Spiritual Warfare - 13

David and Goliath (1 Sam 17)

 Now the Philistines gathered their armies together to battle, and were gathered at Sochoh, which belongs to Judah; they encamped between Sochoh and Azekah, in Ephes Dammim. And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and they encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array against the Philistines – Unity in the army
 The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, with a valley between them – Stand together against (facing) the enemy. The battle is fought and won in the valley. Victory is in the valley. The enemy will honk you from the opposite mountain until and unless you fight and overcome him in the valley.  
 And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span – The enemy appears BIG. (1 John 4:4)
 He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze – Bronze helmet depicts a carnal mind which is in enmity with God. Put on the helmet of Salvation. Coat of mail is like fish scales (worldliness) which can be overcome with the breastplate (no scales) of righteousness.
And he had bronze armor on his legs and a bronze javelin between his shoulders. Now the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his iron spearhead weighed six hundred shekels; and a shield-bearer went before him. Then he stood and cried out to the armies of Israel, and said to them, “Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.”  And the Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.”  -- (Deut 28:47-48) Even as the enemy is asking for a man to fight against, God is also looking for a man for Himself, for His kingdom. (Ezekiel 22:30-31). Which Goliath has God chosen you to fight?
 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem Judah, whose name was Jesse, and who had eight sons. And the man was old, advanced in years, in the days of Saul. The three oldest sons of Jesse had gone to follow Saul to the battle. The names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. David was the youngest. And the three oldest followed Saul. But David occasionally went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. And the Philistine drew near and presented himself forty days, morning and evening – The enemy presents himself regularly, causing fear which becomes a foothold for him in our lives.
 Then Jesse said to his son David, “Take now for your brothers an ephah of this dried grain and these ten loaves, and run to your brothers at the camp. And carry these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand, and see how your brothers fare, and bring back news of them.” Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel were in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. So David rose early in the morning, left the sheep with a keeper, and took the things and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the camp as the army was going out to the fight and shouting for the battle – Prepare yourself each morning because you do not know what battle you will have to face that day (Luke 22:46, Matt 6: 33,34, Matt 11:28-30, Prov 16:3). Release your burdens to the Keeper and be free to take up your Heavenly Father’s errand.
 For Israel and the Philistines had drawn up in battle array, army against army. And David left his supplies in the hand of the supply keeper, ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers – Make use of the keepers – our supporters who help us in various practical ways and intercessors. (Heb 12:1-2)
 Then as he talked with them, there was the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, coming up from the armies of the Philistines; and he spoke according to the same words. So David heard them – Do you hear the words of the enemy?
  And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid. So the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel; and it shall be that the man who kills him the king will enrich with great riches, will give him his daughter, and give his father’s house exemption from taxes in Israel.” – Seeing the enemy leads to the fright, flight, or fight reaction.
 Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” – Recognize the enemy. It is the one who defies the armies of the Living God. He brings reproach to Israel. Let him be despised in your eyes. (Ps 15:4a)  Look forward to the reward. Don’t ask “Have you seen him?” but ask “What will be the reward?” Like Preshan, who set  himself to excel in the exam when he was offered a bicycle as a reward!
 And the people answered him in this manner, saying, “So shall it be done for the man who kills him.”  Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.”  And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?"  Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did. Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him. Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”  And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” – We may be despised or we may despise others looking at the outward appearance.
 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock,  I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.  Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” - Faith to see the spiritual truths from the natural situations. Usually the natural comes before the spiritual thus preparing for the spiritual.
 Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!” – Focus on the Lord. Saul saw God’s hand on David as David focused on the Lord.
 So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off. – Do it confidently, the way the Lord has taught you, even if it is totally different and unconventional. 
 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. – You don’t have to be trendy. Be confident in what the Lord has prepared you with. It is a unique call. Don’t worry what others think of you. (Rom 8:31-37)
 So the Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him.  And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking. So the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”  Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, 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. – (Ps 121:1-2)
 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. – ‘WILL’ – Absolutely confident of victory because God’s name has to be glorified in all the earth. We can be confident of victory in our pursuit if our motive is glory to God and profit for His kingdom. Speak with confidence.
 Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.” – The assembly of God's people need to be strengthened in their faith.
 So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. – Meet the enemy face to face and attack quickly. 
 Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. – (2 Cor 10:3-6/ Jer 1:9-10).
 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. – Sword- the Word of God is the only offensive weapon in the spiritual armor of God. Turn the enemy’s own sword against him, like how Jesus did when He was tempted.
We need to posses the gates of the enemy by being offensive against him (proactive). In this manner we gain territory- i.e. People. Set the captives free from within the gates of the enemy. When our focus is on the enemy, we are defensive, protecting our gates. But when our focus is on the Lord, we are offensive against the enemy and posses his gates. (Gen 22:17 & 24:60). In the former situation, we are under ‘house arrest’. In the latter, we keep the enemy under ‘house arrest’!
When the enemy is not attacking you, attack the enemy, progress and gain his territory. When he attacks you, stand firm and don’t lose ground.
The blessing of possessing the gates of the enemy is pronounced to the descendants of Abraham and then to Rebecca.In obedience to the Lord, Abraham sacrificed Isaac and Rebecca said “I will go” to the servant (Holy Spirit). This step of obedience caused them to possess the gates of the enemy spiritually. Their descendants are those who carry their characteristics. Are you a descendant of Abraham and of Rebecca?

