Spiritual Warfare 1 |
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Spiritual Warfare 1.
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So you want to be effective in Spiritual Warfare? Let's make a start in
this huge subject.
We will look at why the Fall of Satan, some angels and humanity should
actually encourage us!
Then we will look at how two cars can illustrate this new hope.
We will briefly see who is really in charge of this world.
And then see the war between two very different kingdoms
We will see how God's Kingdom on Earth developed from small beginings
We will ask if demons are limited to where they can travel.
We will see the four large areas of attack that we will experience here.
And also how tactics in spiritual warfare have developed and changed during
the Bible period.
We will ask how the Armour of God was designed to be used
And see how The New Testament has a surprising stategy.
We will have a look at a very wise donkey
And finally look at an example from the future.
1. The Fact of The fall
Demons are probably fallen angels
It is unknown if they preceded the creation of the earth and
universe.
It is unknown when they fell - some think Satan's rebellion was
shortly after creation:- some before earth's creation - we are not told.
Some think that the angels fell in an apparent gap between Genesis 1v 1 and
Gen. 1v2 which may also explain the demise of the dinosaurs etc.
The angelic fall is very important for our understanding. If Satan didn't
fall then God created him evil (in the sense of unholy). The Bible states that
God is Holy, and therefore cannot be the originator of that which is unholy.
The Fall explains how God can be Holy and yet the Creator of all
including an originally holy Satan.
Similarly, if God made humanity intrinsically faulty and evil - restoration
leaves us still faulty and evil.
So if Adam and Eve did not fall - by temptation, then it means God made
them faulty - in which case the Bible is totally unreliable and there is no hope
for any of us. Why?
2. Imagine
Imagine two cars. Both were once an immaculate Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow.
Unfortunately through neglect, poor driving and accidents the first car is now a
wreck.
Imagine the second car: there is not a scratch on it. Every detail is
perfect - exactly as the day it was produced. However there is something
different about the second car - it is a scale toy model!
Which of the two cars would be the easiest to restore for running in an
antique car rally?
No matter what is done with the toy scale model, it can never be a drivable
car.
Even if the other wrecked car is in a terrible condition - it can be
restored, for somewhere under the bent metal and rust there are the remnants of
a good design.
If we were created evil - then there is no hope - for we cannot become what
we never were designed to be without all being lost.
But if on the other hand, we had been created good but have fallen through
our neglect and misuse (sin) - then however difficult it may be - the
possibility of restoration must be there.
The Fall of the angels and of humanity was a dreadful tragedy. Yet the fact
that the fall did happen as The Bible teaches also shows that the rebellion can
be overcome. The Devil may be a formidable foe, but he is not so mighty as some
may think.
Rev 12:3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red
dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems.
And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the
earth.(note that verse 9 tells us "the dragon" is the devil or
Satan.)
If Rev 12 v4 does refer to the angelic fall, and implies that one-third of
the angels became what we now know as "fallen angels" or demons, then
it follows that if one in three fell away from God, two out of three did not.
Therefore for every demon, there are two holy powerful angels. The angels are
often called the "Hosts of Heaven" (Heavenly Host) - a description of
them being like a mighty heavenly army.
3. State of play.
There are two Biblical viewpoints which at first sight seem rather
contradictory -but of course are not.
Psa 24:1 The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, The world, and
those who dwell in it.
1 John 5:19 We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies
in the power of the evil one.
The first statement gives the overview and eternal truth: God is Lord of
The Universe. That has not changed despite the rebellion going on. Some teach
that when mankind obeyed Satan in the Paradise of Eden, that he forfeited his
right over the earth-which Satan took over. It is true is that Satan claimed the
world for his own, even to the extent of taunting Jesus about it:
(Luke 4:5-6) And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the
world in a moment of time. {6} And the devil said to Him, "I will give You
all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it
to whomever I wish.
