Spiritual Warfare

1. Spiritual Warfare ESC Adult Sunday School August 14 & 21 September 4, 2011 James Lam

2. References • Spiritual Warfare NEWT/SPIR 529 Dr. Roy Matheson • Boyd, Gregory. God at War: The Bible and Spiritual Conflict. IV Press, 1997. • Arnold, Clinton. 3 Crucial Questions About Spiritual Warfare. Baker,1997. • Anderson, Neil T. The Bondage Breaker. Harvest House, 2000. • Anderson, Neil T. and Warner, Timothy. The Beginner’s Guide to Spiritual Warfare. Regal, 2008.

3. References • MacArthur, Jr. John. How to Meet the Enemy. Chariot Victor, 1992. • Rankin, Jerry. Spiritual Warfare: The Battle for God’s Glory. B&H, 2009. • Murphy, Ed. The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare. Thomas Nelson, 2003.

4. Objectives: • Biblical worldview of spiritual warfare • Tension between the two ages • Our three enemies  world, flesh, devil • The Christian life as a struggle • Recognizing the dominion of darkness • Resisting the dominion of darkness • Putting on the full armor of God • Making your home a spiritual refuge

5. A Working Definition Spiritual Warfare is an awareness of the spiritual dynamics taking place around us in order to engage in spiritual conflict using our God given resources.

6. Another definition “A war of universal proportions pitting God and His truth against Satan and his lies. It’s a battle of wills between God and Satan. It’s a cosmic conflict that involves God and the highest creature He ever made and it filters down to every human being. Satan and his army of demons are fighting Christ, His holy angels, the nation of Israel, and believers. The battle lines are clearly drawn.” John MacArthur, How to Meet the Enemy

7. Biblical Worldview • Versus Western worldview  overly scientific, naturalistic, humanistic, individualistic • Versus Animistic worldview  overly superstitious • Biblical worldview collides head-on with above worldviews • Biblical worldview corresponds to reality • Avoids two extremes • Scripture be our guide

8. Preliminary Cautions • We may foster a fascination with evil “Be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil” (Romans 16:19) “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20) • We may give the devil more than his due

9. Tension between the Two Ages • The Present Evil Age • Satan as “the god of this age” (2 Cor. 4:4) • The Age to Come/Kingdom of God • Jesus as inaugurator and King of a new age and reign of righteousness • “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Rev. 21:4)

11. Already-but-not-yet • Already… • Kingdom has come • Jesus in principle won the war, struck the decisive deathblow, vanquished Satan, restored humanity, established the kingdom; set in motion forces that will overthrow • We are now participants in the age to come • Not yet…eschatological • Kingdom not yet full manifested • War is not finished; conflict does not cease • Battles must still be fought before ultimate victory • Eternal life

12. Some of kingdom manifestations – “Already” • Empowering presence of the Holy Spirit • Union and close relationship with Christ • Reception and manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit • Ability to break free from the bondage of sin • Authority over evil spirits

13. Our Three Enemies As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed… [the world] the ways of this world and of [the devil] the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying [the flesh] the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath (Ephesians 2:1-3)

14. Devil’s Influence Ignored

15. Devil’s Influence Exaggerated

16. Balanced View of Evil

17. The flesh • Inner propensity or inclination to do evil • Part of our creatureliness tainted by the fall that remains with us • Continuing connection to this present evil age, which is destined to perish but against which we struggle • As Christians we are new creatures and influence of flesh has been broken by Christ’s death on the cross • Resist inner compulsion by power of the Holy Spirit

18. The world • Unhealthy social environment in which we live • Represents the prevailing worldview assumptions contrary to biblical understanding of reality and biblical values • Our culture has profound influence on the way we think and act • Christians embark on lifelong task of discerning worldly influence and adopt godly attitudes and values

19. The devil • Angelic network – angels, archangels, cherubim, seraphim, rulers, principalities, powers • Highest angel blameless from day of his creation; sin was NOT an inherent part of the being God created • The fall of Satan (Ezek. 28:12-18; Isa. 14:12-15) • Rebelled against God because of his pride • Lucifer means “star of the morning” and “son of the dawn” • Lucifer became Satan when God cast him out of heaven • “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning” (Lk. 10:18)

20. The Army of Satan • When Satan fell, he did not fall alone • “swept away a third of the stars of heaven” (Rev. 12:4) • Fallen angels or demons allied with Satan • Angels neither procreate nor die (Matt. 22:30) • Army of demons highly organized…believers struggle “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:12) • Unseen spiritual global conspiracy (tight-knit lethal organization)

