Part 2, Christian Foundations and the Creation of the Spiritual World
In Session 2, Part 1, ‘The Creation of the Spiritual Worlds’, we saw how the Person, Jesus of Nazareth, fits into creation as ‘the Word become flesh’. We saw how God created the spiritual world with angels which exists in the two kingdoms. As ‘Jesus Followers’ we need to know the facts about this spiritual existence around us …. and what rights, privileges and authority we have in this battle.
This Post is Part 2 and we continue with the theme of our battle: what tactics and weapons we use and who are our allies in this fight.
1. Real spiritual warfare includes at least four elements:
a. Developing effective tactics:
The way we wage a war is called ‘strategy and tactics’ just like in ‘the real world’. The Bible tells us some ways that we can defeat or slow down our enemy – Satan. Some of these tactics are listed below:
Pulling down strongholds in the mind (2 Corinthians 10:4),
Having done everything we can, to stand (1 Corinthians 16:13, Ephesians 6:13),
If we submit to God, when we resist Satan, he will flee (James 4:7),
We are to divide Satan’s household, so he will fall (Matthew 12:25+26),
We are to put on the full armour of God (Ephesians 6:11),
We are not to wage war against human beings (Ephesians 6:12).
b. We have Defensive Weapons:
Defensive weapons are of a passive nature, preventing us from getting hurt. They also include denying the enemy legal rights to our lives.
Forgiveness (Matthew 18:34+35),
Taking our judgement off people (Matthew 7:1, Romans 2:1-4),
Confession and repentance (1 John 1:9, James 5:16),
Standing against sin (Ephesians 6:13),
Telling and receiving the Truth (Ephesians 6:14),
Accepting our righteousness in Christ (Ephesians 6:14),
Using our faith to repel demonic attacks (Ephesians 6:16),
Protecting our minds by God’s assurance of our salvation (Ephesians 6:17),
Crucifying the Flesh (Galatians 5:24).
c. Then we are to be ready to use offensive weapons:
Offensive weapons are actively used in opposing Satan. They not only protect us, but also tear down and disrupt Satan’s kingdom:
Our prayer language in an unknown tongue (Romans 8:26, 1 Corinthians 14:15),
Prayer of binding and loosing (Matthew 16:19),
Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22),
Spiritual authority (Mark 16:17+18),
Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8),
The Word of God (Ephesians 6:17),
Intercessory prayer (Ephesians 6:18),
Being ready to tell people about the Good News (Ephesians 6:15).
d. We have allies in our fight against demonic forces:
Human beings are not alone in the fight. We have as our allies:
The Holy Spirit,
The work of the Cross through Jesus,
Our adoption into the family of God (Romans 8:17, Ephesians 1:5),
Ministering angels (Revelation 14:9, 22:8).
2. Our enemy has been defeated but is still active, Romans 16:20.
a. Satan still has access to God (Revelation 20:2, Matthew 16:23, Luke 22:3, Luke 22:31, Job 1:6,12). He still accuses us before God day and night (Revelation 12:10),
b. Secondly, we can still give Satan a legal right to afflict us (1 Timothy 1:20, 5:15; 2 Corinthians 12:7, Acts 5:3),
c. He can still touch our life through any Idols we have in our lives because they have a ‘demonic spirit’ behind them (Zech. 13:2, 1 John 5:21),
d. We all have ‘High places’ that also need to be torn down (Lev. 26:30, 1 Kings 14:23, 1 Kings 15:14, 2 Kings 12:3).
As we shall see more in Session 3, our enemy was once known as ‘Lucifer’, one of three mighty archangels that existed in God’s presence. Michael and Gabriel are the other two. He was named Lucifer by God, or ‘shining one’ or ‘morning star’. Ezekiel tells us Lucifer was made a model of beauty and perfection, Ezekiel 28:14.
We are told that Lucifer can still appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). In fact many of the religious cults have been founded by an angel of light, giving them new information to add to the Bible, or to rewrite the Bible to fit their doctrines.