Now if that claim was untrue, Jesus never challenged him over it. And yet
He did, for -
(Luke 4:8) Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP
THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'"
Worship shows who is Lord of your life and influence. Worship is very
important in spiritual warfare - and we will come back to it another time.
4. The Two Kingdoms.
Using Biblical language, we are confronted by two "Kingdoms."
A Kingdom is simply where the reign of a King extends to. There is much
more to this subject, but for clarity's sake we will just leave this simple
picture. The First Kingdom is that of The Lord God. It is eternal, unmoveable in
totality, but the planet Earth part has been under siege. That brings us to the
other kingdom. To be accurate, it is an amalgam of many kingdoms in a coalition
under Satan. The evidence in scripture (particularly Daniel) is that Satan's
Kingdom is not united, and apparently will only be so for a short time during
the tribulation. However the Satanic coalition are almost all united in their
opposition to God's Kingdom. We know the outcome of this war:
(Rev 11:15) Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices
in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our
Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever."
We are caught up in this epic battle between the two Kingdoms. The Angelic
forces are fighting against Satan:- (Rev 12:7) And there was war in heaven,
Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels
waged war,
5. Foundations.
The Old Testament shows the gradual realisation that a battle for the world
was being staged. Initially there were just a few individuals who heard the
voice of God, worshipped Him and obeyed Him. They became the Kingdom of God on
earth. A great example of this was Abraham. With the establishment of the nation
of Israel, they were called to be God's Kingdom as a nation.
(Exo 19:6) and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy
nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel."
Their achievement in this regard was often less than required to say the
least. In O.T. times, there was little understanding of spiritual beings. They
of course understood the existence of evil spirits and of holy angels.
Especially in the early years they seemed to look upon these powers as
local phenomena. Even The Jews displayed ignorance when they seemed to think
that they could bring God into battle by taking the Ark of the Covenant with
them. In those days they believed that gods (we call demons) were local -
perhaps stronger in the hills or in the plains .(1 Kings 20v23). It seemed a
surprise to many to think that The Lord God was God over all the earth! Some
Jews saw God as The God of Israel only, and wondered how they could sing The
Lord's song in a strange land.(Psa137)
Jonah obviously thought he could run out of God's jurisdiction. It is
interesting that he chose to go by sea, when it would have been so much easier
for him to go via Egypt. Almost every culture has a belief that water limits
their gods/demons in some ways. we don't know whether Jonah thought that he had
left God behind on the shores of Israel - if so he had a rude awakening.
6.Are demons territorial?
As I have hinted, there was a general belief that demons remained in
certain localities. Explicit examples are found in scripture:(Rev 9:14) one
saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who
are bound at the great river Euphrates."
Daniel describes the demonic "Prince of Persia" as the one who
opposed the angel Michael bringing the answer to prayer.
The description given by Paul of demonic forces includes those who are
assumed as local: Principalities (Rm 8) Rulers (Eph6)presuppose delegated
territorial domains.
This may be the explanation for a curious fact that some people with demon
problems (possessed even) lose their demon when they have travelled a particular
distance, only to be repossessed when they return! Some Christians have also
experienced that a particular temptation loses it's grip when away from home.
This could be that the local demon who knows us and tempts our weaknesses cannot
always travel with us. That may or may not be so - and certainly not something
to believe in. The Bible does not suggest overcoming sin by moving house!
7.Local Battles
The point that I am making is this. It is fairly evident that we have a
spiritual warfare on four main levels:
i. As a Church that will be attacked by Satan in some way to
compromise, divide or weaken it.
ii. As an individual against sin and serving Satan in any form.
iii. As a locality where particular spiritual attacks will take place -
these attacks are against the community and will bring evil on a local scale.
iv. As a global strategy. Satan is out on a global scale to subvert the
work of God.
Now you may be thinking that I have got the first two levels of spiritual
warfare in the wrong order - but I haven't!
