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Understanding Spiritual Warfare

Understanding Spiritual Warfare . Sue Bohlin October 22, 2002. The Goal: Balance. Two equal errors: ignoring it, and being preoccupied with it Like watching nothing but the Food Channel 1 Corinthians 4:6 - “Do not go beyond what is written.”

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Understanding Spiritual Warfare

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  1. UnderstandingSpiritual Warfare Sue Bohlin October 22, 2002

  2. The Goal: Balance • Two equal errors: ignoring it, and being preoccupied with it • Like watching nothing but the Food Channel • 1 Corinthians 4:6 - “Do not go beyond what is written.” • Jesus’ proportion of time dealing with spiritual warfare

  3. Animism • The temptation of bringing animism into spiritual warfare • Animism’s beliefs: 1. The world is a hostile and dangerous place filled with evil spirits 2. I can manipulate the spirit world to protect myself and get what I want

  4. Animism • Sacred things (crystals, trees, animals) • Sacred actions (sacrifices, blessing a person who sneezed) • Sacred words (oaths, curses, blessings) • Sacred persons (witches, shamans) • Sacred rituals (throwing salt over shoulder, wearing garlic)

  5. Animism + Christianity • Sacred things (wearing a cross, Miraculous Medal, blessed rings, St. Christopher’s medal/statue) • Sacred actions (making the sign of the Cross, blessing of throats, food baskets) • Sacred words (“In Jesus’ name, Amen”, “As for me and my house…” by door) • Sacred persons (pastors) • Sacred rituals (saying grace before meals)

  6. Animism or Christianity? • Motivation makes the difference • God-centered or control-oriented? • Power in words/actions or power in God? • We memorize and recite Scripture NOT as a magical incantation but because it’s true and divinely powerful • We say grace NOT to protect ourselves from bad food but to give thanks

  7. Animism in Spiritual Warfare • Believing that our “scripts” have power in themselves • “I rebuke you in Jesus’ name!” • But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!” (Jude 9) • Binding and loosing • We are to resist the devil, not bind him

  8. Animism in Spiritual Warfare 3. Assigning a personal spiritual power to everything that happens • Not everything that happens to us is spiritual warfare. • Sometimes it's just the consequence of living in a fallen world • Response is the same: trust God and stay standing!

  9. Animism in Spiritual Warfare • Sometimes what we attribute to the devil is just man’s fallenness showing in his flesh • Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these... (Galatians 5:19-21)

  10. Spirit of wisdom Spirit of understanding Spirit of counsel Spirit of power Spirit of knowledge Spirit of the fear of the Lord Spirit of justice Spirit of grace Spirit of foolishness Spirit of misunderstanding Spirit of bad counsel Spirit of weakness Spirit of ignorance Spirit of arrogance Spirit of injustice Spirit of legalism Godly vs. Ungodly Spirits

  11. Ungodly Spirits to Banish • Spirit of criticism • Spirit of anger, animosity, revenge • Spirit of harassment, humiliation • Spirit of lust • Spirit of rebellion The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord hasanointed Me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners (Isaiah 61:1)

  12. Generational Sins/Curses Then the Lord passed by in front of (Moses) and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” (Exodus 34: 6-7)

  13. Generational Sins/Curses • Spirit of criticism and judgment • Spirit of rebellion and opposition • Spirit of fleshly indulgence • Alcoholism • Overeating • Sex addiction • Spirit of unforgiveness • Spirit of depression / suicide

  14. Generational Sins/Curses • We can start generational sins/curses • Secret sins still impact families • Cross-dressing fathers • Porn addiction (masturbation) • Various sexual sin (such as topless bars) • Adultery (of the heart or body) • They invite the enemy into their homes and families

  15. Breaking Generational Sins/Curses • …Let us therefore cast off (renounce)the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12) • If the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36) • Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE” (Galatians 3:13)

  16. The 3-Step Program of Spiritual Warfare • “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) • Submit (“set oneself under”) to God • Yielded heart • Put on the armor of God; put on Christ • Resist (“set against”) the devil… • Stand against his lies and deceptions • …And he will flee from you.

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