Spiritual Warfare for the Totally Afraid

Mark 9:17 29 (NRSV) Someone from the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; 18 and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so." 19 He answered them, "You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me." 20 And they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked the father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. 22 It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us." 23 Jesus said to him, "If you are able! All things can be done for the one who believes." 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out, "I believe; help my unbelief!" 25 When Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You spirit that keeps this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!" 26 After crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, "He is dead." 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand. 28 When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" 29 He said to them, "This kind can come out only through prayer."

John 14:12 (NRSV) Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.

Ephesians 6:10 21 (NRSV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

2 Corinthians 10:3 5 (NRSV) Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards; 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments 5 and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.

Ephesians 1:20 21 (NRSV) God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. Ephesians 2:6 (NRSV) and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

1 John 4:4 (NRSV) Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

QUESTIONS

1. What has God supplied us with to wage war against Satan?

2. There are different kinds of weapons for different kinds of spiritual battles, what weapons do we use for... a. Battles against lies and deception. b. Battles against discouragement c. Battles against demonic possession. d. Battles against doubt. e. Battles against temptation

3. How powerful is Satan ? (1 John 4:4 NKJV) You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

(1 John 5:18 20 NRSV) We know that those who are born of God do not sin, but the one who was born of God protects them, and the evil one does not touch them. {19} We know that we are God's children, and that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one. {20} And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

4. What are Satan's three main strategies? John 10:10 (NRSV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

5. How do we apply the armour of God to our lives so it becomes real and effective?

6. What criteria can we use for accurately distinguishing a spiritual attack from a "coincidence" ?

7. A person comes to your church claiming to be a prophet but the words are harsh and judgemental and strange, gradually the "prophet" begins setting end time dates and insisting on obedience and a frantic, strained version of "holiness'. A few young believers are impressed and start to follow the "prophet". A person who rebukes the "prophet" soon after has a car accident. What spiritual attacking forces are at work here? How could it have been prevented? What action needs to be taken now?

8. A youth group leader has a secret liking for pornography and gradually sexual sin begins to appear throughout the youth group. Assuming the youth leaders sin is unknown how can the church deal with the problem? What measures would be wisest to use?

SPIRITUAL WARFARE IN ACTION

1. List four deceptions that are common in society today. What Scriptures counter these. Pray and remind God of these truths and claim them over your city. Rebuke the deceptions that are leading people astray.

2. List three or more people you know that are under spiritual attack and pray for God to preserve them. How can you encourage them to stand firm?

3. Pray for Christians who are outside the fellowship and covering of a church. Pray for persecuted Christians in China as the government cracks down again.

4. Do you know of any individuals that could be demon possessed? Pray that they may seek help and deliverance. Pray that they may be kept from self destruction and may come free soon.

5. Pray for those caught up in cults that their real personality may break through the mind control and deception and that they may break free without losing faith in God.

6. Pray for the closing down of centers of sin nightclubs, sex shops, pornographers etc.

This article may be freely reproduced for non-profit ministry purposes but may not be sold in any way. For permission to use articles in your ministry, e-mail the editor, John Edmiston at johned@aibi.ph.