As an individual I am a walking disaster if I try to battle against Satan
on my own. If I am not committed to The Lord in fellowship, not only am I
disobedient to God's Word - (Heb 10:25) not forsaking our own assembling
together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the
more, as you see the day drawing near.-but also putting myself in a
hopelessly undefendable position. It will be only a matter of time before your
spiritual walk will be destroyed. Satan may play with you for a while - but your
fall is certain.
6.A Change of tactics?
In the Old testament, Spiritual warfare was fairly simple, It involved
faith and obedience. Look at the example of Abraham. He really didn't achieve
much physically, apart from being very wealthy, saving his nephew and others.
But what he accomplished in the spiritual realm dented Satans kingdom
permanently. He was obedient and full of faith in God. With faith goes
faithfulness. Abraham was unfaithful a few times, but his faith led him back to
faithfulness.Don't ever make the mistake of separating faith and faithfulness.
One goes with the other!
Later came a new development:-the confronting of evil - as Moses did before
Pharaoh, or Joshua against the wicked and brutal Jericho. Much of current
Spiritual Warfare teaching comes from this period.
Later again we see spiritual warfare in the reign of David and several of
the godly kings - as an expansion of the Kingdom of Israel because they were
faithful and obedient. Nearer the close of the Old Testament, Spiritual Warfare
is waged by living as worthy citizens of "the Kingdom" in particular
the keeping of God's Word and believing in Him. This was not particularly
successful as illustrated by some of the Pharisees hypocritical behaviour.
Although the New Testament carries the background of the Old Testament.
Part of The thrust of The Kingdom was deliverance. In the gospels we get the
recurring triad of deliverance: Preach the Word, Heal the sick and Cast out
demons. The results of this ministry was in Jesus's own words(Luke 10:18) "I
was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning.
The Bible gives us an overview of His purpose in coming to earth:(1 John
3:8) the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned
from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might
destroy the works of the devil.
Notice that from the context, the main destruction of Satan's works was by
overcoming sin. Bear in mind that sin is the major part of rebellion against
God.
In spiritual warfare the breaking of sin is primary: both in the
individual's life and in that of the community.
Before we can enter into any spiritual battle - we must make sure the sin
question is totally dealt with. If we don't, we will have a reaction in the
meeting that may end up in chaos. "A house divided against itself cannot
stand" (Mk 3v24)
I have been in meetings where Christians have unforgiven sin in their lives
- and SATAN has a heyday with them- making them look rather foolish.
Such people may be driven to push the meeting off track, by criticism, too
much singing of inappropriate songs, introspective prayer or any distraction.
They may not know what is driving them to do it. Bitterness, unforgiveness &
anything not repented of must be dealt with decisively.
To enter into any spiritual warfare without knowing full cleansing is
fool-hardy and asking for trouble.
In the New Testament, the fact of spiritual warfare is taken for granted.
(Eph 6:11-13) Put on the full armour of God, so that you will be able to
stand firm against the schemes of the devil. {12} For our struggle is not
against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the
world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the
heavenly places. {13} Therefore, take up the full armour of God, so that you
will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand
firm.
This battle is well illustrated in Revelation 2 and 3 in the experiences
and struggles of the 7 churches of Asia.
We find Satan having schemes to defeat us(2 Cor 2:11) in order that no
advantage be taken of us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.
But many believers are ignorant!
We find even the apostle Paul frustrated by the schemes of Satan (1 Th
2:18) For we wanted to come to you-- I, Paul, more than once-- and yet Satan
thwarted us.
In the Old Testament days, demonic powers were seen as shadowy influences
behind the events of evil nations or movements. They were sometimes personified
in a person, for example the King of Tyre in Ezk 28,
or Judas (Luke 22:3) And Satan entered into Judas who was called
Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve.
It is rare for Satan to act directly - in scripture he will normally use a
human as the vehicle of his will.
When Paul was thwarted in visiting the Thessalonians, it is not that Satan
appeared to him and stopped him. It may have been a physical attack like that
described in 2 Cor 12, or someone causing great trouble where he was - so that
he was not free to leave. The details are unknown - but the principle is
important:
Physical circumstances may be the direct result
of demonic influence.
