Basic Spiritual Warfare

Transcription

1 Basic Spiritual Warfare (30 Oct 16, Conrad Jarrell) Gen 4:6-8 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. I. Some Sobering Facts about Spiritual Warfare (research by Dr. Neil Anderson) A. Christians attending conferences were interviewed. 1. Church members 1 in 4 experience serious spiritual conflict. 2. Pastors and family/ church leaders 1 in 2 experience serious spiritual conflict. B. Survey of 1291 Professing Christian High School Students. 20% experienced thoughts of suicide 24% experienced impulsive thoughts to kill 37% experienced difficulty in prayer and Bible study 47% experienced a presence in their room 54% experienced bad thoughts about God 70% heard voices or had really bad thoughts 71% think they are different from other people C. Spiritual Conflict in Christians Lives 15% Basically free of Satanic Bondage 85% Experience spiritual conflict on 3 levels: 65% lead a fairly normal outward Christian life, but inwardly, have a steady conflict (virtually no devotional life, prayer is frustrating, relationship difficulty, problem-filled thought life). 15% serious spiritual conflict: hear voices, evil thoughts flood mind, depressed, bitter, angry, may have addiction problems (a and b individuals usually fail to recognize this spiritual conflict). 5% seriously oppressed: hear and obey voices, loss of control, dysfunctional, hospitalized. PLEASE OBSERVE: Moses wrote the First Five Books (Heb. Torah) of The Bible. Based upon 10 colophons (brief notes ending writings, about info on production), Moses used patriarchal family records, corrected by Divine Inspiration, to write most of Genesis (see last one at Gen 37:2, generations of Jacob). The colophon at Gen 5:1 (generations of Adam) indicates that Adam, himself the First Holy Prophet (Luke 1:70; Act 3:21) wrote the historical notes covering Gen 1:1 to Gen 5:1. The father of the two boys, Cain and Able, wrote the historical notes about the First Murder. Cain killed his brother, over differences of religion God rejected Cain s vegetable offering and accepted Able s blood offering, and Able died for it. Able made a blood offering and died for it what a marvelous type of Christ on the Cross, dying for making His blood offering. Note in Gen 4:7, that Sin who lieth at the door, is a male person. I believe, based upon what Cain did next, that male person s name was Satan. Satan lies at everyone s door, waiting for us to open it, with some compromising sin, so he can come in and rule the sinner. This is undoubtedly the origin of the metaphor, an Open Doorway, that lets demons enter. And That is the nature of spiritual warfare. Notice also, ungodly religion hates and persecutes godly religion, often to the death. Note also, in the above stats, that 15% of Christians have little problem with spiritual warfare, while 85% carry that burden. I pastored Welsh type Baptist Churches for 49 years, the type of Baptist and Anabaptist that trace back to John the Baptist (as recorded in Trail of Blood and other historical records). I can affirm that Welsh type Baptist and Anabaptist Christians over 25 million killed for their religion (using immersion lamb-offering Baptism, read Rom 6:4-5 word for word)

2 Basic Spiritual Warfare Page 2 of 5 thru the middle ages by Catholic professing christians (offering water-sprinkled vegetable baptism ) have less trouble with spiritual warfare that other types of professing christians. Notice the statistics very carefully: 15% little spiritual warfare, 85% much spiritual warfare. Ask yourself, WHO was lying at the door, waiting to offer Cain vegetable religion? There are two lessons to learn about Church History: 1) Only Baptists have the True Church; and 2) Not all baptists are Baptists (note the capitalization). It is a fact, to which I and others can attest, that True Church Baptists have less problems with spiritual warfare than vegetable professing christians. One last point. Dr. Anderson has been viciously castigated for offering the opinion that only saved people seem to prevail in spiritual warfare, and that lost people derive little benefit. When I show you the following Proof Texts, defining spiritual warfare and its methods, please notice that THEY ALL INVOLVE SAVED PEOPLE. Lambs fight and win spiritual warfare vegetables loose. II. Absolute Basics of Spiritual Warfare A. Spiritual Warfare Defined Actually confronting Demons Eph 6:10 13 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 2Co 10:3 6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. B. The Battleground for Believers Psa 34:4-7 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears 5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. NOTE This is HOW WE FEAR GOD: 1 John 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 1 John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. C. Legal Authority for Spiritual Warfare 1. Christ has all power and authority. Eph 1:19 23 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

