Difference between revisions of "Spiritual Equipment for Spiritual Warfare"

Latest revision as of 20:02, 10 January 2011

While in this world, we live in the midst of the conflict between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. We can praise God that as Christians we are on the winning side. Jesus Christ has already declared victory on our behalf. Satan and his hosts are already defeated. Our fighting is not to win the battle, but to enforce the already-won victory. Jesus has done His part; now He is looking to us to do our part. We are to be His soldiers.

Soldiers need both armour and weapons. In our spiritual war, we need spiritual amour and spiritual weapons - not natural ones. We cannot fight a spiritual war with natural weapons.

The Bible says: For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of for tresses (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

Jesus Christ has given to His church armour for protection and weapons for defence and offence. This equipment is "divinely powerful." It is the best that we could have, and absolutely adequate to meet every onslaught of the enemy. It never needs up dating as does equipment for natural warfare. The church today has available to it the same equipment as the early church had.

Let us first consider our spiritual armour and then our spiritual weapons:

The Armour of God

Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armour of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Therefore, take up the full armour of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints. - Ephesians 6:10-18

God's Word exhorts us to "put on the full armour of God" - not just some pieces, but all of it.

There was a time when religiously every morning I put on the armour of God. But then one day I realised that if I were having to put it on in the morning, I must be taking it off at night. Now, constantly I simply thank the Lord that it is on. I keep it on all the time. I need it day and night.

In learning how to put it on, it helped me to realise that Jesus Himself is my armour:

The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the amour of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. - Romans 13:12-14.

In these verses "putting on the armour of light" is equated with "putting on the Lord Jesus Christ." Other verses bring out this same idea: Galatians 3:27; Colossians 3:10.

By "putting on Jesus," "clothing myself with Christ," I am putting on the armour. Jesus is to me every part of the armour:

'Truth (girdle): Jesus said to him, "1 am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me" (John 14:6).

Righteousness (breastplate): But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Peace (shoes): Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do! give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful (John 14:27).

Faith (shield): Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and prefecture of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).

Salvation (helmet): For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings (Hebrews 2:10).

Word of God (sword): in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:1,14).

We put on our armour by a simple confession of faith: "Lord Jesus, You are my armour. You are my salvation. You are my hope (1 Thessalonians 5:8). You are my righteousness. You are my peace. You are my truth. You are the source of my faith. I am kept by Your Word. You are my very life. I stand this day in total protection from every attack of the enemy. In You I am strong. In You lam more than a conqueror.

Having put on our armour, we need to keep it on by a daily confession of faith, acknowledging Christ to be what each piece of armour represents. Then, with all our armour on, we are to resist our enemy and stand firm against him. Whether we are the weakest or the strongest believer, we are kept because of the armour of God - not because of human ability. It's the armour!

The Weapons of Warfare

God has equipped us with "divinely powerful" weapons to wield against the enemy. They are keys that unlock prison doors and set us free from enemy holds.

To be effective, each weapon must be used with faith. Faith releases them. In our Christian life we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). We can go through the motions of using weapons, but if we lack faith, we will be ineffective.

Acts 19:13-16 tells of some Jewish exorcists who were attempting to cast out evil spirits in the name of the Lord Jesus whom Paul was preaching. They had the right formula, but no personal knowledge of salvation and no faith. Their efforts ended in disaster. The man with the evil spirits attacked them and overpowered them, and they fled stripped naked and wounded.

At this point, however, do not fear that you will not have sufficient faith to operate the weapons. Faith is not something for a select few. Every Christian has a measure of faith, and can learn how to release that measure and how to increase it. Romans 10:17 tells us that we receive faith through hearing. Even now as you hear of the weapons God has given you, faith can be coming to your heart.

