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Bible Study Notes:Spiritual
Weapons: # 15 |
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These notes are from a
transcript of the postings during Bible Study on Thursday Nights at 8 PM at Bible Study
Chat at churchusa.com. |
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Father God we just praise you for all the many blessings you heap upon us daily. We are thankful for the Word that guides us and lights our path before us. Now devil, we take our authority over you in Jesus Name and command you to leave this holy place in Jesus Name and oppress us no more. Jesus we bless your holy Name and thank you for becoming the sacrifice for our sins, for bearing the curse for us, and buying our peace with your punishment. Help us to understand the Mind that you have given us and learn how to make use of it we pray. Holy Spirit you are our teacher and we ask that you open our hearts, minds and spirits tonight to receive and obey the Word. In Jesus Name AMEN Rolling Thunder - We thank you for home dad's healing! AMEN RT, we are rejoicing over Home Dad's healing - out of a wheel chair and walking by God's power and grace. Praise the Lord! For several weeks, we've been looking at the mind of Christ as a spiritual weapon. First of all we discussed the place of suffering in the Christian life. Our attitude to suffering makes us realize that it is necessary to perfect or mature our faith, and sooner or later in the Christian life we will face some suffering. Then we began to talk about ARMING ourselves with Weapon #15 The Mind of Christ: 1 Peter 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, ARM YOURSELVES ALSO WITH THE SAME ATTITUDE, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sinIf we arm ourselves with the attitude, mind, understanding, manner of thinking and feeling that Jesus had, we will be victorious over the enemy of our souls. Besides suffering, there are several other components that the Holy Spirit has testified as being part of the mind of Christ. They are humility, sacrificial love, acceptance, submission to the Father's will, unlimited intellect, and power, dominion over sin and authority over the devil.
And what a package servant!!! It will probably take about 10,000 years in eternity to understand it all! Jesus had an attitude of power: dominion over sin and authority over the devil. He knew what His authority was and exercised it. What is authority?
right, spitz, power!!! and what else?
Right glory, I believe we are given everything in the Word that we CAN understand this side of Heaven. Why gman?
Authority comes from the Greek word exousia, (from exesti "it is lawful"), meaning the ability or strength with which one is endued, the right to exercise power of rule and government, the power of one whose will and commands must be obeyed by others. So someone with authority not only has the right to govern over certain areas, but also has the power to back it up. Matthew 8:5-9 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering." Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him." This is the familiar story of the centurion who sent to Jesus for help when his servant was ill. The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, `Go,' and he goes; and that one, `Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, `Do this,' and he does it." Here we see that not only did the roman soldier have faith in Jesus but that he understood authority: We have studied this account previously, how a Roman soldier could develop such faith. But the important thing in this context is that according to Jesus, understanding of authority is a sign of great faith. Matthew 8:10, 13 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith… Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour. Since the astonishing faith of the centurion centered on his understanding of authority, then we need to take a look at that topic. What authority did Jesus have?
That's right toots, the SOURCE of Jesus' authority was God. But what specifically did He have authority over?
First of all Jesus has authority over demonic powers: Luke 4:36 All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!"Paul - The power to heal??? Toots - Jesus has authority over all things. peaches - demons Toots - deliverence 101 spitzfire2 - do you think everyone has evil spirits in them No spitz I don't. I do believe that demons try to OPPRESS everybody, even believers though Now exorcism was practiced in that day by the rabbis and so forth, but it was an elaborate ritual of little effect. But Jesus had the authority and power to simply give an order to an evil spirit, fallen angel, demon, etc., and they would come out.
Now having demons IN a person implies POSSESSION, which implies control. Christians should be under the control of the Holy Spirit. Mark 1:27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching--and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." guitarman524 - can some one that has the Spirit, become possessed? Paul - only if they fall from their walk with God. gman, I don't see how. Jesus' teachings have authority Mark 1:27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching--and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him."Jesus also taught with authority. The rabbis of that day would quote long passages from other rabbis to gain authority, as "Rabbi ben Gamelial, blessed be he, in Targum so and so said that…" But Jesus said, "Truly I say to you that…" The people also noticed that the evil spirits OBEYED Jesus because of the authority, power, dominion and mastery over them that Jesus had.
