I. Wisdom is essential

A. Matt. 10:16 - Wise as serpents; harmless as doves.
Wisdom precedes warfare; - Virtue before victory.
B. II Cor. 2:11 We are not ignorant of the devil's devices.
C. Prov. 20:18 With good advice make war.
D. Ecc. 9:13-18 Poor wise man delivered city by his wisdom

II. A Look at the enemy: SATAN

A. Names and titles…..

1. Rev. 9:11 -ABADDON - destroying angel
2. Rev. 12:10 - ACCUSER - a plaintiff - to charge with some offense
3. I Pet. 5:8 - ADVERSARY - an opponent
4. Rev. 9:11 - ANGEL -messenger-of the bottomless pit
5. Rev. 9:11 - APPOLLYON -destroyer-
6. II Cor. 6:15 - BELIAL -Greek: worthlessness - Hebrew: evil, naughty, ungodly
7. Matt.12:24 - BEELZEBUB - dung god - Prince of devils-
8. Matt. 4:1 - DEVIL -false accuser, slanderer - Jesus tempted-
9. II Cor. 4:4 - GOD of this world - a deity -blinded the minds of men-
10. Isa. 14:12 - LUCIFER - morning star, shining star - fallen from heaven-
11. John 8:44 - MURDERER - manslayer - father of lies-
12. Matt. 12:24 - PRINCE of DEVILS - chief, magistrate, ruler
13. Eph. 2:2 - PRINCE of the Power of the air - ruler -spiritual wickedness-
14. John 14:30 - PRINCE of this world -
15. Eph, 6:12 - RULER of Darkness - world ruler
16. Gen. 3:1 - SERPENT - snake; to his or whisper a magic spell, enchanter
17. Matt. 4:3 - TEMPTER - to test. scrutinize, entice, examine
18. Matt. 12:43 - UNCLEAN SPIRIT - impure, lewd, demonic, foul, unclean
19. Matt. 13:19 - WICKED ONE -hurtful, evil, degenerate, diseased, derelict, bad vicious, mischief, malice, guilt, evil, grievous, harm, lewd, malicious, wicked

B. Satan's Power

1. Job 1:12 - Afflicts righteous - with permission -
2. Luke 4:6 - Worldly Authority - Jesus tempted with ALL power-
3. Acts. 26:18 - Dominion over sinners
4. II Cor. 4-4 - Blinds unbelievers - god of this world-
5. Heb. 2:14 - Death (power of death)
6. II Thes. 2:9 - Power, signs & lying wonders

C. Satan's evil work

1. Gen. 3:4-5 (Eve) -Matt. 4:1 (Jesus) - James 1:13-16 (man) - Tempting
2. Job 1:9-11 - Slandering Saints (predicted Job would curse God…..)
3. Zech. 3:1 (Joshua)- I Pet. 5:8 - Opposing the Righteous
4. Matt. 13:19 - Removing good seed -from the heart-
5. Matt, 13:38-39 - Sowing tares - in farmer's field-
6. Luke 9:42 - Ruining soul and body -tormenting young boy-
7. John 8:44 - Lying -father of lies-

D. Satan is a defeated foe!

1. Luke 4:13 - Satan could not cause Jesus to sin-departed for a season-
2. John 12:30-31- Now shall the prince of this world be cast out -judgment-
3. John 14:30 - The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me
4. II Thes. 2:8 - Whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth
And shall destroy with the brightness of his coming
5. Heb. 2:14 - That through death he might destroy him that had the power
of death, that is the devil
6. I John 3:8 - For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might
destroy the works of the devil

III. Personal Warfare

A. The Battle ground (the mind) - II Cor. 10:3-6 (bring every thought…captivity)

1. Darkness of the Carnal Mind

a. What the Word says about the carnal mind

1. Rom. 1:21,28 - God gave them over to a reprobate mind
2. Rom. 8:7 The carnal mind is enmity against God
3. Eph. 4:17 - Vanity of their mind -as the Gentiles do-
4. Col. 2:18 - Vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind -worshiping angels-
5. Titus 1:15 - Their mind and conscience is defiled - unbelievers-
6. Jer. 4:14 - Vain thoughts (wicked heart)
7. Matt. 15:19 - Out of the heart proceeds all evil thoughts
8. Eze. 8:12 - Every man in the chamber of his imagery

b. The devil is in darkness. Wherever there is spiritual darkness, there
the devil is.
c. Satan has legal access, given to him by God, to swell in the domain
of darkness.
d. Let us recognize before we do warfare, that the areas we hide in
darkness are the very areas of our future defeat.
e. The greatest defense you can have against the devil is to maintain an
honest heart before God.
f. Satan feeds upon our earthly, carnal nature of "dust". Satan dines on
what we withhold from God. We need to recognize that the immediate
source of many of our problems and oppressions is not demonic, but
fleshly in nature.
g. It is only our exaggerated sense of self-righteousness that prevents
us from looking honestly at ourselves.
h. But if we tolerate darkness through tolerance of sin, we leave ourselves
vulnerable for satanic assault. For wherever there is willful disobedience
to the word of God, there is spiritual darkness and the potential for
demonic activity.
i. There are herds of erroneous thoughts roaming across our minds, grazing
upon the ever available hay and stubble of unbelief and failures. (The
above quotes were taken from the book "The Three Battlegrounds" by:
Francis Frangipane.)

