Equipped for Victory: Winning Spiritual Warfare
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Liberty family! Today, we continue our series "You Asked For It," focusing on spiritual warfare. Many of you have asked how to win over spiritual attacks and temptations, so today we delve into this crucial topic. Spiritual warfare is real, and it’s more than just having a bad day; it’s a battle between good and evil. Our enemy, the devil, is a schemer who constantly attacks us. The Bible clearly defines our enemy and the fronts on which we fight: the world around us, the flesh within us, and the devil against us.
Ephesians 6:10-12 tells us to be strong in the Lord and put on the full armor of God to stand against the devil’s schemes. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. The devil is real, and his influence is pervasive, but we have the power to overcome him through Jesus Christ.
We have three main weapons in this spiritual battle: the name of Jesus, the Word of God, and the power of the cross. The name of Jesus has authority over all evil. The Word of God is our sword, sharper than any two-edged sword, and it is written to counter the devil’s lies and temptations. The power of the cross, through the blood of Jesus, gives us victory over sin and death.
To live in victory, we must repent, rejoice, and rebuke. Repentance involves confessing our sins and staying right with God. Rejoicing means entering His gates with thanksgiving and praise, which silences the enemy. Rebuking involves resisting the devil, who will flee from us when we submit to God.
In conclusion, we must be vigilant and serious about this spiritual battle. We are more than conquerors through Christ, and nothing can separate us from His love. Let’s put on the full armor of God, stand firm, and fight the good fight of faith.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Reality of Spiritual Warfare: Spiritual warfare is a real and ongoing battle between good and evil. The devil is a schemer who constantly attacks us, and our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. Recognizing this reality is the first step in preparing for the battle. [27:48]
2. Three Fronts of Battle: We fight on three fronts: the world around us, the flesh within us, and the devil against us. Each front presents unique challenges, but understanding these fronts helps us to be better prepared and vigilant in our spiritual walk. [37:22]
3. Weapons of Spiritual Warfare: Our primary weapons are the name of Jesus, the Word of God, and the power of the cross. The name of Jesus has authority over all evil, the Word of God is our sword, and the power of the cross gives us victory over sin and death. [48:18]
4. Living in Victory: To live in victory, we must practice repentance, rejoicing, and rebuking. Repentance involves confessing our sins and staying right with God. Rejoicing means entering His gates with thanksgiving and praise, which silences the enemy. Rebuking involves resisting the devil, who will flee from us when we submit to God. [56:51]
5. The Assurance of Victory: We are more than conquerors through Christ, and nothing can separate us from His love. By putting on the full armor of God and standing firm, we can fight the good fight of faith and live in the victory that Jesus has already won for us. [58:53]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[22:36] - Week Three of 21 Days of Prayer
[23:02] - Grand Finale and Baptism
[24:32] - Scriptural Baptism
[24:53] - Series Introduction: You Asked For It
[25:44] - Spiritual Warfare Introduction
[27:48] - The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
[28:39] - Our Enemy Defined
[30:04] - The Heavenly Realms
[32:22] - The Devil's Reality
[37:22] - Three Fronts of Battle
[43:48] - Our Weaponry
[48:18] - Three Weapons Against the Enemy
[56:51] - Living in Victory
[58:53] - Assurance of Victory
[01:01:12] - Call to Prayer and Commitment
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 6:10-12: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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."
2. James 4:7-8: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
3. Revelation 12:11: "They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 6:10-12, what are the spiritual forces we are struggling against? How does this passage describe our enemy? ([28:39])
2. In James 4:7-8, what are the steps mentioned to make the devil flee from us? How does this passage suggest we should approach God? ([56:15])
3. Revelation 12:11 mentions two key elements that believers used to triumph over the enemy. What are these elements, and how do they contribute to victory? ([52:38])
4. The sermon mentions three main weapons in spiritual warfare. What are they, and how does each one function in the battle against the devil? ([48:18])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Ephesians 6:10-12 emphasizes the need to put on the full armor of God. What might this "armor" symbolize in a believer's daily life, and how can it be practically applied? ([28:39])
2. James 4:7-8 talks about submitting to God and resisting the devil. How can submission to God be a form of resistance against the devil? What does this look like in practical terms? ([56:15])
3. Revelation 12:11 highlights the power of the blood of the Lamb and the word of testimony. How do these elements empower believers to overcome spiritual battles? ([52:38])
4. The sermon outlines the importance of repentance, rejoicing, and rebuking in living a victorious Christian life. How do these practices help in maintaining spiritual vigilance and strength? ([56:51])
### Application Questions
1. Ephesians 6:10-12 calls us to put on the full armor of God. What specific steps can you take this week to ensure you are spiritually "armored" against the devil's schemes? ([28:39])
2. James 4:7-8 instructs us to submit to God and resist the devil. Is there an area in your life where you need to submit more fully to God? How can you actively resist the devil in this area? ([56:15])
3. Revelation 12:11 speaks of overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of testimony. Can you share a personal testimony of how God has helped you overcome a spiritual battle? How can sharing this testimony strengthen your faith and the faith of others? ([52:38])
4. The sermon emphasizes the power of the name of Jesus, the Word of God, and the power of the cross. How can you incorporate these three weapons into your daily spiritual practices? ([48:18])
5. Repentance is a key aspect of living in victory. Is there a sin or habit you need to confess and turn away from today? How can you make repentance a regular part of your spiritual routine? ([56:51])
6. Rejoicing in the Lord is another weapon against the enemy. What are some ways you can incorporate more thanksgiving and praise into your daily life to silence the enemy? ([56:51])
7. The sermon calls us to rebuke the devil. Have you ever felt the need to rebuke the devil in your life? How did you go about it, and what was the outcome? If you haven't, what might be holding you back? ([56:51])
Devotional
### Day 1: The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual warfare is a real and ongoing battle between good and evil. The devil is a schemer who constantly attacks us, and our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. Recognizing this reality is the first step in preparing for the battle. [27:48]
Ephesians 6:10-12 (ESV): "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
Reflection: Think about a recent challenge or conflict in your life. How might recognizing it as part of a spiritual battle change your approach to dealing with it?