3 Basic Spiritual Warfare Page 3 of 5 2. We have a legal position in Christ. Eph 2:4 7 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 3. We may exercise authority over fallen angels thru Christ. Luk 10:17 19 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Rev 3:21 22 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 1 John 5: 4-5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? IMAGINE Each Child of God as a little preschool Child, sitting in the lap of its Big Brother King Jesus, as Jesus whispers in its ear How to Make Satan Go Away Mark 10:13-16 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. D. Basic Tactics of Spiritual Warfare WARNING Keep your emotions under control! Any strong emotion, positive or negative, neutralizes our faith, which is a rational action. Luk 24:36 43 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them. Mat 14:26 31 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

4 Basic Spiritual Warfare Page 4 of 5 1. Preparing Yourself in Prayer James 4:7a Submit yourselves therefore to God. a. Ask God to forgive your sins and bless you with fellowship, in Jesus Name. b. My recommendation: Ask God to Bind Satan Blind (so he can t see), Deaf (so he can t hear), Dumb (so he can t speak), and Fast (so he can t fight back); then, ask God to Send Satan Away; all in Jesus Name. 1 John 5: And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 2. Commanding Satan Away James 4:7b Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Isa 30:22 Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence. My recommendation for What to Say: This is not a magic formula, not a chant, nor an evocation; NOR IS THIS A PRAYER This is a COMMAND, in the Name of Jesus, ordering Satan what to do. Remember you get what you ask for, so be specific. a. Satan, I COMMAND you, in Jesus Name, Get thee hence! b. Get thee hence from my Person [inside of you], my Presence [near you], my Proximity [anywhere in your vicinity], and my Property [or any place you may be]. c. In Jesus Name, Get thee hence! DO NOT SAY AMEN It s a Command, not a Prayer! III. Protecting Children in Spiritual Warfare A. Four Dangers to Watch for Concerning Your Children. 1. Repeated Nightmares, especially of an occult bent; particularly coming several times in a night, or several nights in a row. 2. A Strange Presence. All children have active imaginations. Sometimes, however, they encounter things that are not imaginary at all. ADVICE: Children should be taught repeatedly the story of the little child that cried wolf so many times that finally no one believed him anymore. Warn them that making up stories about these kind of experiences is a form of dabbling in the occult, and could result in opening a door for these things to come in. a. A Frightening Presence Shadows, or some Invisible Thing that seems to move about. b. A Friendly Presence The Biblical term for this is a familiar spirit. The popular term for this is a spirit guide. 3. Imaginary Playmates. Almost all children, at one time or another, have imaginary playmates. This is not necessarily a bad thing, and is one way children develop the ability to visualize situations, think through solutions and problems, and practice interpersonal skills. What parents must be keenly aware of is the possibility of invisible playmates who are not imaginary. 4. Children s TV programs, Games, and Toys with Occult Themes. Remember that such objects and activities can actually open a spiritual doorway for demons to enter the home and the child s life. Deu 7:25-26 The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God. 26 Neither shalt thou bring an abomination

5 Basic Spiritual Warfare Page 5 of 5 into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing. B. Three Ways Children (and Adults) deal with Demonic Beings. 1. Believe them. They accept bad thoughts about themselves, or misleading ideas about how good or wonderful something is claimed to be (frequently something that they know to be wrong or forbidden). This is a wrong way to deal with the situation NEVER believe them. Joh 8:44 [Jesus, speaking to unbelieving Jews] Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 2. Talk with them. They try to talk to the shadows or the voices that they hear speaking to them, and sometimes try to argue or reason against them. This also is wrong they lose the argument and risk becoming persuaded. 2Co 11:3-4 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 3. Ignore them This is the Biblical way to handle the situation. Ignore them, and command them to leave, in Jesus Name. Isa 30:22 Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence. C. Parents Teach Your Children. Once parents are alerted to the possibility of a real intrusion from demonic sources, they can talk and pray with their children about Spiritual Warfare, and how it can counter spooky stuff. 1. Pray with your children every night as you put them to bed. Teach them to pray for God to protect them thru the night. 2. Read them Ps 34:7, about how the Angel of the Lord protects God s people. 3. Teach them the about The Battleground for Believers, and how to command Satan to leave in the name of Jesus Christ (see above, about the Little Child in Jesus lap). 4. Take authority as the parent of your child, and pray Jesus to Bind Satan and his angels Blind, Deaf, Dumb and Fast, and to send them away from your child and your home (Lk 11:14-23; Mtt 12:22-30; Mk 3:22-27). Then, command Satan and his demons to Get thee hence, in Jesus Name. Say it out loud, and don t make it part of a prayer. You are exercising the legal authority that Christ has given you as a Christian. *****