Spiritual Warfare (Week 7)

Growing up in the Western world we don't really believe in the spiritual realm. We think only what we see is what is real. But the spiritual realm is real! There are angels and demons all around. Here's proof:

-Ephesians 6:10-17- "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

     1. The Fact of Warfare

-We are in a constant battle, there is an enemy that wants to destroy us. 

-We also have a God that wants to bring us rest while we fight those battles.
-When we become Christians we are told, "Congrats! Now just run the good race of faith, it will be easy and everything will go well for you." Then something bad happens and we realize that's not true.
-It's only when we understand we are actually in a battle we can be free.
-If the enemy is coming against you telling you lies, all it takes is a simple prayer to come against it.


What are some lies the enemy has told you?

• I'm not good enough? 
• I'm not really saved? 
• God will never forgive that sin? 
• God doesn't really love me? 

-Ephesians 1:15-23

Questions on 

Ephesians 2:1-10:

1. Explain the before and after. We were all dead in our transgressions and now we are alive in Christ. 

2. What does verse 6 say about you? He seated us with Him in heavenly realms. 

Ephesians 1:20-21, 2:6:

1. What does this say about you? Christ's power is far above all others. 

2. What is so important when it comes to spiritual warfare? To pray against it, so we can overcome it. So the enemy can't push us around when he wants. 

Spiritual Warfare is not magic. It means you look like Christ and act like Christ.
If you walk in humility you can never be defeated, you will always beat the enemy.
Christian means little Christ. We are supposed to look like Christ.


     2. We wrestle not with flesh and blood

People are not the enemy, but against the powers of this dark world.
We cannot win a spiritual battle with weapons.
It seems that God made us to be fighters.
If we don't take this need to see justice done in the world to God in intersession we can't win the final battle.
Christ never dealt severally with anyone stuck in sin, but he loved them right where they were and showed them kindness.
The enemy tries to get us to fight against each other, and we give in instead of fighting against the devil, and every time we do give in the devil wins.


The devil has schemes, plans for evil.

God did not fight the devil it was the angels who did.
Revelation 12: 7-9

Satan can only be at one place at a time. He sends spiritual beings to attack you, because he has important things to do.

If you are loving and humble the devil doesn't know what to do with you.

The devil tries to destroy us, most of the time lying about who God made us to be.

Demons speak and listen, that is why we stand against them in Jesus' name.

Spiritual Warfare is learning to recognize the strategies of the enemy, refusing to cooperate with them and aggressively cutting them off in Jesus' name.

If we believe everything that happens is God's will, then we don't believe we need to fight against anything.

We do spiritual warfare to drive back the kingdom of darkness and to build the kingdom of heaven.

How do we recognize strategies of the enemy? 

1. Ask yourself what would I do to me if I was the devil? (He's going to try to use those things.)
2. Know the nature of the devil. (John 10:10- "The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.")
3. Statistics and conditions. (The enemy attacks certain areas, ex. divorce rates).
4. Ask God. (We are ready for this battle because we have weapons and and armor).

How do we pray, speak, live by the spirit? 

1. Remove hinderences (1 Thessalonians 5:19, Ephesians 4:30-32)
2. Be led by the spirit (Romans 8:14)
3. Allow the Holy Spirit to flow through you (Colossians 1:28-29, Ephesians 3:14-19, John 7:37-39)

Does Spiritual Warfare always work? 

Mark 9:14-29

Matthew 7:14:21

The disciples tried to drive out the demons but it didn't work. So Jesus comes and does it. 

Daniel 10:1-9

Daniel prays, fasts, doesn't use lotion.

On the 24th day He saw a vision.
Daniel finds out about this prophesy that has been given.

Luke 18:1-8
Imagine God is an unjust judge.
You don't know what's going on in the spiritual realm so be persistent and keep asking.

Luke 11:5-13
Ask and keep on asking. Seek and keep on seeking, and you will find.
There are jobs that need to be done, some are simple and some are more complex and need more time to get done.

Every prayer you pray is heard and has meaning, but you don't always see the results right away.

This is the book we read during this week. I would highly recommend it especially if Spiritual Warfare is a new topic for you (like it was for me). 

*teaching by Manuel Rammiger