Chapter 9

This topic discusses key points regarding spiritual warfare

Key Verse: 1 John 3:8, states that “He that committeth sin is of the Devil” and Jesus was manifested to destroy the works of the Devil.Spiritual warfare, emphases on the importance of prayer, fasting, and the written word of God. It suggests many Christians fail in conflicts because they don’t understand the purpose behind the battle.

Purpose of Warfare: The purpose is for believers to understand why spiritual battles are waged. God’s purpose is to gather all things in heaven and on earth.

Satan’s Purpose: Satan works to bring a person’s heart, mind, spirit, and allegiance to him instead of the Lord. He works through a person’s life to accomplish his purpose.Jesus’s nature and impact of Jesus Christ’s mission and the opposition He faced from Satan and demonic powers.

The key areas discussed are:

Jesus’s Mission:He revealed sins, deception, and inward appetites that defile people.

Released people from demonic powers and destroyed minds and bodies of men and women.

Exposed Satan’s strategies and warned against him.

Taught the necessity of binding the “strong man” (Satan).

Brought peace of God and peace with God.

Removed the veil between life and death, showing the end results of choosing the wrong way.

Satan’s Opposition:Satan is referred to as the “prince of the world”.

The enemy constantly tried to destroy Jesus or prevent Him from fulfilling His mission throughout His earthly life.

Attempts were made on Jesus’s life from the moment He was born.

Jesus met constant opposition from demonic powers.

The Great Division:Jesus’s coming brought division among men, creating two “battle fields” where neutrality is not possible.

He spoke of the “two ways”: one narrow and one broad, leading to different outcomes.There was a spiritual battle between Jesus and Satan.

Purpose of Jesus: Jesus’s purpose is presented as being in direct opposition to Satan’s master plan.

“Throne Battle Plan”: This plan is based on six major points: Kingdoms, the delegated power and authority of Jesus, the word of God, prayer, fasting, keys, and the confrontation with the enemy.

Temptation of Jesus: This analyzes the account of Jesus’s temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13, Mark 1:12-13).

Satan’s Strategy: Satan’s temptations involved appealing to physical needs (turning stones to bread), testing God’s protection (jumping from the temple), and seeking worship in exchange for worldly kingdoms.

Spiritual Warfare: Satan attacks one’s relationship with God and that the word of God is the manual for effective spiritual warfare. Jesus gives tools to believers to fight spiritual battle.

Spiritual Warfare: The battle is described as being about power and authority, which Jesus delegated to his followers.

Word of God: The word of God is identified as the believer’s spiritual armor or weapon.

Power and Authority: These are presented as two distinct things. Authority is received at the time of the “new birth” experience, while the power of the Holy Spirit must also be received to be effective in spiritual warfare.

Delegated Powers: The specific powers given include:Power over the enemy and diseases (Luke 9:1).

Power over sin (receiving the Holy Spirit).

Power to extend the Gospel and be a witness (Acts 1:8).

Prayer: Prayer is identified as the third part of the “basic battle plan”.It is a basic battle plan for spiritual life, emphasizing the importance of God’s word, spiritual warfare, and the necessity of both divine authority and power.The following points were discussed.

Spiritual Manual: Defects in life come from not knowing the word of God, which is described as a spiritual manual and battle plan.

Delegated Power and Authority: Jesus delegated authority and power to his followers for spiritual battle against Satan.

Authority vs. Power: It uses the analogy of a policeman’s badge (authority) and weapon (power) to differentiate between the two; both are needed to be effective. Believers receive authority through the new birth but need to receive the power of the Holy Spirit to combine with that authority for effective warfare.

Purposes for Power: Jesus gave power for specific purposes, including:Power over the enemy (devils and diseases, referenced in Luke 9:1).

Power over sin (receiving the Holy Spirit enables the remission or retention of sins).

Power to extend the Gospel (witnessing to the ends of the earth, referenced in Acts 1:8).

Prayer: Prayer is identified as the third part of the basic battle plan.There is need in prayer and persistence in it.

Persistence in Prayer: There is importance of persistent prayer, comparing it to “knocking” and referencing the book of Luke (11:10). It mentions that answers may not be immediate and that persistence is key, especially in spiritual warfare, citing Daniel as an example of someone whose answer was delayed by Satan.

Types of Prayer: It outlines several types of prayer, focusing on:Worship and Praise: Described as entering God’s presence, giving honor and devotion, and expressing gratitude not only for what God has done but for who He is (referencing Psalm 100:4 and John 4:24). Praise can involve singing, shouting, lifting hands, clapping, musical instruments, standing, bowing, and dancing.

Spiritual Warfare: The “warrior of God in the spirit” is associated with high praises and a two-edged sword.

Fasting and Prayer: Fasting is described as the “fourth level of prayer” and a method for “effective warfare in the spirit”.

Types of Fasting:They are two types: “total fast” (without food or drink, citing Acts 9:9 as an example) and “partial diet” (restricted diet).

Public vs. Private Fasting: Private fasting is a personal matter between an individual and God, not to be boasted about. Public fasting can be called by leaders for a “solemn assembly” (citing Joel 2:15).

Purposes of Fasting: There are several spiritual purposes, including to be heard of God, humble oneself, repent of sin, and “loose bands of wickedness”.

Impact of Fasting: Fasting does not change God, but it changes the individual, which in turn affects their relationship with God. The story of Nineveh is given as an example.

Length of Fasting: The duration of a fast depends on “what God speaks in your spirit”.There are several biblical concepts related to spiritual power and authority given to believers:

Keys of the Kingdom: Jesus gave believers the keys to the kingdom, which include the power to bind and loose (Matthew 16:19).

Spiritual Warfare: Believers should bind the power of the enemy in their lives and communities and loose people from bondage like sin, depression, and discouragement. This involves using the name of Jesus and exercising delegated power and authority.

Bible Verses and Promises: There are specific verses highlighting the power in Jesus’ name and signs that follow believers, such as speaking in tongues, casting out demons, and healing the sick (John 14:14, 16:23; Mark 16:17-18).

The Great Commission: It concludes by referencing the Great Commission, where all power is given to believers to go forth, baptize people, and teach them to observe all commands (Matthew 28:18-20).It discusses several biblical concepts related to spiritual power and authority given to believers

Spiritual Warfare: Believers should bind the power of the enemy in their lives and communities and loose people from bondage like sin, depression, and discouragement. This involves using the name of Jesus and exercising delegated power and authority.

Bible Verses and Promises: The text references specific verses highlighting the power in Jesus’ name and signs that follow believers, such as speaking in tongues, casting out demons, and healing the sick (John 14:14, 16:23; Mark 16:17-18).

The Great Commission: The passage concludes by referencing the Great Commission, where all power is given to believers to go forth, baptize people, and teach them to observe all commands (Matthew 28:18-20).The handwritten notes discuss the idea that believers are conquerors through the power of Jesus Christ, not victims.

All things, including all spiritual battles and the power of the enemy, are under the feet of Jesus Christ.

The Church’s Role: The Church is described as the body of Christ, sharing in His authority and victory.

Empowerment: Believers are conquerors not through their own strength, but through God’s power.

There is assurance in God’s emphasis for His purpose will ultimately be accomplished, and no worldly or demonic force can annul it.