Right Paul, and remember WHY Jesus told them they were unsuccessful in exercising their authority? Because of unbelief! Paul - The same kind of unbelief as they had when the storm came over the sea, or at
the crowd of 5000.... Toots you're thinking about the 7 sons of Sceva in the book of Acts... They tried to cast out demons in the "Name of Jesus who Paul preaches" instead of knowing and being in relationship with Jesus themselves.
Right toots because they didn't have that born again relationship with Jesus - in Jesus they had NO authority!
Jesus says that demons of this type don't go out by prayer and fasting. The purpose of the prayer and fasting was to prepare the disciples and strengthen them, killing the flesh, and increasing their faith.
Also the disciples let the demon intimidate them, they didn't stand in their authority UNTIL the demon left. This was their lack of faith, their unbelief and this particular devil could sense that.
The disciples HAD authority over ALL the power of the enemy as we'll see in a minute, they just gave up too soon. Sometimes you have to persevere in getting rid of demons.
A fast typically involves giving up food and or water for a period of time. It can also mean giving up something else meaningful to you to devote time to prayer and communion with God. Isaiah 58 indicates that a TRUE fast acceptable to God involves sacrificial service. You may fast for one meal, several days or even longer. Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights and was tempted by the devil.
Fasting WILL probably make you grouchy! LOL It has a tendancy to reveal a LOT of character flaws. Your flesh will NOT like it! Sometimes you feel worse afterwards than you did before. But if you will yield to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, He will cut out those things of the flesh that is blocking your faith, and your spiritual power and ability to use your authority will increase.
Yeah, especially the grouchy part. LOL
Yes gman, especially if you are diabetic or have some other health problem. You could fast TV for a week and spend that time with God for example. Or if you are on a limited diet, you could fast something that you consider a treat.
Yes, Paul, fasting is a denial of the flesh, and it weakens satan’s power to tempt you as it reveals character flaws that you submit to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Paul, yes we can become addicted to a lot of things, but Jesus can and will deliver us from them all! Mark 1:22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. The scribes and Pharisees were teachers of the law, not only the written law in the Old Testament, but of their own oral traditions. They had volumes of commentary on the Bible, and opinions about how to keep not only the written law, but their own rules and regulations. They had so many rules to keep, that the average person couldn't keep them all and work for a living too. They also taught in a spirit of hypocrisy and legalism, with an emphasis on outward appearance and ritual. Jesus teachings were different. For one thing, He lived what He taught. He also did not appeal to past rabbis or complicated arguments to proclaim the gospel. He simply taught as one with authority in an attitude of love. Jesus also has authority to forgive sins and to grant eternal life. Matthew 9:6-8 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." And the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men. (see also Mark 2:10)In this account, an argument arose with the Pharisees because they didn't think that Jesus should say that He could forgive sins. To them, that authority belonged to God alone. But Jesus SHOWED His authority to forgive sins by His ability to heal. John 17:2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Praise the Lord that He has authority not only to forgive sins but to grant us eternal life. That is, He has power and authority over death, hell and the grave. He has the authority to give us life everlasting. Jesus was given ALL authority after the Resurrection: Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."
AMEN servant that is the most wondrous thing! Now when Jesus walked the earth He had tremendous authority, as we have seen, in His teaching, over demons, authority to heal and forgive sins. But it was after His resurrection that He was given ALL authority in heaven and on earth.
Jesus is now the legal owner of heaven and earth because He overcame satan on the cross and won back the keys of death and hell. Revelation 1:18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. As believers, we are now under the dominion, authority or Lordship of Jesus Christ and NOT satan! Jesus also has given us some of His authority. What did Jesus give us authority to do?First of all, Jesus gave us authority to drive out demons: Mark 6:7 Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.When we allow satan and/or his demons to oppress us and torment us, we are allowing them to step over the "blood line" of our authority. Legally they can't do it, but if we yield to it, then we have given them legal access into our lives. INSTEAD we should use our authority against the enemy and tell HIM what to do in Jesus Name!
Mark 3:14 -15 He appointed twelve--designating them apostles--that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. We also have authority to drive demons out of other people. Sometimes demons not only oppress people, but actually move in to stay - POSSESSING them and controlling them. Believers have the authority to cast out devils!
Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome ALL the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. So does that give the devil the right to bother us 10% of the time? NO, we have authority over ALL the power of the enemy!
