith. He learned the secret of getting things from God, the simple expedient of boldly coming to the throne to receive. He practiced this daily for 73 years, and in coming he never found the throne vacant nor the supplies exhausted. He learned not to bind God by the limits of his own faith. He asked, knowing that God, Who heard, was able. Near the end of his life he affirmed that he had read the Bible through approximately 200 times, 100 of which was on his knees. He found God's promises in the Bible and experienced the truth of them in his everyday life. He learned to believe what he read and to act accordingly. He learned to tell not man but God his needs and to believe God would supply them. Mueller had mastered the lesson of outlooks--for he lived by the heavenly uplook, and not the earthly outlook! "The Lord pours in, while we seek to pour out." This was always his plan of operation. He sought God to pour in the supplies, and he diligently furnished sources through which they might be distributed. As long as Mueller saw to the careful distribution of money and supplies, God never failed in pouring in the needed materials. Mr. Mueller testified that in his lifetime 50,000 specific prayers were answered. Years before he died, about the middle of his career, he affirmed that up to that time 5000 of his definite prayers had been answered on the day of asking. He made it a habit to keep a notebook with 2 -page entries. On one page he gave the petition and the date, and on the opposite page he entered the date of the answer. In this manner he was able to keep record of definite petitions, and their specific answers. He recommended this form to believers who desired specific results to their prayers. Thus there is no guesswork as to when God answers prayers. "I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk about, when I lie down and when I rise up. And the answers are always coming. Thousands and tens of thousands of times have my prayers been answered. When once I am persuaded that a thing is right and for the glory of God, I go on praying for it until the answer comes. George Mueller never gives up!" "Let not Satan deceive you, " writes Mr. Mueller during those faith-wrenching days, "in making you think you could not have the same faith, but that is only for persons situated as I am. When I lose such a thing as a key, I ask the Lord to direct me to it, and I look for an answer to my prayer; when a person with whom I have an appointment does not comeI ask the Lord to be pleased to hasten him to me, and I look for an answerThus in all my temporal and spiritual concerns I pray to the Lord and expect an answer to my request; and may not you do the same dear believing reader?" In giving advice gained through daily trials of his faith, this father of the orphans laid down rules for a Christian to follow by which they might also strengthen their faith. These rules are: 1. Read the Bible and meditate upon it. God has become known to us through prayer and meditation upon His own Wor d. 2. Seek to maintain an upright heart and a good conscience. 3. If we desire our faith to be strengthened, we should not shrink from opportunities where our faith may be tried, and therefore, through trial, be strengthened. The last important point for the strengthening of our faith is that we let God work for us, when the hour of trial of our faith comes, and do not work a deliverance of our own. Would the believer therefore have his faith strengthened, he must give God time to work. There was no detail too insignificant to take to the Lord in prayer. He lived literally according to the passage, "In all things by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God." "Real trust in God is above circumstances and appearances," he affirmed.
the Mueller's set off for the United States in August 1877 aboard the SardianOff Newfoundland the weather turned cold and the ship's progress was seriously retarded by fog. The captain had been on the bridge for 24 hours when something happened which was to revolutionize his life. George Mueller appeared on the bridge. "Captain, I have come to tell you I must be in Quebec by Saturday afternoon." "It is impossible," said the captain. "Very well, " said Mueller, "if your ship cannot take me, God will find some other way--I have never broken an engagement for 52 years. Let us go down into the chart-room and pray." The Captain wondered which lunatic asylum Mueller had come from. "Mr. Mueller," he said, "do you know how dense this fog is?" "No, my eye is not on the density of the fog, but on the living God, who controls every circumstance of my life." Mueller then knelt down and prayed simply. When he had finished the captain was about to pray, but Mueller put his hand on his shoulder, and told him not to. "First, you do not believe He will' and second, I believe He has, and there is no need whatever for you to pray about it." The captain looked at Mueller in amazement. "Captain," he continued, I have known my Lord for 52 years, and there has never been a single day that I have failed to get an audience with the King. Get up, captain, and open the door, and you will find the fog is gone." The captain walked across to the door and opened it. The fog had lifted. It was the captain himself, who later told the story of this incident, and who was subsequently described by a well known evangelist as "one of the most devoted men I ever knew." It was prayer that swept his soul free of doubt, distemper, and the after-effects of a trial by the incoming tide of peace. For this reason he could make such remarks as this entry on March 9, 1847, "The greater the difficulties, the easier for faith." And a later one, "The greater the trial, the sweeter the victory." His victories came through prayer, trust in the Lord's unfailing promises and a faith that God's truth would not fail. "It is not enough to begin to pray," he advises us, "nor to pray aright; nor is it enough to continue for a time to pray; but we must patiently, believingly continue in prayer, until we obtain an answer; and further, we have not only to continue in prayer unto the end, but we have also to believe that God does hear us and will answer our prayers. Most frequently we fail in not continuing in prayer until the blessing is obtained, and in not expecting the blessing." During the last year of Mr. Mueller's life, among the gifts (for the feeding of the orphans) recorded were 7, 203 loaves of bread; 5,222 buns; 20 boxes of soap; 9 tons of coal; 26 haunches of venison; 112 rabbit s; 312 pheasants; 5 bags of oatmeal; 26 cases of oranges; 5 boxes of dates and 4,013 pounds of meat along with hundreds of other items. Additionally he had prayed for the financial needs of the orphan houses and had during the course of his lifetime received over 2 1/2 million dollars--always making his requests known only to God. All of these gifts were needed to help care for and feed the thousands of orphans under his careful wing. George Mueller was a living demonstration of the reality of the Scripture, But my God shall supply all our need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 Answers to Prayer by George Mueller; Moody Press George Muller Delighted in God by Roger Steer; Harold Shaw Publishers George Muller, Man of Faith & Miracles by Basil Miller; Dimension Books The Autobiography of George Muller by George Muller; Whitaker House
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The Spiritual War

