SPIRITUAL WARFARE
(Ephesians 6)
(SHARP): NAS 1 John 5:18b … He who was born of God keeps him and the evil one does not touch him.
Point of View: You can be free of all Satanic strongholds.
Action Step: To do so you must cooperate with God in being transformed into the image of Christ.
Benefit: The evil one will not touch you!
Key Point 1: Know your enemy (Ephesians 6:12)
Subpoint 1.1: NAS Jude 1:6 And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day.
Subpoint 1.2: Satan can operate in any area of moral darkness, even the darkness that might exist in a Christian’s spiritual heart. (Luke 11:34,35)
Subpoint 1.3: Satan’s strongholds in our lives consist of the thoughts, attitudes, and opinions that are in agreement with evil. (2 Corinthians 10:1-4)
Key Point 2: Know God’s only plan for your victory – Christlikeness.
Subpoint 2.1: Christlikeness begins with humility - NAS James 4:6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Subpoint 2.2: We are conformed to the image of Christ by the trials - NAS Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren;
Subpoint 2.3: Put on the complete armor of God - NAS Ephesians 6:13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints –
NAS 1 Peter 5:5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Key Point 3: Seven Steps to Lifelong Victory
- Identify your problem areas. (Psalms 139:23, 24) – Honestly write them all down (in your journal).
- Admit your inadequacy. (James 4:6) – Tell God that you can not do this on your own!
- Cry out to God. (Psalms 86:7) – Ask for God’s grace for the situation.
- Believe that God will rescue you. (Ephesians 2:4,5) – God is good all the time! (2 Samuel 14:14)
- Be willing to wait as long as it takes. (James 1:3,4) – Keep your focus on God not the problem.
- Expect God to give you a breakthrough. (Ephesians 3:20) – God will create a way out. (2 Samuel 5:20)
- Pray faithfully and persistently. (Luke 11:10) – Do not give up!
Repeat Point of View and Action Step
Benefit: You will become Christlike.
Adapted from The Three Battlegrounds by Francis Frangipane, Food and Love by Dr. Gary Smalley ISBN 0-8423-5520-0
|