Justme, you can cast demons out of anyone, willing or not. The problem is, if they aren't prepared to come to Jesus for salvation and do spiritual warfare on their OWN behalf, the demons will return SEVEN fold. So we need to use wisdom in using our authority over demons.
Right Justme, sometimes we have to counsel the person first and be sure they are willing, and silence the demons by our authority so the REAL person trapped inside can communicate with us.
LOL @ gman. Serpent handling as a religion is not recommended here. But IF a snake gets in your way, take that hoe and let him know who's boss!!!
No, but she was following them around. I think the part of her that was NOT possessed by demons wanted what Paul had! Now if we have all of this authority, why do we often live defeated lives? Why do we have financial problems, sicknesses, discouragements, a "woe is me" attitude? Well there are many reasons for problems, but one certainly is not using your authority against the devil. What are some reasons that believers don't exercise their authority over the devil/demons?
Good answers! That's true peaches, if we reserve some of ourselves for some secret sin, then that certainly weakens our authority. If we are disobedient to what God has called us to do also. One is lack of knowledge. The devil is a liar, and will tell you that the verses I just quoted don't apply to you or don't really mean what they say!
Try fasting Paul. Another reason for failure to use your authority over the enemy is lack of training. Great you say, I have all this authority, but how do I use it? Simply rebuke the devil/demons in the Name of Jesus. And keep doing it until THEY know that you mean business!!!
Yes, Justme! That is so important!
Example: satan I come against you in _____'s life. I bind you and rebuke you and cast you out in Jesus Name. I come against the blinding spirits that are keeping ________ from the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and I loose _____ from your bondage to be saved by the blood of Jesus.
Jesus said that the thief comes not but to STEAL kill and destroy, but I have come to give you life and that more abundantly. Steal implies we once had it, but allowed the devil to take it!
I would say if we don't exercise our authority, the devil will be more than happy to step in and make us miserable, robbing us of joy, peace, love and productivity in God's kingdom! IF we speak out our authority in FAITH, the devil has to flee!
The devil is a master deceiver. First he tries to keep us from knowing what is ours in the Word. Then he tries to prevent us from developing faith to receive our blessings. Then he tries to cause us to doubt and lose our blessings.
Right sparrow!!!! He also steals from us when we yield to the temptation to take offense and walk in unforgiveness. Or when we are rebellious and sow discord. Many ways ... we MUST know the Word!!!
A third reason for not using your authority over the enemy is plain old fear. You're scared to make the devil mad. Or you're afraid he won't obey you. Or you've watched so many horror movies that you're just scared of your own shadow. This fear doesn't come from God! "For God has not given us the spirit of bondage again to FEAR, but the spirit of adoption whereby we cry ABBA (Daddy) Father!" (Romans 8:15)Let me give you a personal example of how fear can rob you of peace, OK? When I was a teenager, I had a LOT of fear! My father was an alcoholic and my life was miserable. There was constant poverty, fear, tension and pain. I was tormented by nightmares, saw "things" I'm not sure if were hallucinations or demons. What ever, I was in a constant state of fear. It was horrible. My mom and grandparents were Christians, and so was I, but I was NOT walking in victory. Sometimes I feared for my life and sometimes I wanted to take my life, I can't really explain it to you any better than that. I knew I was a Christian and that I should have peace according to God's Word, but I didn't have it! Why? I asked. Why am I being tormented so?
Paul, I think it mainly stemmed from my father's alcoholic rages, constant turmoil, never knowing if he'd be drunk and cursing, or sweet and kind. We were either fearing that he would come home drunk, or fearing what he might do when he was drunk.
Amen peaches! sadly TOO TOO many children grow up like this, and even worse!
Paul I had a problem with temper too! I started to deeply study the Word, to fast and to pray. And I found that in Jesus Name I have authority over all of the demons, over satan, over fear! I learned how to do spiritual warfare. The Bible says "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal (of the flesh) but are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down vain imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).I began reading the Word, and realized I didn't really want to die, just to not live the life of torment I was in! I began to declare: "I shall not die, but LIVE and declare the wondrous works of the Lord!" (Psalms 118:17).I also learned that God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). If God didn't give me this fear - where did it come from? The devil! And the Word says I have power over anything the devil sends my way. I realized that the fear, spirit of suicide, depression, etc. were NOT from my Father God who dearly loves me, but from the enemy of my soul who was trying to destroy me! If fear was from the devil, I could defeat it. I began to study spiritual warfare! I learned that fear is a force I can overcome by my faith! So I was kinda of afraid, but I thought what have I got to lose? The next night, when I began to fear, I said, "FEAR, I come against you in the Name of Jesus! I bind you and rebuke you and cast you out in Jesus Name!" It left! Then it came back! I cast it out again! It left! It came back! But it took a little longer this time! I kept up the battle all night, but I began to realize that fear cannot stand the name of Jesus, and neither can any other work of satan!
