Spiritual Warfare

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Episkopos

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Spiritual warfare, as the name implies, is not against flesh and blood. It is in the realm we are being called to as salvation in this present time.
There are 2 levels of warfare for the would-be saint.

There is the personal battle...and the war to win the world for Christ.

What is little known, or so it seems, is that as we lay down our lives for the bigger battle....the little battles take care of themselves. As we get our eyes off of ourselves this tends to take care of the personal battles...which pop up when we are unoccupied with the things of God. So then focusing on the battles for the Lord causes the personal battles to diminish in a significant way. Of course the enemy, as he feels threatened in his kingdom, will seek to attack a saint personally. But this kind of attack is not the generic difficulty that so many have in their personal walks.

So many believers get bogged down with their own desires for this world...that they have no need of specific attacks against them in order to neutralize them.

So then we are to be soldiers of Christ....soldiers ready to lay down their lives for Christ and His kingdom.

But these soldiers need a fighting spirit.
 
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Episkopos

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Fighting spirit? Isn't that part of the Holy Spirit? No.


WE are to provide the fighting spirit. Peter says in 2 Peter 1 that we are to add virtue first to our faith. Who adds this? WE do. But what is virtue?

Virtue is fighting spirit. Arete in Greek is the quality of warriors like Achilles and Leonidas...in Greek lore. So the Greeks knew what arete was.

What is the mind of Christ? We are to be warriors together that stand up against the enemy. But we need fighting spirit to do this.

Many people have the wrong kind of fighting spirit...that is used against their own kind...or flesh and blood. But this is not the mind of Christ. The mind of men sees men as the problem. Arguing over petty pet doctrines serves the enemy not Christ. Now if only that fighting spirit that presently tilts at windmills could be harnessed to stand against the real enemy.

A soldier must not look to his own security. A good soldier already considers himself as dead BEFORE the fight. This way he has a chance to win.

But the churches of today are rarely if ever on a war footing. So often the pastor seems more like an entertainment director on a cruise ship than as an officer on the watch on a warship.

And if you speak of a fighting spirit...people react that this isn't Christian....we are to be gentle. But are we to be gentle with the enemy?

So then a true soldier of Christ is gentle with people ...as gentle as a lamb. But with the enemy he is to be as a lion in courage and fighting spirit.
 
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Episkopos

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Many people have heard and received a kind of gospel that appeals to the flesh. Self-interest is both invoked and encouraged. People care so much for getting "saved."

But we need to lose our lives for Christ. We need to get our eyes off of ourselves and die for a good cause. THEN the Lord will show us His life.

A coward has no place in God. The fearful are outside the kingdom of God.

The Vietnam war was just one more example that you cannot win a war against people who are not afraid to die...waged by people who are afraid to die. The fearless ones will always prevail.

So then where is that quality in God's army?

Why so many self-interested ones? Why so many looking for an eternal security blanket? Why so many looking to just be safe?

The problem is in the propaganda campaign of the enemy and the lack of knowledge in they who take preaching the gospel as a career in this world. The problem is in the presentation of the gospel.

But one can always turn to the Lord.

So we are to count the cost and join up into God's spiritual army. But we need to bring some fighting spirit! :)
 

Episkopos

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In the later days of the Roman army...almost all the brave warriors were auxiliaries. The Romans had gone soft (like us) so they needed to find mercenaries among the barbarians who had a tremendous arete (manly fighting spirit). The Romans themselves were more occupied with building things...like roads or aqueducts.

But the real fighting was left to those who were willing to fight and die.

So we have a conundrum. We need people who are very gentle and kind towards others. Yet monster warriors in the Spirit.

What we have is usually exactly the opposite.
 
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VictoryinJesus

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Fighting spirit? Isn't that part of the Holy Spirit? No.


WE are to provide the fighting spirit. Peter says in 2 Peter 1 that we are to add virtue first to our faith. Who adds this? WE do. But what is virtue?

Virtue is fighting spirit. Arete in Greek is the quality of warriors like Achilles and Leonidas...in Greek lore. So the Greeks knew what arete was.

What is the mind of Christ? We are to be warriors together that stand up against the enemy. But we need fighting spirit to do this.

Many people have the wrong kind of fighting spirit...that is used against their own kind...or flesh and blood. But this is not the mind of Christ. The mind of men sees men as the problem. Arguing over petty pet doctrines serves the enemy not Christ. Now if only that fighting spirit that presently tilts at windmills could be harnessed to stand against the real enemy.

A soldier must not look to his own security. A good soldier already considers himself as dead BEFORE the fight. This way he has a chance to win.

But the churches of today are rarely if ever on a war footing. So often the pastor seems like an entertainment director on a cruise ship...and not as an officer on the watch on a warship.

And if you speak of a fighting spirit...people react that this isn't Christian....we are to be gentle. But are we to be gentle with the enemy?

So then a true soldier of Christ is gentle with people ...as gentle as a lamb. But with the enemy he is to be as a lion in courage and fighting spirit.

