"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the victor's crown, the life God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12
As workers, you probably understand the importance of having a toolbox equipped with the exact tools you need to accomplish the task you have set out to do. There is nothing more frustrating than wanting to do some projects around the home and not having the necessary tools.
In the same way, we need a spiritual toolbox packed with the proper tools to accomplish the eternal project that God has set before us as believers. This is the underlying purpose of this Study Guide – to provide practical, useful information and insight into waging war against the powers of darkness that seem to bind us. The world, the flesh, and the devil will be continuously defeated if we use the weapons of our warfare effectively. The Lord Jesus has provided all the tools we need. He has already secured our daily victory. The tools His Father gave Him to "fight off" the enemy are the same tools He has made available to us. But it remains our responsibility to activate these weapons by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
"Consider mine enemies, for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred." Psalms 25:19 NKJV
The subject of aggressive spiritual warfare against the world, the flesh, and the devil is becoming increasingly important. We live in a degrading society that makes fleshly things more accessible than ever before. Many, if not most, are giving themselves to rampant abandonment and indulgence in fleshly sins. The enemy is pushing for conformity to his image through the power of media, unhealthy relationships, and an overwhelming influx of opportunities to please ourselves. Satan and his demonic kingdom relentlessly press their battle against believers and all of God's provisions of freedom.
The primary emphasis of this study is on practical spiritual instruction rather than theoretical exhortation. Christians need to know how to fight a good fight. Believers in our culture today are untrained in the most critical battle of life – the battle for the soul. We will focus on the use of the objective, the absolute truth of the Word of God - your Sword - and not subjective or emotional experience.
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual {forces} of wickedness in the heavenly {places.}" Ephesians 6:12
Indwelt Christians tend to battle what they see. This includes our wives, rebellious children, unfaithful friends, employers, employees, etc. The first thing you must embrace before starting this study is that we do not fight flesh and blood, but powers of darkness. Satan simply uses and abuses what we see to destroy God's ordained leadership of the home, community, nation, and world. He hates leadership. He knows that through leadership comes authority, and through authority comes power.
THIS IS NOT A LAUGHING MATTER
Satan has successfully used the world and all of its influences to bring a light-hearted attitude and mindset regarding the kingdom of darkness. Just take a look at the enormous volume of books, movies, video games, T-shirts, music, toys, television, advertisements, the internet, fashions, jewelry, and coarse, silly jesting that we are bombarded with wherever we turn!
The desensitization about Satan and his role in man's sins is a subtle but strategic attack on God's divine creation – His blessed children. The enemy of this world sees to it that the world (his domain) laughs him off with indifference. Always remember this callousness is the most potent tool the enemy has in defusing God's serious plan of redemption. Christians ought never to entertain crude joke-making, purchase degrading media products, or light-heartedly support Satan in any way. While believers need to exercise care in not assigning all of their wrongdoing as Satan's responsibility, we must, with biblical insight, understand the limited power of Satan and his kingdom. Oppression and bondage is not a joking matter.
The key to the believer's emphasis on spiritual warfare must be based on a Biblical approach to the subject. Subjective feelings, emotional desires, and fervent sincerity are not sufficient weaponry against an enemy that laughs in the face of your intents. He yields no ground to emotion or sincerity. He retreats only from the authority and power that has been given to the Christian through his/her union with the Lord Jesus Christ and the absolute truth of the Word of God. An illustration worth remembering is this. If I were to give you a sharp two-edged sword and a butter knife, which would you use to fight an assailant? Dumb question? I don't think so! Your logical male side would choose the sharp, two-edged Sword. However, in reality, when we do not use the Word of God to fight off the enemy, we are primarily using a butter knife to war against an enemy that slings a ball and chain.
"Take . . . the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17b
We have two primary offensive weapons to use against Satan. They are the word of God and the power of prayer. When you put the two of these together, you have the most intimidating weapon known to the enemy. He knows he has been "had" when a man of God masters the art of using the Word of God in the power of prayer. Hey, I'm all about turning the tables on this relentless enemy! How about you?
Just as in preparing for battle in "real" life, it would not be wise for you to draw your Sword and start fighting until you put your armor on. We need to learn how to do that practically. Only when we are battle-ready should we pick up our swords, pray, and fight.
I pray that you are beginning to see our critical need for the Word of God and prayer. The Sword of the Spirit, God's Word, is living and active. These are not words on a page. They are life-giving Words from the mouth of a living God! Use your words, and you die. Use God's Words you live. It's as simple as that!
" For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and Spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
The Word is eternal, just as God Himself is eternal. Just as God is omnipotent (all-powerful), so does His Word have all the needed power to defeat the enemy and to accomplish God's will. Just as God is immutable, so the Word of God will never change. Just as our Lord is omnipresent, so His Word is always there and ready to be used in every situation. Just as God is Holy, so His Word is Holy. The bottom line is this: His Word is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. The enemy hates hearing it. Jesus used it to fight off temptation. You can't survive without it.
As a sword, the Word has the power to penetrate the life of every being that hears it, and that includes the enemy. It is meant to do corrective surgery within the soul, Spirit, thoughts, attitudes, and body of all who hear it. This is the secret of its power against the enemy. As you use it, the Word can penetrate, cleanse, and change the lives of those who embrace it as Truth. This is why it cuts away at the grip of the enemy. There is nothing more powerful, and there is certainly no substitute for persistent, steady, consistent application of coming against the enemy. Even Jesus, the Son of God, used the written Word in the wilderness to fight off Satan. What worked for the Son of the living God will certainly do no less for us!
"Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry. And the devil said to Him, 'If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.'" Luke 4:1-3
The importance of doctrinal Truth and doctrinal praying is given to us by God to use daily. Doctrine, God's unchanging Truth, is mighty in defeating our enemies. This Truth must get deep into the hearts of all believers. This can only come about as we gain an understanding of the Holy Word of God and then use that Word aggressively in our lives. The following material will help keep doctrinal Truth in the forefront of your warfare activities.
Typically speaking, I am not one who advocates following "steps" to embrace freedom. However, when it comes to deliverance from strongholds in our lives, I see a definite need for a plan to follow these suggestions word for word faithfully; they will equip you and build a foundation for your soul. The Holy Spirit will aggressively act to guard your heart against your enemies.
ART OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE