Warfare Spirituality part 6
Warfare Spirituality: After discussing the 1st
two battlefronts, we will now consider what the Scriptures teach concerning the
Enemy of our soul, Satan and his demons (fallen angels)
Warfare with the Devil and His Angels
Finally, be strong in
the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can
take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against
flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the
powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the
heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day
of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done
everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13
1. The Nature and Work of Satan
Then he showed me
Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him.
The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?" Zechariah 3:1-2
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert,
where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread."
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'"
The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.
And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.
So if you worship me, it will all be yours."
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'"
The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here.
For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;
they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"
Jesus answered, "It says: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. Luke 4:1-13
How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!
You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. Isaiah 14:12-13
But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3
But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" Jude 1:9
The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?" Zechariah 3:1-2
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert,
where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread."
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'"
The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.
And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.
So if you worship me, it will all be yours."
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'"
The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here.
For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;
they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"
Jesus answered, "It says: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. Luke 4:1-13
How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!
You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. Isaiah 14:12-13
But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3
But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" Jude 1:9
·
Names That
Reveal His Position and Power
ü The
ruler of this world (John 12:31; 16:11)-He is the prince of the world system.
ü The
prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2)-His forces surround the earth.
ü The god
of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4)-He influences the changing philosophies and
politics of this planet.
ü The
ruler of the demons (Matthew 12:24; Luke 11:15)-He leads a host of demonic
forces.
ü Lucifer
(Isaiah 14:12; cf. 2 Corinthians 11:14)-He was a light bearer in his original
state, and since his fall, he disguises himself as an angel of light.
ü The
serpent of old (Revelation 12:9)-He has been at work since the beginning of
human history.
ü The
great dragon (Revelation 12:3-4,7,9)-He is a fierce and destructive enemy.
·
Names That
Reveal His Practices
ü Satan,
or adversary (Zechariah 3:1; Luke 22:3; 1 Peter 5:8)-He is a relentless
opponent of believers.
ü Devil,
or slanderer (Luke 4:2; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:9)-He works to defame God
and His children.
ü The
evil one (John 17:15; 1 John 5:18)-He is completely corrupt.
ü The
destroyer (Revelation 9:11)-He seeks to destroy physical and spiritual life.
ü The
tempter (Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5)-He entices people to do evil.
ü The
accuser (Revelation 12:10)-He accuses us before God and works to make us
condemn ourselves.
ü The
deceiver (Revelation 12:9; 20:3)-He promotes false philosophies and spiritual
counterfeits.
ü A
murderer (John 8:44)-He seeks the death of his victims.
ü A liar,
and the father of lies (John 8:44)-His promises and enticements are false.
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