Satan prefers to use human agents where-ever
possible
7.The Armour of God
We are in a warfare - either ignorantly or with our eyes open.(2 Cor 2:11)
in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan; for we are not ignorant
of his schemes.. If we are ignorant we will be taken advantage of!
If we go it alone we will fall - The armour of God (Eph 6) may be relevant
to the individual, but in The Bible:- it is for the whole church to put on as a
body. The Church should be able to protect itself against every attack, and when
every thing else has happened, still remain standing. The Armour of God is for
the whole body of Christ; divided we fall, united we stand. Read through again
Eph 6 v10-18 with this in view.
Satan's schemes for us include: sin, isolation and people who can be
manipulated or duped!
God's answer is:
* Stand together - don't be isolated or half hearted in your commitment to
the church.
* As a body, preach The Gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons.
* As a body, take on the whole armour of God
* As a body do not be ignorant of Satan's methods
Satan's schemes for us include: sin, isolation and people who can be
manipulated or duped.
In Scripture, there is normally one individual on whom the Satanic kingdom
will focus through, such as the King of Tyre or Judas, or even Peter (for a
short period Matt 16v22)
(Rev 2:9-10) 'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are
rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a
synagogue of Satan. {10} 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the
devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you
will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the
crown of life.
In Smyrna, The Lord reveals the true situation in the town, and also shows
them how to master the coming storm. I believe that we can expect the same from
The Lord today. It is not God's will for us to be ignorant of Satan's devices.
God will reveal where the strong-holds of evil are in this locality. The Lord
will reveal who the focus of Satan is upon.
7.Where do we start?
I among many others have, in the past, entered into spiritual warfare
without realising how foolish it can be to go in without proper precautions. We
of course have authority over the Satanic schemes. Yet that authority comes from
submission to God through His Word, and not just running off alone with
scriptures to find demons. I speak with sadness of some fine believers who were
also foolish and have shipwrecked their walk with God. The New Testament does
not encourage us to search out demons. It does encourage us to overcome those
demons who hinder the Gospel or the furtherance of The Kingdom.
Let's read Matt 16 v18 again: "I also say to you that you are
Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will
not overpower it.
I know that the general thrust of the verse is that even death itself will
not defeat the Church of The Lord Jesus Christ. Yet there is a principle that is
consistent in the New Testament:-
fight the battles that are presented to you - do not go out looking for
them.
This is not The church attacking the gates of Hades, but the gates of Hades
trying to invade the church and utterly failing. Eph 6 repeats again and again
the idea of "standing" or "resisting". Generally in The New
Testament, confrontation with evil happens because Satan attacks the church. In
those circumstances the church stands still and holds it's ground and will come
out victorious. The powerful Atlantic rollers are dashed to pieces by the solid
rock.
We need to resist the devil. (Eph 6:13) Therefore, take up the full
armour of God, that you may be able to resist in the
evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
8.Donkey Virtue?
The Prophet Baalim got angry when his donkey refused to go any further.
Baalim was rushing into spiritual warfare ready to unleash curses against
Israel. He was meant to be a prophet, but his donkey had more vision than this
famous prophet of God on her back! Num 22v30. The donkey's stubborn
determination not to go further saved Baalim's life, but unfortunately did not
save him in the long run from being a false prophet.
The old female donkey had more wisdom than we have appreciated.
True Spiritual warfare can only be successful if we will
i. Be obedient to God's leading and not try to change God's mind -can we
not trust God's decisions? (At a later stage we will look at what to do when we
don't agree with God's answer!)
ii. Refuse to budge an inch on God's Word. (We will more of this in a later
study)
iii. Learn to defeat Satan by resisting:-
(Eccl 4:9-12) Two are better than one because they have a good return
for their labour. {10} For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his
companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him
up. {11} Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one
be warm alone? {12} And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist
him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.
Together we can resist and continue to stand! Sometimes in the Christian
walk, just to stand is a victory!
