Chapter 12

The main goal of offensive Warfare: To “claim new ground” by spreading the gospel and bringing deliverance to those in “enemy bondages” (1 Tim 6:12; 1 Tim 1:18).For us to win the war we should fight with purpose which entails understanding spiritual weapons allowing believers to fight “intelligently” and with purpose, rather than uncertainty.The following are

Offensive Strategies:

1)Prayer: This involves interceding for other people, leaders, and nations, and putting down satanic strongholds.

2)Praise and Worship: These are powerful offensive weapons that cause God to intervene and defeat the enemy (1 Chron 20).There are major keys that assist in the offensive warfare.These are:

The Armor of God: Taking the armor is described as an offensive action for believers to withstand evil.

The Sword of the Spirit: This is identified as the Word of God, which can be used both defensively (against Satan’s attacks) and offensively (sharing the Gospel and deliverance).

The word.There are two Greek Words for the”Word”: These are Logos: which refers to the total, complete revelation of what God has said.

Rhema which refers to a specific saying of God applicable to a specific situation. This is the word used in the passage about the “sword of the Spirit”. Jesus used specific rhema sayings during temptations.

The Mind of Christ: Believers are encouraged to adopt the “mind of Christ” (Philippians 2:5) to permit a mindset for aggressive spiritual warfare and destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).

Knowledge of Scripture: To effectively use specific scriptures in immediate battles, one must have knowledge of God’s total revelation (Logos). The spiritual approach to mental and spiritual warfare, from biblical verses outlines methods for personal transformation and engaging with spiritual forces.

1)Mental Transformation: emphasizes the need for a complete change in mental attitude, character, and conduct. It cites Romans 12:2, encouraging believers not to conform to the world but to be transformed by renewing their minds to align with God’s will.

2)Offensive Warfare: Believers are instructed to take aggressive action to pull down “strongholds” of the enemy, described as offensive warfare rather than defensive. This involves using spiritual weapons (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) to cast down imaginations and bring every thought into obedience to Christ.

Binding and Loosing: God has given us the power given to believers (Matthew 16:19) to “bind” evil forces and “loose” good forces (e.g., binding the spirit of lying and loosing the spirit of truth). This is delegated authority to interact with spiritual forces.The key Christian beliefs regarding spiritual power and warfare is through three main concepts:

The Blood of Jesus: Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross provides access to God, releases believers from Satan’s dominion, and offers salvation, healing, and deliverance. Believers overcome the enemy through the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 12:11).

Testimony: The enemy is defeated by the “word of our testimony” (Rev. 12:11). Testimony is evidence of what God has done, used to wage offensive spiritual warfare.

The Name of Jesus: The name of Jesus is an offensive weapon and a symbol of authority given to believers. In His name, believers can cast out demons, heal the sick, and overcome all the power of the enemy (Mark 16:17). The story of the sons of Sceva highlights the importance of possessing this authority.