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The Spiritual War

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1. What is the Spiritual War?

Introduction to Spiritual Warfare

4. How Satan wages War?

5. Our Place in Christ

The Armor of God: Our Weapons

7. The Armor of God Part II

8. What are strongholds?

The reconstructed walls of Nineveh with one of its gates

Jeroboam (king of Israel B.C. 975-954)

Jehoshaphat (914 B.C., King of Judah)

Josiah (641 B.C. King of Judah)

HELP FROM ABOVE

The Deity of Jesus Christ

I John 4:15 John 8:23,58 Matthew 14:19-21

Luke 1:35 John 4:25,26 Luke 5:5,6

Matthew 17:5 John 9:5

John 9:36,37 John 10:7

Colossia ns 2:9 John 11:25

Rom. 5:11 John 20:31

Eph. 5:6 Ezekiel 18:20 Luke 7:14, 15a

James 1:22 Luke 15:32

Gal. 6:3 Prov. 11:19 1 Cor. 15:26

Mat. 24:5 Rom. 6:23a

Psalm 9:17 2 Pet. 2:9 Rom. 9:16 Luke 13:3

Matthew 18:8 Hebrews 9:27 Romans 5:20b,21 Ezekiel 18:31a

I John 2:15,16 John 3;3 Gal. 5:24,25 John 3;36

Rev. 3;20 Isaiah 1:16 I Pet. 1:23

John 5:24 I John 4:13 John 15:11

2 Tim. 1:9b, 10 I John 2:3 Psalm 16:11

Rom 10:9,10 John 8:44b James 4:7,8a I John 4:20

I John 2:23 2 Cor. 2:10b, 11 John 12:31 John 13:35

Psalm 29:2 Acts 13;52 Mat. 6;33 Heb 4:15

Luke 12:40 Mat. 6:9-15 Acts 3:19a

Scripture Memory Interest

10. Pulling down Strongholds

Jonathan Edwards: Born 1703

Max Jukes: Born 1700

Praying the Word of God

In Summary the process of pulling down strongholds is

The Fall of Masada2

Encyclopedia Britannica 1994

11. Waging War in the Spiritual Realms

12. Waging War in the Spiritual Realms

George Mueller 1805-1898

Islam Jehovah Witnesses Atheism Earth worship Buddhism

George Mueller 1805-1898

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