Are we not to overcome evil with good? When evil comes and it will; isn’t our arsenal completely different than the enemies? This world says no one... not even God can win without a fight. God laid down His life for His enemies. Love trumps evil. Romans 12:19-21 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. [20] Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. [21] Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 13:4 KJV
[4] For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Virtue. Is that not strengthens power? Luke 6:19-20 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. [20] And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
 

Episkopos

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Are we not to overcome evil with good? When evil comes and it will; isn’t our arsenal completely different than the enemies? This world says no one... not even God can win without a fight. God laid down His life for His enemies. Love trumps evil. Romans 12:19-21 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. [20] Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. [21] Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Yes...towards people. We are to bless those who curse us. We are to be gentle and harmless on the natural level.

But not so on the spiritual level. We don't treat the devil as we do people.

So the problem is that many don't discern spiritual things. The blind will lash out at any and all in their bid to fight evil. But we are to be exacting and precise in our warfare against the enemy. To do that we need to be equipped with spiritual faculties and weapons.

The gospel is according to SPIRITUAL POWER in heavenly places.
 

bbyrd009

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Are we not to overcome evil with good? When evil comes and it will; isn’t our arsenal completely different than the enemies? This world says no one... not even God can win without a fight. God laid down His life for His enemies. Love trumps evil. Romans 12:19-21 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. [20] Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. [21] Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 13:4 KJV
[4] For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Virtue. Is that not strengthens power? Luke 6:19-20 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. [20] And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
^
 

VictoryinJesus

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Yes...towards people. We are to bless those who curse us. We are to be gentle and harmless on the natural level.

But not so on the spiritual level. We don't treat the devil as we do people.

So the problem is that many don't discern spiritual things. The blind will lash out at any and all in their bid to fight evil. But we are to be exacting and precise in our warfare against the enemy. To do that we need to be equipped with spiritual faculties and weapons.

The gospel is according to SPIRITUAL POWER in heavenly places.
You said the gospel is according to Spiritual Power in heavenly places. Yes. And what is the fruit of the Spirit? Ephesians 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth and, Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,...clearly seen in: 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, [5] In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; [6] By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, [7] By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, [8] By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; [9] As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; [10] As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. (Luke 9: 54-56)

Deuteronomy 30:15
[15] See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;

Do not be overcome by “death and evil” but over come “death and evil” by “life and good”. (The fruit of the Spirit in all goodness) Same as overcome darkness with light. Overcome the curses with blessing. Romans 12:21 “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Overcome: Revelation 2:26
[26] And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: —overcome what? Death and evil. cursing and darkness.

Overcome: Revelation 12:11
[11] And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Overcome evil with good, overcome death with life: Hebrews 2:15
[15] And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
“be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” You say this is only in dealing with the flesh but it is Spirit that overcomes death with life. Also it is good and life that overcomes the spirit in high places.

Revelation 21:6-7
[6] And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. [7] He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Romans 13:1
[1] Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
“See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;” curses or blessings. darkness or light. bonds or freedom.

Romans 13:4-8
[4] For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. [5] Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. [6] For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. [7] Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due ; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. [8] Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (Colossians 3:6-8).

Jude 1:25
[25] To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
 
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Episkopos

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This is a time of religiosity and superficiality. The duty of Christians is to occupy spiritual places. But most Christians I speak to resist the idea of any kind of supernatural walk in the Spirit.

So then that leaves the spiritual realm open to the enemy...and this goes unchallenged.

When we stand on the name of Jesus...it must be on spiritual grounds. We can't just walk like regular people...in their own power, and use the name of Jesus as if it was a magic incantation. The enemy is not impressed with this. There is no basis in reality for this. We are to walk in Spirit and in truth.

So we must come out of much delusion to soberly assess and be prepared for the warfare required to take and hold spiritual ground.

What the church needs are saints. People who actually walk moment by moment by grace. While people argue over silly doctrinal opinions....the world remains in the hands of the enemy.
The gospel is real when it is in power. Otherwise we are holding a kind of truth ...but in the power of the human mind only...not the mind of Christ.

People seem satisfied with truths...but not THE truth. Can we afford to remain opinionated and undiscerning? Can we afford to ignore the higher walk and with it the higher calling in Christ?

The kingdom of God needs to have people enter into it. The problem in our time is that so many think they are already there.
 

Jun2u

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To the OP only.

Our spiritual warfare is against Satan and his demons! What are you going to do with these verses?

John 16:33
...but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

And...

James 4:7
...resist the devil and he will flee from you.

SEE ALSO: EPHESIANS 6:12-17

To God Be The Glory
 
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Heart2Soul

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To the OP only.

Our spiritual warfare is against Satan and his demons! What are you going to do with these verses?

John 16:33
...but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

And...

James 4:7
...resist the devil and he will flee from you.

SEE ALSO: EPHESIANS 6:12-17

To God Be The Glory
I am going to stand on them! But when it comes to situations outside of myself I am going to rebuke the devil, bind the demons that dare to wreak havoc on those around me, loose the power of the Holy Spirit to give me victory in the battles that are brought before me. I am going to exercise my authority in Christ and command them to take their hands off my health, my finances, my family, my job, and my friends.

