mi 361 lecture 1 spiritual warfare

Spiritual WarfareLesson 1 - Introduction

Robert D. Patton

Missionary to Suriname

The Crown College and

Baptist World Mission

Introduction

Situation with Eugene: A young teenage man ran from the attack of evil spirits into the street to my wife’s car. She stopped, rebuked the spirits, and led him to the Lord. He removed his witchcraft items

The following day I went there with a national. He was wearing more witchcraft things again, and ran in front of the village captain and two under-captains under demonic control. After prayer, the demon screamed: I am going to hell, and he was free.

Introduction

He arrived at church on Sunday and froze at the entrance. A group of men prayed until he was free.

Several months later I went with a national to an empty house reeking of beer. The demon told us we were too late, and he had eaten the man’s liver. We took him to church and prayed 3 hours before he was free

Introduction

The family continued to take him to witchdoctors in Frans Guyana; he later went to Holland & we lost contact

Introduction

Luke 11:24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and finding none, he saith, I will return to my house whence I came out. 25. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished, 26. Then goeth he, and takethto him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

We must be in a position to minister to our people

Many missionaries work on the assumption of western worldview that evil spirits don’t exist, and cannot help those who are bound

Unfortunately, this may also be true of many pastors in the western world – because Satan is active here too….

Our three enemies

Our old nature

The world system – kosmos

The devil

All 3 enemies come from the evil one

Our old nature – from the encounter of Satan with Adam & Eve

The world system, which fell into the hands of the evil one, and is based on the principle “Me first; what is good for me…”

The evil one, Satan

It is a world-wide war

Jn 10:[10] The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I Peter 5:[8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

It is a world-wide war:

We must recognize the voice of the shepherd, Jesus by spending time with him. Jn. 10:[4] And when he puttethforth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.[5] And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

It is a world-wide war:

We must know how the enemy thinks and works:

2 Cor. 2: [11] Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

We must not be conformed to the world

Rom. 12:1-2 [1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.[2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye trans-formed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

We don’t need to fear

It is the fear of God that is the basis for wisdom, not the fear of the devil.

2 Tim. 1: [7] For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Courage is resolute action in the presence of fear

We don’t need to fear

The enemy is already defeated:

Col. 2: [14] Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;[15] And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Don’t be afraid

Heb. 2: [14] Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;[15] And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Toward a Biblical Worldview

Worldview = the assumptions we hold as to the basic makeup of the universe

Some believe that demons never do anything to a “good Christian” so it is better to ignore them.

This is not from the Bible - we must resist, stand against, etc.

“Western” world-view of modernism

Although some are atheists and deny any supernatural, the majority have this worldview:

The supernatural - God, angels & demons, - Religion and mysticism

separated from

The natural - science – Faulty conclusion: No contact above. Therefore the

supernatural can be basically ignored.

This is a faulty worldview

Western worldview

Often we try to cure spiritual problems physically - pills, etc.

This is because we believe in practice in the reality of science, but not in the supernatural.

Thus we use physical methods to produce a spiritual cure – and work without success

ANIMISM AND FOLK RELIGION

Spiritual warfare is key because at least 40% of world religion deals with the demonic directly

South American shaman

Witchdoctors in Africa

Shona Africa traditional healer

Popular chinese Gods

Shinto priest & priestess

Shinto shrine

Mios in Hong Kong

Burning money for the dead

Food for the dead – Hungry Ghost festival

Sending off to the dead by burning…

Wood carvings of ancestors

Ancestor worship

Idol of

ancestor

Hindu folk religion

There are many types of Hindu religion which are primarily dealing with their stories and gods, rather than with true monism

Hindu gods to bless stones

Image of Krishna

Idol of Shiva in meditation

Hanuman, the monkey god

Hindu “trimurti” of Gods –Brahman, Vishnu, Shiva

Worship Shiva – god of destruction

Hindu god

Kali – god of destruction

Hindu - Vishnu

Pakistani Hindu God

Hindu temple

Housewarming ceremony

Puja – Hindu worship

Puja worship

Puja – worship Woman sewing clothes for idol

Puja ceremony Mt. Everest!