21. Satan’s rule • Satan has illegitimately seized the world and exercises a controlling influence over it (1 Jn. 5:19) • “god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4) • “ruler of this world” (Jn. 12:31; 14:30; 16:11) • “ruler of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2) • “strong man” (Mk. 3:27) • “tempter” (1 Thess. 3:5) • “roaring lion” (1 Pet.5:8) • “accuser” (Ps. 109:6; Rev. 12:10) • “deceiver of the world” (Rev. 12:9) • “father of lies” (Jn. 8:44) • “murderer” (Jn. 8:44) • NOT omnipresent like God • Jesus did not dispute Satan’s rulership of the earth, but He refused to give in to Satan’s temptation and worship him (Lk. 4:5-8)

22. Nature of Evil Influences

23. Three Stranded Rope • 3 influences do not work separately, but in concert • Large area of overlap • Holds us in bondage prior to coming to Christ • Satan works in harmony with the flesh • Activity of the devil closely connected to the world • Implications for life and ministry

24. The Christian Life as a Struggle • “our struggle is not against flesh and blood (Eph. 6:12) • Involves strenuous effort, stamina, and proper spiritual fitness • Struggle is a daily affair • Supernatural opponents  hierarchy/rankings • Rulers (principalities) • Authorities • Powers of this dark world • Spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realm

25. Warfare in the Garden • The world (God created a perfect environment) • The flesh (God created a perfect man and woman – before they sinned) • The devil (Satan, disguised as a serpent) • Attacks against the mind of Eve • Assaults God’s motives and God’s character

26. The Enemy’s Strategy - Deception Recognizing Satan’s Lies (Gen. 3:1-5) • Lie # 1 – “Did God really say?” • Satan wanted Eve to doubt God • Undermined God’s character and credibility • Lie # 2 – “You must not eat from any tree in the garden” • Distorted God’s commands • Questioned fairness of God’s commands – God had a selfish, ulterior motive in forbidding Adam and Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil

27. Deception… • Lie # 3 – “You will not surely die” • There is no death, no afterlife, no hell, no consequences for sin • God will not see your sin • God is too merciful to punish sin • Lie # 4 – For God knows that when you eat of it…” • God is keeping important knowledge from you • God is not concerned for what is good for you or mankind

28. Deception… • Lie # 5 – “your eyes will be opened” • You will share in exclusive mystery knowledge • You will attain true enlightenment • Lie # 6 – “you will be like God” • God is your equal • There is something wonderful and exciting awaiting you which you have not experienced before • Lie # 7 – “knowing good and evil” • God is both good and evil • You can decide for yourself what is good and evil • Good and evil are two sides of the same coin • There are no absolutes

29. Eve’s response: • “when the woman sawthat the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” Gen. 3:6 • Satan’s lies to Eve appeal to Eve’s flesh – food, eye (“For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has or does –comes not from the Father but from the world” 1 John 2:15) • Deception  Disobedience  spiritual death

30. The Enemy’s Strategy DOUBT • Doubt His Word, power, grace, mercy, forgiveness, love PERSECUTION • Hardship, difficulties, trials • Physical, mental, emotional, spiritual FALSE TEACHING • Distorted gospel (other sources of “spirituality”) • False prophets (Mt. 7:15; 24:11; 24:24) SELF-SUFFICIENCY • Trust in our own resources, rather than God

31. Symptoms suggesting spiritual involvement • Unusual fatigue • Hopelessness • Suicidal tendencies • Screaming • Frightening nightmares • Persistent fear • Internal voices • Oppressive depression • Pain that cannot be explained medically

32. Symptoms … • Headaches • Dizziness • Extreme anger and rage • Pornographic enslavement • Compulsive behaviours • Speaking with another voice • Sexual perversions • growling

33. How to know if there is spiritual involvement • Experience unusual discomfort, watering eyes, emotional confusion and/or distraction when reading Scripture or spiritual warfare prayers • Spiritual discernment • Analysis of opportunities where spiritual involvement could have been given access – e.g. involvement in the occult, drugs, habitual sexual sin, inviting of spirits into one’s life, curses, hexes, spells, involvement with witchcraft or satanic ritual, worship or blood sacrifices • Possible that access are passed down through ancestral lines

34. How do spirits of darkness influence us? • See our imperfections and weaknesses • Piggyback (latch) on our woundedness and augment the problem • Secondary problem as they pile on and attack our minds (with deception) and add to our feelings and accentuate our emotions • End result being separate from God’s truth and spiritually blinded

35. Can a Christian be demon-possessed? • Are those symptoms of the typical struggle believers have with the flesh? Or is it possible the influence of actual spirit beings? • Advances in medicine and behavioural sciences help see variety of alternative explanations • Numerous accounts of demonization and exorcism in every century of the history of the church • Strong assumption demon possession was a phenomenon associated with the lands where idolatry flourished

