Leading During Spiritual Conflict - pt. 4

1.  Spiritual conflict is a reality.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV

2.  We are equipped to fight spiritually

“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” Luke 10:19 ESV

3.  The Lord is fully engaged in the battle for us

“The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.” Deuteronomy 28:7 ESV

4.  We should expect to be victorious in spiritual conflict

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4-5 ESV

“no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.  This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.’ Isaiah 54:17 NIV

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:10-13 NIV 

 

  • The devils schemes.

  • Our struggle

We are in this together=.  It is not me or just you – there is common ground – our struggle

  • Its not just people

Your struggle is not against a person, individual or group of people.  Why fight where the battle does not exist? 

  • Armor is need for the intensity of the battle

  • The goal? – to remain standing.

the devil schemes - method, strategy, craftiness, planned deceitful procedures. And we are called to lead while that is happening.  The conflict is predictable. 

What are we called to do - Lead in times of spiritual conflict.

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”  Eph 6:11

“in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.“ 2 Cor 2:10

The schemes of the enemy:

  •  Our thought life is a battlefield

  •   Unforgiveness

 If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven--if there was anything to forgive--I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.  2 Cor 2:10-11 NIV84

 

  • Isolation

The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Gen 2:18 NIV84

 

  • Intimidation

 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

  

  • Manipulation

 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor 10:4-5 NIV84

 

  • Condemnation

 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.  Rom 8:1-2 NIV84

 

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  John 3:17 NIV84

This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 1 John 3:19-20 NIV84

 

What makes us susceptible to the schemes of the enemy?

  •  Fatigue

  •  Insecurities

  •  Broken relationships