(Eph 6:13) Therefore, take up the full armour of God, that you may be
able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
When you have all that armour on - you hold your ground and go forward when
you have won!
(James 4:7) Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee
from you. It takes confidence and faith in God to stand and not run for
cover. It takes wisdom not to leave your strong standing in fellowship and rush
out to defeat Satan.
(1 Pet 5:8-9) Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the
devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. {9} But
resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering
are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
Here the devil is seeking to persecute and maybe physically kill the
believers. Notice how to overcome- don't attack, but resist and stand firm. God
will immediately help you? No - He wants you to learn how to be strong and so He
will let you develop your spiritual muscles then (1 Pet 5:10) after you have
suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal
glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
Will you stand? Will you now make that statement of faith - By your Grace, Lord,
I will stand!
9.An Example for us!
(Rev 12:10-11) Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now
the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of
His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he
who accuses them before our God day and night. {11} "And they overcame him
because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and
they did not love their life even when faced with death.
Notice that these tribulation saints are facing much more than we are. They
were personally singled out by Satan and by his one-world kingdom for death. We
don't know how many of them will be martyred.
How will they manage to stand when the whole world is hell bent on
destroying them?
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They realised like Paul that their battle was not with people:- though
Satan does use people. like Demetrius in Acts 19v24. The Bible says they
overcame him - that is Satan. Our true battle is with Satan not people.
Because of the blood of The Lamb. Any victory is based on the Victory of
Calvary. Don't be afraid of making the statement of faith in the presence of
evil. I am cleansed by The blood of The Lamb (1Jn 1v7). I am redeemed by the
blood of Jesus Christ (1Pet 1v19). I have been set free from my sins by the
blood of The Lord Jesus (Rev 1v5)
That blood spelt the end of Satans dominance. He may attack, but the blood
always avails.
Because of the word of their testimony. Their testimony was that what God
says in His Word has been proved true in their experience. Satan's lies can
never overpower the testimony of one who stands in God. There are those who
claim deliverance ministries - and I have observed how they cast out every sort
of demon that does not exist. Yet confronted with a real demon, they are at a
loss. Such were the seven sons of Sceva the Jew in Acts 19v14. They were fine
until they hit one very serious demon. We cannot play around. We need to know
God first. The Lord will allow us to develop spiritual muscles before letting
the more determined demons pass our way.
They loved not their lives even when faced with death! There was not
self-glory or self interest in these overcomers, their lives were in God's
hands.
"But if they died were they not failures?" not at all.!
Hebrews 11 tells us of many hero's of faith who overcame through death.
When a believer dies with God's testimony on his or her lips, they always have
the last word - and that Word is victory for they have won the great race of
life, never again within the reach of Satan.
None of us desire to be martyrs, and if we now question whether we would be
able to stand - we could be shaken. However, if that time ever comes, God's Word
declares that The Grace to help us will be there. A short time of suffering
and then Glory for ever!
The fear of death has left us: Satan has lost his "ACE card"(Heb
2:14-15) ... that through death He (Jesus) might render powerless him who
had the power of death, that is, the devil; {15} and might deliver those who
through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.
Power over Satan and demons can be a heady thing, but we
need to keep humble under the mighty hand of God.
Before we challenge Goliath, let's make sure we can manage the lion and the
bear!1 Sam 17v34,35.
Before we face the den of lions, let us make sure we have stood firm
already on the Word of God (Daniel 6)
The defeat of Goliath was more than a human contest - SATAN was defeated
that day.
Daniel refusing to be a meal for hungry lions was not man over nature, but
spiritual warfare, as God sent His angel to keep the lions from harming him.
SATAN lost a battle that day also, his followers destroyed and a pagan King
acknowledged the power of The Lord God!
Will you stand for God now and endure hardship as a soldier of Christ 2 Tim
2v3.
Spiritual warfare is all about being a Soldier for Jesus Christ and
following His leadership in every point. (Rom 16:19-20)