Weapons of Spiritual Warfare

[Jane Chai]

The devil seek to destroy us, he doesn’t care if we are busy, he like it if we are busy so that we can’t stand. Satan has ordered kingdom with different authority. There are spiritual origin to some of our problem. There is a direct involvement of a demonic activity. We are wrestling with supernatural powers and there is supernatural dimension we need to walk in.

Ephesians 6:13

We have to do devotion regularly to stand against the scheme of Satan. Also, pray. Very few people live with the spirit of prayer, prayer sometimes become a burden, be honest.

1 John 3:8

Jesus war against the destructive work of Satan. But we mostly tolerate the works of the devil. Ephesians 6:13 is a daily thing, an important thing we do in daily basis. One of the work Jesus destroyed is sickness (not all are demonic, some can be result of world sin). A lot of time we are used to being oppressed struggling….wake up, because this is Satan raged against you. There is no ceasefire. Some sickness is because of eating bad food, some is because of spiritual dullness (doesn’t mean demon possess). A Christian can be tormented by the demon for sure (not demon possess).

Born again believer can die a premature death out of God’s will. Satan raged is both towards body, soul and mind. God wants us to do it His way to get safety. The righteous need to suffer more (not in God’s will) so that it will discipline us to come to God.

Is not ok to not press in for God, our standard should base on how other church do what but our church should be built upon the standard of the word. I’m not rebuking anyone but the whole structure of prayer needs to grow as we reach the millennium.

We are not convinced that we don’t have the authority. A lot of time is we confused spiritual authority to emotion. Sometime they only thought things will work out if it feels good. Authority is more than your track record, size, ministry size, is not talking loud and fast. The authority is the name of Jesus.

12 different weapon of warfare:

1. Name of Jesus

We have to use the name of Jesus, not like superstitious thing but in warfare. E.g. proclaiming the supremacy of Jesus.

2. Word of God

God created everything uses word. We quote the word from God to the enemy and to our own soul.

3. The Blood of Jesus

How is Satan overcome? By the blood of Jesus. Declare this to the enemy.

4. Our testimony

We are the sons of God, the bride of Christ. We are loved by God. This is essential. Say it to ourselves, is good for our heart.

5. Obedient in our life

Disobedience is sin. Sin opens doors to demons.

6. Praise and worship

Declaring the beauty of God. Can do this anywhere not just meeting or church. Declaring who God is, His supremacy

7. Speak in tongue (I respect those who don’t)

Paul prayed in tongue more than anyone. This can be done quietly, just do it more, 3-5 hours etc.

8. Actively addressed demonic spirit

You may not know where he is, but at least address it.

9. Service in the kingdom

Giving, helping poor, it is lifestyle warfare.

10. Fasting

11. Intercessory prayer coming out of a community

There is a spiritual authority in this

12. Perseverance

Pray for the sick in your midst without giving up. People’s life are spared before through this. Compromising and individualistic will not overcome demon.

 

[Tangible]

Liturgical Gangstas 16: Spiritual Warfare | internetmonk.com

“Spiritual warfare” isn’t part of the Lutheran lexicon, at least traditionally speaking. However, we do tend to speak of the “church militant,” that is, during the time between Jesus’ first appearing in humility and His second appearing in glory, the church remains a church at war.

Our warfare is not against flesh and blood; we are not contending with our fellow human beings but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). In his exposition of the Our Father, Luther noted the “unholy trinity” – the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh – that would not hallow God’s Name, have His kingdom come, or desire that His will be done. Spiritual warfare is waged both externally with the devil and the unbelieving world and internally with the old Adamic man.

The struggle is over the Gospel and true faith in Christ. This is not a war to see who’s in control, for Christ is already the victorious and reigning King of kings and Lord of lords. This is rather a contention for the Gospel in the world, the proclamation of the justification of the ungodly by grace through faith for Christ’s sake. For Lutherans, spiritual warfare is not about claiming the culture or the nation for Jesus, but ensuring that the Gospel of Jesus, the free forgiveness of sins for Christ’s sake, have free course and be preached to the world. The weapons of spiritual warfare are the “whole armor” of God given to His baptized believers: truth, righteousness, the Gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer (Ephesians 6:13-18). With these, the church militant defends the peace that Christ has won by His dying and rising.

Perhaps the best way to get a bead on the Lutheran perspective on “spiritual warfare” is to survey the “church militant” section of our hymnal. The foremost fight song, of course, is Luther’s A Mighty Fortress:

Though devils all the world should fill
All eager to devour us
We tremble not, we fear no ill;
They shall not overpower us.
This world’s prince my still
Scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none.
He’s judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.
(Lutheran Service Book #656)

(By the way, the “little word” that can fell the devil, according to Luther himself in a table talk, is “liar.” To name the devil the liar that he is to render him powerless.)

This hymn from Luther originally named both the Pope and the Turk (Muslim) as enemies of the Gospel. We have it in a somewhat more sanitized version:

Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word;
Curb those who by deceit or sword
Would wrest the kingdom from Your Son
And bring to naught all He has done.
(Lutheran Service Book #655)

Rise! To arms! With prayer employ you,
O Christians, lest the foe destroy you;
For Satan has designed your fall.
Wield God’s Word, the weapon glorious;
Against all foes be thus victorious,
For God protects you from them all.
Fear not the hordes of hell,
Here is Emmanuel.
Hail the Savior! The strong foes yield
To Christ, our Shield.
And we, the victors, hold the field.
(Lutheran Service Book #668)