1. The Name of the Lord Jesus Christ

I learned the power of the name of Jesus at the first encounter I ever had with demons. When I was a very young Christian, a young man who was having demonic manifestations approached a friend and me and asked us to pray for him. In our youthful zeal, we commanded the spirits to leave, declaring to them that they had no right to be there. The spirits manifested and called out, "You have no power over us! You have no power over us!"

We stopped and thought for a moment. "That's right," we said. "We don't have any power over them. It's Jesus who has the power." Then we changed our command and said, "In the name of Jesus, come out!" With this there was a turning of the tide.

When Peter and John healed the lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, the people came to them amazed, thinking that Peter and John themselves had healed the man. But Peter said, ... "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? . . . It is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know" (Acts 3:12, 16).

In Philippians 2:8-11 we read: And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Ephesians 1:20-21 says: Which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come.

The name of Jesus Christ is the highest and most glorious name in all the realms of time and eternity. What a privilege is ours as Christians to have been given the right to use His name. We now represent Christ in the earth. We bear His name. We are His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20).

And these signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, . . .- Mark 16:17

Jesus Christ has given to us, His people, the legal right to use His name. We are His representatives in the earth and are to cast out demons as He did, to heal the sick as He did, and to preach and teach. But it is all to be done in His name.

The early church knew the power of Jesus' name. Wherever the disciples went, they preached, healed, baptised, cast out demons -all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

To bear His name is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. We are acting in the place of Jesus. We are speaking on His behalf. When we speak in His name, led by the Holy Spirit, it is as though Jesus Himself were speaking.

In the name of Jesus Christ we are boldly to confront the enemy. Just as Jesus is feared in the nether world, so likewise are those who come in His name.

In Acts 16 we read the account of Paul in Philippi and how for many days he was bothered by a slave girl with a spirit of divination who followed him and his companions crying out saying that they were servants of the Most High God. Finally Paul used his authority in the name of Jesus: I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!" And it came out at that very moment (verse 18).

This exercising of spiritual authority resulted in Paul and Silas being cast in prison. The masters of the slave girl could no longer use her to bring profit by fortune-telling. In Jesus' name the spirit of divination had fled.

2. The Word of God

Another powerful weapon is the Word of God.

When Jesus was being tempted by Satan, He used the Scriptures to drive back the attack. He responded to each temptation by quoting from the book of Deuteronomy (Luke 4:4 and Deuteronomy 8:3; Luke 4:8 and Deuteronomy 6:13; Luke 4:12 and Deuteronomy 6:16).

If we are to use the Word of God as a weapon against the enemy, we must know what the Bible says. Jesus Himself was only able to use the Scriptures because He had familiarised Himself with them. We too must saturate our minds with the Word of God: read it; study it; memorise it.

When we have the Word of God in our minds and hearts, because we know the true facts, with authority we can make war against the enemy. We can say: "Enemy, you have no legal right to touch my life because lam redeemed by the blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1:7). Sin is not master of my life (Romans 6:14). I am freed from sin (Romans 6:7). Sickness leave my body, for by the stripes of Jesus lam healed (1 Peter 2:24)."

We can also use the Word of God to defend ourselves against enemy attacks. The enemy often attacks by putting thoughts in our minds. He may try to convince us that he is too strong for us, and there is no way we can get free from him. We can respond by saying:

"Enemy, that is not true. Jesus has rendered you powerless (Hebrews 2:14). And Jesus has given me authority over all the works of the enemy (Luke 10:19)." He may try to condemn us for a certain sin even though we have confessed it and asked God's forgiveness. We can respond: "Enemy, there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)."

When using God's Word, there is no need to quote exactly word for word from any particular Bible translation. It is the truth of what the Scripture says that is important. Often it is easiest and best to paraphrase the truths in your own words. Verses you have memorised, of course, can be quoted word for word. Whichever way you use the Word, truth is truth, and the enemy is subject to it.

Another way to use the Word, is to identify with Bible stories. We could, for example, say to the enemy: "Gideon overcame the Midianites by the sword of the Lord. And as he came against them, so we come against you. As he overcame them, so we overcome you..

