"And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible." (Mark 10:27)
In this Series, we will discuss the following:
• Identifying our Enemy
• Discernment
• Inner Healing (and its practices today)
• A Correct View & Interaction with the Prophetic
• Demonology and Exorcism
I. Satan – Our Primary Enemy
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" (1 Peter 5:8)
A. Our defense is RESISTANCE!
"Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." (1 Peter 5:9)
1. You are not alone. You are not the only one that has had to fight the devil. ("Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”)
2. Resist: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)
a. While we yield to God in all things, we yield to the devil in none.
b. The correct way of meeting him is by direct resistance rather than by argument, by steadfastly refusing to yield in the slightest degree.
c. Example: A man, for example, is always safe from intemperance if he resists all allurements to indulgence in strong drink and never yields in the slightest degree; no one is certainly safe if he drinks even moderately.
3. Complete resistance is required. Make no deals with the devil!
B. Give NO PLACE to the devil: "Neither give place to the devil." (Ephesians 4:27)
1. It's easy to take this scripture out of context when we do not note the two scriptures before it. (Context is critical in our understanding of the scriptures.
2. These two verses are as follows:
"Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil." (Ephesians 4:25-27)
a. Put away lying (by speaking the truth)
b. Anger can be sinful when we let it control us.
c. The tongue can no man tame (but God can!) – James 3:8-12 READ & EXPOUND
1) Our tongues can get us in trouble… That is why the Holy Ghost is so important!
C. Capturing Victory
1. 1 Peter 5:8 – Be Sober and Vigilant
2. James 4:7-12 – Notice the list:
a. V7 – Submit to God, Resist the Devil.
b. V8 – Draw near to God.
c. V8 – Cleanse your hands.
d. V8 – Purify your hearts.
e. V9 – Be serious (Spiritual Warfare is not a game).
f. V10 – Humble Yourself.
g. V11-12 – Don't speak evil of a brother or judge (No gossiping, backbiting, or slander. These are satanic traits).
II. The Influence of the World Around Us is Primary Enemy #2 – Not everything is the devil!
"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." (John 15:18-19)
A. The battle is on three fronts:
"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." (1 John 2:16)
1. Lust of the Flesh refers to the sinful desires arising from our human nature.
a. It encompasses not only sexual immorality but also other cravings that can dominate our thoughts and actions, such as gluttony, greed, and addiction.
2. Lust of the Eyes refers to the covetousness that can consume our hearts when we fixate on the material possessions and worldly pleasures that surround us.
a. This form of temptation often manifests as envy, jealousy, and the relentless pursuit of wealth, status, or power.
b. Lust of the eyes may also lead to adultery, fornication, or any form of various sexual sins.
3. Pride of Life refers to the arrogance and self-centeredness that can lead us to believe we are superior to others and independent of God.
B. Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh - Ga 5:24
Victory comes through an awareness of the conflict.
1. The Spirit and the flesh are contrary to one another - Ga 5:17
2. As long as we are in the flesh, there will be warfare! We MUST live a life of surrender to God!
3. With awareness of the conflict, we are on the road to Victory.
C. Capturing Victory
Romans 12:1-3 - AMP
1. I APPEAL to you, therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.
2. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
3. For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me, I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.
III. Our Flesh is Primary Enemy #3
Teaching about overcoming the flesh is not popular, and in a sensual, carnal, worldly system, it is hard to swallow and digest anything that goes against the flesh. Still, it's necessary if we are to CAPTURE VICTORY!
A. Victory comes through an awareness of the enemy (our flesh) and the consequences of defeat. Ga 5:19-21
1. The enemy is the "works of the flesh." The works of the flesh include (but are not limited to)
a. Sins of immorality
b. Sins of idolatry
c. Infractions of the Law of Love
d. Sins of intemperance (i.e., excesses)
2. The consequences of surrendering to the flesh are disastrous.
a. Fulfill the lusts of the flesh, and you will not inherit the Kingdom of God. - Ga 5:19-21 (Meaning, You cannot receive the benefits of the Kingdom in the here and now)
1) Some are not blessed because they are too busy serving their flesh!
2) The flesh is after your soul!
b. In Galatians 6:7-8, we learn they also produce "corruption" (both physical and spiritual).
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."
(Galatians 6:7-8)
B. Victory comes through having the right attitude.
1. No victory is won with a defeatist attitude. (Example: You don't understand how hard it is!)
2. One must "Walk in the Spirit!" The phrase "in the Spirit" (or "by the Spirit," ASV) suggests two possibilities:
a. That one's conduct be by the Spirit - Ro 8:1
b. That one's conduct be aided by the Spirit - Ro 8:11-13
C. Victory comes when our conduct and manner of life reflect our Savior! Tips for "Walking in the Spirit." We walk in the Spirit (or are "led by the Spirit" ):
1. When we "set our minds on the things of the Spirit" - cf. Ro 8:4-5
a. What are the "things of the Spirit?"
1) Those things that the Holy Spirit was sent to reveal - cf. Jn 14:25-26: i.e., the revealed Word of truth - cf. Jn 16:12-13
b. Therefore, when focusing on the Word of God (the "things of the Spirit") and seeking to walk thereby...
1) They are "walking in the Spirit."
2) They are being "led by the Spirit."
2. When we are "strengthened by the Spirit" - cf. Ro 8:12-14
a. The Spirit of God aids us to walk according to the "things of the Spirit" (i.e., the Word of God).
1) As Paul explained to the Philippians, when we seek to "work out our salvation," God is also at work in us - Php 2:12-13
2) The instrumental agent by which God strengthens us is His Spirit - Ep 3:16
b. Prayer is a critical element of receiving this incredible strength.
1) Just as Paul prayed for the Ephesians that God would so strengthen them - Ep 3:16
2) So we are taught to go to God's throne of grace when we need "grace to help in time of need" - He 4:16
3. To "walk in the Spirit," then, involves living a life under the Spirit's direction and aided by His power.
Closing: You Can CAPTURE VICTORY!
• Victory begins by giving our hearts to Jesus.
• You won't win if you refuse to fight!
• The Word is Your Weapon! "The Word Will Work if You Work the Word!"
