Spiritual Warfare

[awaken]

We need to examined ourself (and our environment) and honestly and prayerfully test our beliefs against Scripture. What are we feeding ourself spiritually through the activities that we're involved in, and through books, magazines, TV shows, movies, radio, etc., and what types of beliefs have we begun to embrace because of the things that we're exposed to? What organizations are we involved with, such as lodges, orders, leagues, societies, masons, etc., and are we aware of the spiritual philosophies that they teach as we go deeper into the organization? Do we know for sure that our church is not teaching false doctrines, and have we ever asked for their statement of beliefs and compared it with the Bible?

Do we try to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5)? As a Christian, have we ever gone to a palm reader, a fortune teller, a seance, a "trance channeler," played with an Ouija board, followed your horoscope, purchased "healing" crystals, gotten involved with hypnosis, "visualization," transcendental or other forms of meditation, yoga, martial arts, or other activities associated with "Eastern" spirituality? Do we believe in reincarnation, karma, fate, psychics, the prophecies of Nostradamus, UFOs, "near-death experiences," past life experiences, good luck charms, voodoo, superstitions, etc.? Do we own statues or jewelry or other objects which depict pagan gods or goddesses or have occult symbols on them (such as an Egyptian "ankh," which looks like a cross with a circle on top)?

All of these beliefs and practices are not necessarily sinful or evil, but some of them such as trance channeling, mediums, seances, voodoo, etc., are quite obviously sinful because they are denounced in Scripture (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).

We need to make it a point to become fully aware of any spiritual philosophies that we or our family are being exposed to, and listen to the Holy Spirit within us to discern whether we have peace concerning any of these things.

 

[happyjoy]

We are all involved in spiritual warfare, whether we like it or not, and whether we realize it or not. Imagine a soldier on a battlefield who can't see or hear an enemy and therefore he doesn't believe there's an enemy out there, so he wanders around without his weapons, not carrying out his assigned duties, completely defenseless and vulnerable, stumbling into the enemy's camp without even being aware of it. The enemy doesn't care if that soldier was ignorant or if he was "just playing around." That soldier won't last long before being hurt by the enemy, yet this is how many of us live. We don't know that there's a war being fought in the spiritual plane, and we don't understand that there's an enemy of pure evil out there. We don't understand that God has an assigned place for each and every Christian, and that we have all been given spiritual gifts and spiritual weapons (defensive and offensive) for waging the battle in the heavenlies while we are here on earth.

Is this spiritual war literal or metaphorical? To try and be more clear I will explain. Is the war just the decisions humans make every day whether on not to sin or obey the commandment of Jesus in our actions. Or is there some real spiritual realm adjacent to ours but which we are unaware where literal battles take place? Kind of like how sci fi shows have alternate dimensions.

 

[awaken]

Is this spiritual war literal or metaphorical? To try and be more clear I will explain. Is the war just the decisions humans make every day whether on not to sin or obey the commandment of Jesus in our actions. Or is there some real spiritual realm adjacent to ours but which we are unaware where literal battles take place? Kind of like how sci fi shows have alternate dimensions.

I believe the Bible teaches the Spiritual realm was here before we were..and it still exist today. So my answer would be..yes! It is real

In the following passages, we can see that the spiritual forces of evil include rulers, powers, and authorities which live in the heavenly realms:
"In that day the LORD will punish the powers in the heavens above and the kings on the earth below." (Isaiah 24:21)

"His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 3:10)

"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." (Ephesians 6:12)
The fact that the spiritual forces of evil include rulers, authorities, and powers indicates that there is a demonic hierarchy or chain of command. But what do these rulers rule over?

 

[Brian]

Earthquakes from the devil???

The devil has no power but what God allows.

The bible says that when mankind will not call on the Lord, the earth will cry out to him...I am not saying all earthquakes are caused by this, but some are...

Some spiritual warriors receive attacks from demons, and these false brethren testify of this...no Demon can pass through Hebrew Blood...if you hear of a testimony as such, the so-called warriors are outside the WILL of God.

Another name for spiritual warfare is "Prophesying"

You must first understand knowledge, prophecy, and faith, but without the gift of discerning of spirits you are fighting blind...

When God activates the gifts of knowledge/prophecy/faith/spiritual discernment as 1 gift, the gift(s) become a single gift of "prophesying"

 

[MMarc]

Earthquakes from the devil???

The devil has no power but what God allows.

The bible says that when mankind will not call on the Lord, the earth will cry out to him...I am not saying all earthquakes are caused by this, but some are...

Some spiritual warriors receive attacks from demons, and these false brethren testify of this...no Demon can pass through Hebrew Blood...if you hear of a testimony as such, the so-called warriors are outside the WILL of God.

Another name for spiritual warfare is "Prophesying"

You must first understand knowledge, prophecy, and faith, but without the gift of discerning of spirits you are fighting blind...

When God activates the gifts of knowledge/prophecy/faith/spiritual discernment as 1 gift, the gift(s) become a single gift of "prophesying"

Did you actually watch the video I put there.

