Spiritual Warfare

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THE FIRST THING TO UNDERSTAND ON OUR JOURNEY TO HEALTH AND HEALING IS THAT WE ARE INVOLVED IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE, THERE ARE FORCES BEHIND THE SCENES FIGHTING FOR OUR SOULS, AND WE MUST HAVE JESUS AND HIS WORD TO BE VICTORIOUS. HERE ARE VERSES TO KNOW IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE:

Hosea 4:6

”MY PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE”, MEANING WE NEED GOD'S KNOWLEDGE AND THE WISDOM IT BRINGS TO RESIST AND OVERCOME.

The first and foremost Bible principle TO HOLD ONTO is found in Isaiah 53, our foundational scripture along with Psalm 103 as follows:

Isaiah 53:4-5, our foundational scripture:

4 Surely (truly, indeed, strong assertive force) our griefs (our sickness, anxiety, disease) He Himself bore, and our sorrows (our physical and mental pain) He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions (our rebellion and sin), He was crushed for our iniquities (our immorality, evilness); the chastening for our well-being (health, prosperity, peace) fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed (cured, caused to heal, repair, made whole).

Psalms 103:2-5

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; 3 Who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases; 4 Who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; 5 Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Note: It was believed back then that an eagle changes its feathers as a serpent sheds its skin!

We need to stay in the Word in order that we know the spiritual things vs what the world falsely teaches!

1 Corinthians 2:12-16

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet He himself is appraised by no one. 16 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.

Ephesians 6:10-18 NLT

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

2 Corinthians 10:4

We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

1 Peter 5:8 KJV

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

But we have the power of God working through us if we follow Him fully…

1 John 3:8

…the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.

John 16:33

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." This means that if Jesus has overcome the world (and all its sickness and disease), and we are followers of Jesus, then we also can overcome the world.

1 John 4:1-6

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. 4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Jesus has been given ALL AUTHORITY over heaven and earth, and He then gives us the authority.

Mark 16:17-18

17 These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

John 14:12

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.

Luke 10:17-20

17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” 18 And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. 20 nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”

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Did you know that when the soldiers came to take Jesus away, they fell back merely from the power of Jesus when He spoke? This shows the power of God...

Judas Betrays Jesus

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, in which He entered with His disciples. 2 Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples. 3 Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, *came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and *said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He *said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. 6 So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

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Be sure to know Jesus by studying His Word before going up against the powers of darkness. Acts 19:13-16 warns us what can happen if you don’t so use your own wisdom (wisdom obtained by reading the Bible) to discern for yourself when and how to resist the devil and don’t let anyone push you before you are ready:

13 A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. 15 But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” 16 Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered.

We need to be strong in the Lord “to fight the good fight of faith” (1Timothy 6:12):

Jesus said in Luke 20 NIV: But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. 22 But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder. 23 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 24 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ 25 When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. 26 Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.”

James 4:7-8

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Note: The devil will flee from you BECAUSE YOU ARE UNDER JESUS AUTHORITY, but he may come back time and time again as he did to Jesus, so it’s important to be prepared...

1. by submitting to God (submitting means "to be subordinate to, to be subject to, put in subjection, to subject one's self, obey, to submit to one's control, to yield to one's admonition or advice").

2. by resisting the devil by means of quoting verses opposing his condemnation, torment or any other of his thoughts, ideas or suggestions and,

3. by drawing near to God in order to have the wisdom required to win against the abuse of the devil. And by drawing nearer to God, the Bible says God will draw nearer to us.

Always remember these 3 verses:

1. John 10:10: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

2. 1 John 3:8: "...The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.", and

3. Acts 10:38-39: "You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem.

Fill your mind with the things of God and His Kingdom, not the things of the world, otherwise:

Matthew 12:43-45

43 “Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came’; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.”

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John 17:15-18

15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

Colossians 1:13-14

13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Jesus fought the Devil with scripture, so we should too!

Matthew 4:1-11

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’” 5 Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU’; and ‘ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’” 8 Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’” 11 Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him. *Note that even Jesus needed ministering to after the Devil's attacks.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Note: To respond to the devil’s mind attacks, use the Word as Jesus did!!! It is powerful and remember God spoke the world into existence, so speak it out loud too!

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We have God on our side in spiritual warfare, so we cannot be defeated when full of Him. In fact, according to the Word, Jesus has already defeated Satan, but he (Satan) can still deceive us into believing that we can be defeated and sick...

2 Chronicles 16:9

For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.

Psalm 37:40

The LORD helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in Him.

Deuteronomy 28:7

“The LORD shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way and will flee before you seven ways.”

Deuteronomy 20:4

...for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

Job 5:19

From six troubles He will deliver you, even in seven evil will not touch you.

Psalm 60:12

Through God we shall do valiantly, and it is He who will tread down our adversaries.

Proverbs 3:25-6

25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; 26 For the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

Psalm 34:7

7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him,

And rescues them.

And of utmost importance…

Luke 10:17-20

17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” 18 And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning.

19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.

20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”

In spiritual warfare learn to rebuke and bind and cast out wrong thoughts, whether they be from the enemy or your own thoughts, the key word being to learn as this is not always taught and neither does it come natural…

Remember always that you are “fearfully (AWESOMELY) and wonderfully made”, so anything that comes upon us can be healed.
Give the devil no place in your life – so we must take care of ourselves, confess sin and repent in order to leave no open door.
Must confess out loud by words as it is written that “faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word.”
God says “My people are destroyed by lack of knowledge”. So, get knowledge in the Word.
You can’t necessarily believe by reading – you get knowledge by reading, but you believe by hearing your voice, or others. Then you believe in your heart, not only the mind.
Decree a thing and it becomes you, so make sure you decree good things, not sickness etc.
Call things that are not as if they are, until they are. That’s faith.

And always remember it says in the Bible that "He sent His Word and healed them".

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SPIRITUAL WARFARE