36. Demon possession… • Debate and controversy among evangelicals • Arguments against demon possession: • A Christian cannot be demon-possessed because his or her body is a temple of the Holy Spirit • A Christian cannot be demon-possessed because he or she is already owned by God • “possession” = ownership ? • “demon possession” – English translation • “daimonizomai” – Greek word (tormented, vexed, troubled); words for ownership or possession are absent in the original text

37. Reframe the question… • “Can Christians come under a high degree of influence by a demonic spirit?” • “Is it possible for Christians to yield control of their bodies to a demonic spirit in the same way that they yield to the power of sin?”

38. Chrisitians CANNOT be owned by Satan • The issue of ownership is settled once and for all when a person turns to Christ; Satan loses any legal claim to ownership on the basis of the blood of Christ shed on the cross • Legally acquitted by God from our guilt due to sin (Rom. 5:1) • Transferred from the domain of Satan into the kingdom of God (Col. 1:13) • Sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13) • Nothing can separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8:38-39)

39. Temple of God, but a dwelling for demons? • Misconception that a demon cannot occupy the same space as the Spirit of God • Sin can “reign” in your mortal body (Rom.6:12) • After conversion, “flesh” continues to be present with the believer; the locus of much of the struggle for the believer; resident in the same body as the Holy Spirit • Demons will take as much room as we will give to them

40. The Old Self

41. The New Self

42. The New Self • Core transformation (new identity as child of God, citizen of heaven, a saint) has occurred, the continued impact of the presence of sin still felt • Still retains a structure of the present evil age (flesh) • Sinner nature still present (Rom. 7:18; 8:8) • Inner conflict between God’s law and law of sin (Rom. 7:21-24) • Demonic spirits cannot penetrate to the core of the person’s being and snatch away what belongs to God • A believer can choose to embrace sensual desires and succumb to the flesh, or to resist evil impulse

43. My heart – Christ’s Home

44. Christians can be inhabited and controlled by demons • Giving turf to the devil • “In your anger do not sin; do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Eph. 4:26-27) • Foothold – inhabited space • Allowing evil to reign • “Do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires” (Rom. 6:12) • Sin attempts to reassert its control • Evil asserts its influence in 3 different but related ways – flesh, world, and Satan

45. Deliverance Ministry • Deliverance is part of a bigger COUNSELING process. Counseling is part of a much bigger HEALING process of moving towards wholeness. • Deliverance should not be practiced as an isolated event. Wherever possible, deliverance should be set in the context of the larger HEALING process. • COUNSELING should take place in partnership with a faith community. • 45% pre-deliverance counseling • 10% deliverance • 45% post-deliverance counseling • Deliverance Team – individual, discerner(s), contronter, support person (spouse, minister, friend)

46. Reflection: • Have you ever questioned God’s Word and asked if He actually said “this”? Have you rationalized your belief or have you looked into Scripture to finds answers? • How easy or hard it is to detect Satan’s lies? • Have you bought into Satan’s lies? How can you discern God’s truth has been distorted? • What kind of doubts do you have about God’s character or truths? What makes believing His Word difficult? • Re-trace your story of succumbing to temptation…does it follow a similar pattern? • Have you experienced similar kind of “demonic” influence? How did you handle it? • How have you given the devil a foothold?

47. Resisting the dominion of darkness Endure Hardship • “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs – he wants to please his commanding officer.” (2 Tim. 2:3-4) • Taking up the cross daily  costly, sacrifice, persecution, ridicule • Hymn “Onward Christian Soldier”

48. Fight the good fight • “Fight the good fight of the faith.” (1 Tim. 1:18-19; 1 Tim. 6:12) • Struggle continually to uphold the truth of Scripture • Concentration, effort, and discipline needed to win • Keep the faith (uphold sound doctrine) and a good conscience (live holy lives) • “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 3) • J.C. Ryle’s quote from Holiness, 1989, p.62

49. Resist the devil • “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:9) • Spiritual resistance  spiritual bodybuilding • “no discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful…produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Heb. 12:11) • Resist  to stand against, begins with self-control • Resist the devil, not people

50. Put on the full Armor of God • Repeated twice (Eph. 6:11, 13) • “take your stand against the devil’s schemes (Eph. 6:11b) • “stand your ground” (Eph. 6:13) • “stand firm…” (Eph. 6:14a) • List of combat equipment (Eph. 6:14-17) • Belt of truth • Breastplate of righteousness • Shoes of the gospel of peace • Shield of faith • Helmet of salvation • Sword of the Spirit