Spiritual Warfare 101
James 4:1-10 New King James Version
Matthew 11:12 New King James Version
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
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. This is a spiritual conflict, not one against people, circumstances, or institutions
1. The powers of darkness:
a. 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.
b. The World – societal strongholds/arguments that exalted against 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,
i. Any belief, argument, or worldview that exalts itself against the knowledge of God
c. The Demonic – the spiritual entities behind the organized rebellion
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. Spiritual Warfare is our reality as followers of Jesus
1 John 3:8 New King James Version
8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
Matthew 16:16-18 New King James Version
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not [a]prevail against it.
II. The Origin of Spiritual Warfare
a. The battle takes place in our hearts – desires for pleasure that war in our members
i. Origin of spiritual warfare in Heaven – The Fall of Lucifer
Isaiah 14:12-14 New King James Version
12 “How you are fallen from heaven, O [a]Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’
ii. Origin of spiritual warfare on Earth - The Fall of Man
Genesis 3:6 New King James Version
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was [a]pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
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 our hearts
c. We expand territory by fighting for hearts
i. We wrestle against the powers of darkness, but every battle waged is for and in 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.
IV. Our First Battle
a. The Battle Within
i. Lust – desire for things that don’t rightfully belong to us
ii. Murder – hatred and anger without righteous cause
iii. Covet – desire to take something that belongs to another
b. We fight and war but never obtain what we desire
i. Why? We don’t ask God for what we want
ii. Or we ask so that we can spend whatever we want on our pleasure rather than His pleasure
Ephesians 5:10 New American Standard Bible
10 [a]as you try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
c. At least 33% of spiritual warfare is YOU
V. Winning the Battle Against the Flesh
a. Identify areas of Compromise (spiritual adultery)
i. Followers of Jesus are in covenant relationship with God, your hearts belong to Him alone.
ii. “Friendship” with the world is enmity with God
1. The world is in under the enemy’s influence
1 John 5:19 New King James Version
19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
2. The world seeks its own pleasure, we are to seek God’s pleasure
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.
b. Confess, Repent, and Receive Grace
i. Holy Spirit yearns jealousy for us
1. Holy Spirit and the powers of darkness are after your heart (thoughts, feelings, and desires)
ii. He gives MORE grace
James 4:6 Amplified Bible
6 But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].”
1. He resists (anitasso G498) the proud
2. He gives grace (power to overcome) to the humble
c. Submit (hypotasso G5293) to God
i. I will cooperate with your thoughts, feelings and desires and take responsibility for them as if they are my own
d. Resist (anthistemi G436) the Devil
i. Set yourself against, oppose
1. Reject his influence in your heart
ii. Only after submitting and resisting will he flee
e. Secret Place: Draw Near to God and He will draw near to you
i. Holy Spirit responds to our expectancy with His PRESENCE
f. Faithfully Read His Word: Cleans your hands, you sinners
i. Wash your hands in the waters of His word
John 15:3 New King James Version
3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
Joshua 1:8 New King James Version
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you[a] shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
ii. Discover His heart (thoughts, feelings, and desires) in His word
g. Trust Holy Spirit: Purify your hearts, you double minded
i. Allow Holy Spirit to make His thoughts, feelings, and desires your obsession
Philippians 2:12-13 New King James Version
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