Jesus said in Matthew 18:18 "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven".The next night, fear tried to come against me again! I rebuked it in Jesus Name again! It didn't try so hard this night. The next night I got more victory and the next more, until hallelujah the nightmares were GONE!
That means that Heaven gives us the power to bind satan on earth ... we plug into our power supply! Or if you will, that Heaven is in agreement with what we have bound and loosed.
Amen sparrow. "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" I'm not sure what the time frame was now, maybe about two weeks or so, but when the devil realized I meant business in Jesus Name, he left me for a season. Yes I've had to fight both fear and the spirit of suicide since, but it was a losing battle for satan, because I know " greater is He that is within me than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4).You learn to use your authority over the enemy by practice. Don't "save it for a rainy day". Look into your heart, and if you find anything evil there - lust, lying, hatred, etc - cast it out in Jesus Name! If the devil is coming against you with poverty, disease or disaster, oppression, discouragement, fear - whatever - rebuke it in the Name of Jesus, bind it up by His power, and throw it out!!! And keep on until it leaves. Secondly, Jesus also gave us authority to heal sickness and disease: Matthew 10:1 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.Now here Jesus gave power to the apostles to not only drive out demons, but to heal EVERY disease and sickness. Is there any disease too hard for Jesus to heal? Does any epidemic catch Him by surprise? Was He telling the truth when He gave us this authority or not? Before Jesus ascended to Heaven after His resurrection, He said: Mark 16:17-18 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; … they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."Before Jesus ascended, He gave the authority to heal disease to EVERY believer. Yes that includes you and me! On Monday evenings, we have been studying healing and why some are not healed. If you need healing, join us and also check out the notes. But it all boils down to: did Jesus mean what He said or not? Most of us don't have a lot of problems believing that Jesus had authority over the enemy and over disease. It's when it comes to US exercising that authority that our faith falters. If Jesus trusted us enough to give us His authority on earth, why can't we trust Him enough to put it to use?
Also Matthew 10:1 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. sparrow - doctors now can no longer deny the power of prayer. it has been proven that patients who have people praying for them recover quicker. Remember that we are studying the Mind of Christ, the attitudes that He had that we should arm ourselves with. He had an attitude of authority over demons, disease, etc, and He has given us His authority as well. Jesus also gave us authority to make disciples, baptize them and teach them obedience: Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."Elbib - thanks OldTimer, my understanding of those scriptures has been Jesus commissions to the disciples WE are His disciples Elbib, and we are what the Word says we are, and we can have what the Word says we can have!
Luke reveals that Jesus didn't just give this command and authority to the Apostles, but to all the believers. Luke 24:33 speaks of the Eleven (because Judas had betrayed Jesus and had not yet been replaced) AND THOSE WITH THEM. How many believers were with them at this time? Acts 1:15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)Now 120 believers doesn't seem like a lot, does it? But in faith believing, they walked in the power and authority that Jesus gave them, and soon their number grew to 3,120, and has kept on growing ever since!
That's right John, just call me the Word Woman! My faith is always growing as I learn more and more and more of the Word. Jesus has given us his authority over all the powers of the enemy. So although we should be humble, accepting and loving of our fellow believers, we should GIVE NO QUARTER TO THE ENEMY.