As well as being able to use God's written Word, we must also learn to hear and be led by God's word as He speaks to us today through His Holy Spirit. When Jesus was on earth, He was in constant communion with His Father. He did nothing on His own initiative, but only what the Father told Him (John 8:28-29).

We must learn to be led by the Spirit in what we do, in how we pray, and in how we come against the enemy. This also applies when quoting Scriptures. We must not quote God's Word just for the sake of throwing verses at demons. We need to learn to flow in the direction the Holy Spirit gives, speaking the truths He brings to our mind.

There may be times when you are led to emphasise a certain Bible truth and to keep on reinforcing it against the enemy. If, for example, the Holy Spirit is emphasising the word "cleanse," cooperate with Him along this line and speak against the hidden stronghold until the burden lifts. You could say: "The Word of God declares that the blood of Jesus cleanses me. I am clean now through His Word. I release the cleansing flow of the Holy Spirit. All uncleanness is going. Every evil spirit going now. Jesus Christ is my purity. Come out in Jesus' name. Thank You, Lord, I am clean. lam clean now. Old things have passed away; all things have become new. I enforce the victory of Calvary. Be cleansed in Jesus' name."

As strongholds are uncovered, you may speak in this vein for perhaps a short period or perhaps a long period - even an hour or more. The secret is learning to flow in the Holy Spirit. This only comes through experience.

A carpenter chooses a particular tool for a particular moment. A golfer selects the right club for a particular drive. Likewise, we are to use the tool or tools appropriate for the time. Using tools for the sake of using them, is not the answer. Be selective. And if a truth or key is quickened to your heart, stay with it. The Holy Spirit will guide you in the general flow of how to speak.

The word of God also comes through gifts of the Spirit: the word of knowledge, discernings of spirits, and the word of wisdom. More will be said about these later.

3. The Blood of Jesus Christ

The blood of Jesus Christ was the price paid for our redemption:

Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of l~fe inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and

spotless, the blood of Christ. -1 Peter 1:18-19

As the Lanib of God, and as the substitute for each one of us, Jesus Christ died the terrible death of crucifixion. He died that we might live. He became sin for us that we might know His righteousness. He took our sickness that we might have His health. He became bound that we might be set free.

The offering of Himself was accepted by the Father as a perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1-39), and thus divine justice was satisfied. Man could now be released from the dominion of sin, sickness, and Satan, because the full price had been paid for his redemption.

Audi heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation,

and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night. And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death."- Revelation 12:10-11

We too overcome Satan and his hosts by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. The "word of our testimony" means we are to testify to what the Word says the blood has accomplished. Demons hate to hear this confession:

1. I am cleansed from all sin by the blood of Jesus. (1 John 1:7)

2. I am brought near to God b the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13)

3. I am justified by the blood of Jesus. (Romans 5:8-9)

4. I have redemption through the blood of Jesus. (Ephesians 1:7)

5. I am sanctified through the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 13:12)

6. I have peace with ~ His blood. (Colossians 1:20)

7. I am in a covenant relationship with God through the blood of Jesus. (Mark 14:24)

8. I am purchased by the blood of Jesus. Acts 20:28)

9. The blood of Christ cleanses my conscience. (Hebrews 9:14)

10. I have confidence to come into the presence of God by the blood of Jesus. (Hebrews 10:19-22)

11. The blood of Christ is precious to me. (1 Peter 1:19)

Use the words of your testimony to make war against the enemy:

"Through the blood of Jesus Christ I have been redeemed, bought out of Satan's dominion. Through His blood I enjoy a covenant relationship with God. I stand before my Father's throne with confidence, my mind and conscience cleansed. Spirits of darkness come out now in Jesus' name. I drive you out of your hiding places. The precious blood of Jesus sanctifies me now. Lord, I praise You that right now the blood speaks release.

