PREPARING FOR WAR
1) When we follow the great commission:
Mark 16:15 "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to
every creature (all creation)."
Then Jesus works through us to set the captives free. As we do, we step onto the devil's turf, and we snatch people away from him, just as Jesus did.
Mark 3:27 "... no man can enter into a strong man's house, and
spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house."
2) That means war!!! If you truly serve Jesus the King, then you have an enemy, Satan, and you are at war, not just with Satan but with demons, principalities and powers as well!
I Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary
the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking
whom he may devour." (he must get permission)
God will never open you to the deceptions and snares of the enemy.
James 1:13-14 "...God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man ..."
3) But beware the tongue!
Prov. 18:20-21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue..."
If we think and speak error, then we open ourselves to further deception. Living in truth we are perfectly safe in Jesus. Our only danger is deception. The enemy wants to take us into ultimate deception, agreeing with the enemy to our own destruction....
But if we seek Jesus and His truth, then we will not be long deceived. We are completely safe in God's protection, except when we agree with Satan. Satan is our accuser-enemy.
Rev. 12:10 "... the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night."
When we learn the Lord's word and the Lord's ways, then we will not agree with the enemy about anything. We are to:
Matt. 10:16 "be ye wise as serpents, gentle as doves."
Fortunately the demon powers can't read our thoughts, but they do listen to everything we say.
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4) As long as we are in this flesh we will face opposition because of our righteous confessions.
Matt. 13:21 "tribulation and persecution arise because of the word"
John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you that ye might have peace. (His words give us peace) In the world you shall have
tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Acts 14:21-22 (Paul and Barnabas)"...they had preached the gospel to the city ... exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."
5) To stand, to be ready for war we need to know our weapons, and
how best to use them! First, a sure foundation and tower of defense is the certain knowledge of whom we serve. We serve the God of glory - Jesus. In another lesson we heard about the revelation of the Godhead in Jesus which is witnessed of the Holy Ghost:
Matt. 16:16-18 "Blessed art thou, Simon bar Jona, for flesh and
blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my father which is in heaven ... and upon this rock, I will build my church and the gaits of hell shall not prevail against it.
Col. 2:9 "For in Him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily."
Isa. 28:16 "I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone,
a precious corner stone, a sure foundation, he that believeth (faith!) shall not make haste."
Isa. 49:23 "They shall not be ashamed that wait for me."
Rom. 10:11 "Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed."
I John 4:18 "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear,..."
Prov. 18:10 "The name of the Lord is a strong tower, and the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."
See also Psalm 18:2, and Psalm 61:3.
The absolute certainty of our relation with Him and His authority working through us is great protection. These are His gifts to us!
II Cor. 10:3-5. "the weapons of our warfare... are mighty
through God to the pulling down of strong holds..."
Not physical and limited weapons like guns or knives.
Our weapons work through His unlimited power!
Eph. 6:10-18. "we wrestle not against flesh and blood...take on the whole armour of God ..."
feet shod... not to be removed from the rock of our salvation. belt or truth, removes poisons-lies, reproduce only truth.
I Thes. 5:8 Helmet of the certain expectation of salvation, protects the mind!
shield of faith, trusting in Him covers us entirely.
breat plate of righteousness, covers the heart-emotions.
Sword of the spirit which is the word of God-- offensive.
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6) To be effective in war we need to be directed by Jesus. We need
communication with headquarters. That means reading His word and listening to His voice, acting only on His direction. Jesus is the intelligence officer, He knows where to take the battle for victory. He knows the enemy's weaknesses. He will direct us to where there are the maximum spoils of war.
To hear Him we need to enter His presence with worship and praise.
Psalm 100:4 "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His
courts with praise, be thankful unto Him & bless His name!"
Continuous praise and prayer, followed by obedience to His word, provides us with our communications lifeline to the Lord.
7) And when we are in frequent praise and worship of Jesus, and in obedience to Him, then in the spirit realm all the demon powers see our authority.
James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore unto God, resist the devil
(stand against all the devil's assertions and works) and he (the devil) will flee from you."
The discipline of praise and worship prepares us to be in an attitude of continuous praise and worship of Jesus, keeping us in His presence and in communication with Him.
Philip. 4:8-9 "Whatsoever things are true..."
But beware of complaining and murmuring (fruits of deception). These are a sure road to destruction, for they separate us from God.
I Cor. 10:1-13 "...neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and were destroyed. (See also Numbers 14-17 murmuring kept them out of the promised land for 40 years, none that murmured entered into the promise.)
If you have murmured, you need to ask forgiveness. Remember:
I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness."
Philip. 4:11 "... I have learned in whatsoever state (condition-situation) I am (therewith) to be content."
Hebrews 13:5 "... be content with such things as ye have..."
When we follow the great commission, then Jesus works through us to set the captives free. That means war!!! Therefore, be sober, be vigilant. Beware the tongue! To be ready for war we need to know our weapons. A sure foundation and tower of defense is the certain knowledge of who we serve and His power. And to be effective in war we need to be directed by Jesus, by reading His word and listening to His voice, and by acting only on His direction. To hear Him we need to enter His presence with worship and praise.