The Truth About “Spiritual Warfare”
Freedom Ministries Fellowship Notes
The Truth About “Spiritual Warfare” – The Battle for Your Heart and Mind
Opening prayer:
Praise and Worship: 10 minutes:
Testimonies: 5 minutes
Review: The Truth About “Spiritual Warfare” – The Battle for Your Heart and Mind
Most “spiritual warfare” today is not scriptural. There is a devil, and he is our enemy, but Jesus stripped him of all power at the cross. All the enemy has left are lies and deception.
God doesn’t need you to war and defeat Satan. Jesus defeated and disarmed the devil at the cross. Colossians 2:10-15 explains that Jesus spoiled all principalities and powers. Ephesians 1:21 explains that Christ is far above all principalities and powers and every name that is named. In addition, Ephesians 2:6 explains that we are seated with Christ. Scripture is clear that any authority the enemy had has been stripped from him. The enemy is now under our feet, and we have authority over all devils.
New Testament warfare reveals there are principalities and powers in the spiritual realm, but they have no power in our lives unless we give them power through believing their lies and deception. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” The battle is clearly in what we believe. When we believe the wrong things, they become strongholds in our minds. Christ defeated the enemy and purchased our salvation, health, protection and prosperity on the cross. This is our inheritance. When the enemy puts thoughts in your mind contrary to this, the best thing to do is ignore them and praise God for your inheritance. This is resisting the devil. This is what it means to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. When you do this, the devil will flee from you.
The armor of God in Ephesians 6 is all about the gospel of Jesus. We have salvation, righteousness, truth, peace and faith through Jesus. Ephesians 6 mentions wrestling one time, and standing in victory four times. The emphasis is not in actively warring, it should be in standing our ground in victory. The wrestling is in our mind and what we believe.
When Jesus and the disciples encountered opposition, they did not pray and pull down strongholds over cities. They preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. When the people heard the truth and believed, the enemy’s power in their lives was broken. Our weapons are the good news of Jesus Christ to pull down strongholds in people’s minds. When you believe incorrectly, you are vulnerable to the devil. But when you believe the true gospel, you can stand victoriously in every area of your life. Most of your energy should not be in warring against a defeated devil. It should be in praise God for the victory we have been given. Grace and peace are not multiplied in our lives through “spiritual warfare.” They are multiplied through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. The more you believe the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more the power of God will prosper every area your life.
Prayer: 10 Minutes:
If there is any situation in your life that needs prayer, ask the Holy Spirit to pray through you for that situation. The Holy Spirit makes intercession for us according to the will of God. It is the perfect prayer and is always answered!
Announcements:
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Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Amen