C.S. Lewis quote: There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.
When we begin looking at spiritual warfare, we can fall under strong temptation to major upon it. Majoring on the spiritual battle and ignoring it are equally dangerous. Our obsession with spiritual warfare can come from pride, fear and unbelief, just as any sin can.
It can be pride, because we seek the muscle to defeat demons with our spiritual power. This is what Jesus warned the disciples when He said, Luke 10:20 “Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
Our obsession can come from fear, lack of knowledge will create evil around us we cannot defeat. Nothing good comes from earthly and carnal fear. Only the fear of God is profitable.
Our obsession can come from unbelief, a lack of trust in our Captain and Victor, Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:14 “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.”
There is not an exhaustive passage on spiritual warfare in the New Testament. What we know, we have to piece together. I hope we can learn why today.
TEXT: 2 Corinthians 10:1-6 I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!-- 2 I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
I. Nature of the Battle:
Paul and other NT writers speak often about us being soldiers in a war. There is a spiritual battle raging around us. Ephesians 6:12 - For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
That is a scary description of the Christian existence and the importance of our focus, I agree. That is the battle we are entered into and Satan is declared as our enemy. 1 Pet 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Christ is declared as our Captain and Victor. Deuteronomy 28:7 “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.”
Israel’s constant wars in the Old Testament point to the spiritual battle of our modern day Christianity. Demons have many schemes of warfare, an effective one being to cause us to sleep. Paul reminded the Corinthians that it was important to be aware of Satan’s schemes. “…we are not ignorant of his designs.” 2 Cor. 2:11.
Knowing the schemes of the Devil does not protect us from those schemes. “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Eph. 6:11
Let’s make something clear. Demons cannot possess a believer, for we are possessed by Jesus Christ Himself. But demons can oppress us. I have covered this before, but if you need more info on it, let me know. In other words, Demons can operate in and around the mind of a believer.
II. The Right Focus.
There is an advantage in not being able to see the battle. Some have said that if we could see the spiritual warfare around us, it would scare us to death. I don’t think so. I think we would see what the servant of Elisha, Gihazi, saw.
2 Kings 6:15-17 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" 16 He said, "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, "O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see." So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Because seeing the battle would erode our faith, one way or the other, I think we are protected with eyes that do not see the spiritual portion of the battle. See, Gahazi saw, but his seeing was spawned by unbelief. Elisha didn’t look, didn’t need to, because He believed. He already knew. It was not that he had already seen. It was that he did not need to see to believe.
1Jn 4:4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Another danger can overthrow us if we look at the battle and lose focus. The disciples had gotten on a boat and a storm had come. Then they thought they saw a spirit walking on the water and were afraid. Jesus, walking on the water, called out, “Don’t worry, it’s just me.”
Matthew 14:28-31 And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29 He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
Peter walked above the battle when he kept his eyes on Jesus. When he looked at the battle, however, the churning waves below him, he sank. I think the lesson here is to think like a soldier, not a general. (be thankful your name is written…) You are supposed to understand your instructions, fulfill your duty, not worry about the war plans.
III. The place of war.
The mind is the battlefield for the believer. This is the area of strongholds.
Let me show you something. Demons operate in the darkness. Ephesians 5:11 - Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. (memorize this)
What are these strongholds in the mind? Paul lists the works of the flesh: Galatians 5:19 - Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Where is Satan attacking? Where ever there is fear, worry, doubt, lust, pride, hate, guilt and shame, anger, bitterness, self-pity, hatred, depression, conflict, impatience and anger, selfishness, meanness, doubt, rudeness, lust.
Where is Satan not working? Where there is (the fruit of Spirit) love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
IV. Wrong shadow removal: There is a wrong way to go about spiritual warfare.
Satan operates in darkness. Yes, you have darkness in your mind. We all do.
We are not talking about being unforgiven. Our sins are forgiven. But being forgiven for pride does not in itself remove pride from our hearts. Matthew 12:43-45 - "When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation."
If demons are removed without the strongholds being removed, more damage will be done later. Darkness in our minds is created by unconfessed sins, selfishness, ignorance. They are supported by Attitudes, opinions and beliefs that are wrong or false.
These enter our lives through the world, experience (flesh), deception, self-reliance, and false teachers. 1 John 5:17-21 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death. 18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
These produce: pride, unbelief, cold love, fear, unforgiveness and bitterness, lust, greed, and other sins. We are not talking about the occasional thoughts and sins. Demons seek rest, long term rest.