Spiritual Warfare - 12

Are you a soldier in the army of the Lord of Hosts? 

In olden times among the Israelites, males who were twenty years and above were eligible to go to war. Similarly, one has to be a mature, strong disciple of the Lord JESUS to understand spiritual warfare.

Just as men fought for their women and children, disciples need to fight for weaker and younger Christians by interceding for them and instructing them.

A soldier is willing to die for the cause of his nation or kingdom. It is so with a disciple. For the Lord JESUS said that one needs to deny himself and take up his cross and follow Him. We have to lay down our own will, motives, plans, careers, aims, hobbies and ambitions and yield ourselves to be used by Him for the cause of the gospel and kingdom of His love. This is a personal decision each soldier needs to make.

A fearful soldier cannot fight in the army. When Gideon chose his army, he was asked by God to send away all those who were fearful.

A soldier needs to be always alert to opportunities of progress and to the attacks of the enemy. Therefore he should not get entangled or preoccupied with the affairs of this world.

The soldier should understand his place in the structure of authority. He should submit to those above him and be able to effectively exercise rightful authority.

The soldier needs to be protected with the whole armor of God.

Helmet – Salvation

  Breastplate – Righteousness

    Girdle – Truth

      Shoes – Gospel of Peace

        Sword – Word of God

          Shield – Faith

Interestingly, every piece of the Christian soldier’s armor represents Christ. This means that the soldier is protected, when he lives in obedience to Christ, for then, he is ‘IN CHRIST.’

 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.   2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NKJV)


A volunteer for Jesus, a soldier true,
           Many have enlisted, so why don’t you?
                      Jesus is our Captain, so we shall never fear,
                                So come and be enlisted as a volunteer!

JESUS is our Captain

 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?”  So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?”  Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.   Joshua 5:13-15 (NKJV)


Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.”  And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.   Revelation 19:11-21 (NKJV)

JESUS plans the strategy to counteract the enemy. We listen to our Commander-in-Chief and obey Him.

 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,  and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.   2 Corinthians 10:5-6 (NKJV)

Spiritual Warfare - 11

Manifestations of the kingdom of darkness

Just like how God saves us and uses us to bring salvation to others, the devil separates people from God, influences them and uses them as his tools to steal, kill and destroy the lives of others. People who are influenced and controlled by the devil are his tools manifesting the works of the kingdom of darkness.

1) Spiritual oppression and bondage

 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.  And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”  Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”  Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.   Matthew 4:8-11 (NKJV)
Many people, who are spiritually minded, are oppressed by the devil, worshiping idols and bound into performing religious rituals. They oppress one another and are in bondage unless and until the Lord sets them free.
 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.  Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.   2 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NKJV)


 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.   John 8:36 (NKJV)


When Jesus walked on this earth, He cast out many demons from those who were possessed by them. Some of them manifest physical sickness and disability.

 Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit.  And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.”   Mark 9:17-18 (NKJV)


 And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs.  When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!”  For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.  Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him.   Luke 8:27-30 (NKJV)

The devil is restless and when people are oppressed or possessed by unclean spirits, they become restless. It is important for us to be full of the Holy Spirit and not give room to unclean spirits.

 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’  And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order.  Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”   Luke 11:24-26 (NKJV)

2) Defilement of soul         

 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.  These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”   Matthew 15:17-20 (NKJV)
Pornography, violence and such, are manifestations of the works of the enemy in the hearts and lives of people. Jesus came to destroy these works and to give abundant life to people. We need to take every opportunity to expose these evil works so that people may be set free from the clutches of the enemy.

 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.  For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.   Ephesians 5:11-13 (NKJV)


 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:  looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;.   Hebrews 12:14-15 (NKJV


The works of the enemy are like dirt and filth that block the channels of love between God and us and between one another, bringing separation. Being holy is maintaining these channels clean and open.

3) Lies

Jesus said the following to the Jews who did not believe Him:

 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.   John 8:44 (NKJV)
Through lies and deception the devil finds inroads into our lives. Joshua chapter 9 gives us an account of how the Gibeonites, through crafty deception, got Joshua to make peace and a covenant with them to let them live. It is because Joshua did not ask counsel of the Lord, that the enemy was able to fool him.

 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.   Proverbs 3:6 (NKJV)


Let us also put away any deceptive way in our lives and get rid of the habit of speaking lies. Let the Spirit of Truth take over our lives.

 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.   Psalm 51:6 (NKJV)


4) Fear


 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind   .2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
We often fear  because we don’t know or can’t see the truth. When God’s love fills our hearts, fear has to leave.


The following story makes this clear:
 Now the king of Syria was making war against Israel; and he consulted with his servants, saying, “My camp will be in such and such a place.”  And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there.”  Then the king of Israel sent someone to the place of which the man of God had told him. Thus he warned him, and he was watchful there, not just once or twice.  Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?” And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.”  So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.” And it was told him, saying, “Surely he is in Dothan.”  Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.  And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”  So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.  So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.  Now Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, nor is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” But he led them to Samaria.  So it was, when they had come to Samaria, that Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and there they were, inside Samaria!  Now when the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?”  But he answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill those whom you have taken captive with your sword and your bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.”  Then he prepared a great feast for them; and after they ate and drank, he sent them away and they went to their master. So the bands of Syrian raiders came no more into the land of Israel.   2 Kings 6:8-23 (NKJV)

Pray for vision for God’s people. Pray for blindness in the tools of the enemy. That is how God apprehended Saul and then gave him new vision. We walk by faith and not by sight. Stephen overcame because of His ‘faith vision’.

 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”   Acts 7:56 (NKJV)

Overcome fear with faith and replace fear with love. Don’t fear other gods.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.   1 John 4:18 (NKJV)

Also I said to you, “I am the Lord your God; do not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.” But you have not obeyed My voice.’ ”   Judges 6:10 (NKJV)

5) Pride


 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north;  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’  Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.  Isaiah 14:13-15 (NKJV)

