Basic Training

For

Spiritual Warfare

With Teaching Outlines

How to Meet Life’s Challenges and Solve Problems God’s Way

BASIC TRAINING IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE

by

ED BAUSELL

MISSIONARY TO THE SIOUX INDIAN NATION

© Ed. L. Bausell

If possible, send a love offering to:

Missionary Ed L. Bausell

Arrows Ministry

Box 992

Mission, SD

57555-0992

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. WHY TRAIN FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE ................................................................ 1

2. A WORKING MODEL OF MAN ................................................................................... 11

3. THE DYNAMICS OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE .......................................................... 15

4. THE FRONT LINE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE ........................................................ 20

5. PROBLEMS AT THE FRONT LINES .......................................................................... 23

6. WORLD VIEWS AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE ........................................................ 27

7. THE THREE WORLD VIEWS OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE ................................... 30

8. HOW WORLD VIEWS AFFECT SPIRITUAL WARFARE ..................................... 37

9. EVIDENCE REQUIRES A BIBLICAL WORLD VIEW ............................................ 41

10. EXPERIENCE REQUIRES A BIBLICAL WORLD VIEW ..................................... 44

11. THE NATURE AND METHODS OF THE ENEMY ................................................. 49

12. THE LEVELS OF ENEMY PENETRATION ............................................................ 53

13. HOW PEOPLE RESPOND TO ENEMY ATTACK .................................................. 56

14. THE ROOTS OF VICTORY OR DEFEAT IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE .............. 61

15. THE DYNAMICS OF APPROPRIATING THE POWER ........................................ 64

16. WHY SPIRITUAL WARFARE COMES TO FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST ............ 71

17. THE CHRISTIAN BENEFITS OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE .................................. 76

18. THE SOLDIER GOD IS CREATING ......................................................................... 79

19. SPIRITUAL WARFARE AND CHRISTIAN EFFECTIVENESS ........................... 82

20. VICTORY IS SURE........................................................................................................ 86

21. THE REALITIES OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE ......................................................... 92

22. CONFRONTING THE ENEMY IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE ................................ 99

CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................................... 105

Chapter l

Why Train for Spiritual Warfare?

"Help me, Preacher, help me!" the Indian man pleaded. He had been drinking, but with all sincerity of heart he was pleading for rescue from his unseen oppressors.

The missionary was new on the Indian Reservation, the first of three reservations on which God would use him to start churches. The Lord loved the man through the missionary; and prayer, scripture reading, encouragement, warning, and love were all given and received.

A couple days later word came that the man and two others had been killed when their car was turned into twisted metal and broken glass in yet another tragic, alcohol-related wreck.

A young woman's mother came and asked the missionary to work with her daughter. The girl, still in her twenties, was heavily addicted to alcohol. She had been drinking so heavily that the vein around her esophagus had become varicose and was hemorrhaging. The young woman accepted the Lord and wept with joy of her salvation. She was discipled, came to church, and was encouraged in the Christian faith. Yet in a few weeks she returned to drinking. The hemorrhaging started again, and within a few weeks she was dead.

A young man pounded on the door at 3:00 a.m., screaming “Let me in, let me in!" It was a young Christian man that had visited the church. Panicky and out of breath he said, "I was alone and asleep at home when I was awakened by footsteps coming down my hall. I sat up in bed as the door swung open. No one was there, but about head-high there was a large spark blinking on and off. I screamed and threw a shoe at it, and it disappeared. But as I was just starting to settle down I heard the steps start down the hallway again. That's when I came to your house.

The medicine man scowled at the missionary at their first meeting. No problem, thought the missionary, for “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." That night the missionary woke up thinking he was having a stroke. He was unable to move or speak. By great effort he was finally able to move and break the power of the invisible force. To be a child of God, to know His power, and to know that He who is in you is greater than all, and yet to be rendered seemingly powerless, has been the experience of many faithful missionaries working in animist cultures.

Since the drug culture of the Sixties, the influx of new age Hinduism, Satanic worship, witchcraft, drugs, heavy metal music, T.M., yoga and martial arts, America is becoming increasingly animistic in its world view and post·Christian in its lifestyle. A teenager tells of his “friends" involved in the "Dungeons and Dragons“ role-playing game who have seen apparitions and other phenomenon since they sacrificed a dog. The teenager sharing this was unable to sleep at night without a light on.

Another fine young man, a college student preparing for the mission field, was called to assist another couple, also from the same fundamental Baptist college, in dealing with a demonized girl. Phenomenon was seen around the girl and the spirit was speaking through the girl with a man's voice. Prayer and Bible reading stopped the phenomenon. The spirits were commanded in the name of Jesus Christ to leave the girl, and they did. But the young man who had assisted in dealing with the spirits was almost paralyzed in his ministry preparation, assailed.by unidentifiable fears.

In another fundamental Baptist college, a female missions student was finishing up her last year. She heard a missionary who works with animists tell of the delegated power Christ has given all born-again Christians to tread upon, bruise, and destroy the works of the devil and his spirits. Afterward she confided to the missionary and his wife that at different times she has suffered from various fears and phenomenon since she had accepted Christ as her personal Savior. She said, "I was a witch before and had power on the other side, but until today I did not know that I had power as a born-again Christian.

A Baptist minister of impeccable character and reputation confronted a member who had been drinking. The pastor was violently attacked and knocked to the ground. As

he was being kicked, the pastor's wife came out of the house and yelled at the man, who then turned on her. Almost without thinking she yelled, "The Lord rebukes you!“ The

man fell to the ground and began writhing and hissing like a snake.

With increasing frequency demonized people are making themselves known to fundamental Baptists. Many born-again Baptists are being thrown into situations with spirit

phenomenon, within and without, that most often end in defeat, depression, impulsive behavior, sin, resignation, or worse. It is time that fundamental Baptists confront the enemy with the power of Christ, and no longer avoid confronting him in the battle for those he is using and

terrorizing. For too long the excesses of Pentecostals and the fraud of so-called healers has kept fundamental Baptists away from the Biblical world view that challenges, meets, and destroys the work of the enemy.

One last incident will illustrate the need for basic training in spiritual warfare. A married couple preparing for the mission field were in their bedroom discussing a then-recent martyrdom of missionaries at the hands of animists. The husband quoted I John 4:4 “...greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world,“ when they both heard a masculine laugh outside their bedroom door. Fearful for themselves and their sleeping children, they threw open the door to find no one in the house but themselves and their peacefully sleeping children. However, phenomenon continued to terrify them. They themselves had no idea what to do; in desperation, they called their pastor. He totally dismissed their plea as nothing and refused to come. They then called a trusted Christian friend, a fellow student, who only laughed at them.

This experience is not an isolated event, but is instead becoming more and more common as we approach the coming of our Blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The couple finally, in desperation, screamed the rebukes that Jesus Christ gave the devil, upon which the phenomenon ceased. How much better it would have been for them and the cause of Christ if they had been instructed in spiritual warfare, which is becoming so necessary in post-Christian, animist America.

The purpose of this book is to instruct followers of Christ in basic training for spiritual warfare. The author does not pretend to be an expert, but shares what the Lord has shared with him, as he has been used on the mission field working with animists. Many are the warnings against being involved in spiritual warfare. The warnings come from those who know the number of casualties, remember those who had become too deeply involved.

There certainly have been casualties-casualties that could have been avoided if they had been acquainted with the Biblical teachings regarding the spiritual realm, man's interaction with spirits. and the principles, purpose, and power God has given born-again Christians to

confront, challenge, and destroy the works of Satan (Eph. 6:13-lB: Rom. 16:20).

Man is in a battle. The battle is not against flesh and blood. But he is wrestling, struggling, with prinoipalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph. 6:12).

God has sent followers of Christ with a Great Commission. The Great commission is to go into all the world to baptize, and teach all nations (Matt. 28:18-20). In order to carry out the Great Commission, the Bible says people must have their eyes opened, be turned from darkness

to light, and be turned from the power of Satan to God (Acts 26:18).

The Great Commission involves a progressive Gospel penetration of an individual or nation with the Word of God. Scriptures clearly teach opposition will come. The enemy does not want to lose control over an individual or a nation. He will throw every obstacle he can muster at the faithful witness who is seeking to fulfill the command of his Blessed Lord. The Apostle Paul said, "Satan hindered us" (I Thess. 2:18)- not a Flip Wilson~excuse, like “The devil made me do it," but a solemn proclamation of the Holy Spirit of God.

Those who would be followers of Jesus must prepare for spiritual warfare because:

(1) obstactles will hinder your getting there and ministering there (Acts 16:5-9);

(2) people will act illogically, even irrationally toward you (Acts 16:16-18);

(3) relationship problems will develop between you and co-laborers (Acts 15:36-39);

(4) family frictions and problems will increase and intensify (I Pet. 3:6-12);

(5) you and your family will experience intense emotional stress (I Pet. 5:6-9a)

(6) your physical health and that of your family members may be impaired (Phi. 2:25-30)

(7) life conditions and your developing faith walk will often demoralize you and seem

unsatisfactory (II Cor. ll:23-28).

Some might say these are just normal intellectual, emotional, circumstantial problems that face every man. Yes! They are. But spiritual warfare basic training teaches new recruits that it is the every day thoughts, feelings, and circumstances the enemy seeks to manipulate and

intensify, in order to bring you into unbelief and a flesh walk, which makes you vulnerable.

Paul himself said he was a pattern for those who would believe later. His pattern is not always appealing. He was blocked in his efforts until the Macedonian vision. He was grieved by the over-zealous publicity of a demonized girl. Demonized or "demonization pictures a demon controlling a somewhat passive human."2 He got in a "knock-down, drag-out" fight with Barnabas. He chose of his own will not to have a wife. He was on an emotional rollercoaster at times. He had debilitating illness. He suffered a wide spectrum of demoralizing conditions. To these Paul said, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Eph. 6:12). He struggled and we now struggle against spirits who are in rebellion against God.

You can seek to build a tower with insufficient materials and have people scorn you. Or you can appropriate the needed resources God has provided to open peop1e's eyes, turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also

will do it" (I Thess. 5:24).

Chapter l Outline

Why Train for Spiritual Warfare

l. Many people fear getting involved in spiritual warfare.

2. Even Christians have been propagandized by the enemy.

3. Most casualties in spiritual warfare are caused by ignorance.

I. MAN IS IN A BATTLE FOR ETERNAL SOULS

A. The battle is spiritual (Ephesians 6:12).

B. Christ sent us into the battle (Matthew 28:18-20).

C. Christ sent us to rescue others from the enemy (Acts 26:18).

II. OUR BATTLE SHOULD BE A PROGRESSIVE PENETRATION OF ENEMY

HELD TERRITORY (Mark 16:14-15)

A. We have the needed weapons for the battle (Ephesians 6:13-18).

B. The enemy seeks to hinder your progress (I Thessalonians 2:18).

l. Obstacles will hinder your being where God wants you (Acts 16:5-9).

2. People will act illogically, even irrationally, toward you (Acts 16:16-18).

3. Problems will develop between you and co-laborers (Acts 15:36-39).

4. Family frictions and problems will increase and intensify (I Peter 3:6-12).

5. You and family members will experience intense emotional stress (I Peter 5:6-Sa).

6. The physical health of you and family members may be impaired. (Philippians 2:25-30).

7. Conditions, lack of appreciation shown to you, apparent lack of tangible success, even

your faith-walk will often demoralize you and seem unsatisfactory.

(2 Corinthians 11:21-28).

III. THE ENEMY MANIPULATES AND INTENSIFIES THE COMMON EVERYDAY

THINGS TO KEEP YOU FROM WALKING IN THE SPIRIT

A. Paul's experience illustrates this manipulation:

1. Demonized girl at Philippi (Acts 16:16-18).

2. Paul's fight with Barnabas (Acts 15:37-41).

B. You are in a battle that only Christ can win (I Thessalonians 5:24).

1. Christians are in a battle for the souls of lost people.

2. We can stand against and overcome the enemy that hinders.

3. The manipulations and lies of the enemy can be defeated in Christ.

III. THE ENEMY MANIPULATES AND INTENSIFIES THE COMMON EVERYDAY

THINGS TO KEEP YOU FROM WALKING IN THE SPIRIT

A. Paul's experience illustrates this manipulation:

1. Demonized girl at Philippi (Acts 16:16-18).

2. Paul's fight with Barnabas (Acts 15:37-41).

B. You are in a battle that only Christ can win (I Thessalonians 5:24).

1. Christians are in a battle for the souls of lost people.

2. We can stand against and overcome the enemy that hinders.

3. The manipulations and lies of the enemy can be defeated in Christ.

Chapter 2

A Working Model of Man

"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..." (Gen. 1:27). God is a trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is not presumption that we consider man a trinity also. In I Thess. 5:23, Paul prayed the Thessalonians would be preserved blameless, in spirit, soul

and body. Many would have God and man be dichotomous, comprised of only two parts, but the Word of God stands. Man has a body, soul, and a spirit. Hebrews 4:12 says "The Word of God is...piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit." The unseen parts of man are two, soul and spirit, and his body makes the third part of the trinity which is man.