These stronghold, errant thoughts, must be captured: 2 Corinthians 10:5-6 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
We are not called to focus on the battle or spiritual warfare, but upon Christ, and allow Him to transform us to His image. Satan loves us to focus on the battle, to look at the waves below our feet and begin to sink. That same mistake Peter made is made by many spiritual warriors.
Many can tell you the ins and outs of the battle more than they can tell you what Christ is doing in their lives to create Christ-likeness. They can tell you which demons are oppressing you and me better than they can tell you the sins in their hearts, attitudes, motives and behaviors that God is putting His hand upon. They spend more time trying to chase demons out of the shadows of their hearts, or your heart, than removing the things in their hearts that are creating the shadows where the demons can operate. They can spend so much time glorifying the demons and Satan, the schemes they use, etc… than they do witnessing to those who are lost in darkness.
Satan wants our thought to turn continually to the enemy and not on the Victor. “But if we walk in the Light as HE is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7.
Philippians 1:27-28 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.
V. Proper Shadow removal. “If we walk in the light…”
Let’s look as a passage we have selected some verses out of a little closer.
1 John 1:5-10 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Jesus put it this way: Luke 11:35 - Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. Luk 11:36 If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light."
Add more light. There is the key. Our light can become darkness by allowing sin to reside in our lives.
These encourage us to live a repentant life towards sin. When we live repentant, God removes the makers of shadows in our hearts. “cleanses from all unrighteousness”. When those are confessed to God, He shines into areas of previous weaknesses.
Fill your life with light by honestly taking inventory of your heart. Allow God to shine. That is the best way to wage spiritual battle. 1 John 4:16-17 - So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.
Example of shadow removing in the life of Peter:
Luke 22:31-32 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."
Peter was one of great pride, but he refused to look at his pride and live with honesty before God. Before this, we can see that Peter and the rest of the gang would not deal with their pride.
Luk2 22:23-24 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this. 24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.
Watch the dominoes fall, after a great Church service, “who is the greatest?”
VI. Where should our focus be?
1. Abide in Christ.
The writer of Hebrews, going over the testimonies of faith and victory, encourages us in our battle. Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
2. Honesty before God. Accuser, “agree with adversary quickly.” Ref. Matthew 5:25-26.
I believe the first stronghold all of us must face is Pride. Even if you are sitting here thinking, “I don’t have a problem with pride. Everybody else may, but I don’t”
Guess what. Pride would say just that. Pride goes before destruction, haughty spirit before a fall.
We all have little lawyer inside our hearts who stands up to seek to justify, excuse or deny our sins. We need to remember we stand before the throne of grace, not the judgment throne. Satan lies to us, but he doesn’t like to God. When the accuser complains to God, agree with him quickly.
3. Walk to the light.
James 4:7-8 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
This is the key to our spiritual warfare. Submit to God. Draw near Him.
I don’t believe that resisting the devil is another command. I believe that when you walk close to the light, Satan will flee. I believe if you draw near to God, His light will resist the devil. There will be no darkness for him to operate in. You heart will be being cleaned, the shadowcasters removed.
This can be done through time in the scriptures, prayer, contemplation, worship, and service:
The Word of God: Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Prayer: Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Contemplation: 1 Timothy 4:15 - Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Psalms 63:5-6 - My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
Worship: Colossians 3:14-17 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Service: 1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
4. Believe God.
It is the joy of the Lord that casts out depression. It is living by faith that casts out unbelief. It is aggressive, sacrificial love that casts out fear. It is the peace of God that crushes Satan under our feet (Ref. Romans 16:20)
1 John 5:4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
Strong faith is not fierce determination to stay the course, but trust in the ONE who is faithful when we are not. "...if we are faithless, he remains faithful-- for he cannot deny himself." 2 Timothy 2:13.
Conclusion: Do what God wants you to do now, and leave war management to Him.
Satan received his defeat with not one word of rebuke. Jesus defeated Satan, in temptation.
In fear, in doubt, at Gesthemene, through surrender to the will of God. He defeated Satan completely at Calvary by surrender to His purpose in God, death to self.
If you want to engage in spiritual battle, just do what God is calling you to do today. Obey Him, look in your heart. Ask for His touch and then obey. He longs for you to draw near. You want to obey. As Nike has repeated, “Just do it.”
