Empowered Faith: Conquering Spiritual Battles with Truth

 

Summary

In today's sermon, I explored the profound spiritual battles we face and the divine empowerment available to us through faith and the Word of God. I began by addressing the battle of response, emphasizing the importance of not merely reacting to adversities but responding with spiritual wisdom. I highlighted that our struggles are not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces, and thus, our responses must be rooted in spiritual truths.

I then delved into the significance of guarding our gates – the eye, ear, and mouth gates – to prevent the enemy's lies from infiltrating our spirit. This led to a discussion on the power of the tongue, where I reminded everyone that life and death are in the power of the tongue, and it's crucial to speak life and truth in the face of adversity.

Further, I revisited the biblical account of David and Goliath, illustrating how our giants could be gateways to our destiny. Just as David faced Goliath not with fear but with faith, we too are called to confront our battles with the assurance that God is with us. I stressed the importance of persistence in prayer and faith, symbolized by David's selection of five stones, representing our need to be prepared and persistent.

I also touched on the theme of condemnation versus conviction, where I clarified that while the enemy condemns us to destroy, God convicts us to restore. It's vital to discern the voice of God from the voice of the enemy and to stand firm in God's promises, which proclaim victory and redemption.

Towards the end of the sermon, I emphasized that God has built us not to be confined but to thrive even in storms, much like ships are designed not to be docked but to face the vast seas. This metaphor serves as a reminder that we are built for more than what we often settle for, and in God, we have the strength to overcome any turbulence.

In conclusion, I reassured the congregation of God's unwavering presence and protection, symbolized through the imagery of God being our shield and the lifter of our heads. Even when we feel overwhelmed or downtrodden, God is actively working to lift us and lead us to victory.

### Key Takeaways:

1. The Importance of Guarding Our Gates:
The spiritual gates of our lives – the eyes, ears, and mouth – must be vigilantly guarded to prevent the enemy's deceit from entering our hearts. What we consume through these gates can either strengthen our faith or weaken our resolve. By carefully monitoring what we see, hear, and speak, we align closer to God's truth and further from the enemy's lies. [02:28]

2. The Power of the Tongue:
Our words have the power to shape our reality. In spiritual warfare, the tongue is not just a tool but a weapon. By declaring God’s promises and truths, we can shift the atmosphere around us and bring divine intervention into our situations. This is not just about positive thinking but about wielding the scriptural power of declaration and decree. [28:53]

3. Facing Giants with Faith:
Like David, we must approach our giants with faith, not in our own strength but in God’s provision and promises. Each stone David picked up was laden with faith and determination. We too must persist in our spiritual battles, armed with faith that does not waver in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. [37:30]

4. Condemnation vs. Conviction:
Understanding the difference between condemnation from the enemy and conviction from the Holy Spirit is crucial. Condemnation pushes us down, leading to despair, while conviction is designed to restore and draw us closer to God. We must learn to reject the former and embrace the latter, allowing God’s light to correct and guide us. [27:46]

5. Built for the Battle:
We are divinely designed not to shrink back from challenges but to face them head-on. This understanding should empower us to live boldly and confidently, knowing that we are equipped by God Himself to withstand and overcome the storms of life. This perspective shifts how we view our trials, seeing them as opportunities for growth and testimony. [33:50]

### Chapters:
0:00 - Welcome
00:46 - The Battle of Response
02:28 - Guarding Our Spiritual Gates
07:08 - The Flood of Challenges
12:03 - Reverence and Worship
18:20 - The Battle of Response Continued
21:09 - The Shield of Faith
24:15 - Transforming Weapons into Tools
27:07 - No Weapon Formed Shall Prosper
31:42 - Faith Moves Mountains
33:50 - Built for the Storms
37:30 - David and the Five Stones

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 3:1-3: "Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, 'There is no help for him in God.' But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head."
2. Isaiah 54:17: "No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the Lord.
3. 1 Samuel 17:40: "Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine."

#### Observation Questions
1. What are the three gates mentioned in the sermon that we need to guard, and why are they important? [02:28]
2. How does Psalm 3 describe David's situation and his response to his adversaries? [01:56]
3. What does Isaiah 54:17 promise about the weapons formed against us and the words spoken against us?
4. In the story of David and Goliath, what is the significance of David choosing five stones? [37:30]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does guarding our eye, ear, and mouth gates help us in our spiritual battles? [02:28]
2. What does it mean when the sermon says, "The power of life and death is in the tongue"? How can this be applied in our daily lives? [02:58]
3. How can we differentiate between condemnation from the enemy and conviction from the Holy Spirit? [04:45]
4. What does it mean to be "built for the battle" according to the sermon, and how does this perspective change our view of life's challenges? [33:50]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the types of content you consume through your eyes and ears. Are there specific changes you need to make to better guard these gates? [02:28]
2. Think about a recent situation where you spoke negatively about yourself or others. How can you start using your tongue to speak life and truth instead? [02:58]
3. Identify a "giant" in your life that you need to face with faith. What steps can you take this week to confront it with the assurance that God is with you? [37:30]
4. Have you ever felt condemned by the enemy? How can you remind yourself of God's conviction that leads to restoration instead? [04:45]
5. Consider a time when you felt overwhelmed by life's storms. How can you remind yourself that you are built to thrive and not just survive? [33:50]
6. How can you practice persistence in prayer and faith, similar to David's selection of five stones? What specific prayer or faith action can you commit to this week? [37:30]
7. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did you respond, and how can you improve your response to align more with spiritual wisdom rather than mere reaction? [00:46]

Devotional

Day 1: Vigilance in Spiritual Perception
Guarding our spiritual gates is essential in maintaining a life aligned with God's will. The eyes, ears, and mouth are portals through which external influences can either corrupt or enhance our spiritual health. By consciously monitoring what we see, hear, and speak, we can protect ourselves from the enemy's deceit and reinforce our connection with divine truth. This vigilance helps in building a resilient spirit that can withstand the temptations and deceptions that come our way. It's not just about avoidance but about choosing to engage with what uplifts and sanctifies our lives. [02:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA8GcgDj-PA&t=133s)

Proverbs 4:23-25 ESV: "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you."