An accurate, working model of man is necessary if the follower of Christ is to wage a good war. In theory one can sit back and argue about the model of man, but in spiritual warfare, it is an absolute necessity to know the Biblical model of man.

The spirit of the born-again Christian is always in agreement with the Word. It was the spirit that was dead in trespasses and sins and was quickened at salvation (Eph. 2:1). It was the spirit that was guickened with Christ (Eph. 2:5). It was the spirit that was raised up together and made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:6). The Spirit beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God (Rom. 8:16). The spirit of the born-again Christian always agrees with the Spirit and Word of God. The spirit received instant sanctification at the time of salvation, and was sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30).

The soul of the born-again Christian, however, is not always in agreement with the Word or Spirit of God. Intellectually and emotionally the saved person has to fight many battles to bring his or her soul into submission to the Word. The soul, also a trinity, is comprised of mind, emotion, and will- or thinking, feeling, and choosing.

The flesh of the born-again person is in total rebellion against God, and must be controlled. It received the power of sin. The sins of past generations have passed upon it. The programming of the world has been fed into its brain. And the appetites of the flesh have been programmed into its emotion. The body's members must be mortified, if the battle is to be won (Rom. 8:13, Col. 3:5).

The spirit and body of the born-again person are on opposite sides of the spiritual battle. The spirit loves the Lord and His word. The spirit always agrees with the Word and seeks to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. The flesh, on the other hand, loves the world, is under the

influence of the world and the devil, and would always choose sin if allowed. The Apostle Paul said, "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh), dwelleth no goodthing..." (Rom. 7:18). The battle lines are drawn and the two spiritual realms, heaven and hell, are marshalled for a

life-long fight for the will of the Christian.

Chapter 2 Outline

The Working Model of Man

l. The way one believes something is made determines one's idea of how it works.

2. How one sees man being put together will affect how one chooses to function as an

individual.

3. It is important that one have an accurate working model of man.

I. GOD IS A TRINITY, AND GOD CREATED MAN A TRINITY ALSO.

A. He planned man a trinity before creation (Genesis 1:27).

B. Paul declared man a trinity (I Thess. 5:23).

C. The Word of God divides the unseen into Soul and Spirit, and man's body makes him a

trinity (Hebrews 4:l2).

II. THE CORRECT WORKING MODEL IS NECESSARY FOR SUCCESSFULSPIRITUAL

WARFARE

A. The Spirit of the born—again Christian totally agrees with God's Word

(Ephesians 2:1-6; 4:30).

B. The soul, which is made up of mind, emotions, and will, is neutral at birth and becomes what the individual makes it (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

C. The body is in rebellion agaionst God

(Romans 8:13, Colossians 3:5).

III. THE SPIRIT AND BODY OF THE BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIAN ARE IN DIRECT

OPPOSITION

A. The spirit loves the Lord, His Word, and His Will (Romans 7:22).

B. The flesh loves the world and the things of the   world (Romans 7:18).

C. Heaven and hell do battle through our spirit and flesh (Romans 7:19-25).

1. God created man a trinity after His own image.

2. The flesh and spirit of the born—again Christian are in opposition and fight each other

for control of the individual.

3. The battle is real and intense, but the victory lies in us through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Chapter 3

The Dynamics of Spiritual Warfare

When Adoniram Judson reached Burma in 1813, he was assaulted by all the demonic hordes of hell. Before he set foot on shore, his beloved Ann, who had intrigued him with her unique ability to make every occasion exciting and joyful,3 wept herself to sleep the night before leaving the ship, over the degradation of Rangoon, Burma. When they reached the shore, there was no encouragement. The mission house lay just beyond the execution grounds, where a

long-dead, crucified, and disemboweled body still hung.

Physically they were threatened, soulically they were depressed, and spiritually they were made to doubt their close relationship with God. They were under enemy attack, as all followers of Christ eventually are. The enemy is a liar, and he fathers lies (John 8:44). He uses the canvas of our mind to paint pictures that will lead us from a belief and a faith-walk into unbelief and a flesh-walk. He uses the paints of poverty or prosperity in body or soul at given times to turn us from the path of faith.

The assault of hell is against our will, the center of our decision-making process. The more levels of our awareness that he can assault, the better. He seeks to make the follower of Christ physically uncomfortable and threatened, emotionally off-balance, intellectually at wits’ end and spiritually out of fellowship with God. The seat of the battle is the mind: "as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Prov. 23:7). The battle is for the will, and the battle is fought in the mind. The flesh, which is accessed by the world and the devil, is used to input negative thoughts, promote negative attitudes, tempt to sinful thinking, speaking, and doing. The flesh, of course, is tied to the mind, emotion, and will of the soul, through the brain.

Our brain processes the sensory information that the enemy seeks to exploit, hoping to turn us from a faith-walk. For example, you stub your toe jumping out of bed late because the electricity is off and you've overslept, the day is cloudy, there is no hot water, and you are due at work in half an hour five miles away. Your brain processes all the pain and pressure. Your emotions are immediately out of balance. Your intellect is bringing pictures of past rejections from authority figures, and the distinct dislike your boss has for employees being late. The only redeeming thing in the situation is God's Word, trying to break through all the pain, pressure, and confusion to say, "This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24).

The circumstances and people change but the dynamics of spiritual warfare do not. If the enemy cannot down you by the poverty of provoking circumstances, he will pump you

up with prosperity trying to get you to pull a Nebuchadnezzar, pat yourself on the back, and say "Look what I have done." The battle is for control of our thought processes. If we focus on the temporary- circumstances and people- we will become a servant to sin, in our attitude or action (Rom. 6:16). If we focus on the eternal, we remain a servant of righteousness. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isa. 26:3).

Chapter 3 Outline

The Dynamics of Spiritual Warfare

l. In spiritual warfare there are definite tactics and strategies that the enemy uses, and those that

God has given to us.

2. By observing Bible truths, characters of the Bible, and other Christians, we can learn the

dynamics and see that they do not change.

3. We must learn the dynamics or go down in defeat because the battle rages.

I. THE ENEMY'S ATTACKS ARE ALWAYS MORE THAN WE EXPECT

A. He attacks the born-again Christian in all areas (I Peter 5:8).

l. He threatens and afflicts the body.

2. He depresses and demotivates the soul.

3. He casts into doubt and disbelief the spirit.

B. He uses the canvas of the mind to paint pictures that lead to unbelief and sin.

(2 Corinthians 11:14-15)

II. THE ENEMY'S ATTACKS ARE AGAINST THE WILL

A. His attacks are against our decision—making process (Genesis 3:1-6).

B. He is a liar and uses lies against us (John 8:44).

C. He seeks to bring all levels of our awareness under attack.

1. He seeks to make you physically uncomfortable and threatened.

(2 Corinthians 11:23-28).

2. He seeks to make and keep you emotionally off-balance (Romans 7:21-25).

3. He seeks to make and keep us out of fellowship with God (Matthew 26:69-75).

D. The battle front is the thought processes of the mind (Proverbs 23:7a).

III. THE BRAIN PROCESSES THE INFORMATION IT HAS BEEN SUPPLIED

A. The enemy seeks to pervert and feed false information to affect our decisions.

B. God's Word encourages faith decisions. (Psalm 119:105).

C. Circumstances and people change, but the dynamics do not.

1. The enemy seeks to down us with provoking circumstances. (Proverbs 24:10).

2. He uses apparent success to provoke pride and self-will.

(Proverbs 16:18; 2 Chronicles 26:14-16; I John 2:16).

D. The born-again Christian must keep an eternal focus.

(Colossians 3:1-4; Romans 6:16; Isaiah 26:3).

1. The enemy attacks in more ways and with greater intensity than we expect.

2. The enemy always seeks to manipulate and control our thinking processes.

3. Making decisions based upon God's Word meets and defeats the enemy.

Chapter 4

The Front Line in Spiritual Warfare

People will often say of the pastor, missionary, or full-time Christian worker that they are on the front line of the spiritual war. They are honest in their appraisal. But the front line of spiritual warfare is not a geographical place or warring against the elite of the forces of darkness. The front line of spiritual warfare is in the thought·processes, or brain, of every born-again Christian.

The brain is the floppy disk, the hard drive, the information storage center. It contains all the information the individual has accumulated through his lifetime. The brain should be neutral as far as the information storage is concerned. It stores the poem you memorized as a child, verses of Scripture from Sunday School, and the most horrible sins you have committed and witnessed.

The brain is also the problem solving center in our spiritual battles. It sorts through all the stored information and presents us with potential courses of action that can be taken in any given circumstance. The brain does not take sides in problem solving. It is simply bringing prior information to your mind that you can use in your present situation.

The brain is also the work direction center. It stores information, it recalls the information, organizes it, and presents possible solutions. If you choose to proceed with a course of action, it is also the brain that directs the intellect, emotion, and physical input that is necessary. The brain is like a very sophisticated computer.

Chapter 4 Outline

The Front Line in Spiritual Warfare

l. There is a lot of confusion about the location of the front in spiritual warfare.

2. The front in spiritual warfare is not geographical or necessarily at great seats of wickedness.

3. The front line in spiritual warfare is the thought process of the mind.

I. THE BRAIN IS THE INFORMATION STORAGE CENTER

A. It contains all information the individual has accumulated.

B. The brain is like a computer in storing information.

l. It stores good information, e.g. the poem you learned as a child.

2. It stores bad information, e.g. sins you did and witnessed.

II. THE BRAIN IS THE PROBLEM SOLVING CENTER IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE

A. It sorts the information that has been stored.

B. It presents potential courses of action to take.

C. The brain presents information, and is neither good nor bad.

III. THE BRAIN IS ALSO THE WORK DIRECTION CENTER

A. The individual chooses actions he takes with his will.

B. The brain coordinates intellect, emotion, and the physical actions needed to implement

your will.

IV. THE BRAIN IS A VERY SOPHISTICATED COMPUTER

A. It stores information.

B. It directs activity.

C. It must be programmed and operated by the individual will.

1. The front line in spiritual warfare is the thinking processes of the mind.

2. The brain is a marvelous computer that God has provided for us.

3. If you will program your computer with God's truth (Romans 12:2), and make your

decisions based upon God's Word, the Lord will give you success.

Chapter 5

Problems at the Front Lines

Computers are wonderful memory systems that are excellent in problem solving. The monitor even lets us view the procedures that the computer is working on. If the computer has been properly programmed and the operator is knowledgeable about the computer and its systems, problem solving will be accomplished without much frustration.

If, however, someone has partially programmed it, programmed it with false information, introduced a computer virus, or connected it to outside lines that are feeding it wrong programming, then every problem is going to be a hassle and perhaps impossible to solve.

Our brain is also a wonderful computer that is excellent at problem solving. Our thinking process is the screen that tells us what procedure it is presently working on. If our brain were properly programmed and we were well-trained in Bible truth and practice, life and the problems it involves would be lived without a lot of confusion.

The problem is that "all have sinned." Our brain has a lot of bad, faulty information programmed into it. There has also been a computer virus -called sin- introduced into our brain. It is also hooked to outside lines, our senses, that access the world, the flesh, and oh yes, the devil.

The good news is, you are the operator. You see the screen. You see the information with which the brain is working. You have the 'clear' button at your fingertips. You can reject the thoughts that would bring false reasoning and problem solving. The born-again Christian has

been sealed by the Spirit of God. He has the written Word of God. He also has the past track record of his flesh. As the operator of your brain, you can make right life choices, if you base them on the Word of God.

The problem on the front line of spiritual warfare is the ease with which Christians are so easily led to follow the programming of the world, the flesh, and even the devil in making their day-to-day decisions. The enemy always seeks to use our daily circumstances to move us from being a follower of Christ into just doing our own thing.

Chapter 5 Outline

Problems at the Front Lines

1. Computers are wonderful memory systems and helpful in problem solving.

2. Proper programming and a knowledgeable operator allows problem solving with fewer frustrations.

3. Improper programming, bad information, or an unlearned operator can make problem solving difficult if not impossible.

4. This is true of computers and also of our brain.

I. OUR BRAIN HAS PROBLEMS IN PROBLEM SOLVING (I Corinthians 13:9-12)

A. Our brain has faulty information programmed into it.

B. It has a computer virus called "sin" (Romans 7:5-17).

C. It has outside lines connected to false programmers (I John 2:16).

l. The world

2. The flesh

3. The devil

II. YOU ARE THE OPERATOR CONTROLLING THE BRAIN (Romans 6:12-14)

A. You see the computer screen by considering your thoughts.

B. You are the operator and have the 'clear' button, to accept or reject the current process

appearing on the screen of your thoughts.

C. You have the ability to call up Scripture-based programming.

III. THE BRAIN MUST BE PROGRAMMED WITH GOD'S WORD

A. Right life-choices are based on God's Word (Psalm 119:11).

B. The enemy wants life choices based on the world, the flesh, and himself.

C. Day-to-day circumstances can move us closer to God or drive us farther from God.

We choose which (James 4:8).

l. Our brain has been programmed with false information, the power of sin, and many wrong

choices.

