Bible Study Notes:

We've been discussing spiritual warfare for some time now and since we've had a two-week break, we need to review where we've been and see where we're going with this. First of all, who are we fighting and why is there a war? Our discussions arose out of a study of Ephesians, and there is some pretty awesome doctrine that leads up to the answer to this question.

Ephesians 1:7-8, In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

Ephesians 1:11 In him we were also chosen, [Or were made heirs], having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will...

Romans 8:17-18 Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Athie - Lastly our inheritance is eternal life. We can inherit any thing our Father owns

Right, an heir is someone who receives an inheritance. In Bible times, the inheritance went to the eldest son, who in our case is Christ Jesus, and we have been made joint-heirs with Him. So everything that Jesus has been given as an inheritance, we have too! We are the children - sons and daughters - of God!

Hebrews 1:1-2 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.

Perhaps in your private devotional time, you could study all that we do inherit in Jesus. It is awesome how much we are loved, and given freely by God's grace, unearned love and favor!

Now our inheritance is good news, but it brings us into headlong conflict with our former ruler, satan. The devil is hopping mad at us because he no longer has any LEGAL right or ruler over us. And he's also mad that we've been made heirs with God. So he will do anything in his power to try to reclaim us or keep us from walking in our inheritance.

Cowgirl† - You got that right OT the closer I walk with God the stronger he fights me.

Notice that the devil doesn't have any LEGAL right against us anymore... but he doesn't want YOU to realize that! He'll use any and all tricks in "his book" to try to discourage and defeat you.

Ruth - If we live our lives without doubt of what God can do in our lives we do inherit everything that God gave us in eternity. Before Jesus came to this earth, God settled our inheritance that we may obtain it here in time. The question really to ask is "What are we doing with the time that God has allocated for us on this earth that we should obtain our inheritance so freely as God to freely wishes to give us?

The more conscious we become of our Sonship, inheritance and rights as children of God, the less the devil can bring against us. The more we cleanse ourselves of footholds, strongholds, and deceptions, the freer we become from evil powers and the more able to defeat satan, not only in our lives, but also in the lives of others.

PJ - OldTimer, that is why we need to continually be in the Word and in prayer!!
Cowgirl† - Yes and continually seeking the things of God and have an ear to hear him.
Ruth - The Lord says that the "violent taketh by force" The devil can't take it if your framed in.

Right PJ, the more Word we get into our hearts and the more we pray and communicate with our Father, the less power the devil has over us. Many Christians live lives of defeat simply because they don't know their Father or the promises in His Word!

Cowgirl† - So is that why he is trying so hard to convince me I have no power?

We are joint-heirs with Christ. What this means is that whatever God has given Jesus, is ours too! YES CG!!! You got it!

So the Bible compares this conflict to warfare and describes us as Christian soldiers clothed in God's armor of light. We wear the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the shoes of gospel peace, and the helmet of salvation. We carry the shield of faith and bear the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. We also have an awesome arsenal of weapons with which we can fight all the strategies, deceptions, and ploys of the enemy, satan, and his soldiers, the demons.

Each weapon has a defensive use - in which we defend ourselves and our loved ones against attack, and an offensive use - in which we re-take territory that the enemy has stolen from us, or come against new ground in Jesus' Name.

blair - OldTimer that is right. God equips us with what we need to fight the fight.

Now, these weapons are used together many times, and just as in a physical conflict, different weapons come into use against different strategies of the enemy. And as a physical warrior, a spiritual warrior must be trained in the use of his weapons and be prepared to use them as the Holy Spirit directs.

We've also discussed 10 characteristics of the Christian soldier. They are:

1) Unquestioning Obedience To God And Those He's Placed In Authority;
2) Loyalty And Support Of Other Soldiers - Teamwork, Unity, Oneness In Christ;
3) Self-Discipline; Self-Control;
4) Endurance Under Hardship;
5) Training For War - Through Study Of The Word And Prayer,
6) Understanding And Following Instructions;
7) Being Alert, Watchful And Prepared For The Enemy AND The Second Coming Of Jesus!
8) Keeping Armor And Weapons In Ready-Condition;
9) An Undivided Heart To The Cause; and
10) Stand In Your Position In Christ.

We've also discussed 7 spiritual weapons so far:

1. The Word Of God Or Sword Of The Spirit;
2. Prayer;
3. The Name Of Jesus;
4. Using Faith As A Weapon;
5. Praise;
6. The Blood Of Jesus;
7. The Word Of Our Testimony.

And the list keeps growing as God reveals more to me. Before we get to weapon #8, let's look ahead to what we will discuss after the weapons. First, we will discuss the power of teamwork and see how the devil brings offenses to "divide and conquer" us.

Our battlefield is the mind, and this is where we come against vain imaginations and strongholds that the enemy has erected there in the past - and keep ourselves free from the deceptive thoughts and desires that the enemy tries to build there now. We fight on three battlefronts: the world, the flesh and the devil. We will look in some detail at these areas, their characteristics and how we win against them. Then we will bring it all together and discuss our battle plan - and look at some victory verses to memorize. We are victorious in Jesus Name, AMEN!