 

[faithtransforms]

I look for reasonable explanations for everything first and if all else fails and I'm left to conclude that there cannot be any other explanation but something possibly in the spirit realm is interferring, then that's when I'll engage through prayer.

No offense intended by any means. But you are looking for "reasonable" explanations? As if a demonic attack is NOT a reasonable explanation? What do you think the devil and the other 1/3 of the angels that fell with him are doing everyday? Listening to Oprah on XM Radio? No, they are actively engaged in trying to destroy Christians and blind unbelievers so they won't be saved.

1 Peter 5:8: "Be sober, be vigilant ; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about , seeking whom he may devour".

Now satan is not omnipresent, his demons are also involved in this same task. Satan IS a defeated foe. However, he wants to do as much damage as he can before the bottomless pit and the lake of fire.

Again, if you're not being attacked, that likely means the devil doesn't find you to be a threat. That's not good. If you are actively trying to advance the Kingdom of God and destroy the kingdom of satan by winning souls and interceeding for people to get them saved and delivered (the prayer of a righteous man availeth much), then satan is going to attack you. If you are just living a cozy Christian life, you're not doing it right. You've got to be crucifying the flesh, which hurts, and we are to be transformed into the image of Jesus from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18). We are to be becoming more like Jesus everyday. What is one of the things Jesus came to do? Destroy the works of the devil. And we are to do the same by advancing the Kingdom of God. There is no such thing as a comfy Christian life, unless you are living a worldly life, but with God, you are either moving forward or moving backwards. There is no stagnancy.

 

[happyjoy]

Is this spiritual war literal or metaphorical? To try and be more clear I will explain. Is the war just the decisions humans make every day whether on not to sin or obey the commandment of Jesus in our actions. Or is there some real spiritual realm adjacent to ours but which we are unaware where literal battles take place? Kind of like how sci fi shows have alternate dimensions.

I believe the Bible teaches the Spiritual realm was here before we were..and it still exist today. So my answer would be..yes! It is real

In the following passages, we can see that the spiritual forces of evil include rulers, powers, and authorities which live in the heavenly realms:
"In that day the LORD will punish the powers in the heavens above and the kings on the earth below." (Isaiah 24:21)

"His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 3:10)

"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." (Ephesians 6:12)
The fact that the spiritual forces of evil include rulers, authorities, and powers indicates that there is a demonic hierarchy or chain of command. But what do these rulers rule over?

Do you think you can sense these other dimensions? Have you seen a demon manifest itself?

The most "advanced" unproven scientific theories working on college campuses today deal with exactly what you describe.

 

[jasoncran]

happyjoy, one cant prove a metaphysical being.

 

[happyjoy]

happyjoy, one cant prove a metaphysical being.

I wasn't asking for proof.

I just stated the fact that string theory. Which it seems is in the lead to replace both relativity, and quantum mechanics as the over all theory of the universe says that there are multiple unseen dimensions where higher a being could be living and may know about us, but we can't see them.

They can't prove their theory either, but they are getting closer. The LHC in Europe is online and may provide evidence for these other dimensions.

 

[jasoncran]

this isnt that dimension, you are confusing the pysichic explanation of the portals to the nether realms and such like with what we are calling the spiritual world. why physics deal with this, their description is half truth, when we die we are gone and not stuck in between to be lead to the light. we are in the ground and we are dead and only upon resurrection for the judgement from the lord. after that if we are found not in christ then we cast in gehanna for ever. those in christ wont see that throne(white throne),we will see that bema seat judgment.

 

[Mike]

Watch this if you can, and it will open your eyes to the global war from the Lord vs the enemy.

http://www.xpmedia.com/KkumSmTyNb9C

Let me know what you think.

Blessings

Interesting video, MMarc. Unfortunately, it's late for me on the EST as I started watching it. I got about 11 minutes into it when his lesson starts, and I'll pick it up later and watch it thru. It's pretty long.
I am going to watch it with an open mind, but I have to say I have some reservations, however I'll give him the chance to explain himself. One thing I want to see is where he draws the line with God's power and providence. Sometimes, it seems people can give too much credit to Satan's power and appear to portray God as having little power over evil. Yes, he allows things to happen in our fallen world sometimes for a greater good, but his introduction states that this isn't God letting the world be the world, but the power of evil seems to run ramped without Gods unmatched authority over it. "Our God is an awesome God, He reins from Heaven above, with wisdom power and love, our God is an awesome God" :sing :biglol
But I'll give it a fair shake. I wouldn't have started it at this late hour if I knew it was so long. Time to go to bed

 

[Brian]

Let me explain what I meant earlier by "an attack"

When I am assaulted by or am forced to command a demon to come to me, depending on situation, I can feel them beating on me or "breathing" on me but they can not cross Hebrew Blood....although they will use scripture against us to bring guilt and confusion two SIN.

When a "warrior" suffers an attack that actually causes a physical damage situation, then that person was off the path...

I don't have a proper vocabulary. I apologize.

S.I.N._ Submitting to Inner Noise ;) or an inspiring unclean spirit...basic

I have never watched any video on spiritual warfare, I was taught what I know by the Holy Ghost, and through serving others for God, although I am still learning continually.
It is a Great Joy and Blessing to me.

