SPIRITUAL WARFARE 1

1 John 4:4 (NIV) You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. DO NOT BE AFRAID!

THERE IS A BATTLE! (Eph 6:12 NIV) 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. (2 Cor 10:3,4 NIV) For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

IS THERE A TERRITORIAL BATTLE? (Dan 10:12-14 NIV) Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. 1 John 5:19 (NIV) We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one 1 John 5:19 (NIV) We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one

(Dan 10:20,21 NIV) So he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come; but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince. THE BATTLE IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS BETWEEN ANGELS AND DEMONIC BEINGS. THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL HELPS THE UNNAMED ANGEL TO PREVAIL AND GET THROUGH TO DANIEL!

DO DEMONIC SPIRITS HAVE TERRITORIES? (Mark 5:10 NIV) And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the AREA. Greek - chore:- a space of territory; a region. (Mat 12:43-45 NIV) "When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid PLACES seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left. When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Greek - topos:- home location; home territory.

Luke 11:21,22 “When a strong man, fully armed, GUARDS HIS OWN HOUSE, his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armour in which the man trusted and divides up the spoils. THE PICTURE HERE IS OF A STRONG DEMONIC BEING GUARDING A PARTICULAR TERRITORY i.e. A HOUSE

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM PAUL IN EPHESIANS 6:10-18? 1) V12. There is an enemy in the spiritual realms that we must fight. (We must not fight flesh & blood). 2) V Because we are to fight we need ARMOUR for protection. (NOTE: the whole passage is in the PLURAL i.e. one suit of armour for the church). 3) V17 & 18. The only offensive weapons listed here are the WORD OF GOD (word = RHEMA) and PRAYER (especially in the Spirit).

4) MOST IMPORTANT: V10. Be empowered in the Lord and in the might (dominion) of His strength. a) command to all. b) empowered - dunamis - supernatural power. c) when are we empowered? Acts 1:8. NOTE: Ephesians 6:10-18 would never have been written if Satan did not have power.

The extent of Satan's power can be seen all over the earth - violence, drugs, immorality, occult practices, satanism & witchcraft etc. IN OUR OWN STRENGTH WE HAVE NO POWER OVER SATAN. THE ONLY POWER GREATER THAN SATAN'S IS THE POWER OF GOD!! THAT IS WHY PAUL WROTE: (Eph 6:10 NIV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

WE DARE NOT COME AGAINST SATAN IN OUR OWN STRENGTH. WE MUST COME AGAINST HIM IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. H A V E Y O U G O T T H I S? P O W E R?

In spiritual warfare 2 WE WILL START TO LOOK AT: KNOW YOUR ENEMY! In spiritual warfare 2 WE WILL START TO LOOK AT: KNOW YOUR ENEMY!