2. The born-again Christian has the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and the Godly examples of

other Christians to use in reprogramming his brain.

3. Choices based upon God's truth bring real success.

Chapter 6

World Views and Spiritual Warfare

"Doing our own thing" varies with each individual, depending to a large degree on his or her cultural setting and especially his or her "world view."

Timothy Warner gives an excellent definition of world view:

World view is the thought system we develop for explaining the world around us and our experiences in it. It is determined almost entirely by the society in which we grow up. In most instances, it is something we absorb subconsciously more than something we adopt after careful study, although study can change world view drastically. James Sire defines this as the "set of presuppositions or assumptions which we hold (consciously or subconsciously) about the basic make-up of our world." It is a set of categories we develop into which we plug the data of our experience to give it meaning. Worldview is a set of lenses through which we view the world. Wrong world views will produce faulty explanations for the experiences of life, just as a faulty optical system will produce depth perception problems or problems such as dyslexia. And just as the person with dyslexia doesn't know what "normal" vision is, so a person with a wrong world view does not know that a critical factor is missing from his explanation system for his world.5

We may look at an individual and ask ourselves, "Why does he act so strange?" What appears strange to us may be perfectly logical to the person in question. The difference between the two individuals and their perception of what is normal is due to their differing world views.

Religion and politics are often forbidden topics of conversation. Why? Because they are boring? Hardly! Because people do not have real beliefs about religion and politics? I think not. Because people feel insecure when they discuss religion and politics? Maybe. Because their world view will be challenged and of necessity have to be defended? Getting close!

Most people get their world view from the traditions which have been handed down to them. Therefore it is not easy to defend that which we have blindly accepted from someone, even someone we love, without having made a thorough and objective investigation. The insecurity that flows from people unable to objectively present evidence supporting their world view has made religion and politics forbidden topics, and this makes it easier for tyrants, both physical and spiritual, to gain dominance and destroy people.

Chapter 6 Outline

World Views amd Spiritual Warfare

l. Most people think they are doing their own thing.

2. "Their own thing" is usually the product of their own cultural upbringing.

3. Their culture has been produced by the "World View" of the people.

I. WORLD VIEW IS THE THOUGHT SYSTEM WE DEVELOP TO EXPLAIN

THE WORLD AROUND US AND OUR EXPERIENCES IN IT.

A. World view is largely determined by the society in which we grow up.

l. It is absorbed subconsciously more than after careful study and consideration.

2. Study can change world view drastically.

B. Wrong world views produce faulty explanations for life experiences.

C. World view determines what is normal and what is strange.

II. PEOPLE FEEL THREATENED WHEN THEIR WORLD VIEW IS CHALLENGED

A. Their world view came by tradition.

B. It is difficult to defend what has not been objectively investigated.

III. WORLD VIEW HAS MUCH TO DO WITH HEALTHY ADJUSTMENT TO THE WORLD AND TO LIFE EXPERIENCES

A. World views based on truth prospers the individual and produces freedom of his spirit.

B. World views based on that which is false brings poverty to the soul and captivity to the

spirit.

l. World views, both right and wrong, are developed in cultural settings.

2. World views are ingrained into an individual from childhood, but are often hard

to defend.

3. Your world view will determine the way you relate to your environment.

Chapter 7

The Three World Views of Spiritual Warfare

In spiritual warfare, there are three basic world views:

l) The western scientific world view;

2) the animist world view; and

3) the Biblical world view.

The western scientific world view was held by white Europeans, who brought their world view to America. The western scientific world view as defined by Timothy Warner^6 has two distinct dimensions, where those holding the view live and function in daily life. They believe in the supernatural realm, where God and all other spirit beingshave their existence. They also believe in the natural realm, created or evolved, makes no difference to them, which operates according to natural law.

People of the western scientific world view keep these two dimensions separate in their day-to-day activities. They may believe in God, have their children baptized, and attend church regularly. But the values, the institutions, the things they value, and their observable behavior have little to do with the god and spirits they have placed in the supernatural realm or dimension, which is not part of their daily activities in their "natural" world.

Those holding the western scientific world view believe their world is functioning solely on natural laws, with only an occasional miracle altering those laws. They believe that the proper education and the right application of that education will bring them success in the goals they have established.

The animist world view is radically different in its values, institutions, and the way a person lives his life. The holder of the animist world view can find a home in the same church, have the same education, and function in the same social structures as the holder of the western scientific world view.

The animist, in his world view, knows there are not two separate dimensions, one for the natural and one for the supernatural, but one continuing reality where both the natural and the supernatural interact with each other.

The animist, who recognizes spirit encounters in his or her physical, emotional, and mental areas of life, is seeking the right rituals, formulas, sacraments, and/or prayer incantations, that will manipulate or control the spiritual realm in his or her favor.

Animism does not have a definite code of beliefs, either written or oral. But similarities among those practicing the animist world view are found around the world. They believe that everything in the universe is connected by some invisible force, a Star Wars "force be with you" type of power. The force can be either good or bad, depending upon the application. The animist also believes that his or her world is inhabited by all sorts of spirit beings that are continuously interacting with the physical world. These spirit beings are thought of as being

attached to places, objects, animals, people, or even dead ancestors. The power and protection of these spirits are sought by the animist.

The animist world view cannot accept the western scientific world view, that says only rarely, in miracles, does the spirit world come in contact with the physical world. In his or her world view, the spiritual and physical worlds are inseperable.

Both world views pretty much leave God out of daily activities, as the animist seeks to manipulate and control the spirits and the western person tries to educate him or herself into peace and prosperity.

The least understood world view is the Biblical. Most people around the world hold either the animist or the western scientific world view. Most Christian denominations and churches hold the western scientific world view. Even missionaries going to the foreign field have gone with a western world view, when they and all followers of Christ should be firmly established in the Biblical world view.

The Biblical world view taken literally from the Bible says there are three levels of spiritual existence. The first level consists of God, who alone is supreme, eternal, omnipotent, and has final authority in all things. The second level of existence is the spirit realm between God

and man, including both the spirits faithful to God- angels- and the spirits in rebellion against

God- demons and devils. The third realm the Bible teaches is the realm of man, or the natural realm. All three realms are in continuous interaction.7

The Biblical world view wants a person to bring his mind into an investigative study of the Bible. God says, "Come, let us reason together," and "Study to show thyself approved unto God." The Biblical world view encourages people to have an individual relationship with God and discourages lifting up people as elite possessors of either truth or power, and to have no contact with spirits whatsoever.

Both the animist and western world views discourage an individual's relationship with God. The animist has his spirits between himself and God in his pursuit for truth and power. The western person has those with the highest diplomas between himself and God in his pursuit of truth and power. Both views will bring bondage. Because real truth and power comes from relationship and fellowship with the one true and living God.

The Biblical world view is the result of a mature relationship and fellowship with God: "When I was a child I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." I Corinthians 13:11 illustrates the growing process God takes the followers of Christ through, in bringing them from either an animist or western world view into a Biblical world view.

Chapter 7 Outline

The Three World Views of Spiritual Warfare

l. There are many varying world views from the world's cultures.

2. But basically there are three world views in spiritual warfare.

3. From these three world views most life choices flow.

I: THE WESTERN SCIENTIFIC WORLD VIEW

A. Held by whites of European descent.

B. The western world view believes in two dimensions, the natural and the supernatural.

Both are held separate and distinct.

C. The supernatural dimension has little to do with their daily life.

D. They believe that a proper education and right application of their acquired skills brings

success.

E. The western world view discourages a personal relationship with God.

1. Has education between the individual and God.

2. Education becomes a pathway to a relationship with God.

II. THE ANIMIST WORLD VIEW

A. The animist world view is held by aboriginals, Africans, Asians, Native Americans, and

a growing number of people from European descent.

B. Animist world view believes in both the natural and supernatural dimensions.

C. In their reality both dimensions continuously interact with each other.

D. He seeks right rituals, formulas, sacraments, and incantations to help him function in and

control his environment.

E. Animist world view discourages a personal relationship with God by placing things

between man and God.

l. Spirits are placed between him and God.

2. He is seeking power from spirits instead of relationship with God.

III. THE BIBLICAL WORLD VIEW

A. The least understood world view.

l. Held by very few, even among professing Christians.

2. Missionaries often seek to convert animists to a western world view more than to Christ.

B. Biblical world view teaches there are three levels of spiritual existence that continuously

interact.

1. God, who alone is supreme, eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, and is the final authority

in all things.

2. The spirit realm, including angels, spirits, demons and devils.

3. The realm of man, or the natural level.

C. The Biblical world view wants man to bring his mind into an investigative study of the

Bible and the pursuit of God (2 Timothy 2:15).

D. The Biblical world view encourages a personal relationship with God.

E. The Biblical world view comes from a mature relationship and fellowship with God

(I Corinthians 13:11).

l. Your world view has been pretty much formed by the culture you have grown up in.

2. Your world view may help you explain your experiences in your cultural setting, but

it may not be explaining them according to what is reality.

3. The Biblical world view alone presents, explains and equips an individual to deal with

reality.

Chapter 8

How World Views Affect Spiritual Warfare

The world view of an individual will directly affect his working model, and how he interacts and responds to the spiritual realm in the area of spiritual warfare.

The animist knows there are spirits interacting with him, but his world view dictates a real and continuous fear of the spirits. He is not going to oppose the spirits that he believes has power over him, to attack his mind, emotions, will, circumstances, health, and welfare of both

him and his family.

The best the animist can hope for is a peaceful co-existence with the spirits. Fear is the main motivation when an animist considers the spirits. If he is to be an effective warrior for the Lord Jesus Christ, he must be free from the bondage of his animist world view. He is sitting in the region and shadow of death (Matt. 4:16).

No lesser bondage is the western world view, which relegates the spirit realm to the back forty. "Spirits, if they do exist, do not affect me," he says in his heart. He looks at the animist as a poor superstitious savage that needs to be indoctrinated into his enlightened way of thinking in western world view terms.

The western man, until recent years, had few if any sensory encounters with the spirit realm. What he hasn't seen, heard, felt, touched or smelled, he has dismissed as non-existent. Many have now been confronted with supernatural phenomenon, but they are shamed into silence

by the peer pressure of the western scientific world view.

Those who hold the literal presentation of the Biblical world view as fact are the only believers available to confront, challenge, and defeat the evil that is taking the world like a flood. The Biblical world view says definitely we wrestle with principalities and powers

(Eph. 6:12), and to be strong in the Lord, while standing against the wiles of the devil. It says believers would be used to bruise Satan (Rom. 16:20). It commands that the eyes of the unbelievers be opened, to turn them from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God (Acts 26:18). It says that in the end times men would give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils (I Tim. 4:1). It says literally to fight the good fight of faith. Many today are just shadow-boxing. They are working up a sweat, showing good form, but getting knocked out by an invisible enemy.

Your world view does indeed affect the way you perceive and take part in spiritual warfare. It also will have a lot to do in determining whether you are a victor or victim.

Chapter 8 Outline

How World Views Affect Spiritual Warfare

1. Your world view helps determine your working model of man.

2. Your working model of man dictates how you relate to the spirit realm.

3. Your way of relating to the spirit realm determines your victory or defeat in dealing with

the enemy.

I. THE ANIMIST KNOWS SPIRITS INTERACT WITH HIM

(Matthew 4:16; Acts 26:17-18)

A. His world view dictates a fear of the spirits.

B. He does not oppose the spirits, which he thinks have power over him.

C. He hopes for peaceful co-existence with the spirits.

D. Fear is his main motivation in dealing with the spirits.

II.- THE WESTERN WORLD VIEW ALMOST DENIES THE REALITY OF SPIRITS

(Romans 1:21-22)

A. The western world view may think spirits exist, but doesn't believe they affect.

B. The western world view sees animists as poor superstitious savages.

C. The western world view denies all that cannot be proven with the senses.

III. THE BIBLICAL WORLD VIEW ACKNOWLEDGES THAT MAN IS UNDER ATTACK BY SPIRITS

A. The battle with spirits is this view's reality (Ephesians 6:12).

B. Man can be led from the true faith to serving spirits (I Timothy 4:1).

C. Man can be freed from_demonization (Acts 26:18).

D. Man can successfully battle spirits (Luke 10:2-3,11-20; Romans 16:20).

l. Your world view determines how you relate to the spirit realm.

2. Your world view will determine if you become a victim of spirits or have power in

Christ to defeat them.

Chapter 9

Evidence Requires a Biblical World View

The Lord Jesus Christ was continuously confronted by the spirits. Not once did he indicate that His continual interaction with the spirits was out of the ordinary or limited to that particular period of time.

In fact, His delegation of power to the seventy in Luke 10 is further indication that believers would have to go into the domain of demons and defeat them if the Great Commission were to be carried out. The Lord desus Christ reaffirmed the priority of having your name written in heaven. But He in no way indicated that future generations would have a lesser foe to battle or His Name would be less needed to command devils out of the way of the Gospel.

The teaching of Acts continues in the same pattern as the Gospels. Principalities and powers are confronted, penetrated, and with great effort on the part of believers, who loved not their lives unto death, local churches were planted in the throne areas of the most horrendous of the demonic, despotic, heathen gods.

