Spiritual Warfare 102
1 John 2:15-23 New King James Version
I. What is Spiritual Warfare?
a. Spiritual conflict between the kingdom of heaven and the powers of darkness over territory/influence on Earth
Colossians 1:13 New King James Version
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and [a]conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
i. The powers of darkness:
1. Our Flesh – the desires for pleasure that war in our members
Romans 8:6-7 New King James Version
6 For to be [a]carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the [b]carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
2. The World – societal strongholds/arguments that mask rebellion and exalt themselves against the knowledge of God
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 New King James Version
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not [a]carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
3. The Demonic – the spiritual entities in opposition to the kingdom of Jesus
Ephesians 6:12 New King James Version
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [a]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
b. Every NT passage where warfare and battle are found are in the context of the heart
i. Thoughts, feelings, and desires
ii. The Lord and the powers of darkness are fighting for access to and influence in our hearts
c. This is one of the ways we expand territory
i. We wage war against the powers of darkness, but every battle we wage is for hearts
1. We don’t declare “no spirit but the Holy Spirit” to attack the enemy, but to set apart a place where Holy Spirit can soften and impact hearts
Acts 2:37-41 New King James Version
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the [a]remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this [b]perverse generation.” 41 Then those who [c]gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
II. Do Not Love the World
1 John 2:15 New King James Version
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
a. There is a constant temptation to fall in love with the world
i. kosmos (G2889)
1. the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments, riches, advantages, pleasures, etc, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ
ii. apagao (G25)
1. to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly
2. to be well pleased, to be contented at or with a thing
iii. It is tempting to fall in love with the world because the world offers cheap alternatives to the costly way of Jesus
b. The love (agape G26) of the Father will NEVER produce love (agapao G25) for the world or the things in it
i. For all that is in the world is not of the Father
III. Three Battle Strategies of the World
a. Perpetuate its heart (thoughts, feelings, and desires)
1 John 2:16 New King James Version
16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
i. The lust of the flesh – Affirms, encourages and celebrates our sinful desires for what God has prohibited
ii. The lust of the eyes – Entices and seduces into new or deeper sinful desires for what God has prohibited
iii. The pride of life – Affirms and encourages an empty self-confidence, which trusts in its own power and resources and therefore dishonors, despises and violates the ways of God
b. Protect its rebellion against the ways of God behind societal strongholds; cultural axioms
1 John 2:17 New King James Version
17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
i. Short-lived slogans that are meant to explain away sinful positions on cultural issues
1. Love is love || Follow your heart || My body, my choice
2. Short lived because they will be abandoned as soon as they conflict with the current rebellious desire
ii. If you don’t accept these axioms, or even question them, the world will try to manipulate, intimidate or dominate you into silence or compromise
c. Deceive and tempt Christians into partnership with an antichrist spirit
1 John 2:18-19;22-23 New King James Version
18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the[a] Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.
…
22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
i. Antichrists deny the one true Christ of scripture, they are anti-Christ
1. They create a Jesus who tolerates the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life
2. The world is antichrist because it was defeated by Christ 2000 years ago
a. Matthew 4:1-10
ii. Marks of an antichrist spirit
1. Deny the Jesus of the holy bible
2. Antichrists went out from among, they leave in offense, rebellion, and/or pride
a. Be cautious of ministries born out of division and rebellion
3. If they were with us, they would have continued with us
a. Be cautious of those who still preach and teach kingdom truths but have given up on, or abandoned the church
4. They are not manifested (exposed) until they leave
IV. Winning the Battle Against the World
a. Humble yourself
1 John 2:18a New King James Version
18 Little children…
i. Just prior to warning against love for the world, John describes spiritual milestones
1. Little children – sins are forgiven and they have just come to know the Father
2. Young men – overcome the evil one, strong in faith, and the word abides in them
3. Fathers – they know Him who was from the beginning
ii. Remain teachable and correctable,
1. Many of us who believe we’re ready to fight the devil but have not overcome our flesh or the world
iii. Never forget, just like children need their parents for basic survival, you need Jesus to survive your new life in Christ
b. Recognize the hour and your anointing
1 John 2:18 New King James Version
18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the[a] Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour
i. The abundance of celebrated antichrists in our society verify we are in the last hour
1. Politicians, social media influencers, and the masses who deny the word of God
ii. Please do not search out teachers who will tell you what you want to hear or affirm your sin
1 John 2:20 New King James Version
20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.
iii. You have an anointing, you have been set apart by Holy Spirit
1. Spiritual warfare is our reality as Christians, for the sake of our hearts and the hearts Jesus is fighting for, we cannot afford to give into our lustful desires or compromise with the world
2 Timothy 2:4 New King James Version
4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
2. Take time to ask Holy Spirit, your spiritual covering, and those who know you best what you may be set apart to do for the kingdom
c. Faithfully read, study, and meditate upon the truth, the bible
i. Take your eyes off of the things of the world and set them on Christ, the word made flesh
Colossians 3:1-3 New King James Version
3 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
ii. Continue regularly in the word
1 John 2:21 New King James Version
21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
1. The Word of God is a MIGHTY weapon against the lies and empty promises of the World
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 New King James Version
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not [a]carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
2. We activate it not by arguing with it, but reading, studying, and meditating on it until it changes our heart and sets us free
John 8:31-32 New King James Version
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