Oooops…..sorry, I have a thread about spiritual warfare as well but it got buried. You meant this for Episkopos.
 
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Episkopos

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To the OP only.

Our spiritual warfare is against Satan and his demons! What are you going to do with these verses?

John 16:33
...but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

And...

James 4:7
...resist the devil and he will flee from you.

SEE ALSO: EPHESIANS 6:12-17

To God Be The Glory

That's called taking the battle to the enemy! :)
 

Jun2u

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[QUOTE="Heart2Soul, post: 456440, member: 7841"]I am going to exercise my authority in Christ and command them to take their hands off my health, my finances, my family, my job, and my friends.[/QUOTE]


I’m very familiar with the “Name it and Claim it gospel” that you follow. If you believe you are stronger than Satan then you are deluding yourself.

I have known people who have been prayed for and still they died, and people who have NOT been prayed for yet lived after their severe illness. God will not accommodate you by taking His name in vain, but Satan will as he comes speaking like Christ.

I’m sorry to say you are deluding yourself into thinking that you can do the healing the Apostles did. They were the last to do miracle healing, none after! Perhaps Agabus did. And, likewise with finances and so on.

To God Be The Glory
 

Jun2u

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That's called taking the battle to the enemy! :)

But Jesus fulfilled ALL spiritual warfare on our behalf by going to the cross??? There is no more battle to be won as per John 16:33 and James 4:7.

To God Be The Glory
 

Heart2Soul

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[QUOTE="Heart2Soul, post: 456440, member: 7841"]I am going to exercise my authority in Christ and command them to take their hands off my health, my finances, my family, my job, and my friends.


I’m very familiar with the “Name it and Claim it gospel” that you follow. If you believe you are stronger than Satan then you are deluding yourself.

I have known people who have been prayed for and still they died, and people who have NOT been prayed for yet lived after their severe illness. God will not accommodate you by taking His name in vain, but Satan will as he comes speaking like Christ.

I’m sorry to say you are deluding yourself into thinking that you can do the healing the Apostles did. They were the last to do miracle healing, none after! Perhaps Agabus did. And, likewise with finances and so on.

To God Be The Glory[/QUOTE]


The Name and Claim it gospel is about speaking those things that are not as though they were...speaking into existence those things you have need or want of.

I have personally encountered demonic spirits and dealt with them and I know what the Word says....maybe you should study it deeper before attacking another person's faith and beliefs. But most importantly do not be a false teacher!
Luke 10:17
16Whoever listens to you listens to Me; whoever rejects you rejects Me; and whoever rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.” 17The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name.” 18So He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.…
Cross References
Matthew 4:24
News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed--and He healed them.

Mark 16:17
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

Luke 10:20
Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Treasury of Scripture

And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject to us through your name.

Luke 9:1
Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
 

Episkopos

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But Jesus fulfilled ALL spiritual warfare on our behalf by going to the cross??? There is no more battle to be won as per John 16:33 and James 4:7.

To God Be The Glory


Rev. 3:21 'He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
 
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Episkopos

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We fulfill our own part in preparation for spiritual warfare by going to the cross. Once WE are out of the way, dealt with, THEN we can avail ourselves of the spiritual weapons that Jesus gives us through HIM going to the cross.

But if we seek to make war without being dead to ourselves....upon His cross...then we will fail.

So we need to carry the dying of the Lord Jesus in ourselves, so that the life of Jesus might be made manifest in these mortal bodies....

Then we can say along with Jesus...The devil has nothing in me.
 
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Episkopos

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I’m very familiar with the “Name it and Claim it gospel” that you follow. If you believe you are stronger than Satan then you are deluding yourself.

Amen. The devil is so crafty that we might get the impression we are doing things rightly...at least for a time.

We can't beat the devil at his game. We need the cross of Christ and it's power over our lives to be free of enemy infiltration into our minds.
 
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marksman

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You said the gospel is according to Spiritual Power in heavenly places. Yes. And what is the fruit of the Spirit? Ephesians 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth and, Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,...clearly seen in: 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, [5] In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; [6] By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, [7] By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, [8] By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; [9] As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; [10] As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. (Luke 9: 54-56)

Deuteronomy 30:15
[15] See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;

Do not be overcome by “death and evil” but over come “death and evil” by “life and good”. (The fruit of the Spirit in all goodness) Same as overcome darkness with light. Overcome the curses with blessing. Romans 12:21 “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Overcome: Revelation 2:26
[26] And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: —overcome what? Death and evil. cursing and darkness.

Overcome: Revelation 12:11
[11] And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Overcome evil with good, overcome death with life: Hebrews 2:15
[15] And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
“be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” You say this is only in dealing with the flesh but it is Spirit that overcomes death with life. Also it is good and life that overcomes the spirit in high places.

Revelation 21:6-7
[6] And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. [7] He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Romans 13:1
[1] Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
“See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;” curses or blessings. darkness or light. bonds or freedom.

Romans 13:4-8
[4] For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. [5] Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. [6] For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. [7] Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due ; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. [8] Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (Colossians 3:6-8).

Jude 1:25
[25] To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
And what is the point of quoting these verses? There must be some reason for doing so.