The Epistles continue the instruction in spiritual warfare. Romans l tells of man’s downward spiral into animism. Romans l6 says God will bruise Satan under your feet. Corinthians tells of the mighty weapons God has given us to pull down strongholds. Galatians says angels have

potential to preach false doctrine. Ephesians says we wrestle against principalities and powers. Philippians tells of those rescued from Satan's grasp in Caesar's household. Colossians tells of being delivered from darkness.

Chapter 9 Outline

Evidence Requires a Biblical World View

l. The Lord Jesus Christ continuously confronted the devil and demons.

2. His world view exposed and defeated the enemy on his own territory.

3. Scripture indicates that Christians can have victory over the enemy in his own territory.

I. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST DELEGATED POWER (Matthew 28:18-20)

A. The Great Commission was given with power (Acts 1:8).

B. The seventy were sent out with power (Luke 10:1-3. 17-20).

C. The Lord not only met and defeated the enemy but He sent us also.

(I John 3:8; John 20:21)

II. THE APOSTLES EXERCISED POWER OVER THE SPIRITS

A. Paul’s binding the sorcerer showed power over spirits (Acts 13:6-12).

B. Paul exorcising the demon possessed girl showed power over spirits (Acts 16:16-18).

C. Churches established in Satan's territories showed power over spirits (Acts 16:4-5).

III. THE EPISTLES TEACH SPIRITUAL WARFARE AGAINST SPIRITS

A. Romans 1:22-23 tells of a man descending into animism.

B. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 tells of mighty weapons.

C. Galatians 1:8 says angels can preach false doctrine.

D. Ephesians 6:11-12 says we wrestle against spirits.

E. Colossians 1:12-13 tells of deliverance from darkness.

l. Evidence demands we have a Biblical world view.

2. The Lord Jesus Christ fought and won in spiritual warfare.

3. Scripture says that we must battle spirits also, and to do so in victory requires a

Biblical world view.

Chapter 10

Experience Requires a Biblical World View

When the Lord led me to work with the animistic Sioux Indians, I was totally western scientific in my world view and missionary approach. I did see people come to Christ and some wonderfully beautiful things take place in our Indian Christians' lives.

I hadn't been on the field long when at a tribal community meeting I met one of the medicine men, who was at the community house by invitation. The medicine man took a braid of sweet grass, lit it, snuffed it out, leaving only a small wift of smoke, then proceeded to go around the

building and the crowd of people. When he came near me and my family he sneered at us as we smelled the sweet aroma of the smoke. We didn't think anything of it.

That night I awoke from sleep to find myself totally paralyzed, unable to either move or speak. There was no pain, but it seemed a heavy weight or force was pinning me to the bed. I thought I was having a stroke. But praying in my spirit, and with great effort, I was able finally to move one finger, which totally broke the paralysis. I now know that this is a rather common phenomenon among our animist Sioux and other spiritist cultures around the

world.

The night police chief on the Rosebud Reservation told me that he was having a terrible time. I asked him what was l the matter, and he told me the following: he was having all sorts of family trouble, and his lights were going on and off by themselves, and the night before he was lying in bed when he heard heavy footsteps coming down his hallway and whatever it was scraped on both sides of the hall. He said he was terrified, but out of concern for his family, he got out of bed and threw open the door only to find an empty house. I shared the plan of salvation with him. He accepted Christ, then went home and rebuked the spirit in the Name

of the Lord Jesus Christ, claimed his house for the glory of the Lord, and the phenomenon ceased.

These realities on the mission field seem bizarre to our western world view way of thinking. But in animist cultures around the world these and much more serious phenomenon terrorize and hold captive the people Christ has sent us to win. Experience certainly requires a Biblical

world view.

The Thessalonians were warned about "him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders." A prophecy of the tribulation period, but it is given in a matter-of-fact way to a people already acquainted with spiritual warfare. The New Testament is full of verses telling of demonic influence upon believers, demonic attack on believers, and passages that even indicate invasion of believers.8 The Biblical world view is

certainly applicable today. Holding any other world view will hinder the appropriation and application of God's power in carrying out the Great Commission.

Missionaries working in animist cultures around the world do not need to be convinced of the reality of the Biblical world view that says we are interacting with the spirit realm. Missionaries with the Indians of Brazil tell of seeing phenomenon. Missionaries in the Philippines tell of seeing phenomenon. Missionaries in Africa tell of seeing phenomenon. Missionaries with the Native Americans tell of first-hand encounters with phenomenon.

Born-again Christians across America today, including those in our churches, are experiencing many phenomenon. Many people who are saved today have been involved in

cultic activity or activities that opened the door to their demonization. Others have involved themselves after being saved. Documented case after case of sensory contact with the spirit realm abound today, from the former witch, preparing to be a missionary, who was paralyzed to a bed that was violently shaking for no apparent reason, to the B.B.F. pastor who had an invisible entity sit beside him and make a depression in the bed he occupied. American Christians are under attack by the enemy. Evidence demands, as never before, that Christians study to show themselves approved unto God in determining what the Biblical world view is and to appropriate the Lord’s power to confront, expose, and destroy the works of the devil.

Chapter l0 Outline

Experience Requires a Biblical World View

l. Missionaries with a western world view are sent to animists.

2. Their western world view rejects the idea of spirits affecting them in a daily assault.

3. Living and working with animists forces a re-evaluation of their world view.

I. FIRST-HAND ENCOUNTERS WITH SPIRITISM OCCUR OFTEN

A. Medicine men met at public community meetings by missionaries.

B. Missionary experienced "blood stops” the same night.

C. Missionaries experience phenomenon in cultures around the world.

II. CREDIBLE TESTIMONIES OF FIRST-HAND ENCOUNTER WITH SPIRITS

IS COMMON

A. Reality of the experience is without question.

B. Reaction to the experience is about the same.

C. Victory can be the outcome of the experience.

III. EXPERIENCE DEMANDS THE BIBLICAL WORLD VIEW REPLACE THE

WESTERN WORLD VIEW IF AN IMPACT IS TO BE MADE UPON THE ANIMISTS

1. The experience of countless missionaries around the world testifies to the reality of demonic

power’s ability to affect Christians.

2. God does not allow the experience of spiritual warfare to defeat His children.

3. The experiences are given as opportunities to have a Biblical world view instilled in the

missionary that he can defeat the enemy through God's truth and the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Chapter 11

The Nature and Methods of the Enemy

Scripture describes the enemy as a lion, dragon, serpent, scorpion, destroyer, deceiver, seducer, accuser, devourer, liar, thief, murderer, adyersary, angel of light, etc. The picture painted of him warns of his active interest in separating mankind from the person and power of the Almighty God.

Satan is not omnipotent, nor is he omnipresent. There is not a mighty tug of war being waged between two nearly equal forces with man being the rope. The Lord is allowing Satan, for a period of time, to wage war against mankind. Satan's war is a war of deception, in which he has recruited one third of the original heavenly host of angels to assist him. His devils are transformed into angels of light, messengers of deception. and as spirits they fight in the spirit realm, as they did to hinder Daniel's prayer (Dan. 10:12-13).

But Satan and his spirits are also able to impact the physical realm as well. According to Luke 11, spirits are able to exist outside of the physical body, able to travel, able to communicate, have individual identity, remember and make plans, evaluate and make decisions, combine forces, vary in degrees of wickedness, and can overcome reform and religion.

The methods of the enemy also show his desire to keep mankind from the person and power of Almighty God. As shown earlier, the enemy's attack is against the mind. The Bible says he darkens, blinds, corrupts, prevents understanding, deceives, gives false light, and seduces men from the truth. He desires men to be carnally minded, fleshly minded, defiled in the mind, reprobate minded, double minded, vain minded, doubtful minded, corrupted in mind and

evil minded.10

The devil puts thoughts into the minds of men and women, pulls their emotional triggers to get them upset, then pulls them into a set of circumstances that encourages the individual to walk in unbelief. He tries to hinder a person in seeking and fulfilling God's will. He promotes

illogical, even irrational behavior from others toward the sincere seeker.11 He encourages and promotes relationship problems between co-workers in the ministry. He promotes and intensifies family frictions and problems. A missionary couple who had never had trouble were at each others' throats after only six months in the field in Zaire, Africa. He can put stress and pressure on your mind to such an extent that you will cry as Paul did, "O wretched man

that I am..." (Rom. 7:24). He causes physical sickness (2 Cor. l2). He paints a picture of gloom and doom trying to demoralize you about your relationship with God, your ministry, and field conditions. But praise be unto God, the devil is a defeated liar.

He is a deceiver, and his methods are unchanging. He uses every sense, every emotion, imaginations, worldly wisdom and even individual thoughts planted in the mind trying to make followers of Christ believe his lie and live by his lie rather than by the truth of the Word of God.

Chapter 11 Outline

The Nature and Methods of the Enemy

l. A very vivid warning about the nature and character of the enemy is given in Scripture.

2. The enemy seeks to separate us from the person and power of God.

3. The enemy uses lies and deception to accomplish his goals.

I. THE ENEMY IS A SPIRIT SEEKING TO DESTROY INDIVIDUALS (I Peter 5:8)

II. SPIRITS HAVE MANY ABILITIES THAT PEOPLE HAVE (Luke ll:24-26)

III. THE ENEMY TARGETS THE THINKING PROCESSES OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S MIND

(2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

IV. THE ENEMY USES LIES, PRESSURES, STRESSES AND TEMPTATIONS TO GET

INDIVIDUALS TO WALK IN UNBELIEF (Matthew 4:1-10; Romans 7:24)

V. GOD CAN TURN ALL THESE TESTS TO OUR OWN GOOD AND TO HIS GLORY

(2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

l. The enemy is a destroying spirit.

2. Spirits are not impersonal energy, but have personality and power to influence people.

3. The evil spirits use many things to motivate people away from God.

Chapter l2

The Levels of Enemy Penetration

Prevention is always better than any cure. The Lord Jesus Christ said, "to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free .... If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:31-36). These Scriptures give assurance of freedom for those abiding in Christ and those continuing in His Word.

Scripture clearly warns, however, of the potential danger of being taken captive. Galatians 5:1 says, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith·Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Also, 2 Peter 2:20 gives the same warning, saying "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning."

Israel and its idolatry typifies the born-again Christian who gives ground to Satan. Israel didn't give themselves only to the idol, but to the spirit behind the idol. Christians give themselves to the idol of sin, but also to the spirit behind the sin. If the born-again follower of Christ fails to stand fast and is again entangled by the old sins, he opens himself up for enemy penetration. Satan seeks to undermine the conscience and bring us under sin-based oppression. Pre-conversion sins are a strong lure Satan uses trying to bring the saved back into bondage.

The battle is for control of the mind. When ground has been given to the devil, he proceeds to bring the mind under his control. There are three levels of enemy penetration in the consciousness of believers. The first is a steady barrage of thought contrary to what the individual believes. The thoughts may be lustful, blasphemous, rebellious, or impulses encouraging anti-social behavior.

The second level of enemy penetration brings people to the point of inability to distinguish between their thoughts and strange, evil, often overpowering thoughts or even voices within.

The third level of enemy penetration leaves the person out of control in one or more areas of life. He has become again entangled in the bondage from which the Lord Jesus Christ had set him free.

Chapter 12 Outline

The Levels c]of Enemy Penetration

1. Prevention is better than any cure when dealing with the enemy.

2. Scripture warns of the possibility and danger of being taken captive by the enemy.

3. The enemy seeks to progressively take control of the individual's mind.

I. PREVENTION IS THE WAY TO AVOID PENETRATION (John 8:31-32, 36)

II. BEING PENETRATED AND TAKEN CAPTIVE BY THE ENEMY IS A VERY REAL

POSSIBILITY (Galatians 5:1; 2 Peter 2:20)

III. PENETRATION BY THE ENEMY COMES IN DISTINGUISHABLE LEVELS

(John 5:14; Matthew l2:43-45) _

IV. THE LEVELS INCREASINGLY TAKE CONTROL OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S MIND

(2 Corinthians 10:5)

A. Encouraging specific acts of sin (Acts 5:3).

B. To fill the life with turmoil and trouble (Luke 8:27).

l. You must practice preventive maintenance in your Christian life.

2. The enemy seeks to penetrate individuals and to control their thinking, speaking,

and doing.

3. The victory is ours, but we must fight the battles until we enjoy full victory.

Chapter 13

How People Respond to Enemy Attack

In spiritual warfare an unseen enemy picks his time, place, and method of attack. A superior force usually makes a frontal attack, trying to overwhelm the opponent. His methods of attack show that Satan and his demons have been defeated by the Lord Jesus Christ, who also spoiled (disarmed) them through His death, burial, and resurrection. Since Satan is defeated, he has to work subtly, though in some cultures his lie has been believed and visible, audible, and physical attacks are common and in the open.

Satan is a liar, and the father of lies. He uses lies to attack the believer’s body and soul. The believer's spirit is sealed by the Holy Spirit and cannot be attacked (Eph. 4:30). Since the enemy primarily attacks the thinking processes, emotional triggers, and circumstances, most

Christians are totally unaware that they are under spirit attack. As Paul said, we wrestle against "principalities and powers" (Eph. 6), which, working through his flesh, brought him to cry, “O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me..." (Rom. 7).