We should refuse to let the devil rob us of peace and joy. We should refuse to let the enemy rob us of health and happiness. We should refuse to make any covenants, agreements or compromises with the enemy of our souls! Jesus said of the devil, "He has nothing in me!" and we should say the same! John 14:30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me" Can you proclaim with Jesus that satan has no hold on you? If not, use your authority against the devil and rid yourself of the "handles" of bitterness, unforgiveness, lying, hatred, lust, etc. and the devil won't be able to attach himself to you in any way!!!! So we should strive to have the same attitudes that Jesus had towards suffering, humility, sacrificial love, acceptance, and obedience to the Father's will. We should also rely on the MIND of Christ that is available to us by the Holy Spirit, as we follow Jesus and obey Him. We need to use our authority over to enemy to achieve victory over the enemy in our lives and the lives of others. Another characteristic of the Mind of Christ is discipline and soundness. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. (KJV) For God has not given us the spirit of fear but of love, power and a sound mind. Jesus also had a SOUND and disciplined mind. If you are struggling with mental illness, you can claim this promise and Jesus will set you free from any demonic oppression and can heal any chemical imbalance. Claim your sound mind in Jesus Name today! Father there are those watching who are grappling with depression, fear, paranoia, insecurity, bitterness and other mental imbalances. We lift them up to you and declare in Jesus Name that they have a sound mind. We ask that you bring every thought under your glorious control by your Spirit, and that they be set free in Jesus Name. satan you take your grimy hands off God's Children in the Name of Jesus, loose them and set them free. Quit robbing them of mental soundness, for it is promised in the Word and we proclaim it in Jesus Name. Jesus also had an attitude of power over sin. He lived a sinless life, and has removed us from the dominion or mastery of sin also. Romans 6:9-10 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.Death cannot touch Jesus. Jesus is no longer subject to death. He died once for the atonement of ALL our sins after living a sinless life himself. But He has been raised from the dead, and death no longer has mastery over Him. Romans 6:11-12 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. As for us, the same holds true. Since Jesus has already died for us, we are also dead in Him and can reckon ourselves dead to sin. After all, when you die, you cease to sin, right? Spiritually speaking we've died in Christ, and sin no longer sits on the throne of our heart UNLESS WE LET IT! So take the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, and enter into the throne room of your heart. IF sin is sitting there, slay it in Jesus Name! You have control, you must take authority over the sin that seeks to rule you and make you obey its evil desires. Romans 6:13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments 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 of righteousness. The word translated instruments here is hoplon, which elsewhere is translated weapon. If you allow sin to reign, then the parts of your body will be weapons for sin. But if you de-throne sin, and offer yourselves to God, then the parts of your body will become weapons of righteousness, or right living before God. Romans 6:14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. We are not enslaved to the law, which according to Paul revealed the sinfulness of our acts and sentenced us to death. We are under grace - God's awesome unmerited favor, we are passed from death to life, and sin is no longer our master! Sin no longer has control or dominion or mastery over us! We been redeemed, bought back from the ownership of sin and the devil by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have also been redeemed from the curse of the law. Galatians 3:10,13 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."… Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." No man before Christ or since has been able to keep the Old Testament law perfectly. Jesus kept the law perfectly, not according to man's ideas, but perfect in God's eyes. He was without sin, but became sin for us and took the penalty for our sins, which is death. Deuteronomy 28 outlines the curses that Jesus has redeemed us from - too many to list all here! Read it soon, and for every curse proclaim that Jesus has already bore it for you, and opened the way for you to be blessed! Now we can legally lay claim to our inheritance in Christ Jesus - every promise and blessing in the Word belongs to US. And once we receive this revelation and lay claim to the promises, then we must stand on them in faith and resist the devil's efforts to deceive us out of them. Sin no longer has dominion, mastery or control over us! We can no longer say "I can't help it", "the devil made me do it", or whine and whimper along. We have power and authority over sin in Jesus Name, any sin, ALL sin, through the blood of Jesus!!!! We should ARM ourselves with the same attitudes that Jesus had towards suffering, humility, sacrificial love, acceptance, and obedience to the Father's will. We should also rely on the MIND of Christ that is available to us by the Holy Spirit, as we follow Jesus and obey Him. We should utilize the Mind of Christ and take authority over the power of the enemy, mastery over sin, and discipline of our thoughts. Father God we pray that you will plant the seeds of truth we have heard tonight deep within our hearts. Teach us how to put on the Mind of Christ, to arm ourselves for battle. We thank you in Jesus Name AMEN Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, NO MAN comes to the Father but by the Name of Jesus. There is only one name given under Heaven whereby men might be saved, the Name of JESUS Be at peace, beloved of God, and don't let the devil trap you in offense and argument. Read the Word, Speak the Word, Live the Word! |
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Remember, whenever God gives us a revelation, the devil tries to steal it from us. Guard your hearts and meditate on what you've learned! And put it into practice. Back to Spiritual Warfare Contents |
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