RCCG – The House of Prayer » Spiritual Warfare II

Title: Spiritual Warfare II

Text: Eph. 6:12

[Eph 6:12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Introduction

Last week we answered and discussed the following:
- What is spiritual warfare?
  - Spiritual warfare is the act of possessing what is rightfully yours and rejecting what God has not destined for you.
  - Spiritual warfare is the battle against activities of the demonic world against you, your family, your church, and your community
- When do you warfare?
  - Matters that are vital in life require warfare. Matters that are miniscule may not.
- Qualifications to warfare
  - You must belong to Jesus Christ
  - You must be obedient to the Word of God (you must be Holy)
  - You cannot go into battle in the authority of whom you do not believe.
  - You must be ready to enlist as a soldier of Christ – 2 Tim. 2:1-4
- 7 Vital items of warfare from Eph. 6:10-18
  1. Be strong in the Lord
  2. Be strong in His power – Eph. 1:19-20
  3. Put on the whole armour – to stand against the devil (your enemy)
  4. Know your enemy –
  5. Put on the whole armor
  6. Praying always with all prayers and supplications
  7. Watching with all perseverance – including fasting

Main Topic

The Weapons of our warfare – 2 Cor. 10:3-5

[2Co 10:3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

[2Co 10:4] (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

[2Co 10:5] Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

5 things about our weapons

Our weapons are not carnal (physical)
Our weapons are mighty through God
Our weapons are for pulling down strong holds
Our weapons are for casting down imaginations and high things that exalts itself against the knowledge of God
Our weapons are for bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ

A soldier must have weapons, so your weapons are:

The Word of God
- Psa 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
- Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
  - The Word of God can penetrate the spirit, the soul, and the body of man
- [Isa 55:11] So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
- [Joh 1:1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
- Joh 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
- Jesus used the Word against the devil and overcame the devil – Matt. 4:3-11
  - [Mat 4:3] And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
  - [Mat 4:4] But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
  - [Mat 4:5] Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
  - [Mat 4:6] And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
  - [Mat 4:7] Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
  - [Mat 4:8] Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
  - [Mat 4:9] And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
  - [Mat 4:10] Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
  - [Mat 4:11] Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
- The depth of your relationship with God is determined by His Word that you know
The name of Jesus
- Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
  Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
  Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
- [Col 1:16] For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
  - All things were made by Him and for Him, as a result, He has authority over all things.
- Act 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
- 1Jn 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
The blood of Jesus
- Exo 12:23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.
- Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
  Col 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
- Joh 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
  Joh 6:54  Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
  Joh 6:55  For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
  Joh 6:56  He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
- Jesus Christ shed His blood seven times to perfect the work of the cross
  1. He shed His blood In Gethsemane
  2. He shed His blood When He stood before the Jews and they pulled his beard out
  3. He shed His blood When they smote Him with the reed
  4. He shed His blood When they whipped His back
  5. He shed His blood When they nailed His hands to the cross
  6. He shed His blood When they nailed His feet to the cross
  7. He shed His blood When they pierced His side
- The church (bride of Jesus) was birthed symbolically when they pierced His side, symbolic of how Eve was birthed from Adam.
- Blood and water came out – symbolic of giving birth
Praise and Worship
- Psa 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
- Act 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
  Act 16:26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
- 2Ch 20:22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
Condition for using the weapons: Know Jesus intimately
- Act 19:14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
  Act 19:15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
  Act 19:16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

The 12 Demonic Spirits in the Bible

1. The spirit of Jealousy – Num 5:11-14

Num 5:11 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Num 5:12 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man’s wife go aside, and commit a trespass against him,

Num 5:13 And a man lie with her carnally, and it be hid from the eyes of her husband, and be kept close, and she be defiled, and there be no witness against her, neither she be taken with the manner;

Num 5:14 And the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled:

murderer
anger
rage
revenge
competition
suspicion
Prov 6:34-35 – jealousy brings rage, vengeance, not content Pro 6:34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. Pro 6:35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.

2. The spirit of lying (lying spirit)

– 2 Chro. 18:18-22: the lying spirit came to the prophets. 2Ch 18:18 Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left. 2Ch 18:19 And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner. 2Ch 18:20 Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? 2Ch 18:21 And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the LORD said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so. 2Ch 18:22 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.
religious spirit
this spirit is superstitous – Ez. 12:24 – flattering divination- Eze 12:24 For there shall be no more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel.
Jer 23:4 And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.
adultery
evil doing
there’s a curse on it
profanity
hypocrisy
vanity
vision of their own heart, not from the Lord

3. Familiar spirit

1 Sam 28:7 – Saul sought for a familiar spirit – 1Sa 28:7 Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.
Deut 18:10-12 – forbidden by the Lord – Deu 18:10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Deu 18:11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. Deu 18:12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
Astrology
Horoscopes
Fortune teller
Star gazers