The only thing worse than being under attack is being under attack and not knowing your enemy is infiltrating and attempting a takeover of your command center. In the be1iever's case, the enemy is working through imaginations, things claiming to be higher than God's revelation in Scripture, satanic implanted thoughts, and circumstances to influence and as much as possible take over the believer’s will.

Most often the Christian believes the devi1's lie and withdraws from the battle sorely wounded emotionally or physically, mistakenly thinking an individual circumstance, or natural illness is the cause of his or her pain. "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man

draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him" (Heb. 10:38). He is sidelined at least temporarily and perhaps permanently because of his failure to grasp the scriptural truths of spiritual warfare and to do battle with the spirit or spirits attacking him.

Others understand they are under demonic attack but over-estimate their ability in the flesh. They believe they can suppress the out-of character, wicked, blasphemous, or just plain weird thoughts that keep hammering their mind. Or they believe through a power encounter, a strong will can force the demon to leave him or another person. The apostles found that demons did not have to leave unless delegated power from the Lord was used and certain conditions were met (Matt. 17:21).

Followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, who are more than conquerors, appropriate the power and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ and use the Word of God, which is truth, to free themselves or other individuals from demonization. They claim what is rightfully theirs in Christ. They are a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17). Christ lives in them (Gal. 2:20). Their old man is crucified (Rom. 6:6). They are living by the Word, which gives them power over the stinking thinking bombarding them and the numerous emotional triggers being pulled. They master their circumstances instead of circumstances mastering them. The Word says they have power over the demons through the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 10:17). Since the Word says

the devil can manipulate thinking, emotions, and circumstances, they exercise faith in the Name of Jesus Christ and challenge the thoughts and circumstances that are trying to turn them or others from a faith walk.

The person responding correctly in spiritual warfare recognizes the enemy is trying to get him to pick up on a lie in his thought patterns, encourage the same in his emotions, and manipulate his circumstances, which the enemy uses as a snare to bring a temporary lapse of faith and a flesh walk, which further opens the door for Satan's influence and the building of a stronghold in the person's life.

The mature follower of Christ does not pick up every thought that comes into his mind. Neither does he respond to the emotions that encourage negative thoughts, words, or deeds. He has learned, through the Word of God, to measure his thoughts and emotions by the truth of the Scripture. When his thoughts and emotions are running counter to the Scriptures, he becomes immediately aware that he is under potential, if not imminent, enemy attack. The Lord Jesus Christ recognized that Satan's temptations tried to lure him from the center of His Father's Will. The mature follower of Christ responds in like manner." As it is written," Christ stated the truth written in God's Word, submitted to the truth, and resisted the devil, who fled His presence. This is the correct way to respond to enemy attack. Until the follower of Christ learns this response, he will continue to be snared and taken captive as Satan chooses (2 Tim. 2:25-26).

Chapter 13 Outline

How People Respond to Enemy Attack

l. Your response to enemy attack depends upon your information about the enemy which is

attacking you, and your perceived ability to respond.

2. The most difficult attack to respond to is the infiltration of guerrilla warfare, where the

enemy for the most part is unidentified and his strength very hard, if not impossible,

to determine.

3. The enemy of the soul uses guerrilla warfare and attacks according to the victim's ability

to respond.

I. SATAN, YOUR ENEMY, IS A DEFEATED FOE

(I Corinthians 2:6—8; Ephesians 1:20—22; I Peter 3:21-22)

II. THE ENEMY ATTACKS PEOPLE IN THEIR SOULS

A. The soul includes the thinking, feeling, and decision-making processes.

B. The be1iever's spirit is protected by God (Ephesians 4:30).

III. SATAN USES LIES TO MAKE PEOPLE THINK, FEEL, AND CHOOSE IN

WAYS OF UNBELIEF (2 Corinthians l0:4—5).

IV. THE ENEMY WORKS BEHIND THE SCENES IN PEOPLE'S CIRCUMSTANCES,

EMOTIONS, AND THOUGHT PROCESSES, TRYING TO MAKE PEOPLE WALK IN THE FLESH (Ephesians 6:11-12)

V. PEOPLE MOST OFTEN BELIEVE THE DEVIL'S LIES AND RETREAT FROM

THE BATTLE (Hebrews 10:38)

VI. THE ENEMY CANNOT BE STOPPED WITH CARNAL WEAPONS

(2 Corinthians 10:3-4; Matthew 17:21)

VII. THOSE WHO ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS DEFEAT THE ENEMY

USING THE NAME, AUTHORITY, AND POWER OF THE LORD JESUS

CHRIST (Matthew 8:16; Ephesians 6:17 [rhema, trans. "word," means 'utterance

of God's truth']

l. The enemy tries to get people to pick up a lie in their thoughts, feelings, or circumstances.

2. The mature believer does not pick up on every thought, feeling, or circumstance.

3. The mature believer faces, challenges, and overcomes negative thoughts, feelings,

and circumstances through the authority and power of God's Word.

Chapter 14

The Roots of Victory or Defeat in Spiritual Warfare

The root of spiritual victory is in the Word of God. The root of spiritual defeat is in misconceptions about the truth:

l) demons are not active today

2) mental and emotional problems have nothing to do with spiritual warfare

3) Christians are not subject to demon activity

4) demon activity is seen only in extreme, violent, or really wicked acts

5) freedom comes from something other than applying God's truth.12

The root of spiritual defeat is the lie. The enemy uses one lie for you, another for me, and one tailor-made for each individual. Satan from the very first attack on man in the garden has depended upon the lie to lure men from a faith relationship with God. He is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:43-44). Defeat comes from listening to his lie and not to God's truth (John 8:45-47). If action is taken based upon the lie rather than on truth, the inevitable chastening hand of God comes (Hebrews 10:26-27).

The root of spiritual victory is in the truth of God's Word. God's victory flows from His Word. His Word saves, sanctifies, equips, sends, and wins the victory (John 8:31-32). God wants the follower of Christ to pursue truth (Proverbs 4:4-7). The follower of Christ is delivered from the snares of Satan in his thinking, feelings, and choosing according to what he does or does not do with the Word of God.

We are born-again by the Word (I Peter 1:23).

We are lsanctified by the Word (John 17:17).

The Word eguips us for battle (Hebrews 4:12).

The Word sends us into the battle (Matthew 28:l8~20).

The Word makes us victorious in the battle for men's souls (Romans 10:13-17).

A working knowledge of God’s truth and appropriation of His power assures victory in spiritual warfare.

God's truth says we have spiritual power (Eph. 2:6); we are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. We are far above all principality and power (Eph. 1:21). In His Great Commission, He told us all power in heaven and earth was given to Him. On that truth, He sent us into all the world to preach the Gospel to every creature (Matt. 28:18-20). A working knowledge of God's Word requires appropriating His power: this is our tap root of victory.

Chapter 14 Outline

The Roots of Victory or Defeat in Spiritual Warfare

1. Victory or defeat is not determined by the battles you fight.

2. Victory or defeat have their roots in the preparations that were made for the coming battles.

3. In spiritual warfare, preparation comes from the believer appropriating the truth and power of God's Word, then applying it to his life.

I. THE POWER OF GOD FLOWS THROUGH HIS WORD (John 8:31-32)

II. THE ENEMY’S POWER FLOWS THROUGH THE LIE (Genesis 3:1-5; John 8:44)

III. DEFEAT COMES THROUGH BELIEVING HIS LIES (John 8:45-47)

IV. VICTORY IS THROUGH BELIEVING AND APPLYING GOD'S WORD

l. Salvation (I Peter 1:23)

2. Sanctification (John 17:17)

3. Empowering (Hebrews 4:12)

4. Equipping (Ephesians 6:17)

V. POWER HAS BEEN DELEGATED TO BELIEVERS THROUGH GOD'S WORD

(Ephesians 1:15-23, 2:6; Luke 10:19; Matthew 28:18—20)

VI. APPROPRIATING GOD'S POWER THROUGH THE PROMISES IN HIS WORD GIVES

VICTORY (Psalm 50:15, 91:1-13; 2 Timothy 4:18; 2 Peter 2:9)

1. Victory is Ged's gift to every believer.

2. The enemy tries to keep us from walking in the victory that Jesus accomplished through

His death, burial, and resurrection.

3. Our victory walk comes through appropriating and applying the power of God contained

in His Word.

Chapter 15

The Dynamics of Appropriating the Power of Christ

Big Crow, the Indian man, understands and is appropriating the power of Christ in his day-to-day Christian walk. To appropriate, according to Webster, is "to take as one's own, to set apart for a particular purpose."

The power of God has been made available to followers of Christ. He has power to meet, challenge, and defeat the enemy on any field. He has power to meet the visible sign working, earth spirits of the animists, and the secretive principalities and powers of western man.

A Sioux Indian man, now in his fifties, had earth spirits appearing as children with him for almost forty years. Talking with them would have given them power over him, so he never spoke with them. But he did communicate with them through gestures, smiles, etc. They always gave him company and also were said to protect and avenge him on different occasions. The Word of God brought the power of God into his life. He accepted Christ as his personal savior, got into the Bible, and the earth spirits disappeared. He says Christ is his only defense against these spirits, who he says would destroy him if they could.

Big Crow has given testimony, saying, "When Christ died on the cross, I was there. When Christ was buried, I was there. When Christ arose, I was there." He recognizes the Biblical truth of our identifying with Christ "who is our life" (Colossians 3:4). Truly we are new creatures in

Christ Jesus, old things have passed away and all things are become new (2 Cor. 5:17), and Christ lives in and through us as our faith allows him (Gal. 2:20).

The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ was vicarious. He went through that for us, in our place. But that is not the end of Christ's work. Galatians 2:20 says, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live: yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Christ lives in us and as we allow Him, by faith, He lives through us. Appropriation is making Christ’s power our own, which acknowledges the truth of God, asks God to make it a reality in the present circumstance, does by faith what the Word of God says, and trusts Christ to work His will through the circumstance.

Animists have been communicating with spirits and understand how spirits can work in people giving them power to do things that they could not otherwise do. They have sought spirits to get power in their weakness. They see and admit their weakness, but also know the power and ability of the spirits to empower them. Seeking spirits is strictly

forbidden in the Bible and certainly does bring bondage. But appropriating the power of Christ is understandable to someone who understands the empowering of the spirits, and is not in denial of their existence or ability to empower the human being. He is able to see the opportunity and need of appropriating the power of Christ through the Holy Spirit, to live a consistent Christian life, and be successful in the warfare.

Maturity in Christ demands appropriating the power of Christ. The quicker we see our need in Christ in every given circumstance, the quicker we ask the Lord Jesus Christ to live through us in that very circumstance. It is not letting go and letting God. It is a working partnership where we are truly co-laborers with Christ. Paul learned to glory in his infirmities "that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Cor. 12:9). He understood Christ's power was perfected in his weakness. Submitting to God and calling upon Christ to meet every situation through you is the dynamics of appropriation, and the pathway to spiritual maturity. In their own strength followers of Christ won't prevail in spiritual warfare, but appropriating Christ and His power makes them more than conguerors in positional and delegated power, as promised in Luke 10.

Followers who fight the good fight of faith recognize their new identity in Christ and live according to what the Word of God declares them to be and not according to what their past experience, instruction, or heritage may say they are. In the same way, warriors winning in spiritual warfare recognize the power resources, weapons, tactics, etc. that God has made available to them and by faith, they appropriate and employ them in confronting, challenging,

overcoming, and destroying the works of the enemy.

To illustrate appropriation, let’s look at the pastor's wife, who confronted a man that was attacking her husband. God’s grace, through appropriation, won the battle when the man turned to attack her. The grace of God gave her peace and a quiet confidence in the Lord. Instead of turning and running or screaming, she appropriated the power and authority of Christ, rebuked the demonized man in the Name of the Lord, and saw him fall to the ground totally stopped in his assault by the power appropriated by faith and directed by the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Appropriating Christ is seeing the scriptural truth that the Lord can meet your need. By faith that promise is claimed. Action is then taken based upon the truth revealed to you. This pastor's wife had her focus on the Lord andHis ability. Her knowledge of Him gave her peace and confidence. Her faith in the power of Christ’s Name (Luke 10:17) made her stand her ground, rebuke the assailant in the Lord Jesus Christ's Name, and see him rendered powerless. This truth of appropriating Christ empowers His followers in every assault, whether in the mind (2 Cor. 10:3-6), emotion (Rom. 7:23+24), or body (2 Cor. 12:7). If the enemy is not repulsed, he is nevertheless defeated, and his attack is turned into a source of rejoicing as Paul’s thorn in the flesh was, which reminded him of his weakness and need to depend upon the Lord.