 

[faithtransforms]

This is a story of a small victory in spiritual warfare. This BY NO MEANS encompasses the magnitude and severity of the real war we are in, but this is just a small example.

There is this girl named Sherri at work. She pretty much hated me. Despite the fact that every morning I would say "Hello, good morning! How are you?". Well, I had snapped at her many months before (I never do that, I mean never), and the very next morning I apologized profusely and told her I didn't know where that came from, that it had nothing to do from her and that I liked her etc. Well, she seemed to accept my apology graciously. But, it appeared she didn't b/c she pretty much treated me like crap and ignored me and tried to keep me out of conversations. It was making my life at work very unpleasant.

Well, one day on the way to work, I was listening to a tape by an evangelist I know (not a tv evangelist) and he said we must never try to take authority over a person, but we can take authority over evil spirits that are influencing them. Well, it was clear there were spirits causing this problem (I have the gift of discernment, I don't SEE them, but I KNOW when they are there). So I took authority over the spirit of bitterness and unforgiveness she had toward me in the Name of Jesus. Well, I got to work, and she said Good Morning! She never ever spoke to me unless I really engaged her. By the end of the week, we were kickin' it like good friends. Now absolutely nothing had changed, except I had taken authority over those spirits and demanded they leave her in Jesus Name. Now, there is a door open for me to minister the gospel to her that would never have been there had I not done that.

Again, this is just a small victory, but its an example of the kind of spiritual warfare I am talking about. I have so much more to say on this topic, and it is MUCH deeper than this story, but I've just been really mentally exhausted lately and I don't want to post something that I haven't been able to think out properly.

 

[jasoncran]

hmm interesting.

 

[Brian]

Faithtransforms,

The story you shared is the doctrine of "Fishing for men"

You speak the truth about this being a small part, but 1 soul is worth eternity to us.

God Bless!

Any questions or comments, advice even?

 

[faithtransforms]

Hey Brian

Yes, one soul IS worth eternity!!! Like I said I've been pretty tired lately and haven't wanted to post too much until I can really get my thoughts together. But I plan to help keep this thread alive for a while so we can really get into it.

I probably have some advice and I'm sure others do to so I look forward to a long, fruitful discussion on this! I want to get into each piece of armor, what they mean and the Sword of the Spirit, being the only offensive weapon, how do we use it? Intercession is huge in spiritual warfare also. There's just so much to this topic! I don't know, for some reason I've had a lot of trouble really putting my thoughts together on this...maybe I need to do some warring for myself, lol!

God bless!

 

[Mysteryman]

Hey Brian

Yes, one soul IS worth eternity!!! Like I said I've been pretty tired lately and haven't wanted to post too much until I can really get my thoughts together. But I plan to help keep this thread alive for a while so we can really get into it.

I probably have some advice and I'm sure others do to so I look forward to a long, fruitful discussion on this! I want to get into each piece of armor, what they mean and the Sword of the Spirit, being the only offensive weapon, how do we use it? Intercession is huge in spiritual warfare also. There's just so much to this topic! I don't know, for some reason I've had a lot of trouble really putting my thoughts together on this...maybe I need to do some warring for myself, lol!

God bless!

There is no doubt that this is a much needed discussion. I would like to first point out, that the armour of God is only for defence, never offence.

 

[Brian]

The Sword and Shield as well as the Helmet are offensive weapons...but we WAR NOT with flesh and blood.

I can't believe that a Soldier would call his weapons weak, even if they are, we use what we can to destroy all that we can.

Sampson wielded a dull bone and climbed up a mountain of YHWH's enemies with no armor at all.

How much better can we WAR with the Sword of the Spirit that YHWH has entrusted into our hands?

For the Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any twoedged sword!

The Word of God is called Prophecy...what sword to you entrust?

 

[MMarc]

Hey Brian

Yes, one soul IS worth eternity!!! Like I said I've been pretty tired lately and haven't wanted to post too much until I can really get my thoughts together. But I plan to help keep this thread alive for a while so we can really get into it.

I probably have some advice and I'm sure others do to so I look forward to a long, fruitful discussion on this! I want to get into each piece of armor, what they mean and the Sword of the Spirit, being the only offensive weapon, how do we use it? Intercession is huge in spiritual warfare also. There's just so much to this topic! I don't know, for some reason I've had a lot of trouble really putting my thoughts together on this...maybe I need to do some warring for myself, lol!

God bless!

Hey FT, there are many sides to warfare for sure.

Look at this if you have time, not sure if you have, if not enjoy!

http://www.xpmedia.com/KkumSmTyNb9C Just watch the first 20 to 30 minutes, it gives a small idea of the warfare over regions and principalities etc...

 

[Brian]

The Sword and Shield as well as the Helmet are offensive weapons...

Oops, did I forget to mention that if we catch a demon by its hair we can bash its face into our belt, and if attacked unaware we can run them into a wall using our breast-plate.



We can pick up serpents and they shall not harm us...hahahahhahaha

I guess I'm just Madman for God lol !!!