Spiritual Warfare

Here are Ron’s Notes on Spiritual Warfare.  Take some time to read over these notes and look up the scriptures for yourself and grow in your authority the Lord has given you.

Spiritual Warfare #1

Eph. 6:12  For we wrestle….

2 Cor. 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare…

The Old Testament is referred to as having types and shadows of things to come such as noted in the book of Hebrews 8:5 “who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things”…

Many times in scripture oil and water are symbolic of the Holy Spirit.

Just as these things are symbols and types, all of the word of God is divinely inspired 2 Tim. 3:16

The Old Testament is filled with stories of great battles, and many adversaries in the natural realm.

Isn’t it interesting that many of the battles in the new testament are more spiritual and not so much in the natural.

John 14:16,17

When our Spirit man became regenerated through the rebirth experience we became more aware of our spirit, now being born again into the life of Christ.

John 14:16,17 says that the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him or knows Him.

We live in a different dimension than that of the world.

Although many times we are still more persuaded by what the world says than what the Spirit of Truth on the inside of us is saying.

This is why it is so important to get the word of God (truth) on the inside of us.

To much of the time we are looking with our natural eyes to solve spiritual problems.

2 Cor. 4:18 We do not look at the things seen…

Paul tells us in 1Cor. 12:1 that we are not to be ignorant concerning spiritual gifts.

One thing we must pray for first is wisdom when it comes to operating in one of the nine spiritual gifts listed here in chapter 12

  • word of wisdom
  • word of knowledge
  • faith
  • gifts of healings
  • working of miracles
  • prophecy
  • discerning of spirits
  • different kinds of tongues
  • interpretation of tongues

Peter warns us in 1 Peter 5:8-9 to be of sober spirit, be on the alert. your adversary the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith.

Understanding the enemy’s schemes greatly increases our advantage in battle.

The entire church age has been one of spiritual warfare, which is increasing as we approach the end of the age.

Those who refuse to acknowledge the reality of this warfare and fight against it are being quickly overcome.

Even so we need not fear-He who is in us is much greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

But just as the greatest military power today is vulnerable if it doesn’t recognize the enemy’s attack, we to are vulnerable if we do not recognize Satan’s schemes.

Using the Gift of Discernment

Discernment of spirits is a primary gift of the Holy Spirit that enables us to distinguish the spiritual source of influences in the church.

Much of what is considered today to be discernment is really suspicion rooted more in fear and self preservation than the Holy Spirit.

True spiritual discernment is rooted in love. (1 Cor. 13:4-7)

It would seem to us to be this way could lead to naivete rather than to discernment, but the reverse is actually true.

Unless we are seeing though the eyes of God’s love, we are not seeing clearly, and we will not accurately interpret what we see.

True discernment can only operate through God’s love.

This love however is not to be confused with unsanctified mercy, which gives approval to the things which God disapproves.

Insecurity, self-preservation, self promotion, unhealed wounds, unforgiveness, bitterness, etc.. will all confuse and neutralize true spiritual discernment.

What is Witchcraft?

Witchcraft is counterfeit spiritual authority; it is using a spirit other than the Holy Spirit to dominate, manipulate, or control others.

In Galatians 5:20 the apostle Paul named witchcraft or “sorcery” as one of the deeds of the flesh.

Though witchcraft has its origin in the carnal nature of man, it usually degenerates quickly into demonic power.

When we try to use emotional pressure to manipulate others, it is a basic form of witchcraft.

When we use hype or soul power to enlist service, even for the work of God, it is witchcraft.

The primary defense against counterfeit spiritual authority is to walk in true spiritual authority.

Establishing our lives on truth and trusting in the Lord to accomplish what concerns us are essential keys to becoming free from the influence and pressure of witchcraft.

It is written that Jesus is seated upon the throne of David.

This is a metaphor of course Jesus is not sitting on the same throne David sat.

David did however establish a throne of true spiritual authority that would ultimately be made manifest in the Kingdom of God.

How did David establish a seat of true spiritual authority?

By refusing to take authority or seek influence for himself, but completely trusted God to establish him in the position he had ordained for him.

Any authority or influence that we gain by our own manipulation or self promotion will be a stumbling block to us and will hinder our ability to receive true authority from God.

We must utterly and completely trust God to establish us in it in His time. (1 Peter 5:6) Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.

“Premature responsibility breeds superficiality” (Einstein)

There is nothing more devastating to our calling and walking in true ministry  than seeking influence or authority prematurely.

When the Lord promotes He also supplies the grace and wisdom to carry the authority.

John 7:18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory (literally “recognition”) but he who is seeking the glory (recognition) of the one who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

There is no greater security than knowing that God is the one who established your ministry.

The saying that slow growth is good growth is very true.

Usually it will take time to establish something of God, because God is establishing people while He is establishing the ministry.

I have received many suggestions since I have been in ministry, and the times I’ve waited on God as opposed to peoples suggestions are those things that have been long lasting in my life.

The times I’ve gotten ahead of God have truly been devastating and a major setback in my life and ministry.

The Fear of Man Leads to Witchcraft

KIng Saul is a good example of how a man with a true commission from God can fall into this counterfeit spiritual authority. 1Sam. 13:11

When we begin to fear man more than God we are in trouble.

When we start to fear the people leaving more than we fear God leaving, we have departed from true faith.

Proverbs 29:25 says “the fear of man brings a snare”.

The attacks of witchcraft come in a series of stings.

The successive stings are meant to hit the very places where we have been weakened by the previous stings.

In this way they build upon each other until the cumulative effect overwhelms the target.

The stings of witchcraft usually come in the following order.

  • Discouragement
  • Confusion
  • Depression
  • Loss of vision
  • Disorientation
  • Withdrawal
  • Despair
  • Defeat

This can happen quickly as it did with Elijah after his victory at Mt. Carmel, but it is usually works more slowly, which makes it all the more difficult to discern.

Keep in mind that from time to time we become discouraged, confused, depressed, etc… thats just the way things are sometimes, but they are only for short periods of time.

We must be discerning when discouragement, confusion, depression etc… are constantly tormenting us and causing us to want to give up completely that is a very good indication that witchcraft is involved.

We Have The Victory

Revelation 12:11

By the blood of the Lamb..  If we abide in Him there is no way we can lose He has already won the victory.

By the word of their testimony…every time the enemy challenged Jesus He came right back at him with the word. The word is the sword of the Spirit (Eph.6:17)

They did not love their life even unto death…We must be committed to follow Him regardless of the price.

We are called to take up our cross daily, to do all things for the sake of the Gospel, and no longer live for ourselves, but for Him.

To the degree we remain in self-centeredness, we will be vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy.

When we have reckoned ourselves dead to this world, as crucified with Christ, then the enemy no longer has any access to us because he has no more access to Him.

If we are dead to this world, what can be done to a dead person?

It’s impossible for a dead person to be offended, to be tempted, to fear, to be depressed.

Are we dead yet?