God is not calling us to he strong in and of ourselves. The arm of flesh will fail us. God is calling us to believe His Word, appropriate the empowering truth that makes followers of Christ, vessels who appropriate Christ and allow Him to live through them. Without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us (Phi. 4:13). He is the True Vine, from which life and power flow (John 15:1). We are the branches with potential to have His fruit produced in and through us. Recognize scriptural truth, by prayer and faith appropriate the truth, trusting the power of God to accomplish in and through you His perfect will.

Chapter 15 Outline

The Dynamics of Appropriating the Power of Christ

l. Victory in spiritual warfare comes through appropriating the power of Christ.

2. The enemy has power to impact the born-again in soul and body.

3. The power of Christ is able to overcome attacks to the soul and body.

I. THE BIBLE TESTIFIES OF GOD'S POWER MAKING BELIEVERS STAND IN VICTORY (Hebrews 11:1-40)

II. THE POWER OF CHRIST IS SUFFICIENT TO DEFEAT SATAN

(Colossians 1:12-17, 2:15)

III. THE ENEMY SEEKS TO INSTILL FEAR IN PEOPLE (I Peter 5:8)

IV. YOU MUST IDENTIFY WITH CHRIST, WHO IS YOUR LIFE

(2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3-4) _

V. ANIMISTS APPROPRIATE THE POWER OF SPIRITS (Isaiah 8:19)

VI. ANIMISTS CAN UNDERSTAND THE EMPOWERING OF MEN BY UNSEEN FORCES

(Acts 28:3-6) I

VII. APPROPRIATION REQUIRES THREE THINGS BEFORE CHRIST'S POWER BECOMES A REALITY IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER

A. See God's truth in Scripture (Psalm 119:105).

B. The truth must be believed (Hebrews 11:6).

C. The truth must be applied by steps of faith (James 1:21-25, 4:3, 5:7).

VIII. APPROPRIATING CHRIST'S POWER IS NECESSARY FOR VICTORY

(John 15:5; 2 Corinthians 12:7-9; Philippians 4:13)

IX. APPROPRIATION SHOULD BE MADE IN EVERY ATTACK, IN EVERY AREA

A. Attacks in the thinking processes (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). .

B. Attacks in the emotions (Romans 7:23-24).

C. Attacks in the body (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).

X. GOD'S POWER IS MANIFESTED TO THE WORLD THROUGH HIS CHILDREN

(Matthew 5:16; John 15:5-8; Philippians 4:13; 2 Corinthians 4:6-9)

1. The power of God is available to God's children.

2. His power flows through faith exercised in His Word.

3. Every Christian can and should be exercising the power of God in his life.

Chapter 16 .

Why Spiritual Warfare Comes to Followers of Christ

The Scriptures indicate that spiritual warfare comes to all followers of Christ. Paul said, “we

wrestle...against principalities, powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places“ (Eph. 6:12). Paul didn’t say warfare might come. He said, "having done all to stand. Stand therefore" (Eph. 6:13-14). He was saying, "Get set- it will surely come at you in full fury, but you can stand if you are properly equipped with the Word." Let's see the negative side of why spiritual warfare comes.

Spiritual warfare comes because the enemy hates you and wants to defeat, demoralize, and shame you into submitting to the world, the flesh, and the devil. Once you have accepted Christ, the enemy cannot keep you from heaven. But he can give you a little taste of hell on earth, as he attempts to cover the Lord’s light in you and keep others from being saved.

The enemy knows the battle ground and the rules of warfare well. Before he can do a follower of Christ damage, he must first lure the believer out from the protection and power of God. The protection of God comes from being in submission to the authority of God. Remember we can see the inferior power of the enemy in his method of attack. If he were a superior power, he would make a frontal assault and destroy us with overt attacks. Only in areas where darkness has ruled for long periods of time does the enemy openly attack- for example, the screaming demon that paralyzed missionary Otto Konig,13 and would have drown him if he had not used the Name of Jesus Christ to rebuke him. Most often enemy attacks are as Peter expressed in his instructions to followers of Christ: "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time" (I Peter 5:6). Spiritual warfare comes to move us from humility before God to a haughty or prideful attitude. The enemy knows humility before God exalts the follower of Christ and will draw others to Christ for salvation. So he seeks to move the Christian out from under the protective authority of God. A wrestling match goes on for control of your thinking and feeling.

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you" (I Peter 5:7). Spiritual warfare also comes trying to overwhelm you. If allowed, the adversary will put turmoil in your head and heart to such a degree that you become immobilized from the sheer weight of pressures on your mind and emotions. Again we are reminded that spiritual warfare is waged, for the most part, on the thinking process. As established earlier, the enemy can put thoughts into a believer's mind, but if the believer refuses to pick up all thoughts contrary to the truth of Gcd, and brings his thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ, the·enemy will be stopped. Spiritual warfare that applies God's truth in casting all care upon the Lord, spoils the adversary's attempt to crush the believer mentally and emotionally.

I Peter 5:8 says, "Se sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour." This shows interaction between the antagonist and intended victim. The follower of Christ has a very vicious, predatory enemy that is seeking to "devour" (drown, swallow) him. The Scripture pictures a very capable adversary circling an intended victim, but knowing that the victim has power to turn and reverse the situation, making the hunter the hunted. The Scripture also assures us that the enemy cannot hurt us unless we have opened a door of opportunity for him to enter.

This brings us to see the positive side of God’s allowing spiritual warfare to come to the followers of Christ. God is instilling a battle stance in His children. Before they were saved, they were pretty much left alone by the enemy, since he had them and could do as he willed (2

Tim. 2:26). But after they are saved the enemy sees their potential to glorify God, whom he hates. This is intolerable for Satan, who wants the glory for himself.

Scripture teaches the reality of spiritual warfare, but to the unsaved and immature Christian it is so much spiritual rhetoric, unreal. After salvation and the initial

infant stage in the Christian life, God has to allow the enemy to engage the baby Christian in spiritual warfare. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). The feelings of the new convert are so overwhelmingly positive in most cases that he has to be moved from a feeling-oriented walk into a faith walk based solely on the Word of God. Spiritual warfare is the pathway God has chosen to bring His children to maturity and eternal rewards treasured in heaven.

We can see this truth in the life and work of the Apostle Paul. In 2 Corinthians 12:7, Paul indicates he knows why the enemy is allowed toattackhim. He says, "lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me." It would have been very easy for Paul to get into a flesh walk by depending on his abilities and the truth revealed to him, to sustain and enable him to do the work of God. This is a trap that takes many Christians captive. Christians are vessels through which God wants to work. Only a continuous interaction with God through His Word, prayer, and Christian fellowship can one hope to see the work of God accomplished through him. No amount of talent or diplomas will replace the requirement of a strong and continuous dependence upon God for His work to be done.

Chapter 16 Outline

Why Spiritual Warfare Comes to Followers of Christ

1. Battling with the enemy is a spirtual reality.

2. Spiritual warfare comes from the enemy, who seeks our destruction. `

3. God allows spiritual warfare to come in order to stimulate our growth in the life and power of Christ.

I. SPIRITUAL WARFARE COMES TO ALL FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST

(Ephesians 6:12-14; I Peter 4:12-14)

II. SPIRITUAL WARFARE COMES FROM THE DEVIL

(I Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 2:9-11)

III. THE DEVIL IS A DEFEATED FOE (Colossians 2:15; Luke 10:19; Matthew 28:18-19)

IV. THE ENEMY SEEKS TO DRAW YOU FROM THE PROTECTION OF GOD'S AUTHORITY SO HE CAN HURT YOU (Job 1:8-10; James 4:6-7)

V. GOD ALLOWS SPIRITUAL ATTACKS FOR OUR GROWTH IN CHRIST

(Romans 8:28-29)

VI. GOD ALLOWS SPIRITUAL ATTACKS TO MAKE US SPIRIT WARRIORS

(2 Timothy 2:3-4)

VII. ·SPIRITUAL WARFARE SHOULD MOVE BELIEVERS FROM A FLESH WALK TO A SPIRIT WALK (Philippians 3:8-15)

1. Spiritual warfare is part of normal Christian growth.

2. The enemy seeks our destruction, but God allows it for our good.

3. Spiritual warfare gives a soldier's will and a value system based in eternity.

Chapter 17

The Benefits of Spiritual Warfare for Christians

Paul knew of his need for a continuous dependence upon God, and he knew the threat of the temptation to be his own man, armed only with the physical and spiritual revelations given to him at that time. "Not by might nor by power, but l by my spirit, saith the hord of hosts" (Zech. 4:6b). Paul didn't have a pity party and cry, "Why me?“ He took the thing immediately to God and didn't rest until the Word of God satisfied him that the attack had been turned from his hurt to God's glory, the furthering of God's kingdom, and for Paul's eternal good. Instead of asking, “Why?" Paul asked, "What?" and God let him know that it was for him to realize that God's grace was sufficient to get him through anything the enemy would throw at him. .

The right reaction to spirit attack brought Paul into a closer and stronger dependence upon God. This glorified his heavenly Father, brought rejoicing to his heart, furthered the kingdom, and left us a beautiful example of the proper way to react to spirit attack. Thankfully we do not know if Paul's attack was in his physical, emotional, or intellectual self. But we do know that when the enemy attacks, submitting to God and resisting the devil will glorify God and defeat the enemy.

Spiritual warfare brought Paul from his tendency to be self-sufficient to the point of taking pleasure in his infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions, and distresses. Paul was the winner because spirit attack drove him to seek God in his need, better equipped him for future encounters, and brought him one step closer to his crown of life. "The devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Rev. 2:10).

Through spiritual warfare, God is teaching us to follow Christ by following His Word, and not to follow our own intellect, feelings, or circumstances. God has declared our position of power (Eph. l:l9~23, 2:6). He wants us to appropriate and exercise His power in the battle for the souls of men and women, boys and girls. He wants us to strengthen our abiding fellowship with Him (John l5:7; James 4:6-l0). He wants us to daily put our armour on (Eph. 6:10-12). He wants us to renew our minds daily in His Word (Rom. 12:2). He wants us to confront and defeat the devil's lie in our daily thoughts, emotions, and choices (2 Cor. 10:3-6). God would have us believe and claim His promise to bruise Satan under our feet (Rom. 16:20). These are a few of the benefits God offers through spiritual warfare. The wise person will lay claim to them.

Chapter 17 Outline

The Benefits of Spiritual Warfare for Christians

1. God calls Christians to total dependence upon Him.

2. It is how you react to things that decides if they are for the good or for the bad.

3. There are many benefits when we react by faith and not unbelief.

I. LEARNING TO ALWAYS DEPEND UPON GOD IS A BENEFIT (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

II. LEARNING TO AVOID PITY PARTIES IS A BENEFIT (2 Corinthians 11:23-30)

III. LEARNING TO REACT BY FAITH IS A BENEFIT (Romans 7:21-25)

IV. LEARNING THAT GOD WORKS THROUGH WEAK VESSELS IS A BENEFIT

(I Corinthians 1:26-31) .

V. LEARNING TO FOLLOW GOD'S TRUTH AND NOT THE DEVIL'S LIE IS A BENEFIT

(Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 11:6: 2 Corinthians 10:3-6)

1. Spiritual warfare is designed of God for our benefit.

2. Reacting to situations and circumstances by faith in scriptural truth is God’s design for us.

3. Following Jesus and fighting for the souls of men should be the end result of involvement in spiritual warfare.

Chapter 18

The Soldier God is Creating

The soldier God is creating from the follower of Christ is seen by looking at the Captain of his salvation. The Lord Jesus Christ was sent to confront, challenge, and defeat the rebel spirit Lucifer. Our Captain didn't come showing himself strong, but just the opposite. He came in the form of weak humanity, totally dependent upon His Heavenly Father, and totally submissive to His Father's will.

How beautiful the plan and power of our God. The rebel, Lucifer, chose independence and rebellion for his own path and the path for rebel planet earth. Now God chose the opposite path of submission and dependence on Him, for His children to win back His lost creation.

The Lord Jesus Christ told us, "...in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). We have a battle to fight and our own victory to enter into. Jesus won the victory. We are to enter into his victory and overcome the enemy in the areas that he sends us to. "Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you" (John 20:21). God sent His son to confront, challenge, and defeat the rebel spirit that held men captive. Jesus overcame the world, the flesh, and the devil and won our salvation. He now sends us to confront, challenge, and defeat the enemy and win the lost by the good news of His Gospel. There will be spiritual battles to fight, but He overcame the world and so can we, while retaining His peace in the process. Other soldiers have gone before us, Adoniram Judson, Hudson Taylor, Fred Donnelson, Bob Hughes- men who victoriously walked in faith. These are the soldiers God is raising up through spiritual warfare. The victory is yours, but you must fight the good fight of

faith.

l Chapter 18 Outline

The Soldier God is Creating

l. Military terms are used throughout the New Testament.