As we have briefly discussed before, when a person dies, there is usually a last will and testament that outlines what the heirs receive. These monies, bonds and properties, however, lie untouched and useless until the rightful heirs come and take possession of them. The same is true of our inheritance in Christ as Sons of God. God has provided a wealth of spiritual and material promises for us and those we love, but we have to "claim" to take possession of them.

i®i§ - The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and it decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
Exodus :oÞ - Satan hates us because we are children of the most high God...
serene - Satan hates us because he couldn't overcome Jesus and because we are the apple of God's eye, we're the next best thing!
Cowgirl†† - Because he wants us in Hell with him...

When God delivered the Hebrew children from slavery in Egypt, He promised them a "land flowing with milk and honey". But possession of their inheritance was not automatic, they had to press in and claim it, and fight to win what God had given them. Why? Because there were "squatters" in the land, evil inhabitants who had no legal right to be there, and who were unworthy because of perversion and idolatry.

Remember that the longer a "squatter" of disease, disability, poverty, or oppression has taken up residence, the more "squatter's rights" it will try to claim. But in Jesus, any covenant, even a common law or "squatter's rights" one, made with satan is null and void. But we must persist against that "squatter" in Jesus Name.

A man testified recently that he came against a resident paralysis in his leg, claiming his healing and full use of that leg, for FOUR months before he moved that "squatter" out! Now he walks without a limp or pain, praise the Lord! Another lady named Emily, who had terminal lupus with only 2 or 3 months to live, came against that resident disease in Jesus Name claiming her healing for 12 months, and now she is completely healed and has a healing ministry.

When the children of Israel came out of slavery in Egypt, poet, they were given the Promised Land by God, but there were "squatters" there, people living there that had no right or legal title to it. In a similar way, satan tries to set "squatters" of illness, poverty, fear, etc upon us to keep us from our inheritance. (I'm using the term "squatter" as an analogy.)

Exodus :oÞ - OT...I think that it is easy to look at difficulties and just passively accept them as the way it is .... instead of fighting for what should be ours as heirs of Christ

Remember when Joshua and the Hebrew children crossed the Jordan and began to take possession of the Promised Land? The first city they came to was Jericho, a strong, walled city that seemed impossible to defeat. What did the Lord tell them to do?

Joshua 4:2-4 Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets.

Joshua 4:5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in."

We are told that what happened in the Old Testament serves as types and examples for us, particularly the heroes of the faith in Hebrews chapter 11. We are not only joint-heirs with Christ, but co-laborers with Him as we obey the Word.

poet - without works faith is dead

One way to rid our territory of the demonic "squatters" is to literally march around our homes, neighborhoods, schools, cities, etc., claiming that the walls or strongholds that satan has erected against the knowledge of Christ come tumbling down in Jesus' Name. My aunt, who is a minister's wife, does this on a regular basis. She walks around the church property, steadfastly claiming the territory in Jesus' Name and is letting the devil know that she will not stop until all the walls come down.

Deuteronomy 5:33 Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

Where we walk is as important as how we walk. You are a child of God - claim the land you set your feet upon for the Lord Jesus Christ. Claim your inheritance by walking it out!

Joshua 14:7-9 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, `THE LAND ON WHICH YOUR FEET HAVE WALKED WILL BE YOUR INHERITANCE AND THAT OF YOUR CHILDREN FOREVER, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.'..

Praise the Lord! The first step is believing that God WILL do what He says He will do, regardless of what the "squatters" look like or say about it. The next step is the claim these promises by walking them out in your daily life.

Pastor Steve Perdue of World Aflame Ministries in Midwest City, Oklahoma and his church members walk the boundaries and pray monthly for their city. This is what his web page at http://members.aol.com/Wamchurch/index.html says about it:

"On the 2nd Wednesday of each month we walk through the neighborhoods of Midwest City praying for the people in the neighborhoods. We ask God to bind all demonic spiritual authority and to loose the power, presence and blessings of the Holy Spirit. We ask for conviction of sin and deliverance from sin. We ask for God to give the people a spiritual hunger for Him."

Pastor Steve continues: "We ask for blessings on the families and we bind the Devil's destructive instruments against them. We ask for spiritual, emotional, physical and relational healing. We ask for protection, provision and revival for the Christians and all the Christian churches. We ask that our church would take its place as a light and a help to the people. We ask that God would sovereignty assemble and anoint the people in our church to do the work in the communities juxtaposed to the church."

Then Pastor Steve concludes: "It is a great time for our church. It reminds us that our vision is to reach our community, not to just maintain a religious institution at 9029 E. Reno. Some of the flock of Word Aflame Ministries has been enfolded, but there are many sheep that are still astray. GOD HELP US TO BE MILITANT IN THE SPIRIT AGAINST HELL'S GATES."

Hallelujah! What a weapon this is against the enemy! And this relates to having our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Put on your combat boots of PEACE and start walking!!!!

Glory to God! As the other weapons, this has a defensive aspect - you can walk around your home, etc, and pray for protection for you and your loved ones. And an offensive aspect - as you "walk out" or do the "Jericho March" around new territory you are claiming for Christ, as Pastor Steve talked about.