2. Spiritual Mind

a. Scriptures

1. Rom. 8:6 - But to be spiritually minded is life and peace (carnal =death)
2. I Cor. 2:16 - But we have the mind of Christ.
3. Phil. 2:5 - Let this mind be in you. -which was also in Jesus-
4. Rom. 12:1-3 - Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind
5. Phil. 4:8 -Whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good…
b. What men call "salvation" is simply the first stage of God's plan for our
lives, which is to conform us in character and power into the image of
Jesus Christ.
c. We must make way in us for the coming of the Lord. We must allow the
"increase of His government" in our lives.
d. Your thought life must be occupied by the Person of Christ.
e. All spiritual warfare is waged over one essential question: Who will control
reality on earth: Heaven or Hell? (or more personally) Who will control
reality in your mind: The carnal mind or the mind of Christ?

D. The Battle

1. Tearing down strongholds (II Cor. 10:3-6) -casting down imaginations-

a. What is stronghold?

1. Stronghold" A fortified dwelling used as a means of protection
from an enemy.
2. A demonic stronghold is any type of thinking that exalts itself above
the knowledge of God, thereby giving the devil a secure place of
influence in an individuals thought life.
3. Where a stronghold exists it is a demonically induced pattern of
thinking.
4. You can have a demonic stronghold in your life if you refuse to repent
of your sympathetic thoughts toward evil. Your rebellion toward God
will provide a place for the devil in your life. (Eph. 4:27 -Give no place
to the devil.)

b. How are strongholds torn down?

1. Recognize

a. Until one is willing to admit that he needs deliverance, he will not
be free from strongholds.
b. All successful deliverance must begin by first removing that which
defends the enemy.

2. Repent

a. Luke 13:3; 5 - except ye repent, ye shall also die (tower of Siloam)
b. Rev. 2:4-5 -Remember therefore from which thou are fallen, repent
c. Let us realize that the energies we expend in keeping our sins
secret are the actual "materials" of which a stronghold is made.
The demon you are fighting is using your thoughts to protect his
access to your life. (The previous quotes came from the book
"The Three Battlegrounds" by Francis Frangipane.)

3. Resist

a. James 4:7-10 - Resist the devil and he will flee from you
b. Eph. 4:27 - And give no place to the devil
c. II Tim. 4:7-8 - I have fought a good fight -finished the course-
d. II Cor,. 10:3-6 - We wrestle not against flesh and blood

4. Renew

a. Eph. 4:20-24 - Be renewed in the spirit of your mind
b. II Cor. 4:16 - The inward man is renewed day by day
c. Col. 3:9-11 - New man is renewed in knowledge after the
the image of him that created him
d. Rom. 12:1-3 - Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind
e. Titus 3:5-7 - Renewing of the Holy Ghost. -made heirs of eternal life-

2. Our Defense (Eph. 6:10-18) -put on the whole amour-

a. The Belt of Truth

1. Readiness - Preparedness

a. Ex. 12:11 - Gird up your loins -shoes on feet, staff in hand…-
b. Luke 12:35 - Let your loins be girded - & lights burning-
c. I Pet. 1:13 - Gird up the loins of your mind. -be sober, hope to end-

2. Commitment

a. Heb. 12:1 - Lay aside every weight & the sin which besets us-
b. I Cor. 9:24 - Run to win the prize - all run but only 1 prize-
c. II Tim. 2:3 - Endure hardness as a soldier -of Jesus Christ-

b. The Breastplate of Righteousness

1. Protection

a. The heart -Mind

1. Prov. 23:7 - As a man thinks in his heart - mind…..so is he-
2. Mark 7:21 - Out of the heart -mind- proceed evil thoughts
3. Jer. 17:9 - The heart -mind- is deceitful above all things, and
desperately wicked, who can know it?

b. The bowels -emotions-

1. I John 3:17 - shutting up bowels -emotions- of compassion
2. Satan wants to confuse your emotions by corrupting your
desires and drawing your affections to the wrong things.
(By John MacArthur - "The Believer's Armor" )