 The word of the Lord came to me again, saying,  “Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Because your heart is lifted up, And you say, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods, In the midst of the seas,’ Yet you are a man, and not a god, Though you set your heart as the heart of a god  (Behold, you are wiser than Daniel! There is no secret that can be hidden from you. With your wisdom and your understanding You have gained riches for yourself, And gathered gold and silver into your treasuries;  By your great wisdom in trade you have increased your riches, And your heart is lifted up because of your riches),”  ‘Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Because you have set your heart as the heart of a god,  Behold, therefore, I will bring strangers against you, The most terrible of the nations; And they shall draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom, And defile your splendor. They shall throw you down into the Pit, And you shall die the death of the slain In the midst of the seas.  “Will you still say before him who slays you, ‘I am a god’? But you shall be a man, and not a god, In the hand of him who slays you. You shall die the death of the uncircumcised By the hand of aliens; For I have spoken,” says the Lord God.’ ”  Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying,  “Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.  You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created.  “You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.  You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you.  “By the abundance of your trading You became filled with violence within, And you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing Out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the fiery stones.  “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, That they might gaze at you.  “You defiled your sanctuaries By the multitude of your iniquities, By the iniquity of your trading; Therefore I brought fire from your midst; It devoured you, And I turned you to ashes upon the earth In the sight of all who saw you.  All who knew you among the peoples are astonished at you; You have become a horror, And shall be no more forever.” ’   Ezekiel 28:1-19 (NKJV)
When his heart was lifted up with pride, he desired to lift himself up. He was cast down by God and he fell. He wants to see us in the same situation. We need to beware: the wisdom, beauty, strength and riches we possess can cause us to become proud.
The helmet of salvation protects our minds from thoughts that puff us up. We are commanded to bow down and worship the Lord and love and serve one another with humility.

 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.   James 4:6,7 (NKJV)


6) Guilt


Satan is guilty forever because his heart is turned away from God. He is eternally punished with no way of escape. Therefore he desires to keep us also in that position. God’s plan and desire for us is that we repent of our evil ways and turn our hearts to Him so that we can receive His forgiveness and be freed from our guilt. Jesus, being innocent, was pronounced ‘Guilty’ when He faced the cruel cross willingly. Therefore He justifies us and God pronounces us ‘Not Guilty’ when we live in Christ.

 ‘But if they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers, with their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to Me, and that they also have walked contrary to Me, and that I also have walked contrary to them and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if their uncircumcised hearts are humbled, and they accept their guilt—  then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and My covenant with Isaac and My covenant with Abraham I will remember; I will remember the land.   Leviticus 26:40-42 (NKJV)

 And I said: “O my God, I am too ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You, my God; for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has grown up to the heavens.   Ezra 9:6 (NKJV)

 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,  having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.   Colossians 2:13-15 (NKJV)


If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.   1 John 1:8- 2:2 (NKJV)
 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace  Romans 6:14 (NKJV)
The fallen, sinful nature in us and our weaknesses are used by the devil, to keep us captive in his territory, through guilt. He says to us, “You are a sinner like me and so you belong to me.” The more we sin, the more opportunity we give the enemy to harass us. Therefore it is necessary for us to be nourished with the word of God and be full of His Spirit, walking in the Spirit, so that we may not sin. This brings us to victory over the power of sin. Even in this situation, we are not under the law, able to justify ourselves. We are always prone to sin, and so we are under grace. Therefore when we do sin, we need to immediately confess and repent, so that the Blood of Jesus may blot out the sin and set us free from guilt. This is the victorious Christian lifestyle Jesus offers us – freedom both from the power of sin and from the guilt of sin.

7) Covetousness (carnality)

Many people are not bothered about spiritual matters but are carnally minded. If carnality is the disease, covetousness is the symptom.

 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 lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.   1 John 2:15-17 (NKJV)

 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.   Romans 8:5-7 (NKJV)

No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.   2 Timothy 2:4 (NKJV)


 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.   Matthew 6:24 (NKJV)

 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.   Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses   1 Timothy 6:6-12 (NKJV)

 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.   James 4:4 (NKJV)

8) Self Glory & Worship


 I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images.   Isaiah 42:8 (NKJV)


Satan’s fall was due to his desire to take the glory and worship that belong only to God. These are the snares he now sets for people, especially God’s servants, to make them fall.


 The word of the Lord came to me again, saying,  “Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Because your heart is lifted up, And you say, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods, In the midst of the seas,’ Yet you are a man, and not a god, Though you set your heart as the heart of a god.   Ezekiel 28:1-2 (NKJV)  
 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”   Matthew 4:9 (NKJV)

We need to be vigilant and understand these traits of the enemy and purposefully and vehemently refuse to accept any glory for ourselves and not allow anyone to worship us.
 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,   Acts 14:11-15 (NKJV)

 And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.”   Acts 10:24-26 (NKJV)

 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”   Revelation 19:10 (NKJV)

 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.  Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”   Revelation 22:8-9 (NKJV)


9) Rebellion

Repeated disobedience leads to rebellion, which means refusal to submit to rightful authority.

