It Is Personal - Spiritual Warfare

John 16:31-33

“Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?  Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Tribulation, trials, persecution, sorrow, famine, sickness, financial stress, shipwreck (emotional),

Snake that bites (spiritual warfare), thorns of life (those who have wronged / cheated you), wars, loss and death, are a few of the many heartaches of living in this sinful world.

It was not intended to be like this, as every Believer understands and knows.

Because of our sinful nature, Believers have to fight in spiritual warfare to overcome this world. Spiritual warfare is real and it is personal!

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

It is true, we live in a body of flesh. But we do not fight like people of the world. We do not use those things to fight with that the world uses. 

We use the things God gives to fight with and they have power. Those things God gives to fight with destroy the strong-places of the devil. 

We break down every thought and proud thing that puts itself up against the wisdom of God. We take hold of every thought and make it obey Christ.

Ephesians 6:11-17

“Put on the things God gives you to fight with. Then you will not fall into the traps of the devil. 

Our fight is not with people. It is against the leaders and the powers and the spirits of darkness in this world. It is against the demon world that works in the heavens. Because of this, put on all the things God gives you to fight with. Then you will be able to stand in that sinful day. When it is all over, you will still be standing. So stand up and do not be moved. 

A. Wear the belt of truth around your body. This means to have the true Word of God in your heart. With God’s Truth you can not be defeated!

B. Wear a piece of iron over your chest which is called a breastplate or shield. With the breastplate of Jesus’ righteousness, you cover your heart and protect yourself from the wiles of the devil. 

Because now you are right with God and you are His child, Satan hates you!

C. Wear the shoes of peace on your feet which is the “Good News” from God. This is simply, to be ready and willing to tell others the wonderful truth about being Born Again. How you have died to the flesh and now are walking in the Spirit, according to John 3:5-8.

“Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’  

The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” 

That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 

John 3:16-18

For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.

There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him. But anyone who “Does Not” believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: 

God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 

All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 

But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants”

D. Most important of all, you need a covering of faith which is your shield of Faith. Know what God has taught you and now “Stand” on His True Words from the Bible.

The devil will try to bring doubt, fear and others means to cause you to question your Faith. Do all to STAND! 

Romans 8:37-39

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. 

Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 

No power in the sky above or in the earth below, indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

E. The covering for your head is that you have been saved from the punishment of sin. This is called the “helmet of salvation”. Always know who you are in Christ! The devil has many schemes that he will use to cause you to question God, your Faith and even your Salvation.

James 4:7 tells you.

“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”. 

F. Take the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.This is your strongest weapon against the enemy. Knowing the Word of God will destroy the traps and temptations of satan! Remember that this spiritual warfare is not fought as a group, rather every Believer is involved in a personal battle with the devil. Stand and fight for you will defeat him! The enemy of sin and death has been conquered by Jesus Christ, both at the Cross and on Resurrection Day! The victory is already yours, in Christ Jesus. 

Isaiah 54:17

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, 

And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. 

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, 

And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord”.

What to do when in spiritual warfare …

1.  Understand It Is Real …
2. Call It Out ... 
3. Be Clear about Your Position
4. Consider Your Armor …
5. Pray …
6. Fast …
7. Gather with Others …
8. Read God's Word …