Deliver Us From Evil-Prt3

You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

There is a Godly force sending thoughts of

Love instead of hate

Forgiveness instead of revenge

Unity instead of bigotry and prejudice

Compassion and charity instead of greed

When you choose these....it is spiritual warfare

The apostle Paul gives specific strategies on how to do this:

Philippians 4:6–9 NLT

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Peace.....

Is there anything that can stop you when you have peace?

Have you had a time when:

There was a serious illness with a loved one

Your marriage was going through a very hard time

You were waiting to hear about a test result

and

You could be at a movie, on vacation or shopping and your just not content because of this other issue in your life

This is the peace that is fundamental to surviving spiritual attack

When a spiritual attack comes…it is usually sudden and without warning

It usually tries to create ..fear…worry…hopelessness

Christians often respond with alarm, fear and a sense of almost panic

Something like this:

Mark 4:37–40 NLT

But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

If we do not trust that God is with us and DOES care about us

We will never win in spiritual warfare

If feelings and emotions are what control you....you will be led right into the devil’s trap (marriages)

How many have children who were or are “in love” with someone you know “is trouble”

How many people purchase (on credit) something they love…only to find it is a financial bondage

Every serious mistake we make can be rooted in either:

fear -

feelings dominating wisdom

Love without wisdom guiding it is the same as ignorance and disobedience (marriages??)

Your struggle may make you feel like you are alone

Your challenges may make you feel God is asleep

The threats facing you may tempt you to think you will drown

But The prophet Isaiah gives us a truth to counter these feelings

Isaiah 40:25–31 NLT

“To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One. Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing. O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Believing that is spiritual warfare

Back to what Paul said to the Philippians about spiritual warfare

Philippians 4:6–7 NLT

The devil wants to steal your peace, your joy, your hope, your faith, your life!

Paul is giving us some practical guidance about how to not have that happen.

Don’t worry

This is an act of our will!

This is also a learned behavior…takes discipline and time

If we insist on worrying…don’t ask God for his peace

Pray about everything......Don’t complain about everything

This includes:

Tell God what you need ...(giving it to God)

Thank him for what you have

Thank him for what he has done... (remembrance)

Paul says…this will result in a peace beyond understanding

Another aspect of spiritual warfare we need to understand

Matthew 16:18 NLT

Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.

The devil fights us…we do not go after him

Our marching orders are to make disciples of men

The devil’s job is to try and stop that process.....

James also gives us direction about dealing with the enemy

James 4:7 NLT

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Notice it does not say “rebuke” the devil.....it says resist!

Resist his efforts to pull you into anger

Resist his efforts to make you curse others

Resist his efforts to make you surrender your hope & faith in your future.

Ephesians 6:13–18 NLT

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Here is what this looks like in real life.......

King Video

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