I have been listening to sermons with a focus on Spiritual Warfare and it has been a real eye opener, a tremendous comfort, given loads of answers, and has been a blessing. They were a series done by Chip Ingram, I will give you the link so you can check them out if you are interested. I really feel that every Christian and every person should listen to this series.
http://livingontheedge.org/series/invisible-war/daily-radio
I am not trying to cram religion down anyone's throat, I am not sitting here preaching, I just want to provide support and lead you to some answers you may have not even realized to ask questions to. I do not believe in religion, I believe in God and I have given my life over to Christ. Jesus is my savior, not my religion.
In these times we are in, we find ourselves surrounded by many distractions, occurrences that we cannot explain, understand, accept, or even see for what they truly are. We are constantly told what to wear, how to dress, how to live, how to compare, to make more money, to covet, to desire more, to be cruel to, whom and how to hate, whom to look down upon, we are lead to idol worship, we destroy our lives and the lives of others without seeing the truth of that which is before us. Then there are those of us who can see and are unsure, confused, frightened into inaction, frozen by uncertainty, swallowed by sorrow and desperate for help.
I will do a quick overview of what was covered and you can take what you like, leave the rest. Only, take some time to research and read up on all of this more, so you can understand God's plan in all of this.
There are 5 Basic Truths about Spiritual Warfare, they are:
1-There is an invisible world that is just as real as the visible world.
2 Kings 6:15-17
Daniel 10
2- We are involved in an invisible war. A cosmic conflict that has eternal implications. The attack is on your mind. The enemy is the father of lies. He is a liar, he deludes, a deceiver, he casts doubt on God, on His word, on you. Your mind, beliefs, world view, that is where the majority of the battle occurs. The god of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of unbelievers. Why?
That they might not see the Light of the Gospel of the Glory of Christ; who is in the image of God.
Part of the enemy's strategy is to blind the minds of people, so they cannot ascertain, they cannot grasp the truth.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
1 Timothy 4:1
3- Our foe is formidable and his goal is to destroy us. Destroy us and discredit the cause of Christ. Satan and his forces have a plan to terrorize your soul, to render you impotent, as a believer. To make you worthless to the cause of Christ and to make your life one of misery and spiritual defeat.
John 8:44
James 4
Jude 9
Like a lion, the enemy seeks vulnerability, easy prey. It is not all the time, it is when you are low, tired, traveling, late at night, after everyone has gone to bed. You are gotten to by way of temptation, hoping no one else sees or discovers, you are sucked in, you feel bad/dirty. He gets you with temptation and then the double whammy, it is always followed up with guilt and condemnation.
DO NOT be fearful but have a healthy respect, we are in a battle.
The cult of happiness is another lie interwoven with truths, our lives, our world, are not a playground; a place for our constant happiness, a way for us to get whaever we want by viewing God as some cosmic vending machine. The goal in life is not just to be happy, this is not a playground, this IS abattlefield. Life is not about personal satisfaction all the time. The enemy uses false prophets, false doctrine, and false beliefs to sway us and blind us to the Glory of Christ, and the glory of God.
Jesus did not take demonic activity lightly, there are over 30 references in the bible to demons and such activity and encounters.
The authority of the scripture.
The authority of Christ and the amount of material that the new testament gives to the reality of Satan and demons, will truly capture your attention. This is not considered to be a small topic, to be glossed over and passed by.
Jesus was tempted with: anger, lust, jealousy, depression, agonizing choices/decisions.
His way of handling all of this?
He would pray whenever he was being tempted. When someone was being harassed or tempted by the enemy, Jesus would pray. Total dependence on God.
4-We must respect our foe but not fear him, become acutely aware of his methods but not preoccupied with him. Do you know his methods?
The enemy plants doubts, provokes sin, produces sex and cults, is crafty, instills fear, will win you over, crafting it all. He is the prince of this world, he has a system, he is the accuser of the brethren, a tempter. He will move you off of good to evil, sweet to sour, he is beautiful, winsome, attractive, liar, slanderer, seductive, false, absolute corruption, a below dweller.
You must remember, his power is limited and he can be resisted by the Christian. Resist the devil and he will flee you. Balance and wisdom are crucial in our assesment of spiritual opposition, to assign too much or too little credit to the reality of demonic activity is to err greatly.
Be not afraid. Be aware not preoccupied.
Gods sovereign purpose is to protect us.
1 John 4:4
5-As believers in Christ, we do not fight for victory, we fight from victory. In Christ's power we are powerful and we are victors in Christ but thanks be to God, we walk in His triunph.
Ephesians 6
1 John 4:4
Rev 12:11
James 4:7-8
This series has several parts to it, I will continue to give notes and links to following sermons so that you can stand strong against the enemy and find peace, protection, and love in the arms of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, by the grace of ever merciful God.
God bless you all!
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