I love to teach on Spiritual warfare and for those of you who have subscribed to the E-Meds for several years you have received many teachings on the subject. I realized that new subscribers have not received many teachings recently so I will be teaching on Spiritual warfare this week.
Today, I want to share a teaching which I believe is an essential prerequisite for the other teachings.
Some Christians are under more attack than others. I’ve met many soldiers of Christ who are battling satan on every level while other Christians seem untouched by his attacks. Which probably identifies the two extreme views about Spiritual warfare. While some believe satan is under every rock, others don’t believe in satan’s attacks at all. Unfortunately, both views are in error.
satan isn’t under every rock or the source behind every uncomfortable thing that happens. Yet, Scripture clearly shows that satan is indeed alive and well, prowling around on this earth looking for some Christian to devour. It is very important to maintain balance when studying Spiritual warfare.
This balance is best achieved when we realize that it is not just our role as Christians to flush the devil out of dark places and rebuke demons in Jesus’ name. It is also our role to become more like Christ. I’ve met many soldiers of Christ who battle satan and all he possesses that they’ve forgotten the Christ-like Spirit which we are to possess.
We are not to forgo becoming more like Christ in our effort to defeat the enemy. There are many mean-spirited people, who are rebuking the devil in Jesus’ name. The power of Christ comes as we live out the purpose of Christ.
The authority of Christ comes as we authenticate our lives in Christ.
To rebuke demons we must first rebuke our own demon of refusing to be more like Christ.
So before you saddle up and put on all your Spiritual armor, let me ask about your heart. We can prepare by gaining knowledge, but if the heart is not prepared, the battle is already lost.
We can be more successful in defeating satan with a Christ-like heart and Spirit than with a mouth full of victory-rebukes.
The greatest preparation for Spiritual warfare is to know Christ and be known by Him.
The Lord sent out seventy-two others ahead of him in groups of two with His authority to heal the sick and to proclaim that the Kingdom of God was at hand(Luke 10:1-8). When the disciples came back from their assignment they proclaimed with great joy, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name”(Luke 10:17).
What would Jesus say in response to their joyful proclamation? Would He say, “Praise God!” or “Of course they would!”
Notice Jesus’ response carefully, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven”(Luke 10:18-20).
Which deserves greater celebration: That we can rebuke demons or that our name is written in heaven? It is more important that we know Christ and He knows us. We are to rejoice that our names are written in Heaven more than we are to rejoice that we rebuked an evil spirit.
We cannot afford to become so enamored with driving out demons that we forget to let in the Holy Spirit.
To go into Spiritual battles knowing the enemy but not knowing the Lord is satanic sabotage.
As we prepare for the next four days of teachings on Spiritual warfare, please take time today to prepare your heart. Be sure you are walking close to the Lord, enjoying that your name is written in Heaven. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom to know what is of the devil and what is not. Pray that as you draw close to Christ that you will win the battle not with weapons, but with the heart and power of Christ in you.
Dear Heavenly Father, as we prepare to understand Spiritual warfare we pray that You would prepare our hearts. Help us to draw close to Christ. Help us not to give more credit to satan than is due, but to glorify You by being more Christ-like in all we do. Help us achieve this proper balance, In Jesus Mighty Name, AMEN!