 So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.”   1 Samuel 15:22-23 (NKJV)
When Saul ceased submitting to the Lord, he lost his position of authority.
Saul chose for himself- 1 Sam 13:2.
Saul offered the burnt offering- 1 Sam 13:9.
Saul made a rash oath- 1 Sam 14:24.
Saul disobeyed God- 1 Sam 15:9.
Saul feared the people and obeyed their voice- 1 Sam 15:24.
When we are in the battlefield, it is important for us to take our position in the structure of authority and stand firm.

 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,   Ephesians 6:13-14 (NKJV)

If you realize that the enemy of your soul has got a foothold in your life and is keeping you bound with invisible cords, so that you are unable to breakaway from habits that are destroying your life, come to JESUS now. Speak to Him right where you are. He is there. Express your desire to be set free to follow Him. He will set you free.

Spiritual Warfare - 10

 Warring within yourself to overcome the flesh, the world and the devil

  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.  For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.  For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.  O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?  I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,  that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.    Romans 7:18-25, 8:1-6 (NKJV)

There is a part of me that proves my fallen nature and is carnal, selfish, proud and rebellious. There is another part of me that desires to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and do what is scripturally right. The more I indulge in worldliness and selfishness, feeding my carnal mind, the stronger my carnal self becomes. Therefore I need to feed myself with the word of God so that faith is built up in me, and as I drink of the Holy Spirit and obey Him, I am able to overcome my carnal self. This internal war must go on as long as I am in this body.

 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.   1 Peter 5:8-9 (NKJV)
It is the flesh that attracts the lion!

 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,  having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck,   1 Timothy 1:18-19 (NKJV)

 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.   1 Timothy 6:6-12 (NKJV)


The apostle Paul proves that victory is possible.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.   Timothy 4:7-8 (NKJV)


Cain and Abel are a picture of carnality and spirituality respectively. Cain’s sacrifice of the fruit symbolized his attitude. No heart and no love. Abel brought the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. His sacrifice came with a heart full of love.

Like the spiritual struggle within us, Rebecca had a struggle within her womb.
And the Lord said to her: “Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger.”   Genesis 25:23 (NKJV)
Esau depicts carnality and Jacob, spirituality. Each one of us is born naturally first and then born again spiritually. Therefore the carnal self is older, but should serve the renewed spirit.

 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.  So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.  But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.  And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.  But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.   Romans 8:7-11 (NKJV)


There is also an interesting scene at the birth of the twins of Tamar.
 Now it came to pass, at the time for giving birth, that behold, twins were in her womb.  And so it was, when she was giving birth, that the one put out his hand; and the midwife took a scarlet thread and bound it on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.”  Then it happened, as he drew back his hand, that his brother came out unexpectedly; and she said, “How did you break through? This breach be upon you!” Therefore his name was called Perez.  Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand. And his name was called Zerah.   Genesis 38:27-30 (NKJV)

Our initial reaction to any situation is of the flesh. Knowing this, we should bind these actions, reactions and attitudes with the scarlet thread of the blood of Christ. Consequently, there will be a breakthrough and the glorious fruit of the Spirit will manifest in our lives.

We need to beware that it is our flesh that is attracted to the world. The flesh is also attractive to the devil, who gets a foothold into the life of one who lives in the flesh..

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,  idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,  envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.  And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.   Galatians 5:19-24 (NKJV) 


I need to check out and clear any worldliness from within myself because, being a friend of the world makes me an enemy of God which is a dangerous situation. I need to diligently check my way of thinking and my desire for pleasure and repent, as it amounts to spiritual adultery.
 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?  You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.  You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.  Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.  Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?   James 4:1-5 (NKJV)