2. It is evident that God is raising up soldiers.

3. His soldiers are raised up to rescue captives from the enemy's camp.

I. JESUS CHRIST IS THE ROLE MODEL FOR CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS (Hebrews 2:10)

II. JESUS CHRIST TOTALLY SUBMITTED TO HIS HEAVENLY FATHER

(Matthew 26:36-44)

III. JESUS CHRIST CAME TO DESTROY SATAN'S WORK (I John 3:8)

IV. JESUS CHRIST OVERCAME THE WORLD. THE FLESH. AND THE DEVIL

(Matthew 4:1-11: John 16:33)

V. JESUS CHRIST MADE FREEDOM POSSIBLE FOR ALL, BECAUSE HE WAS A GOOD SOLDIER (Ephesians 4:7-15)

VI. JESUS CHRIST HAS SENT US AS SOLDIERS TO RESCUE THE CAPTIVES

(John 20:21; 2 Timothy 2:25-26)

VII. JESUS CHRIST LED OTHERS IN VICTORY, AND HE WILL MAKE US VICTORIOUS ALSO (Hebrews 12:1-4)

l. Jesus Christ fought a good fight and won the victory.

2. His victory now offers victory for all who deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Jesus acceptably.

3. He calls for you to victory and to delivering others from the enemy's camp.

Chapter 19

Spiritual Warfare and Christian Effectiveness

Satan boldly declared that the kingdoms of this world were delivered unto him. The Lord Jesus Christ declared that all power in heaven and earth was given unto Him. Without question there is a power struggle in the making.

The power struggle is not between God and Satan or Jesus and Satan. Jesus has been seated in heaven until his enemies are made his footstool (Heb. 1:13). The struggle, the "wrestle," is between the followers of Christ, who are indwelt with the Spirit of God, and the enemies of Christ. Our commission is to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. There is going to be opposition from the god of this world and those he has deceived.

Our effectiveness in confronting the enemy with the Gospel is going to depend upon our awareness and ability in spiritual warfare. If he can plant seed thoughts of sin, doubt, or division, he will. If he can put such intense pressure on you that you become emotionally upset, he will. If he can send a spirit to inflict some physical malady upon you or family members, he will. If he can raise opposition against you from the people around you or the host culture of a missionary, he will. If he can lead you into the velvet trap of sin, he will.

These and countless other things are tools of the devil to try and drive you to the defensive. You will not always advance on, or challenge him, if you are on the defensive. He knows this, but sad to say, many followers of Christ do not. Being unaware of the principles of spiritual warfare, when the enemy attacks they pull back wounded and very often a casualty. Your effectiveness in confronting the enemy depends upon your awareness and ability to use spritual warfare principles.

Never be surprised by Satan's attack or by its intensity. Never be forced on the defensive.14 The Lord Jesus Christ said, "Go." We are to be on the offensive. Christians often get into the compound mentality of setting up a secure place and waiting for the local population to come hear the good news. Christ sent us to challenge and defeat the enemy with the Gospel around the world. Your effectiveness will depend upon your having a warfare mentality and advancing on the enemy with the strategy, authority, and the power of Christ. Employing spiritual warfare truths keeps you on the offensive against the enemy. We are more than conquerors through him that loved us (Rom. 8:37). The truth of God is manifested by your ability to stay on the offensive, challenging and defeating the enemy, in whose territory God has placed you.

Chapter 19 Outline

Spiritual Warfare and Christian Effectiveness

1. God wants His children to impact their world with the Gospel.

2. The enemy works to make the Children of God ineffective.

3. The Word of God imparts power to help us have the impact God wants us to have.

I. THE POWER OF CHRIST IS AVAILABLE TO MAKE US EFFECTIVE SOLDIERS

(Matthew 28:18-20)

II. THE BATTLES FOR SOULS MUST BE FOUGHT BY GOD’S CHILDREN

(Ephesians 6:12; Acts 26:15-19)

III. YOUR EFFECTIVENESS DEPENDS UPON YOUR ABILITY TO IDENTIFY THE ENEMY (2 Corinthians 11:12-15; I Thessalonians 2:18)

IV. YOUR EFFECTIVENESS DEMANDS RECOGNITION OF THE ENEMY AND HIS TACTICS

A. He plants seeds of sin, doubt, and division (Matthew 13:24-25. 36-39).

B. He puts you under heavy pressures (Matthew 26:69-75).

C. He afflicts you in both body and soul (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).

D. He raises opposition to you (Acts 14:11-19).

E. He leads you into sin (Acts 5:1-3)

V. SATAN SEEKS TO KEEP YOU ON THE DEFENSIVE (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)

VI. CHRIST COMMANDS THAT WE TAKE THE OFFENSIVE

(John 20:21; Luke 10:1-3, 17-20; Matthew 28:18-20)

VII. EFFECTIVENESS COMES FROM A MILITANT CONFIDENCE IN THE WORD OF GOD (Romans 8:35-39, 16:20)

1. Christian effectiveness comes from the power that flows through faith and application of God's Word.

2. God's power comes through faith in His Word.

3. Faith applied to God's Word brings His power to make us effective.

Chapter 20

Victory Is Sure

The victory we seek is not victory as the world sees it. Victory for the Christian is to fulfill the plan that God has for him. Victory for the enemy is to keep us from fulfilling the plan God has for our life. The Lord Jesus Christ said, "my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). Trouble and fear are the weapons that the enemy uses to steal our peace and spoil our victoriously fulfilling God's plan.

It is God's provision that brings the victory. "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God" (2 Cor. 3:5). As we focus on the sufficiency of God and remember and scripturally use the positional and delegated power and authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, we walk in victory.

Victory hinges upon your focus. The mind that is stayed upon God has peace. But by the same principle, the mind that is distracted from God loses peace. The peace that passeth understanding is the stablished, strengthened, and settled ground that enables us to be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, which is walking in victory.

Defeat also hinges on your focus. If you take your eyes off the Lord, you soon become like Peter and begin to sink into the waves of trouble the enemy wants you to focus on. Our victory walk rests in maintaining our vessel identity and focusing on the enabling power of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Scriptures clearly show this.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body of the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. (2 Cor. 4:7-10)

Our sufficiency certainly is of God. His power has been put into us earthen vessels of Gideon, even so the light, Spirit, and power of God is in the followers of Christ. Gideon's three hundred smashed their vessels, which is a type of mortifying our members, in order for their light to shine. The shout that God commanded from Gideon and his men put the enemy in terror and fighting among themselves. The sufficiency of God enables us to do in the spirit-realm exactly what Gideon did in the physical. Your sufficiency is of God: His light, His Spirit, His Word, His blood, His rhema (His truth spoken by you). His way, His life, living in and through us, makes us sufficient. Glory to God!

God has also provided us spiritual weapons for certain victory. Our armor was issued to us the day we received Christ as our personal Saviour. His truth, righteousness (imputed to us sinners), His Gospel, faith, salvation and His Word are weapons that He has issued to us. As we follow the basic training manual, the Bible, He teaches us the principles and use of our armor. The enemy gives us plenty of opportunity to put the principle of our weapons into practical application.

The Lord assures us that our weapons are sufficient for the battles of our spiritual walk. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongho1ds)" (2 Cor; 10:3-4). Our weapons are mighty weapons through God, and can pull down enemy strongholds within or without the follower of Christ or the territory that the Lord has sent him into.

In addition to the armor of Ephesians 6, the Lord has given us other weapons that must be employed in spiritual warfare. In Revelation 12:10 the Word tells how the accuser, Satan, accused the followers of Christ before God day and night. Then in verse 11 God shows the weapons that were used to overcome the accuser. "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death." The weapons used to overcome the accuser were the Blood of Christ, the word of their testimony (the Scriptures they had appropriated and applied by faith), and the love they fastened upon the Lord, and not upon this present life. When the accuser comes within or without tempting you in your thinking, feeling, or circumstances, these weapons must be used if you are to walk in victory.

The last victory weapon we will look at is an overlooked and often neglected one, until the enemy has turned the victory walk into a hasty retreat and he very often has the defeated Christian by the throat. Prayer is that often neglected weapon. Ephesians 6:18 says, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverence and supplication for all saints." This gives us a picture of the followers always in a conscious communication with their Lord. My son, a Desert Storm Marine, related a story of his unit in a personnel carrier that got too far out front. They were part of a pincer operation and had friendly forces coming at them, who mistook them for the enemy, and were about to bring them under fire. My son's-unit heard the preparation for attack against them and were able to alert the friendly forces of their identity, and stop the attack. This illustrates the importance of being in constant communication with the head of operations, our Heavenly Father, if we are to know the friendly from the unfriendly, and how to respond to each situation and circumstance.

The Lord would have us always keep an inner communication with Him and be poised in anticipation of prayer needs we continually face or for those whom He makes us aware of. What a privilege to do battle for our great King. We are more than conguerors. Victory is ours!

Chapter 20 Outline

Victory Is Sure

1. The Lord creates winners from sinners, who enter the joy of victory.

2. Victory is sure because God equips His saints.

3. Victory is the Lord's and He gives us the joy of entering into victory. `

I. VICTORY FOR THE CHRISTIAN IS WALKING IN GOD'SPLAN FOR HIS LIFE

(I John 5:1-5)

II. THE ENEMY SEEKS YOUR DEFEAT THROUGH FEAR AND TROUBLE

(John 14:27-30) y

III. VICTORY OR DEFEAT COMES BY FOCUSING OR FAILING TO FOCUS ON GOD'S SUFFICIENCY

A. A focus on God is victory (John 15:5-7; 2 Corinthians 3:5, 4:7-10).

B. A focus on the negative, on fear or trouble, brings defeat

(Matthew 14:28-30; Isaiah 26:3-5; I Thessalonians 5:24).

IV. GOD HAS ARMED US FOR VICTORY

(2 Corinthians 10:3-4; Ephesians 6:10-18; Revelation 12:10)

V. VICTORY IS ALWAYS PRECEDED BY WARFARE PRAYER

(Ephesians 6:18; Matthew 26:41; Psalm 91:15)

1. Christians are created for victory.

2. The Christian victory is the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. The victory is enjoyed experientially by applying the weapons and instructions God has given.

Chapter 21

The Realities of Spiritual Warfare

Theologians continue to debate evidences whether demons have ability to influence or control believers. C. Fred Dickason did an exhaustive study considering three lines of evidence in this question: Biblical evidence, theological evidence, and clinical evidence. His conclusion was that believers can be demonized. “Demonization is basically a demon-caused passivity or the control of a demon over a person that manifests itself in various ways and to various degrees.”15

The enemy affects the believer by invading his thinking processes, his emotions, his physical condition, and his circumstances. A brief consideration of demonic influence in these areas is necessary to comprehend the realities of spiritual warfare.

Followers of Christ all encounter demonic attack in their thinking processes. The Word says our "weapons are mighty through God" and their use must begin in our thinking processes (2 Cor. 10:4-5). All Christians have negative thoughts, or stinking thinking, but the enemy can exploit the follower of Christ by implanting thoughts that are critical, fault-finding, self-righteous, resist accountability, unapologetic to others, exaggerate the truth to impress or deceive, lewd, blasphemous, daydreaming, fantasizing, obsessive about money, sex, food, or revenge, negative to self, unclean, loveless, or self-destructive.l6 These and others may not be from the enemy, but the enemy certainly can implant and exploit them as he tries to keep the follower of Christ from finding and fulfilling God's plan for his life.

The follower of Christ is also vulnerable to enemy attack in his emotions. The enemy can stir emotions of unforgiveness, blaming others, rebellion, indepenedence, inexplicable depression, anxiety attacks, anxiety over personal health or safety, feelings of hatred, anger, rage, impatience, bitterness, superiority, stubbornness, accusing others, jealousy, helpless, hopeless, closed, cornered, obscene, fear you will harm a loved one, fear you are losing it, fear you lost youe salvation, fear you committed an unpardonable sin, horror, dread, terror for no apparent

reason. These emotions may or may not be from the enemy, but he can and will implant or exploit them.

The Biblical world view demands that the followers of Christ see the world as the Scriptures depict it. The Biblical world view is REALITY. Neil Anderson said, "approximately one-fourth of all the healings recorded in the gospel of Mark were actually deliverances from demonic activity."

Many people I have counseled came with physical problems which disappeared shortly after the demonic influence was dealt with. The most common symptoms I have seen are headaches, dizziness, and general pain throughout the body.17

C. Fred Dickason relates his counselling a pastor's wife who had suffered demonic oppression. In addition to the suffering she was experiencing in oppression of mind and emotion, she also had the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Dickason and the pastor, her husband, ended the oppression through prayer and counselling.,

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis completely disappeared .... This case illustrates the overt effect that demonization may produce in the life of a Christian who has had ancestral or personal background in occult practices. She had both physical and mental disturbances, but Christ relieved them by the removal of the demons who had caused them.18

Many other cases could be produced documenting the ability of demons to cause followers of Christ physical affliction, but these were presented because I have personally talked with these men, who are both Baptist in their doctrine and anti-pentecostal in practice.

These men and others in the forefront of spiritual warfare are exposing the spirit of today's tongue talkers for what it is, a fraud. Several have used I John 4:l-3 to try the spirit of tongue talkers who have volunteered. In case after case, the spirit when ordered in the Name of the

Lord Jesus Christ to confess if Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, has proven itself to be a demon that is deceiving the person who has opened themselves up to demon invasion. These demons are actually able to control the person's nervous system to the degree that they speak through the individual.

