INTRODUCTION TO SPIRITUAL WARFARE BLD NEWARK DISTRICT TEACHING MINISTRY OBJECTIVES Gain a fundamental understanding of spiritual warfare Continue the growth of the individual and the community in the ministry of Intercessors & Prayer Warriors COURSE OUTLINE Scripture Foundation Spiritual Warfare- Old & New Testaments Jesus Christ-The Model Spiritual Warrior Pitfalls to Avoid the enemy & his works Preparing for Battle Christian Weaponry Armor of God Workshop 1
SCRIPTURE FOUNDATION Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. SPIRITUAL WARFARE IN THE OLD & NEW TESTAMENTS Isaiah 14:12-14 - The fall of Lucifer Genesis 3:15 - Yahweh declares war Revelation 12:7-9, 13, 17 - War in heaven 2 Timothy 3:1-5 - War in man s heart 1 Peter 5:8 - The enemy is prowling around JESUS CHRIST: THE MODEL SPIRITUAL WARRIOR Luke 4:1-13 - Tempted in the desert Mark 1:21-27 - Power over evil spirits Matthew 16:21-23 - Rebuked satan Luke 22:31-32 - Prayed for Peter Matthew 26:36-46 - Tempted in the garden Matthew 26:46-56 - Tempted at His arrest Matthew 27:40, 42-43 - Tempted at His crucifixion Mark 16:15-20 - Empowered disciples over evil spirits 2
PITFALLS TO AVOID Denying the existence of evil spirits & satan and taking an unrealistic view of the world and man in it Attributing all spiritual experiences to God, including forbidden territory Attributing most, if not all, evil & sin to satan and demonic activity Angels Nine choirs of angels Seraphim: consumed with the fire of God s love Is 6:1-6 Cherubim: to defend God s sanctuary Gen 3:24; Ez 1:1-26 Thrones: pure goodness with authority; to defend dioceses, communities, kingdoms Dominations: to help govern the world ; for conversion Principalities: spiritual war leaders; to protect Church Powers: help plan and direct battles of the Lord Virtues: to work miracles Archangels: seven but only three are named Michael powerful like God Gabriel voice of God Raphael God heals Angels: guardian angels, ministering angels the enemy & his works Works of satan witchcraft or sorcery divination - Isaiah 8:19 cults spiritualism 3
three levels of spirits ministering spirits reside in people s emotions and come and go easily cardinal spirits compare to cardinal sins; attached to will, not emotion Satanic satan himself with his high powered cohorts, the occult spirits controlling spirits anger blasphemy confusion deceit discouragement delusions of grandeur fear of fears hatred infirmity intellectual pride lust mockery nether occult paranoia ritual self-deceit self-destruction sloth turbulence unbelief weariness atheism blockage conflict despair defilement division fear games hostility insanity jealousy lies nonsense pride rebellion repression self-denial self-hatred spiritual deceit terror vice withdrawal anti-christ condemnation compulsion destruction disobedience fear of rejection gluttony idolatry indecision judgment larceny murder never nervousness perversion resentment schizophrenia lack of self-esteem self-pity trivia torment violence witchcraft 5 Points where spirits attach themselves to a person Mind/Memory Emotions Intellect Will Imagination 4
PREPARING FOR BATTLE 1 Timothy 6:12 - Compete well for the faith James 4:7 - Submit to God, resist the devil 1 Peter 5:9 - Steadfast in faith Mark 16:17 - Power in Jesus Name Acts 8:5-7 - Example: Philip in Samaria Acts 19:14-16 - Prayer warrior must be in Jesus Ephesians 6:10 - Draw strength from Lord Ephesians 3:14-16 - Power through Holy Spirit Ephesians 1:18-19 - Power for believers Luke 24:49 - Wait on the Lord CHRISTIAN WEAPONRY The Name of Jesus - Colossians 3:17; Philippians 2:9 The Word of God - Hebrews 4:12 Praying in the Spirit - Ephesians 6:18 Fasting & Prayer - Mark 9:18-29 Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation Eucharistic Adoration The Blessed Mother s intercession - Genesis 3:15 ARMOR OF GOD Our Protection - Ephesians 6:11 Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil.. Armor of God - Ephesians 6:13-17 Belt of Truth Breastplate of Righteousness Footgear for Gospel of Peace Shield of Faith Helmet of Salvation Sword of the Spirit 5
THE BELT OF TRUTH Ephesians 6:14 - Stand fast with your loins girded in truth. What is truth? God can not lie - 1 Peter 2:22 The Lord is trustworthy - Psalm 145:13 Jesus is the truth - John 14:6 Truth - God is who He says He is Attacks: lies, deception, accusation Discernment needed to remain in truth Know difference between light & darkness, truth & deception, love & fear, good and evil 1 Corinthians 2:10 - Ask the Holy Spirit, who scrutinizes everything Acts 16:6-7 - Follow the direction of the Holy Spirit THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS Ephesians 6:14 - Clothed with righteousness as our breastplate. Breastplate covers extremely important area: the heart Matthew 5:8 - Blessed are the clean of heart Ephesians 1:4 - Chosen to be holy & without blemish When we speak of hearts, we think of love John 3:30 - He must increase, I must decrease Our desire must be to have our heart right with God 1 John 4: 10 - Jesus is our righteousness with God Go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation often - Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they who hunger & thirst for righteousness Romans 16:19-20 - Righteous person assured of victory Attacks: evil & sinful desires, pride, self-righteousness, false or showy piety THE FOOTGEAR OF PEACE Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace 2 Timothy 4:2 - Proclaim the word, be persistent... Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. Isaiah 61:1-2 - The Spirit of the Lord is now upon me.. 1 John 1:3 - What we have seen and heard, we proclaim in turn to you Matthew 28:19 - Go therefore to all the nations 6
THE SHIELD OF FAITH Ephesians 6:16 - In all circumstances, hold faith up before you as your shield Faith is the full shield to cover the entire person Received supernatural gifts of faith, hope & charity in Baptism Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen Hebrews 11:1 Trust God- walk by faith, not by sight 2 Corinthians 5:7 Trusting in God s strength & goodness other than our own Attacks: doubt, uncertainty, fear, anxiety, disobedience Pray for faith: Lord, increase my faith Luke 17:5 or Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief Luke 9:24 Trials in life provide opportunity to grow in faith Hebrews 13:5 I will Introduction never to leave Spiritual Warfare you or abandon you. THE HELMET OF SALVATION Ephesians 6:17 - Take the helmet of salvation The battlefield is our mind Thoughts decisions actions James 1:14-15 Have the mind of Christ 1 Corinthians 2:16 Acts 15:28 - Invite the Holy Spirit into our thoughts & decisions John 15:5 - Apart from Christ, we can do nothing Romans 12:2 - Do not conform yourselves to this age, but be e transformed by the renewal of your mind John 5:19 - Be totally dependent on the Father Attacks: fear, despair, discouragement, depression, unforgiveness, calamity, accident 2 Corinthians 11:24-27 - satan hinders Paul s work THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT Ephesians 6:17 - Take the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God Jesus is the Word of God John 1:1-2 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Scripture is the Word of God Hebrews 4:12 - Through Holy Spirit, the Word in Scripture becomes alive, active, dynamic & effective 2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work. Isaiah 55:10-11 - So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth. It shall not return to Me void but shall do My will, achieving the end for which I sent it. 7
ATTITUDE OF A PRAYER WARRIOR 1 Samuel 17:33, 36-37 - zeal 1 Samuel 17:38-40 - 5 smooth stones Worship Word Work Witness Warfare 1 Samuel 18:45, 47 - The battle is the Lord s! Plan for Victory Weapon Training Warfare Victory Love Faith, Trust Envy, Fear, Covetousness Unselfishness Joy Praise, Worship Depression, Heaviness, Grief Strength Peace Long Suffering Gentleness Mind on Jesus, not on prohlem Prayer, Thanksgiving, Rejoicing Accepting Others Imperfections Worry, Nervousness, Dread Anger, Resentment, Impatience Irritation, Criticalness, Judgment Freedom Patience Refined Goodness Service to Other Rejection, Defeat, Unworthy Servant Attitude Faith Meekness Temperance Trust in God s Word Submit to God s Will Disciplining of Body & Soul Doubt, Unbelief, Deception Pride, Rebellion, Disobedience Lust, Emotions, Mind Righteousness Brokenness Self-Control Binding Mt 12:29 Bind the strong man Bind for protection: In the name of Jesus, I bind all powers and forces of the air Bind from: the spirit from the person s woundedness and hurts; own emotions, physical being, mind, desire, will, etc Bind each aspect or attribute Aspect: makeup/personality of spirit (deceit, defiance, etc) and the effect or hold it has on the person Attribute: special qualities of some spirits (intelligence, power) Process: Name, Isolate/Binding, Aspects, Healing, Deliverance In the name of Jesus, I bind you, spirit of, that you no longer exercise dominion over this person 8
Loosing Prayer In the name of Jesus, by the power of His precious blood shed on the cross, I take the sword of the Spirit and cut you free from the bondage of Casting Out In the name of Jesus, I command you, evil spirit of, to come out of this person, never to enter him again. I command you to go where the Lord Jesus Christ sends you, never to return to this person. I place you under the authority of Christ, who is far above all principalities, powers, virtue and domination. WORKSHOP Form circles of three Share areas in your life which you believe is subject to spiritual warfare Pray for one another Prayer to take authority Cleansing through Act of Contrition Ask for Holy Spirit s guidance Bind, loose or cast out Direct bound spirit to go directly to the foot of the cross Praise & thank God for His victory 9
Notes http://cioconbld.fastmail.fm/spiritualwarfare 10