Shilo - What about marching around Washington??

Great idea Shilo - I think that is the object of the March for Jesus that is held every year. Didn't you go one year CG?

Cowgirl†† - Yes sure did and I never thought of it that way that's pretty awesome when you think about it.
Shilo - My Pastor once said, You be the change that you want to see take place, I like that.

2 Corinthians 6:4,7 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;… in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left...

Romans 6:13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments [weapons] of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments [weapons] of righteousness…

Weapons and Instruments in these verses are from the Greek hoplon {hop'-lon} meaning any tool or implement for preparing a thing, such as arms used in warfare, or weapons. Any part of your body yielded to God can be a weapon of righteousness.

Ms Sherrer: "In studying the Hebrew word for hand, I found that one form of the word means "open hand," while another form means "closed hand." In prayer I extend my open hand to the Lord, beseeching him on behalf of the person I'm interceding for. In warfare l close my other hand into a fist and shake it at Satan as I declare the Word of God on behalf of the one for whom I'm battling: "Satan, it is written, the Son of Man-Jesus Christ-came to save the lost. It is not his will that any perish so take your hands off my brother. He shall declare the praises of the most high God."

Ms. Sherrer: "I also clap my hands-loudly even in my city apartment. I see two reasons for this in the Bible: to praise the Lord and to mock God's enemy (see Psalm 47:1; Lamentations 2:15)."

Psalm 47:1 Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.

Ms. Sherrer: "Striking my hands together, I may say, "You spirit of discouragement, be gone today. You have no place in this home, which is dedicated to the Lord God of hosts."

"Still clapping, I applaud the Lord. "Thank you, Lord, for your spirit of peace. For your joy I applaud you, for you are on the throne today. You are king of my life and my home. I acknowledge that nothing is impossible with you, Lord."

Ms. Sherrer: "Our bodies can be used in worship and in warfare. My mother used to raise both her hands before the Lord because God told us to lift up holy hands to him, without doubting (see 1 Timothy 2:8). Wiggling her fingers, she'd declared, "Lord, these represent my ten grandchildren," and she'd name them. "I'm standing in the prayer gap for them. Lord, may they love and serve you all their lives. Give wisdom and understanding, knowledge and strength this day, in Jesus' name." Then she'd pray for their individual needs-a school test, a boyfriend problem, or a health concern."

Sherrer concludes: "God gave us a body and creative ways to praise him with it-as well as to use in warfare against his enemy."

1 Timothy 2:8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

Psalm 63:4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.

Psalm 134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.

This verse is particularly meaningful to me. At a time in my life when I was very ill and unable to take care of myself or my children, the devil began beating me up about "not doing anything for the Lord". All I could do is lie in bed, read the Word, pray and praise Him. This verse spoke to me that the prayers I sent up and the lifting of my hands in praise were sacrifices - I was ministering to the Lord and was pleasing to Him! That sent the devil into a loop-de-loop! Even at the worst of that illness, I could still "do something for the Lord", using my hands as a weapon of righteousness in praise to Jesus! Hallelujah!

So even in my weakness, I used my hands in warfare against the devil, and defeated discouragement and despair! And defeating those "squatters" helped to bring about my recovery. Praise Jesus forever!

Our hands are also used as weapons in the "laying on of hands". Laying on of hands has three applications in the Bible: for healing, to receive the Holy Spirit and for ordination to a specific task.

Mark 6:5 He could not do any miracles there [Nazareth], except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.

Every time I post this verse, I always caution people that it does NOT say to handle snakes or drink poison - but if we accidentally do those things, we will be protected.

So when we lay hands on the sick in faith, we are using our hands as a weapon against illness and we are promised if we do it in faith believing, the sick will get well in Jesus' Name.

When people receive the Holy Spirit, they receive the power that energizes their recreated spirits. It's like handing them atomic power that they can use to blast the devil out of their lives.

Laying on of hands also was used for ordination, or conferring authority: Acts 6:6 They presented these men [the first deacons] to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

Now this type of laying on of hands for the transference of special anointing and authority is reserved for leadership. This is usually called ordination and gives the one ordained a special gift for his/her ministry. But everyone who is ordained is a blow to the devil, because the gift and authority transferred to them through the laying on of hands will be used against satan to win souls for Christ.

Be sure that you know who you're laying hands on - and that they are prepared to receive the healing - that they have some knowledge of faith and how to KEEP their healing when the devil comes to try to steal it. Or that they have truly received Christ before you lay hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit. Also, be careful whom you allow to lay hands on YOU. You want to know what spirit they are representing first.

So we've talked about using our hands as weapons in praise, prayer and laying on of hands.

Never underestimate the power of a holy life! Any body part becomes a weapon of righteousness when yielded to God and used in His service! Every "right" thing done in Jesus Name is a blow to our enemy! Every word spoken in love, every hand reached out to help another, every step walked in service to God is a weapon against the powers of darkness! Ask God to show you how to use every part of your body as a weapon of righteousness against the enemy!