PREPARING FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE

 Ephesians 6:10-18

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Lesson Objective

After this study, the student will be equipped to face the spiritual warfare facing all Christian believers. This Study will include: understanding the weapons of spiritual warfare, mastering the weapons, preparing for battle, showing the importance of practice, facing the enemy, fighting the fight of faith, handling defeat, overcoming the enemy, and facing death.

Introduction

What we believe wh influences our childhood experiences have conditioned our belief system, education, what we watch, hear and read from the mass media, and various other external influences such as our politics and religion. As we get older, the previously held belief system has been overly simplistic and lacked depth, and we often change.

As we acquire new information, we begin to question the established standard seriously. The new information is examined under the old paradigm. If it disagrees with our belief system, it is discarded, even though it can be verified as truth. This action is dangerous and places the believer in a precarious situation.

There comes a time in our life that all of us resist letting go of old beliefs. Then there are times when we are excited to explore new ways of thinking. It should be noted that I have no desire to make you believe anything. I am only interested in challenging you to expand your belief system to accept what is truth. To prepare you to engage an enemy that is seeking to destroy your soul is my only intent.

There are times when our belief system conflicts. As a child in Sunday School, we were taught to love "everyone in the world." But as we grow older on a general level, we may believe that all humanity is shown, love. Yet, on a personal level, we may feel fully justified at times in being angry and upset at individuals who are hateful and evil, and you have no love for these people. Some may go so far as to justify killing, not that they would be guilty of the act, but would condone others acting. We have no problem making sense of what may appear "illogical" even when it conflicts with our belief system.

By choosing to be honest, the inconsistencies within us and the world become increasingly apparent, allowing us to decide how we deal with them. We naturally become more open and better able to understand and integrate conflicting beliefs on various levels. Through choosing to identify, understand, and transform the inconsistencies within ourselves, they can become potent teachers inviting us to expand our awareness if we allow them.

The more soundly we believe those beliefs will shape something, the more likely our lives change. The more deeply we know something to be accurate, the more likely we will see and experience the world in terms of that truth. That is why it is essential too, Study to show thyself approved—rightly dividing the word of God.

Yet this does not necessarily mean that what is valid for one person will be true for others no matter how deeply it is experienced. Perception is reality. Through their interpretation of what happens to them throughout life, each person develops their version of reality, which has varying amounts of overlap with what others believe to be the reality. We may believe something to be accurate and authentic, but our emotional experiences can be different. The more honest we are to ourselves and the spiritual world around us, the more consciously we can make choices. And the more open we are in expanding our knowledge and beliefs, the more powerfully we can face the enemy of our soul.

Let's then choose to be open, transparent, and honest both with ourselves and with each other and offer support for the possibilities of spiritual growth that lie within each one of us. This will only happen when we are aware of the spiritual conflict in which we are engaged. Preparing ourselves for the battle is part of the Christian journey.

Study Outline

1. Objectives of Spiritual Warfare- Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

2. Understanding Your Weapons-(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;)

3. Mastering the Sword- All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

4. Mastering the Shield- So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

5. Mental Preparation for Battle-But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

6. The Importance of Practice-Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

7. Facing the Enemy- Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:-There is nothing loving about the enemy of your soul".

8. Fighting the Good Fight of Faith- Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

9. Combat on the Battlefield-Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

10. Handling Defeat- A righteous man falling down before the wicked [is as] a troubled fountain and a corrupt spring.

11. Overcoming the Enemy- In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

12. Facing Death- Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.