Spiritual Warfare Series

Opener:

This morning, we are going to be talking about a critical topic that really needs to be addressed. We are talking about spiritual warfare. Since the moment we were born into this earth, we have been in a battle, whether we knew about the battle or not, it has been happening all around us! The moment that we become a believer, this battle then becomes even more intense.

There is a story that has been told of a mental hospital that many years devised a test to determine if and when a patient was ready to go back into the world. They brought a candidate for release to a room where a water faucet was left on so that the sink overflowed and was pouring water all over the floor. Then they handed the patient a mop and told them to mop up the water. If the patient had enough sense to turn off the faucet before mopping up the water, they are ready to be released. However, in the case of many, the patient started mopping up the water while it was still flowing. Therefore, they kept the patient for more treatment.

As Believers, each of us face the world in which we live and are confronted with the need to do battle with the evil that dominates it. But, like the patients in the mental hospital, until we realize where the source of that evil is, we will make no real progress and water will continue to spill out on the floor.

The first step in spiritual warfare is knowing that we have a enemy and that we should not take our enemy lightly. Just as God has a plan for our lives, so does the enemy have a plan for our lives. The enemies plan is never good, it is to only bring us harm, in order to render us ineffective for the kingdom of God. God’s plan for our lives is to prosper us in every area and aspect.

It is imperative that we understand the tactics and the cunning devises that the enemy uses, because when we understand these tactics, it will help us to defeat him.

I. Knowing the enemy

A. Trying to take advantage

a. Satan is always looking for an advantage point in our lives. In fact, the bible says in 2 Corinthians 2:11(NKJV) lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

b. There are many believers that are walking around in a defeated or a backslidden state, simply because they are not aware of the enemy’s cunning devises.

c. It is the enemy’s intent to destroy the work of God in your life, by any means necessary.

B. Cannot defeat God

a. Since the enemy knows he cannot defeat God, the next best thing in his mind is to work to defeat God’s people.

b. In battle, victories are won and lost by those that know and understand their enemy’s movement. Our country has figured this out. In fact, our country invests a tremendous amount of resources in drones, satellites and other surveillance technology in order to keep an eye on our enemies. We have been working to develop technologies such as AI( Artificial Intelligence).

c. We run clandestine operations all throughout the world. Using human sources to spy out our enemies.

d. These operations have come under scrutiny the last number of years.

C. Blinded

a. The world is blinded by the enemy. They are deceived because they have bought into his lies.

b. The bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 NKJV 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

c. The devil has blinded the world to the truth. In fact, I would say that the world is in a mess of hurt right now because they do not possess the truth.

D. Be sober

a. The bible tells the believer to not be blinded by the adversary.

b. In fact, the book of 1 Peter 5:8(NKJV) it says : 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

c. The bible is letting us know to be aware of our surroundings and in order to do that we need to be sober.

d. Being in your right mind. Don’t be caught sleeping. It is important and to always be on your guard.

E. Illustration

a. In the battle of Antietam in the year of 1862 which lasted for 12 hours and ranks as the bloodiest day of the Civil War, with 10,000 Confederate casualties and even more on the Union side. “At last the sun went down and the battle ended,” wrote one historian, “smoke heavy in the air, the twilight quivering with the anguished cries of thousands of wounded men.”