IT MIGHT BE SPIRITUAL
Have you noticed how God gets the blame for bad things that happen to us but he gets ignored when good things take place? Have you also noticed that we downplay the existence of demons yet we tend to blame Satan anytime that we are tempted and sin? It is possible that we misinterpret God’s activities and Satan’s. Demons, the devil and the Lord are real. There is a spiritual realm that we do not see and often don’t recognize. Pray for spiritual eyes to see spiritual things.
Acts 19:13-20 and John 8:32
Sure, Jesus cast out demons. But do you really believe that there are demons active today? If they are present, can they actually oppress Christians and the church? Is Satan deceiving the church or our nation by wanting us to believe that demons do not exist today? If they do exist, do we have the ability to cast them out, or should this be left to the exorcists?
Ephesians 6:10-20 (especially 13-17)
God has given us the resources or “armor” to protect us from the attack of evil. Do you know what the armor of God is and how to use it to stand firm against the spiritual battle? Don’t forget, we are not wrestling against flesh and blood. Take note, especially if you realize that you are in conflict with a person you know is a follower of Jesus Christ. The battle is not against flesh and blood!
Can We Really Stand Against Evil
Ephesians 6:10-20
Our key weapon for spiritual warfare is the Word of God. Jesus used the Word when Satan was tempting him and Satan even misused it to attempt to get Jesus to sin. The great power source for spiritual warfare comes through prayer. This is one of the most important weapons we have that overcomes the world.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Christians have some incredible weapons that can actually tear down strongholds that evil has built. From the study of the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-20, we learned about the value of the Bible and prayer. God has given us some additional tools that the world does not use. These tools include the fruit of the Spirit, confession, repentance and forgiveness.
James 4:7-10
Submission to God, humility and confession of sin are powerful weapons that enable us to resist the devil.
I Peter 5:6-11
We don’t need to fear the evil one. Even when we are afraid, we can give God our anxieties. Jesus Christ has the power to overcome evil.
Ephesians 4:27-32 and Galatians 5:21-6:1
The Apostle Paul has a serious warning about the way our anger and bitterness can give the devil a “foothold” in our lives. Our behavior can open the door for evil or be a weapon against evil depending on whether we are living by the Spirit or not.
We Need To Develop Spiritual Eyes
2 Kings 6:8-18
We need to learn how to discern spiritual things. In order to stand against the powers of darkness, we must have the ability to recognize when we are fighting against principalities and powers. Can one actually discern a spiritual battle or demonic attack without using the gift of discernment?
Confession Is A Spiritual Weapon
Nehemiah 1
Nehemiah confesses the sins of the people eventhough he has not committed these sins. Corporate confession is an incredible tool for spiritual warfare. One of the reasons it is so powerful is that Jesus said the truth will set us free. When we confess our sins we are freed from guilt, shame and sin.
Prayer As A Laser Guided Missile
Ephesians 6:18-20
When the disciples could not cast out a demon from a young boy, Jesus said it was an issue with their prayers. We need to learn to use prayer as a weapon against evil. We can guide the missiles of God’s power against the powers of darkness. Through prayer, we seek boldness, gain courage and strategic insight into defeating evil.