Spiritual Warfare the Biblical Way

Spiritual Warfare the Biblical Way

 

The Biblical understanding compared to charismatic understandings of spiritual warfare. (Notes taken from counseling course)

The devil must be biblically understood and biblically withstood.  The Bible provides the only guide to spiritual warfare and since the Bible has everything  that pertains to life and Godliness (2 Peter 1:3) all we need to know to fight the spiritual war is in there.

Talking about unbiblical views of spiritual warfare – The Bible only talks about casting out of demons in Acts there are no instructions on commanding or engaging in exorsitic ministry in all the letters that Paul wrote to the different Churches from Romans – Revelations. This shows that it was only a messianic (Jesus) and apostolic sign gift (to prove that God was with them).

If we come across demon possessed people, it will be obvious – they will have

1.       Some symptom of physical problem

2.       The distinct presence of another personality speaking in a coherent and intelligible way

3.       Supernatural knowledge particularly in spiritual matters.

When encountering a demon possessed person,

1.     We should not talk directly to or attempt to command the demon in any way.

2.     We are to engage in spiritual warfare through repentance, sanctification, submission to God and prayer asking Jesus to cast the demon out and to challenge the demon possessed person to put on Christ. Apart from putting on Christ, they will never be able to overcome future demonic attacks.

3.     Have faith in God knowing that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.

Every believer has the privilege of praying for healing and praying for demon possessed people.

Spiritual warfare – the inner struggle for personal holiness not personal confrontation with demon

Demons and disobedient believers

People who are just disobedient believers, they continue in their state because they refuse to put on Jesus Christ in his life and walk.

Demons and obedient believers

If you believe that you may be under the influence of spiritual forces, you need to intensify the basics in Christian living.

·         In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 – prayer, submission to God, renewing inner man.

·         In Job 1-3, 38-42 revelation of who God is, repentance

·         In Luke 22:31-32 Jesus prayed for Peter

·         In Matthew 24 Word of God, increased fellowship, increased time with God, prayer, submission to God.

References

Jim Berg “Biblical Counselling” Course
“ Demons: A Biblically Based Perspective “ - Alex Konya