4. Spirit of Perversion

Isa 19:14 The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit.
error: cause people to live in error
unable to discover the truth of God’s Word
people that preach error
will bring about laziness
hates God – Pro 14:2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
will manifest itself in men who lust after women – Pro 23:33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
it always twist the Word of God – Act 13:10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
homosexuality

5. Spirit of heaviness

Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
grief
despair
hopelessness
rejection
self pity
gluttony
gloominess – always negative

6. Spirit of whoredom

Hos 4:12 My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredomshath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.
Ez. 16:28-39 Eze 16:28 Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians, because thou wast unsatiable; yea, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet couldest not be satisfied. Eze 16:29 Thou hast moreover multiplied thy fornication in the land of Canaan unto Chaldea; and yet thou wast not satisfied herewith. Eze 16:30 How weak is thine heart, saith the Lord GOD, seeing thou doest all these things, the work of an imperious whorish woman; Eze 16:31 In that thou buildest thine eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thine high place in every street; and hast not been as an harlot, in that thou scornest hire; Eze 16:32 But as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband! Eze 16:33 They give gifts to all whores: but thou givest thy gifts to all thy lovers, and hirest them, that they may come unto thee on every side for thy whoredom. Eze 16:34 And the contrary is in thee from other women in thy whoredoms, whereas none followeth thee to commit whoredoms: and in that thou givest a reward, and no reward is given unto thee, therefore thou art contrary. Eze 16:35 Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD: Eze 16:36 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them; Eze 16:37 Behold, therefore I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all them that thou hast loved, with all them that thou hast hated; I will even gather them round about against thee, and will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness. Eze 16:38 And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy. Eze 16:39 And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall break down thy high places: they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare.
idol worshiping (idolatry)
religious spirit (goes hand in hand)
prostitution
Never satisfied
adultery
fornication
weak heart (can never say no. No will of their own)
filthiness
end result of whoredomness – poverty

7. Spirit of Infirmity

Luk 13:11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
all demonic sicknesses are controlled by the spirit of infirmity
cancer
sickness and diseases

8. Dumb and deaf spirit

Mark 9:17-25Mar 9:17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; Mar 9:18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. Mar 9:19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. Mar 9:20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. Mar 9:21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. Mar 9:22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Mar 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. Mar 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Mar 9:25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
insanity
suicide
epilepsy
seizures
lunatic
anorexia
Mat 17:15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

9. Spirit of fear

2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
torment
terror
worry
timidity
inferiority complex
phobias
inadequate
fear of height, darkness
sensing danger always
nightmares
physical uncontrollable trembling for no reason
Job 4:14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.

10. Spirit of pride

Pro 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
haughty spirit
mockery
stubborness
gossip
contentions and in-fighting – Pro 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
wrath – Pro 21:24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
arrogant
controlling spirit – always wants to control people

11. Spirit of bondage

Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
it is a spirit that manifests also in fear
anguish – Exo 6:9 And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.
bitterness
addictions (drug, alcohol, etc)
spiritual blindness (hear the word, but no change)

12. Spirit of anti-Christ

1Jn 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
the spirit that denies the virgin birth
it will also deny the deity of Jesus (that He’s a prophet)
it denies that Jesus is the Son of God
it denies that He came in the flesh
denies that He died on the cross
that He resurrected
a religious spirit
controls many nations…
those that preach part of the Bible and don’t believe the rest

Demons hide under a different name. You got to find the name (strong man) to cast the demon out.

Next Week:

Battles:
- The Battle at Jericho
- The Battle at Ai
- The Battle against the Philistines – 2 Sam. 5:17-25
The role of the Holy Spirit
The role of prayer
- The order of the prayers
The role of fasting

Some Scriptures

1 John 3:8 –

1Jn 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Col 2:14-15 –

Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Col 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Ps. 5:10 –

Psa 5:10 Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.

Ps. 6:10 –

Psa 6:10 Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.

Ps. 7:1 –

Psa 7:1 O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:

Ps. 7:6 –

Psa 7:6 Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.

Ps. 10:15 –

Psa 10:15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.

Ps. 11:6 –

Psa 11:6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.

Ps. 18:1-50 – the whole chapter

Ps. 27:1-3

Psa 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psa 27:2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

Psa 27:3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in thiswill I be confident.

Ps. 68 – the whole chapter

Ps. 144:5-6

Psa 144:5 Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.

Psa 144:6 Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.

Job 5:12

Job 5:12 He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.

Conclusion

The devil’s success is dependent on your ignorance
- Time to stop being ignorant
- Study the Bible like your life depends on it – because it actually depends on it
- Memorize scriptures – it is what you put in that the Holy Spirit will bring out
- Read books by Christian authors
  - The Believer’s Authority by Kenneth Hagin
  - The Triumphant Church by Kenneth Hagin
  - Good Morning Holy Spirit by Benny Hinn
Don’t go looking for the devil – it’s not our job to look for him – it takes our focus away from God
However, if the occasion calls for it, you must warfare
Never go to battle unprepared – be prepared at all times

Sermon

Spiritual Warfare II