Reflection: What are you allowing through your spiritual gates that might be diminishing your faith? How can you better guard these gates today?

Day 2: The Transformative Power of Words
Our words have the power to shape our reality and influence our spiritual battles. The tongue can be a weapon of righteousness or destruction, depending on how we choose to use it. By declaring God's promises and speaking truth, we can alter the atmosphere around us and manifest God's kingdom on earth. This practice is not merely about positive affirmations but involves actively wielding the scriptural truths to combat the lies and oppression of the enemy. It's a spiritual discipline that requires mindfulness and a deep connection to the Word of God. [28:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA8GcgDj-PA&t=1718s)

James 3:5-6 ESV: "So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell."

Reflection: How can you use your words today to create a positive impact in your community and reinforce your spiritual walk?

Day 3: Confronting Challenges with Divine Assurance
Facing our giants with faith, like David did with Goliath, transforms our spiritual battles into gateways for God's glory. Each challenge we encounter is an opportunity to demonstrate our faith and witness God's intervention. By equipping ourselves with faith as our fundamental weapon, we can confront any adversity with the confidence that God is with us, guiding and empowering us through His Spirit. This approach not only changes how we face challenges but also how we emerge from them—stronger and more aligned with our divine purpose. [37:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA8GcgDj-PA&t=2235s)

1 Samuel 17:45 ESV: "Then David said to the Philistine, 'You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.'"

Reflection: What 'giant' in your life do you need to start confronting with faith instead of fear?

Day 4: Embracing Conviction Over Condemnation
Understanding the difference between condemnation and conviction is crucial for spiritual growth. Condemnation, which comes from the enemy, seeks to push us into despair and isolation. In contrast, conviction, prompted by the Holy Spirit, aims to restore and draw us closer to God. It's a loving correction that leads to repentance and renewal. By discerning these voices and choosing to respond to God's gentle guidance, we can maintain a course that aligns with His will and purposes for our lives. [27:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA8GcgDj-PA&t=1651s)

Romans 8:1-2 ESV: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."

Reflection: How can you differentiate between the voices of condemnation and conviction in your life, and how will you respond to God's convicting guidance today?

Day 5: Designed to Thrive in Adversity
We are created not just to survive but to thrive, even in the midst of life's storms. Understanding that we are built for battle empowers us to face challenges with courage and determination. Like ships designed for the sea, we are equipped by God to navigate through life's turbulent waters. This perspective shifts how we view our trials, seeing them not as setbacks but as opportunities for growth and testimony to God's sustaining power. [33:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA8GcgDj-PA&t=2015s)

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 ESV: "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed."

Reflection: In what ways are you currently living more like a boat tied to the dock rather than sailing the seas for which you were designed? How can you embrace your God-given strength to face the storms in your life?

Quotes

"What you speak. The power of life and death is still in the tongue. And sometimes when the enemy comes in, like you did, and people begin to start saying, there's no hope for you in God. There's no help for you in God. You got to take a break. You just got to say, Selah there." [02:58]( | | )

"Last week, I taught you a little bit about the battle of containment. I mean, the enemy makes you think you're free, but he's still got you in a box. You've just got a bigger box. But we've been free from that this morning, so we thank God for that." [00:46]( | | )

"It's to us. We tell ourselves. We tell ourselves that the devil, hey devil, you are guilty of your conclusion about me. You are guilty of your opinion about me. You are guilty of your decision about me. I am not going under. I am not a failure." [29:25]( | | )

"And so the enemy says right here, he says, there's no help for you in God. And that was what the enemy is trying to get you to understand. Or try to get you to come to an understanding on is that God is unwilling. But I want to remind the church this morning that God is willing." [05:14]( | | )

"will beat them all up against the dock. They turn them loose. Set them out in the deep ocean. Why? Because they're built, they're built to withstand the storms. They're built to withstand the waves. They're built, whose builder and maker believeth all their heart." [33:50]( | | )

"but sometimes he comes after us with the sharpest object there is. That's the tongue. And he'll use somebody you think a lot of, or he'll use somebody you don't even know of. And sometimes he'll bypass people altogether and come to you directly." [26:31]( | | )

"And God allow you to go through it until you stand. Y'all pushing me too hard. I'm trying to teach you something. Y'all making me preach. Psalm 1, let's read it again. Psalm 1, Psalm 1, are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, there is no help for him in God." [18:20]( | | )

"It was just going. So everybody just looked at me, you know, like little wet puppy dolls. I mean, their hair was wet. They're, you know, everything, makeup, smearing, it's all kinds of stuff. And I brought up flood. I got one. Amen." [07:08]( | | )

"go back to, go back to, go back to Isaiah 54. That is, that is condemning. That is condemning. That is condemning. That when the enemy comes against you, that whatever comes against you, whatever you're fighting with, that in judgment, you shall condemn." [31:42]( | | )

"if I'm in a fight, then I need a shield because if fiery darts are coming after me and David is saying the Lord will be a shield for me. See how it's beginning to switch. Now, this isn't just a wishful thinking. This is a declaration." [21:09]( | | )

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Transcript
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