### Day 2: Three Fronts of Battle
We fight on three fronts: the world around us, the flesh within us, and the devil against us. Each front presents unique challenges, but understanding these fronts helps us to be better prepared and vigilant in our spiritual walk. [37:22]
1 John 2:15-17 (ESV): "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
Reflection: Identify which of the three fronts (the world, the flesh, or the devil) you find most challenging. What steps can you take today to be more vigilant in that area?
### Day 3: Weapons of Spiritual Warfare
Our primary weapons are the name of Jesus, the Word of God, and the power of the cross. The name of Jesus has authority over all evil, the Word of God is our sword, and the power of the cross gives us victory over sin and death. [48:18]
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Reflection: How can you incorporate the name of Jesus, the Word of God, and the power of the cross into your daily spiritual practices? Be specific about one action you can take today.
### Day 4: Living in Victory
To live in victory, we must practice repentance, rejoicing, and rebuking. Repentance involves confessing our sins and staying right with God. Rejoicing means entering His gates with thanksgiving and praise, which silences the enemy. Rebuking involves resisting the devil, who will flee from us when we submit to God. [56:51]
James 4:7-8 (ESV): "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: What is one sin you need to confess and repent of today? How can you incorporate more thanksgiving and praise into your daily routine to silence the enemy?
### Day 5: The Assurance of Victory
We are more than conquerors through Christ, and nothing can separate us from His love. By putting on the full armor of God and standing firm, we can fight the good fight of faith and live in the victory that Jesus has already won for us. [58:53]
Romans 8:37-39 (ESV): "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How does knowing that nothing can separate you from His love change your perspective on that experience? What can you do today to remind yourself of this truth?
Quotes
1. "As we talk about spiritual warfare I want you to know that it's real in fact have you ever wondered why the things that never bother you never happen and the things that bother you most happen all the time it's called the schemes of the devil he's a schemer he is constantly scheming to attack us and even if you're out there saying well I don't know if I believe in the devil or not you would have to acknowledge there's evil in this world and there's a battle going on between good and evil." [27:22] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God's got a plan for your life the devil's got a plan for your life too God's for you the devil's against you and I'm telling you he's got these schemes coming against you you say well can't you be more positive absolutely I am positive the devil's coming against you." [29:08] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I'm telling you your spouse is not your problem your kids are not your problem your parents are not your problem your siblings are not your problem your boss your co-worker your neighbors not your problem earthly are y'all listening earthly rulers are not your problem Vice President Harris and former President Trump are both flesh and blood no there's a bigger battle going on and it's between good and evil and the devil is real." [33:18] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The devil's not strong enough he's strong enough he's stronger than you but he's not stronger than the one who lives inside of me amen they lost their place in heaven don't ever think well if I can just get to heaven I'm going to find security you're secure in Christ right now is you ever going to be in heaven security is not in a place it's in a person." [35:19] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The devil wants me to spend all my time with all these people coming saying I need for you to get get rid of the devil for me you listen you let him in you get rid of him in Jesus name you're not going to occupy my time waste my time because if you listen if I can rebuke him and get rid of him you go back out and do the same sins you go let him back in and the latter condition will be worse than the beginning." [42:36] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The enemy his tactic is to steal your understanding he'll get you to think wrong and then he'll kill your joy because the joy of the Lord is your strength and if he ever steals your understanding kills your joy he'll destroy God's purpose for your life because you'll throw in the towel and you'll quit." [43:16] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "The weapons we fight with and he's assuming you're fighting it's just assumed you understand this and you're not ignorant of the schemes of the enemy and so you're fighting and that's my really big push in this sermon it's not just to get people to believe there's a devil but it's to get Christians to fight and stop fighting one another and fight the real enemy." [43:48] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The one who's in you is greater than the one who is in this world now so you've got three weapons alright you're fighting on three fronts now I'm going to give you three weapons that you can use to fight against the enemy and have victory the first is the name of Jesus everybody say Jesus." [48:18] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "The first battle is in the brain it's in the mind and in the mind the devil's gonna come to you and you have doubts and you have questions you have all of this human reasoning and rationalization you know how you respond to it revelation it is written the devil comes with temptation and accusation temptation you think too highly of yourself you get proud and you say well I can go to hell and do this accusation you think too low of yourself I'm a nobody I can't do anything right well if you're saying I'm somebody or I'm nobody the focus is still on you you gotta have your focus on God." [51:01] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Every day of my life I'm going to repent I'm going to rejoice and I'm going to rebuke let me tell you what this looks like it means first of all you cleanse your hands go to God and you confess your sin the same way you commit your sins one by one and don't don't let the list get long stay caught up when the Holy Spirit convicts you right then stop ask God to forgive you alright if we confess our sin He's faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness repent Jesus is Lord alright and then draw nigh to God how do you do that? through rejoicing enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise." [57:15] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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