Sermon Central
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Introduction To Spiritual Warfare
Contributed by Eric Hanson on Aug 10, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: This is a booklet of 18 single spaced pages. It starts at the beginning and introduces the reader to the reality of the spiritual warfare that every Christian Believer is involved in. It is useful as a sermon/sermons, a basic research starting point, or a
INTRODUCTION TO
SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Pastor Eric J. Hanson
If you are a Christian Believer, you are already in Spiritual Warfare. You already have a commander, the Lord Jesus Christ, who has given you weapons and armor. You are already under orders to use those resources in standing against the kingdom of darkness. You also already have an enemy who is out to destroy you, your witness, and your effectiveness for Christ.
Paul wrote plainly in Ephesians about the truth that we are in a great “wrestling match”. The stakes in wrestling matches in ancient times were often life and death. It was well for each contestant to be as prepared as possible.
For each of us, the only question is “Will I become proficient and effective at this, or will I not?” All of us, as believers in Jesus Christ are called to the battle. This little book is for the purpose of helping you with proper preparation in this matter, so that you can prevail, and be effective for the Lord’s cause.
UNDERSTANDING
SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Pastor Eric J. Hanson
Spiritual warfare is not something that we have a choice about. It comes to us unbidden. If you are a Christian Believer, you are already in God’s Army. You already have a commander, the Lord Jesus Christ, who has given you weapons and armor. You are already under orders to use those resources in standing against the kingdom of darkness. You also already have an enemy who is out to destroy you and all people. Because the Devil hates God, he hates all people. This is because we are created in God’s image, and God loves us.
When you become a follower of Jesus Christ, the Devil and his forces oppose you even more. They seek to find ways to destroy your reputation, character, and effectiveness for Christ. Every believer in Jesus Christ is called to become competent in resisting the forces of darkness and in advancing the Kingdom of Heaven.
Paul wrote plainly in Ephesians about the truth that we are in a great “wrestling match”. The stakes in wrestling matches in ancient times were often life or death. It was essential for each contestant to be as prepared as possible. It is also very important for each of us to also be prepared to wrestle well and effectively in the spiritual battles we all face. The stakes are high for us too; sometimes they are no less than spiritual or physical life or death.
For each of us who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the only question about such things is this: “Will I become proficient and effective at this warfare, or will I not?” All of us, as believers in Jesus Christ are called to the battle. The purpose of this little book is to help you with proper preparation in this matter, so that you can prevail, and be effective for the Lord’s cause.
UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Pastor Eric J. Hanson
To prepare yourself for spiritual warfare, the most important thing that you can do is to develop a life of prayer. Resisting the Devil begins with drawing near to God. When you are close to God, other things take on their true perspective as you consider them. God’s desires, such as the spiritual salvation of people who don’t yet know Him, become big as we draw close to God. James 4:7 & 8 are wonderful verses to always bear in mind. Loving God, and desiring to see His will done in the Earth prepares you to approach this whole endeavor of spiritual warfare with proper motives. Do not engage in spiritual warfare because you are "mad at the Devil", but rather, because you love God.
CHAPTER 1: YOUR ENEMIES
KNOW YOUR ENEMIES
God's word makes clear that every believer in Jesus Christ has three enemies. They are called "the World, the Flesh, and the Devil". Let's take a brief look at them.
I. The World. This can best be defined as the "world system" which operates without regard for God and His standards. The "world system" is under the domination of the Devil. The World here does not mean the people who life on planet Earth. God loves the people, but there are many evil strongholds in all of the dealings of people with one another, ranging in size from groups of nations hating each other, to neighbors or family members relating in wrong ways to one another.
II. The Flesh. This can also be called "the Old Man" or "the Old Nature" and is best defined as "all that any individual is, apart from Jesus Christ". The flesh cannot please God because it is fallen and under the curse of sin and death. People may do many “good things” without knowing the Lord, but all of us have sinned. We all fall short of God’s standard, which is sinless perfection.
