Spiritual Warfare
(This Weekly Prayer Summary was written by Lisa Ang, Prayer Ministry Assistant Director from the CBC English Prayer Ministry, and edited by Brigitta Tedja)
Watch Pastor Paul full sermon here
Continuing the series on Prayer & Fasting, Pastor Paul re-emphasized the reality of spiritual warfare in our lives and how we can win the warfare. Whether we like it or not, whether we want to admit it or not, we are involved in spiritual warfare. The warfare is very real, even though we cannot see it. The enemy is attacking us in every aspect of our lives.
Many times, we do not realize that we are facing spiritual warfare, and that we need to react with the opposite spirit. The enemy is unseen and we need to really understand what we are dealing with and we need to know the weapons of the enemy. At the same time, we need to understand that the weapon that God gave us is also real. Yet many Christians are lazy. They do not even memorize the Word of God, they do not fill their mind with the Word of God, thus when faced with challenges, many Christians find themselves feeling defeated.
1. The Weapons of Our Warfare
2 Corinthians 10:3-5, NKJV
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
Our imagination, knowledge, and thoughts are all connected to our mind. The enemy is attacking our minds. This is why we need to fill our minds with the Word of God. If we want to be victorious, then do not let the enemy put you down.
Many of us only chase after superficial things, we want to look good or wealthy or have a good marriage, but are we really doing good? Or is it all just superficial? God wants us to have a victorious life. God is proud if we are overcomers! To be an overcomer, we need to learn to fight in spiritual warfare.
Our mind can sometimes deceive us. Quoting Dr. C. Peter Wagner:
“The spirit of religion is an agent of Satan assigned to prevent change and to maintain the status quo by using religious devices. A religious spirit is a demonic force that influence people to act pious, self-righteous, or super-spiritual.”
God is not interested for us to just come to church every Sunday for 2 hours, wear a cross as an accessory, or just memorizing scriptures. What God really wants is for us to have a relationship with Him and live our lives in line with His Word. A religious spirit makes us look religious, but we are actually empty because we have no personal relationship with Him.
2. What Would You Do?
Moses & Joshua: Victory over the Amalekites. (Exodus 17: 8-13)
In this story, Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the mountain leaving Joshua on the battle field facing the real swords—facing a real battle. As long as Moses’ hands were raised, the Israelites are winning the battle. When Moses’s hands went down, the Israelites were defeated. In the end, Joshua defeated the Amalekites with his sword, but actually the Amalekites lost because Moses prayed! Was the battle real? Yes, but the victory was determined by prayer. The victory was also determined because Moses had a team who supported him (Aaron and Hur).
What would you do if you are faced with a real battle, may be in your health, or in your finances, etc? Have you experienced things in life that makes you angry, irritated, oppressed, or frustrated? PRAY! PRAY and have others pray for you!
Jehoshaphat: Victory over Ammon, Moab, and Seir. (2 Chronicles 20:1-30)
Jehoshaphat was attacked by 3 tribes: Ammon, Moab and Seir. Jehoshaphat was afraid but set himself to seek the Lord and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. All of Judah, with their wives and children, stood before the Lord. Jehoshaphat also went on to praise and worship God before the enemy’s armies.
Was the battle real? Yes, but Jehoshaphat sought God, prayed, fasted and worshiped. They humbled themselves and repented. They won the battle. When we lift up our hands, God will stretch out His hands to help us. The battle is the Lord’s.
All of us have experienced fear at one point of our lives. What do you do when you are afraid? Would you seek the Lord? Would you fast? Would you allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you? Would you praise the Lord? Or would you go directly to your devices or text/email someone?
Israel: Victory over Benjamin. (Judges 20:1-48)
In this story, the people of Israel wanted to attack the people of Benjamin. Before they attacked the tribe of Benjamin, the people of Israel prayed. They asked God if they should attack them and God said, “Yes.” Israel attacked, but they were defeated and over 28,000 Israelites were killed.
Did they pray? Yes, but they were defeated. If it was you, would you feel discouraged? The Israelites prayed again, God gave them strategies, but Israel was defeated again! The third time, Israel humbled themselves, fasted and asked the Holy Spirit to speak to them again and they ended up winning the war.
Have you ever been defeated? What would you do when this happens in your life?
The devil is waiting for an opportune time. Pray even during the good times. Fast even during the good times. The war is real, but the victory is all so real!
** Stop Whining, Start Winning! **
If you want to become victims, keep whining, keep on complaining. To be winners, trust in the Lord, just like Joshua and Caleb did and God will help you succeed.
Philippians 4:6-7, NKJV
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
To be winners, it starts with giving thanks. Thanksgiving is a weapon of warfare. It is mighty in God.
3. Put on the Whole Armor of God
There are three types of spiritual warfare:
Ground level: involves deliverance and casting out demons. Jesus gave us the power to heal the sick and cast out demons. He gave us the power to resist the devil. The Book of James says, “Submit yourself to God. Resist the devil and he shall flee from you.” Do not try to resist the devil if you do not first submit to God because the devil may attack you. The ground level warfare is very real, but we have been given the power to be overcomers. Whatever happens in your life, ask God, “What do You want me to pray? How do you want me to pray?”
Occult level: involves demonic spirits, witchcraft, the devil. This is also real. Do not be afraid because we have the authority from the Most-High God.
Strategic level: involves geographical and territorial spirits. Read Daniel 10. Daniel prayed and fasted.
Ephesians 6:10:18, AMP
10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].
11 Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
13 Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
14 Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,
15 And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.
16 Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].
17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.
18 Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).
Conclusion
Put on God’s complete armor to protect us against the enemies. No one can put that armor of God on you. You have to put it on yourself! Be on the alert, watch, and pray. Do not let the enemy put you down. Bring God’s presence wherever you go.
Prayer Points
Are you facing certain challenges in your life?
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you discern when you are involved in spiritual warfare.
Pray and ask God to teach you what to pray and how to pray so that you can win this warfare.
Give thanks! Praise Him! Worship Him! Trust Him!
Pray every day so that you can put on the whole armor of God, from head to toe.
Pray that there are no holes in your armor.
Ask Holy Spirit to identify what holes you have in your armor and ask Him how to close those holes.
Be Salt & Light
Pray for California
Keep praying for God to give conviction to our law-makers so that they will stop AB2223 from progressing.
California primary election is on June 7th. Pray for election integrity and for godly candidates to win the primary.
Pray for the believers to arise, be engaged, and vote for godly candidates.
Pray for America
SCOTUS will decide on the Mississippi abortion case soon. This has the potential to overturn Roe vs Wade that has caused over 65 million babies aborted since 1973. Pray for the conviction and fear of the Lord to come upon all the 9 justices to do the right thing and overturn Roe vs Wade.
Pray for wisdom upon this administration to come up with policies that will help bring down inflation, solve the immigration crisis, supply chain issues, worker shortage, threat of food shortages and foreign relations.
Pray for Ukraine
Continue to pray for the Russia - Ukraine war to end swiftly.
Pray for the wisdom upon the world leaders to come up with strategies on how to solve this crisis.
Be alert, be watchful, and put on the whole armor of God!