Vajrayana traditions in Tibet, Mongolia, China

Tibetan monastery & monks

Buddhist idols

Idol worship

Monks, the king, and a water ceremony to carry away sins

Ancestor worship

Thai amulets

This amulet contains the powder of a chosen baby who died (amulet enlarged greatly)

These monks bless amulets –advertised on the internet

House with occult blessing object

Juju - witchdoctor

Winti prei Suriname

Dance ritual Suriname

Fire dance – Suriname

Prayer – Winti ritual

Winti offerings

BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW

We need to know what the Bible teaches about Satan and demons

Biblical worldview

Only one God - not polytheism.

However, this God is active in His creation

There are angels, one of which is the fallen angel satan.

God had created many types of angels

The arrangement was “good” as was all creation

But satan came in rebellion and was joined by many other angels in actively opposing God

All power is of God

Ultimately all power is from God.

We can use or abuse this power.

We must avoid syncretism

Satan’s goal Satan’s goal - to deprive God of His glory, and

get that glory for himself

In the Old Testament, Israel was to live in such a way as to bring God glory

Our goal as believers: I Cor. 10: [31] Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

When we fail to do so, we please Satan and deprive God of His glory.

Remember:

Isaiah 42: [8] I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Isaiah 48: [11] For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.

Faulty beliefs about demons

Demons used to be active when Christ was on earth, but no longer -

Not so - New Age and the occult are prominent today

Even in the USA, there is active satanworship


What used to be called demonic we now call” mental illness” –

But just sticking a label on it doesn’t explain it or satisfactorily treat it.


Remember the limitations of science and a scientific worldview.

Measurable

Repeatable under controlled conditions

These conditions are not possible with demonic afflictions

Faulty beliefs about spiritual sickness which is demonic

It is true that some problems are psychological and others spiritual.

The pastor then assumes that he must refer those things that seem to be psychological to the secular psychologist or psychiatrist.


Christians aren’t subject to demonic activity when we give in to the flesh

Then why all the warnings given to believers in the Bible about being alert, wearing your armor, and resisting the devil?

Theological facts

Let’s look at what the Bible states about Satan and evil spirits…

Their origin

Their nature

Their power

Their defeat

We will begin with angels

Satan is a fallen angel – Lucifer, who was first the anointed cherub

Demons are fallen angels too

So we will begin by looking at some characteristics of all angels.

Then we will look specifically at Satan, and then demons

Angels are prominent in the Bible

Old Testament – 104 times

New Testament – 165 times

Mentioned in 34 books of the Bible

Angels are created by God

Genesis 1:[1] In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2:[1] Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them

Jn. 1:[3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

(Speaking of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh)


Nehemiah 9:[6] Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.


Colossians 1:[16] For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

The angels were created, not evolved

Ps. 148:[2] Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.….[5] Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.

We never read that more angels were created; Jesus said they do not reproduce

Sons of God

It appears that this term is used of angels both in the time of Noah, and also in Job.

We believe this means a direct creation.

We are also a direct creation by the new birth – we are also sons of God

Angels created before the earth

Job 38:[1] Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,…[4] Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding….[7] When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Angels are to worship Jesus

Heb. 1:[6] And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

Angels are spirit beings

Heb 1: [7] And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire

Lk 24: [37] But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit…[39] Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

Angels characteristics

They ate food with Abraham, with Lot

They can use physical force, as when they woke up Peter

They are usually invisible, but can be visible – as the times that they went to Abraham and Lot, as well as the times that John saw them in Revelation

Angels are superior to man at this time

Psalm 8:[4] What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?[5] For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

Angels are stronger than man

Psalm 103:[20] Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

II Thess. 1:[7] And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

Angels are swifter and smarter than man

Daniel 9:[21] Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. [22] And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.

See this description

Rev. 10[1] And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:[2] And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,[3] And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven

thunders uttered their voices.

Sorts of angels

Archangels – two – Michael and Gabriel

Cherubim – we find them guarding the tree of life, and also above the ark of the covenant

4 faces – ox, lion, man, eagle,

2 pr. wings – one to fly, one covering body

Legs like man; feet like calves hooves

4 hands under the wings

Travel in groups of 4 in quadrangle

Other sorts include

Serafim – 6 wings; praise the holiness of God

4 living creatures – each with a face like one of the 4 in the cherub; a body full of eyes,

Various levels of angels

Satan was the anointed (chief) cherub

Artist rendering Abraham & his visitors

Peter freed from Prison

Picture – Michael the archangel – 17th century

The number is beyond counting

Rev. 5: [11] And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

The number is beyond counting

Daniel 7: [9] I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.[10] A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.