3. When Lucifer rebelled against God, he took on the personality we call ‘Satan’.
Lucifer was blameless from the day he was created to the day wickedness was found in him (Ezekiel 28:15),
Lucifer was thrown to earth because of his pride (Ezekiel 28:17),
Lucifer’s pride was manifested in the 5 “I Will’s” of Isaiah 14:12-15,
Lucifer is now called Satan to denote him as the ‘adversary’ of God and Man,
One third of the angels fell with Satan in rebellion (Luke 10:18, Revelation 12:4, 9),
Because of this a third part of the universe, earth and mankind was cursed (Revelation 8:6- 12, Revelation 9:15).
We will defeat Satan finally by the word of our testimony and the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 12:11).
4. So what are my Rights and Authority in Jesus to help fight this battle?
Before we claim our ‘Mansion’ in the spiritual battlefield, we must know the authority that comes from our Commander and Chief to us! His perfect life, death and resurrection enabled us to enter His Kingdom, with new inheritance gifts and new laws of Grace. As believers we need to know these rights, in order to do warfare with the enemy of our souls – Satan. We must get to know our covenant rights to the ‘new house’!
Jesus work on the Cross is complete and finished! We now need to learn how to use this in our fights against ‘spiritual wickedness in high places’.
Many Christians live defeated lives because they do not know their inheritance in Jesus Christ. Jesus’ work is so profound and so total, it is capable of reversing all the destruction we have known. The effects of the Fall at Eden, our corrupted inheritance from previous generations, what we learned in our childhood and all the sinful, destructive choices we made, are all answered by the work of our Lord Jesus.
5. Learn to Accept and use the ‘Gifts’ of Inheritance
Everything about our salvation has already been given to us, Ephesians 1:3. He paid the Price and now we have a treasure trove of free Gifts. In Christ, we sit with a vast amount of ‘Packages and Presents’ surrounding us. Have we picked up and opened all our gifts of inheritance? Salvation is not the only parcel WE have to open through deliberate choice. Deliverance, breaking curses and other gifts must also be appropriated. Nothing is automatic!
6. Do you know your Inheritance in Christ Jesus?
Before you go onto the next section, see if you can list five inherited, legal rights you have been given through your new birth.
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If you are like most ‘Christians’, you have found it hard to find 3 things you inherited when you were ‘adopted’ into God’s family. See one of our worksheets to help you identify and to use what you have been given in Christ as a real ‘Jesus Follower’!
7. Conclusion
There IS a spiritual dimension; it is real and we can’t ignore it. We must be aware that we don’t fight flesh and blood – people. God expects us to love sinners, but hate the sin. The Old Nature in human beings is only part of the problem; the demonic realm is the other. A Christian in ministry has to be comfortable dealing with both people’s soul, spirit and the spiritual realm.
See some of the worksheets with this Post:
1. Our Authority in Christ Jesus,
2. The nature and business of Angels,
3. Baptism of the Holy Spirit,
—– > and other worksheets as I have time to present!
May you come to know and use your authority in Christ!
Susanne Fengler, Blog Author
www.christianfoundations.jesus-treeoflife.info
Tags: Authority in Jesus
Filed under: Foundations of our Faith, Series #1: Being a Jesus Follower
Cool blog, Im now waiting patiently for worksheets 🙂
Having trouble submitting comment as its saying my comment is too short……
Hi Lee. Thanks for the encouragement. The comment length is to stop people from just saying “Great Blog” and nothing more. Yes, worksheets are coming too …. Praying for you, Susanne
I would recommend WordPress, Zagatssf4. They have a huge selection of themes that might match what you’re after. Plus they have a huge tutitorial section that answers almost all your questions. Need a webhosting? Get back to me and see my great bargain with Hostgator.
I’ll add you to my prayer list as you work with such precious resources – our next generation. Get to know His voice and it will be much easier too, Susanne