2. Holiness

a. Lev. 11:45 - Be holy for I am holy.
b. II Cor. 7:1 - perfecting holiness in the fear of God
c. Heb. 12:14 - Holiness, without which no man shall see God
d. II Pet. 3:11 - In all holy conversations and godliness

c. The Shoes Of The Gospel OF Peace

1. Protection: The feet are the soldier's mobility.
2. Stability: hob nails (spikes)
a. Gospel of Peace: Our relationship with God
b. II Cor. 5:19-Reconciled to Him -committed word of reconciliation-
c. Col. 1:20-21 - Having made peace through the blood of the cross
d. Stand firm in your position in God!

d. The Shield Of Faith

1. "Above all, take"……
a. The first three pieces are worn constantly
b. The last three pieces are taken up during attacks

2. A large wooden plank covered with metal and leather
a. The metal deflected arrows
b. The leather put out fires

3. Protection from Satan's fiery darts
a. Seducing temptations
1. Impurity, selfishness, doubt, fear
2. Disappointment, lust, greed, vanity
b. I John 2:16 - Lust of the flesh, lust of the eye, pride of life

4. Faith is believing; Believing is obedience
a. Rom. 4:3 - Abraham believed God…counted for righteousness
b. II Cor. 1:24 - By faith ye stand
c. Prov. 30:5-6 - Every word of God is pure
d. Psa. 12:6 - The words of the Lord are pure
e. Psa. 18:30 - He is a shield to all who trust Him
f. I John 5:4 - This is the victory….your faith

5. God is our shield - our faith is in God alone-
a. Gen. 15:1 - Fear not Abraham: I am Thy shield
b. Psa. 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength
c. Prov. 18:10 - The name of the Lord is a strong tower
d. Psa. 84:11 - The Lord is a sun and a shield

e. The Helmet Of Salvation

1. Three aspects of salvation
a. Past - freedom from sin's penalty
b. Present - freedom from sin's power
c. Future - freedom from sin's presence

2. Protection from Satan's broadsword
a. Discouragement
1. Eph. 3:13 - Faint not at my tribulations for you which is…glory
2. Gal. 6:9 - Be not weary in well doing…due season shall reap
3. II Tim. 4:7 - I have fought a good fight, finished course….
4. Rev. 2:3 - hast labored and hast not fainted

b. Doubt
1. Rom. 3:4 - Let God be true but every man a liar
2. I Tim. 2:8 - Men pray without wrath & doubting
3. Rom. 8:29 -39 - If God be for us…..who can be against us?
4. John 6:37 -Him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out

3. Our Offense

a. The Sword of the Spirit
1. Matt. 4:1-11 - Jesus used the Word to overcome temptation
2. II Tim. 2:15 - Study to show thyself approved
3. Rev. 12:11 - Overcame him by the word of their testimony
4. I Pet. 3:15 - Ready always to give an answer
5. Rom. 10:17 - Faith comes by hearing rhema about Christ
6. The sword is a precision instrument. You must know what
the Word says and be specific when using it against Satan

b. Prayer
1. Prayer is not a separate weapon but it is the actual air the
Spiritual warrior breathes.
2. Eph. 6:18 - Praying always…with supplication
3. Luke 18:1 - Men ought to pray always and not faint
4. Luke 21:36 - Watch & pray always
5. Acts 6:4 - We will give ourselves continually to prayer…ministry
6. Acts 10:2 - Gave much alms & Prayed to God always
7. Rom. 12:12 - Continuing diligently in prayer
8. Col. 4:2 - Continue in prayer & watch
9. I Thes. 5:17 - Pray without ceasing
10. The frequency of prayer is always. Prayer is a way of life.
Everything that comes into your life should provide an
Opportunity for prayer. (John MacArthur-The Believer's Armor)

c. Fasting

1. Purpose
a. Repentance and humbling of the soul -flesh-
1. Neh. 9:1-2 - All Israel were assembled with fasting
2. Psa. 35:13 - I humbled my soul with fasting
3. Psa. 69:10 - And chastened my soul with fasting
4. Joel 2:12-14 - Turn to me with all your heart, & fasting

b. Special Delieverance
1. Est. - 4:16 - And fast for me-neither eat nor drink-3 days
2. Dan. 6:18 - The King passed the night fasting
3. Matt. 17:15-21 - This kind cometh not out but by fasting
Mark 9:14-29 - But by prayer and fasting
4. Isa. 58: (vs.6) - Is not this the fast that I have chosen?

c. Kinds of fasts
1. Acts 9:9 -No food or water -Paul blinded by light-
2. Acts 14:23 - No food -to ordain elders in every church-
3. Forty day limit
a. Ex. 34:28 - Moses -to receive 10 commandments-
b. I Kings 19:8 - Elijah -angel food sustained 40 days-
c. Luke 4:102 - Jesus -40 days of wilderness temptation-

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