While staying on a sheep station in Australia, the station owners told us that one of their young daughters was continually having terrible nightmares. The mother understood how she was suffering because she had had the same kind of dreams when she was a child.

We spoke to the parents of the power of the blood of Jesus Christ and of their authority as believers to set their daughter free. Around ten o'clock, when she was sleeping soundly, we went into her bedroom, and laid our hands on her. We instructed the parents to listen carefully to the way we prayed so that if the nightmares were not broken through this one operation of faith, they could continue praying on subsequent occasions until she was completely free.

Quietly, we declared the power of the blood of Jesus Christ and that on the grounds of sacrificial blood the enemy had no legal right to afflict the child. For a few minutes, without her waking, we rebuked the source of the nightmares, praising God for the redeeming blood. Next morning she exclaimed, "Mummy, I didn't have any bad dreams last night!"

Through later contacts with the family, we were pleased to learn that she has never since been troubled with nightmares. They were broken the night we prayed. There is power in the blood of the Lamb!

4. The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the one who represents Jesus in our midst. He is the one who strengthens us for the battle, who quickens the words we utter in faith in Jesus' name.

Jesus Himself did not commence His public ministry until He was anointed with the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:21-23). After His resurrection, He commanded His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they were filled with the Holy Spirit. They had been born again of the Spirit (John 20:22), but not baptised with the Spirit (Acts 1:8; 2:1-4).

It is necessary for us also to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Until we have commenced the Spirit-filled walk, we will never successfully and consistently deal with evil spirits.

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is not an end result in itself, but a gateway through which we enter into new realms of experiencing and serving God. As those born again of the Spirit, we are to come to Jesus Christ, the Baptise in the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:16), and ask Him to fill us.

We receive His Spirit by faith, even as we receive salvation by faith. To some, this entering the Spirit-filled walk, passing through this gateway into a daily walk in the Spirit, is a dynamic and thrilling experience. To others, it is a quiet receiving. My experience was the former, whereas Shirley's was the latter. Whatever our kind of experience, we enter into a new dimension of Christian living that is to be maintained daily by faith. Ephesians 5:18.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, ministered in total dependence upon the Holy Spirit: 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 (Acts 10:38).

The Holy Spirit is the power that enables us to cast out demons. As we speak words of faith against the enemy, the Holy Spirit enforces what we say. He makes our words as sharp arrows piercing into enemy strongholds; He makes them as heavy hammers destroying; He makes them as flaming shafts dispelling darkness.

Jesus called the Holy Spirit the "finger of God." In replying to accusations that He was casting out demons by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons, He said, "But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you" (Luke 11:20). In Matthew 12:28 where the same incident is recorded it reads: "But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Shirley and I were praying against spirits of uncleanness in a young woman and the Holy Spirit was taking our words and a flow of deliverance was being experienced. After sitting quietly for quite some time, she suddenly burst out crying. When we asked her why, she said that a spirit within her had just said mockingly that it was hiding and could not be found and was not coming out. Immediately my eyes were opened to "see" the spirit, and placing my hand on her, I said, "By the Holy Spirit's illumination I see you. You cannot hide and you are leaving right now.

In Jesus' name, go!"

At once the spirit reacted in fear and quickly left, and she felt an obvious release.

We all rejoiced that the "finger of God," the Holy Spirit, had reached within to seek out the spirit where it was hiding and to enforce the commands we had given in Jesus' name.

5. Praise

At the Olympic Games competitors strive after medals, and those who are successful receive much praise, especially for outstanding performances. On the natural plane we honour with praise those who achieve.

On the spiritual plane we are to honour Almighty God with praise for His greatness and glory. We are to be excited with Him and to praise Him for His perfection, His works, and His benefits through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.

Serve the Lord with gladness;

Come before Him with joyful singing. . .

Enter His gates with thanksgiving,

And His courts with praise.

Give thanks to Him; bless His name. Psalm 100:1-2