We Baptists must wake up to the hour in which God has placed us. We are doctrinally sound; in soul winning and in church planting unsurpassed. But we are starting to suffer in our churches and missionary outreach as never before.

A brief look at some of our Baptist Bible Fellowship Missionary statistics will illustrate our need for a great rush to the front in spiritual warfare. .

B.B.F.I. MISSIONARIES APPROVED FROM 1970 to 1979 .... 421

B.B.F.I. MISSIONARIES RESIGNED FROM 1970 to 1979 .... l58

PERCENTAGE OF MISSIONARIES RESIGNED COMPARED TO

THOSE BEING APPROVED (1970 to 1979) ............ over 25%

B.B.F.I. MISSIONARIES APPROVED FROM 1980 to 1989 .... 444

B.B.F.I. MISSIONARIES RESIGNED FROM 1980 to 1989 .... 225

PERCENTAGE OF MISSIONARIES-RESIGNING COMPARED TO

THOSE BEING APPROVED (1980 te 1989) ......... ...over 50%

IN THE SAME PERIOD DEATHS INCREASED ................ 400%19

"B.B.F. missionaries have many personal conflicts...Sometimes they have to be brought before the Mission Committee, which results in resignation. Reasons for this conflict are varied: ethics, family, money, etc., but I am convinced that deeper problems lie behind the

missionary conflicts."20

The following reasons were given for B.B.F. missionary resignations:

l) field problems, including being confused concerning the call of God, culture shock, learning a language, the missionary-National relationship, missionary interrelationships, improper training, and unproductivity;

2) family problems; 3) health problems, including medical, emotional, and mental problems;

4) financial problems;

5) moral problems; and

6) policy and philosophy problems.

God's people do have a multitude of problems and pressures. But God has promised to supply all our needs. The problem is not in God's supply. His provision must be appropriated and applied by the follower of Christ. The Lord says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). It is time that we shed our western scientific world view, take God's Biblical world view and battle the enemy with the tools that God has provided.

Brother Baird expressed the importance of the proper training of missionaries: "Because a missionary has Bible college training, serves an internship, and completes the seminar before approval, does not necessarily qualify him for being a successful missionary. The missionary must apply what he learns to have an effective ministry. When missionaries without proper training try to minister and establish churches in another culture and in a strange language, they usually end up in defeat."21

The realities of spiritual warfare will continue to take their toll, until followers of Christ are made aware of the battle they are in, taught the tools and methods, and begin appropriating and applying the provision of God for spiritual warfare.

Chapter 21 Outline .

The Realities of Spiritual Warfare

l. Many Christians debate the reality of spiritual warfare.

2. Much evidence proves the reality of spiritual warfare.

3. Christians are vulnerable to demonic attack and oppression.

I. THERE IS A CONTINUING DEBATE ABOUT THE ABILITY OF CHRISTIANS TO BE DEMONIZED (Galatians 5:1)

II. DEMONIZATION AFFECTS THE THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS OF INDIVIDUALS

(Acts 5:1-5: I Chronicles 21:1)

III. THE ENEMY MUST BE CONFRONTED ON THE BATTLEFIELD l OF THE MIND

(2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

IV. THE ENEMY MUST BE CONFRONTED WHEN HE ATTACKS THE BODY OR SOUL OF MAN (I John 4:1-3; Luke 13:16)

V. MANY CASUALTIES OCCUR AMONG THOSE FIGHTING THE ENEMY IN HIS STRONGHOLDS (Philippians 2:25-27)

VI. GOD'S SUPPLY MUST BE APPROPRIATED BY FAITH (Hosea 4:6: James 4:1-2)

VII. THE BIBLICAL WORLD VIEW ALONE WILL MAKE BELIEVERS APPROPRIATE GOD'S PROVISION TO BATTLE THE ENEMY OF MEN'S SOULS

(Ephesians 6:10-l8; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6)

1. The Bible ends the debate over the ability of spirits to attack Christians.

2. A Biblical world view shows the need for God's provision.

3. His provision comes through seeing it in His Word and appropriating it by faith.

Chapter 22

Confronting the Enemy in Spiritual Warfare

Rest assured the enemy will confront the believer from within and without. If he can, the enemy will render you and your ministry ineffective by the turmoil within and the trouble without. The believer must learn to take the initiative in the spiritual battle. Christ has equipped his Children for victory.

Christians can confront Satan in his own territory. They have positional authority in the Lord (Eph. 2:6). They have delegated authority from the Lord (Luke 10:17, 19). They have delegated power from Him (Matt. 28:18-20). Authority and power are different. Authority gives the policeman the right to stop a vehicle, but physically he is not able to stop one resisting his authority. Power, on the other hand, is like a twenty-foot cube of concrete: it can stop the automobile.22 In Christ we have both power and authority in the spiritual realm. Victory is sure if we fight according to the Word and provision of God (Matt 16:18).

Followers of Christ must take the initiative when the enemy confronts them. Everything the Lord has supplied is for advancing on the enemy. The devil would close every door of opportunity for service if he is allowed to (Acts 13:8-12). A lack of knowledge and understanding, not the lack of power or authority, keeps saints from taking the initiative in spiritual warfare (Eph. l:l5r23). Followers of Christ must use Christ's positional authority and delegated power (Phi. 2:10-13).

When God says go, we must go (Matt. 28:19). When God says you can do it, you can do it (Phi. 4:13). God says, submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7). These are basic truths that must be remembered, appropriated, and employed in spiritual warfare.

There are seven basic steps a person must take in personally responding_to suspected spirit attack in their thinking, feeling, or circumstances.

l) Recognize intellectual opposition, emotional upset and stress, even physical problems may

have spiritual roots.

2) Exercise your will by choosing to do what God's Word says in order to correct the

problem.

3) Repent if there has been any wrong doing on your part. You must regret, repent, and

forsake the sin if you hope to avoid demonization. Repentence deals with our attitude toward sin.

4) Confess, acknowledge that you have sinned and confess it to God (I John 1:9).

5) Reclaim the area that was yielded to the enemy.

This is the work of God. Ask Him. "He restoreth my soul? (Psa. 23:3).

6) Forgive fully any that have offended you (Matt. 18:22-35). Failure to forgive opens up

an individual for demonic oppression.

7) Remove the strongholds that were built as a result of ground being yielded to Satan (2 Cor. 10:3-5). It is important to build strongholds of truth in the areas that the enemy was able

to exploit in times past.23

In confronting the enemy, there are five primary deliverance models.

1) The Authority Model, which is used primarily by the Roman Catholic church as a

sacramental work of the church. Protestants using this model believe pastors and elders hold the authority, and limit spiritual warfare to only a few.

2) The Power Model uses authority and power they believe delegated from Christ.

Practitioners believe this power and authority has been transferred to only a few through spiritual gifts. The power encounter is mainly used in Protestant and Catholic charismatic circles. In the power encounter, manifestations are often involved where the demon shows itself through the individual or by physical poltergeist phenomenon. Very often information is drawn from the demon, who speaks through the demonized individual. Expulsion is done by Power Encounter with or without the cooperation of the demonized individual.

3) The Resistance Model holds that the power of Christ is for resistance only. Resisting the

enemy is the basis of this model. The model is weak for those trapped in demonization, which brings apathy and a weakness of will.

4) The Psychological Model uses therapy as the primary way of circumventing demonization. 5) The Truth Model confronts the devil's lie with the truth of God. This model uses truth

instead of power to dislodge the demon. The Truth Model does not cast out demons. They confront the demonic lie with God's truth. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 is a scriptural basis of the Truth Model. The will of the demonized person is critical. They must be ready and want to be free of demonization. The battle centers around the mind, which must choose to exercise the truth of God and resist the lie of the demon. Choosing what you are going to think, speak, and do based upon the truth of God and His enabling power is the Truth Model. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).24

Chapter 22 Outline

Confronting the Enemy in Spiritual Warfare

l. The enemy will surely come against believers from within and without.

2. God has provided resources for every enemy attack.

3. We must know, appropriate, and apply the truths that God has provided us in His Word.

I. THE ENEMY WILL COME AGAINST THE BELIEVER

(Zechariah 3:1: Matthew 4:1; I Peter 5:8)

II. THE ENEMY CAN BE CONFRONTED ON HIS OWN TERRITORY

(Matthew 16:18, 28:18-20; Luke 10:17-19)

III. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN.POWER AND AUTHORITY

A. Power is the ability to do a thing (Ephesians 1:19).

B. Authority is the delegated right and responsibility to do a thing (Ephesians 1:20-23).

IV. THE EIGHT BASIC STEPS FOR RESPONDING TO SUSPECTED SPIRIT ATTACKS

A. Recognize the problem (in thinking, feeling, or circumstance] might have a spiritual root.

B. Choose to do God’s will in correcting the problem.

C. Repent of any sin or wrong doing you have committed.

D. Confess the sin to the Lord.

E. Ask God to reclaim any and all ground that may have been yielded to the enemy.

F. Forgive fully any that have offended you.

G. Tear down any strongholds erected as a result of yielding ground.

H. Build strongholds of truth to replace strongholds of the enemy's lies.

V. THE FIVE PRIMARY DELIVERANCE MODELS BEING USED

A. The Authority Model: power rests with institution of the church.

B. The Power Model uses power against power.

C. The Resistance Model uses only resistance.

D. The Psychological Model uses therapy.

E. The Truth Model uses God’s Word to defeat the enemy.

l. The enemy will come to try the believer.

2. God has provided authority and power to defeat the enemy.

3. We must know, appropriate, and apply the truth in order to defeat the enemy.

Conclusion

Spiritual warfare is a reality. The follower of Christ will be tried in his thinking, feeling, and circumstances daily. The enemy was defeated on the cross by our Lord Jesus Christ. He is still powerful, but he is under positional and delegated power of the born-again Christian who is walking in fellowship with the Lord. He uses the lie, trying to gain ground in the believer's life to build a stronghold that he can operate from and create havoc in the person's life.

World view holds a very important place in spiritual warfare. There are basically three world views:

western

scientific

animist

and the Biblical world view.

Christians should have a Biblical world view, but unfortunately most retain the world view they were born-again from.

The Bible describes the nature and methods of the enemy, who is able to penetrate the believer with progressive severity. People have different responses, but the victory walk depends upon the power and authority of Christ being appropriated and exercised by the follower of Christ.

Spiritual warfare comes for different reasons, but the Lord allows it for the benefit of the follower of Christ. The Lord wants His followers to be effective in their spiritual warfare. He looks forward to rejoicing with the victors. spiritual warfare is real, and God has given us the authority, power, and methods that assure a victory walk. Those sincerely seeking, appropriating, and exercising the spiritual warfare God has called them to will wear the victor's crown.

End Notes

1. Ed L. Bausell, Missionary Basic Training Pamphlet, (South Dakota, 1992).

2. C. Fred Diokason, "Demon Possession and the Christian," (Illinois, 1987) p. 37.

3. Honore W. Morrow, "Splendor of God," p. 11.

4. James Sire, "The Universe Nest Door," (Illinois, 1967) p. 17. A

5. Timothy M. Warner, "Spiritual Warfare," (Illinois, 1991) p. 24-25.

6. ibid., p. 26.

7. Isla., p. 27.

8. Dickason, p. 101-127.

9. Neil T. Anderson, "The Bondage Breaker," (Oregon, 1990) p. 185-204.

10. Jim Logan, "Why Satan Attacks the Mind" Handout notes.

11. ibid.

12. Anderson, p. 18.

13. Rev. Otto Konig, "The Snake Story," Tape from Institute in Basic Life Principles,

(Illinois, 1993).

14. Dr. Kwast, Class Notes, Biola University, "Spiritual Warfare," 1991

15. Dickason, p. 217.

16..Dr. Kwast, Lecture Notes, 1991.

17. Anderson, p. 31.

18. Dickason, p. 226-227.

19. Bob Baird, ”Why Missionaries Resign: A Study in Attrition," Baptist Bible Tribune Missions Addition, (August, 1990) p. 25.

20. Ibid., p. 24.

21. Ibid., p. 24.

22. Anderson, p. 59-60.

23. Jim Logan, Handout Notes.

24. Dr. Kwast, 1991.

Works Cited

Anderson, Neil T. The Bondage Breaker.

Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1990.

Baird, Robert. why Missionaries Resign: A Study in Attrition.

Springfield, MO: Baptist Bible Tribune, Missions Edition, 1990.

Bausell, Ed L. Missionary Basic Training.

Mission, SD: Arrows, 1992.

Dickason, D. Fred. Demon Possession and the Christian.

Westchester, IL: Crossway Books, 1990.

Konig, Otto. The Snake Story. Videotape, Bill Gothard Industries.

Oakbrook, IL: Institute in Basic Life Principles, 1993.

Kwast, Dr. David. Biola University Class Notes.

California, 1991.

Logan, James. Why Satan Attacks the Mind.

Sioux City, IA: International Center for Biblical

Counselling, 1992.

Morrow, Honore W. Sglendor of God.

Mattituck, NY: Amereon Ltd., n.d.

Sire, James. The Universe Next Door.

Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1976.

Warner. Timothy W. -Sgiritua1 Warfare.

Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1991.