Entering a season of spiritual warfare
John 10:10, Ephesians 6:10-18
True story. A Christian leader -- as traveling recently by plane. He noticed that the man sitting two seats over was thumbing through some little cards and moving his lips. The man looked professorial with his goatee and graying brown hair, and Steve placed him at fifty-something. Guessing the man was a fellow-believer, Steve leaned over to engage him in conversation. "Looks to me like you're memorizing something," he said. "No, actually I was praying," the man said. Steve introduced himself. "I believe in prayer too," he said. "Well, I have a specific assignment," said the man with the goatee. "What's that?" Steve asked. "I'm praying for the downfall of Christian pastors." "I would certainly fit into that category," Steve said. "Is my name on the list?" "Not on my list," the man replied.
John 10:10 Steal, Kill and Destroy vs. Abundant life.
Spirit wars happen in emerging of Christ works in your life. Often time you find yourself in the midst of this battle, which you thought should be the best time of your life.
Verse 13 (when the day…)
Spiritual battle comes in SEASONS. (Ecclesiastes 3: season for peace, season for war)
Wake up one morning wondering why everything troubling you? Sometimes it lasts a week, sometimes it lasts a month, sometimes longer. What do I do to perpetuate this?
Struggle/Flesh and Blood – Wrestle or Fight
Over centuries we’ve had this wrong doctrine that we need to be wrestling with our old nature. If you are wrestling with yourself, you would never win. We are not focusing on the new creation that Jesus promises us; instead we are constantly reminding us of our old nature. It’s dead! Dead!
Belt of Truth – Waist
Keeping you standing straight
Breastplate of Righteousness - Chest
Guarding your heart and lungs – God’s righteousness is in Christ Jesus. Let the breath and blood of Jesus flow through your chest. It’s not about what you do to make yourself more righteous.
Gospel of Peace –Feet fitted with readiness (Gal 5:16) “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”
Ready to take the land? God said to Joshua, wherever you put your feet on, I will give it to you. The key is are we ready? We walk what the Holy Spirit walks. We go where He goes.
Shield for Faith – Protection
Don’t just stand there in a battlefield. Protect yourself from all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Put yourself behind the Shield of Faith, meaning trusting God all the way! Stop entertaining the thoughts that is from the devil. “You call yourself a believer when you do this and that…etc”
Helmet of Salvation – Guard your emotion and thoughts (1 Cor 2:16) ”But we have the mind of Christ.”
How many of you know that the battleground is in your mind? The demonic spirits have already lost the battle in the spiritual realm; your mind is their target. Always bring about what God has done in your life. Keep a record of His work in your life; remind yourself of His grace and mercy.
Sword of the Holy Spirit – Word of God
Your word is the lamp onto my feet and the light onto my path. Men shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the Lord.
Pray in the Spirit on all occasions
(1 Peter 5:8-9) ”Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
National Geographic ran an article about the Alaskan bull moose. The males of the species battle for dominance during the fall breeding season, literally going head-to-head with antlers crunching together as they collide. Often the antlers, their only weapon are broken. That ensures defeat. The heftiest moose, with the largest and strongest antlers, triumphs. Therefore, the battle fought in the fall is really won during the summer, when the moose eat continually. The one that consumes the best diet for growing antlers and gaining weight will be the heavyweight in the fight. Those that eat inadequately sport weaker antlers and less bulk. There is a lesson here for us. Spiritual battles await. Satan will choose a season to attack. Will we be victorious, or will we fall? Much depends on what we do now--before the wars begin. The bull-moose principle: Enduring faith, strength, and wisdom for trials are best developed before they're needed.