Title: Spiritual Warfare
TEXTS
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Intro:
When you become member of the body of Christ you are now in the spritual Battle and we cannot escape that fact.
We are called soldier. 2 Timothy 2:3 in the Battle.
I. The Nature of the warfare.
2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
Ephesians 6:12 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.
A. Not carlnal or after the flesh.
B. Principalities
C. powers.
Ephesians 2:2-3 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
II. The spiritual weapon.
2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
( Hebrews 4:12)
III . Identifying the Enemy.
2 Corinthians 11:13-14 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
A. Wiles of the Devil.
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
B. Snare of Satan.
2 Timothy 2:25-26 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
C. Devices of Satan.
2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
IV. The battlefield is the mind.
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
A. Casting down Imagination.
Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Ephesians 4:17-18 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
1. Natural blindness. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
2. Satan's Blindness.( 2 Corinthians 4:4)
3. Satan's corruption.( 2 Corinthians 11:3)
2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4. Satan's trap.
1 Timothy 3:6-7 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
The battle begins in within the mind.
Romans 12:2 renewing of mind.
Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Ephesians 4:23-24 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
RENEWING YOUR MIND IS RENOVATION OF YOUR MIND FROM WRONG IMAGINATION,BELIEF, DOCTRINE, TO BUILD BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE FROM THE WORD OF GOD.
Titus 3:5.
Proverbs 24:9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4.
B. Against the Knowledge of God.
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Everything that is opposed to the biblical principles, against the doctrine of God. ( trinity, Deity of Christ, Corrupted versions.)
C. BRINGING INTO CAPTIVITY EVERY THOUGHT TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST.
The ultimate goal of Right gospel and right division is Obedience to Christ. according to the revelation of the mystery.
