The weapons we have: the Word of GOD, prayer (and fasting), living godly in Christ Jesus, and all of the armor of GOD.
The truth of GOD’s Word is called “the sword of the Spirit” (EPH 6:17). Any sword used in warfare is intended to strike down the enemy, though a sword could also be used defensively, to ward off a blow from one’s opponent.
Likewise we use the WORD of Truth to strike down the falsehoods, lies, deceptions, philosophies, and ideologies that are contrary to the will of GOD.
Thus we use GOD’s Word to show the falsehoods of evolution, of pantheism*, of abortion, of perverted lifestyles, atheism; everything that is opposed to the truth of Scripture. When the integrity of GOD’s Word is attacked, we use this same sword of the Spirit defensively to reveal the authenticity and power of the Scriptures as being divinely inspired and revealed.
* For an excellent book on this subject, check out Warren Smith's book A WONDERFUL DECEPTION!
When tempted to sin by the enemy (sin being the proper conduct in the kingdom of darkness), we don’t fall back to our former citizenship (for we were all sinners, lost in this fallen world, belonging to sinful darkness; EPH 2:3). Instead, we resist sin, and remain loyal to our King, LORD and Savior and the kingdom that He rules!
When we share the Gospel with others, we’re offering them freedom from the enslavement of Satan’s kingdom of slavery. This is intolerable to the enemy, and he will do everything possible to stop it and keep his P.O.W.’s!
When we pray (and fast), we are seeking GOD’s will to be done: in our lives, the lives of our loved ones, friends, neighbors and communities – this is fiercely opposed by the enemy, as GOD’s will is totally opposite of his own.
Spiritual warfare then is all about upright and outreach!
Living a life of uprightness, following JESUS in holiness and godliness, denying the sinful nature or “flesh” (ROM 7:5; COL 2:11; 2:13), denying this rebellious world (JAMES 4:4; GAL 6:14) and denying Satan (JAMES 4:7; ROM 16:20).
For a three-part teaching on these three enemies of the Christian, check out this TTUF article, complete with video recording at SHINE BRIGHT Church OUR THREE ENEMIES: PERSECUTION By Satan, the Flesh and the World
Conducting Outreach is of course sharing the Gospel and seeking to make disciples of Christ. There is in today’s world, even a need for ‘inreach’ that is, to preach the Gospel to church members, who may appear Christian in manner of conversation and conduct, but have never actually been born again, not having received Christ as LORD and Savior.
The idea of confronting Satan and his minions of evil, many Christians find themselves unnerved; even talking about the devil makes them uncomfortable. There are at times a need for exorcism and confronting demons that are oppressing, influencing or even possessing human souls.
For an excellent article on this, check out Dr. Greg Reid’s article:
DEALING WITH THE DEMONIC: RULES of ENGAGEMENT
I happen to know some saints who actively speak out against Satanism and occult activities and are criticized by churches for “glorifying the devil’. But as Dr. Reid puts it, “I’m just explaining how the devil has been de-fanged!” And this is the truth: Warren Wiersbe said it best,
The idea of putting on the armor of GOD, something you must get into, is synonymous with being “in Christ” and by His power (not ours) defeating the devil, just as He did. For example, in the temptation in the wilderness (MATT 4:1-11).
Again, the reader is encouraged to read the TTUF series on spiritual warfare that includes a careful study on the armor of GOD.
For a brief summary on the armor of GOD, but with links to the full articles as found in TTUF, check out FROM the MIND of FIRE, HOW DO WE ENCOURAGE OURSELVES IN THE LORD?
Got questions? Email me! KNYHTF1RE@gmail.com
Put in the subject box: “Questions about TTUF”.
Conducting Outreach is of course sharing the Gospel and seeking to make disciples of Christ. There is in today’s world, even a need for ‘inreach’ that is, to preach the Gospel to church members, who may appear Christian in manner of conversation and conduct, but have never actually been born again, not having received Christ as LORD and Savior.
The idea of confronting Satan and his minions of evil, many Christians find themselves unnerved; even talking about the devil makes them uncomfortable. There are at times a need for exorcism and confronting demons that are oppressing, influencing or even possessing human souls.
For an excellent article on this, check out Dr. Greg Reid’s article:
DEALING WITH THE DEMONIC: RULES of ENGAGEMENT
I happen to know some saints who actively speak out against Satanism and occult activities and are criticized by churches for “glorifying the devil’. But as Dr. Reid puts it, “I’m just explaining how the devil has been de-fanged!” And this is the truth: Warren Wiersbe said it best,
“The Christian does not fight for victory, but from victory!”That is to say, because of Christ’s victory on the cross, over the sinful nature of man, this rebellious world of iniquity and all the power of the enemy – our own victory as being “in Christ” is assured (There are 26 references for “in Christ” found in the book of Ephesians, the go-to epistle for spiritual warfare. What’s that tell you?)!
The idea of putting on the armor of GOD, something you must get into, is synonymous with being “in Christ” and by His power (not ours) defeating the devil, just as He did. For example, in the temptation in the wilderness (MATT 4:1-11).
Again, the reader is encouraged to read the TTUF series on spiritual warfare that includes a careful study on the armor of GOD.
For a brief summary on the armor of GOD, but with links to the full articles as found in TTUF, check out FROM the MIND of FIRE, HOW DO WE ENCOURAGE OURSELVES IN THE LORD?
Got questions? Email me! KNYHTF1RE@gmail.com
Put in the subject box: “Questions about TTUF”.
No comments:
Post a Comment