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Defensive Spiritual WarfarePersonal Spiritual Formation Series

Tuesday, March 27, 12

The Arena of Spiritual warfare“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.” Mark 1:9-13


Why did Satan attack Jesus?

The Holy One coming from GodAn early defeat lessens the impact


How did Satan attack Jesus?

It was at the level of his thought life“If you are the Son of God...”

“Doesn’t it say in Scripture...?”

“Did God really say...”


Paul’s perspective

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” II Corinthians 10:3-5


Definition of “stronghold”

A stronghold is a castle made of thoughts.


Weapons that have Divine power

Prayer

Worship

Bible Study

Discipleship - spiritual disciplines

Deliverance


Our thoughts must be tested against the knowledge of God - the truth of God’s Word. What does God really think and believe about us? It is not wrong to have a bad thought. It is wrong to keep it!


spirit

Holy Spirit

soul body/fleshmindwill

emotions

This is the realm of the battle

God’s influence

The Battleground of the Redeemed


Ephesians 4:22-27“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires (the will); to be made new in the attitude of your minds (the mind); and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger (the emotions) do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”


Holy Spirit vs. SatanicConviction Condemnation

Point to a specific problem

Convict by calling to repentance

Shows the way out, will give hope

Vague, cloudy

Calls to destruction

Says there is no way out (creates fear)


Old vs. New Kingdom thinking

I can’t... I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Phil. 4:13



I am so afraid... God has not given me a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. II Tim. 1:7



I don’t have faith... God has given me a measure of faith Romans 12:3



I’m a weakling... The LORD is my strength. Psalm 27:1



Satan really has me tied up...

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world I John 4:4



I’m defeated... Thanks be to God who always leads me in triumphal procession in Christ. 2 Cor. 2:14



I am so worried and frustrated...

I can cast all my cares on Him, because He cares for me. I Peter 5:7



I’ll never be free... Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Cor. 3:17



I feel so condemned... There is no

condemnation for me, for I am in Christ Jesus.


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