Book 1 SPIRITUAL ARMOR ARMOUR OF GOD SPIRITUAL WARFARE Web page: http://www.patholliday.com E-Mail: [email protected] ISBN 1-884785-95-8 Miracle Outreach Ministries P. O. Box 56527 Jacksonville, FL 32241 (904) 733-8318 This book is dedicated to Jesus Christ Special Thanks to Jo Ann and Robert Rashford for manuscript editing and additional help from Georgeanne Cook ** Chapter One Armour of God Chapter Two It’s Warfare Chapter Three Christian Power Chapter Four Spiritual Weapons Chapter Five Strongholds Chapter Six Your Spiritual Armor Chapter Seven Spiritual Protection Chapter Eight Righteousness Chapter Nine Faith In God Chapter Ten God’s Word Chapter One Armour of God “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand,” (Eph. 6:11-13). SPIRITUAL ARMOR The Bible reveals the reality of spiritual warfare as shown in (2 Kin. 6:8-17). In this passage, the King of Syria sends out a huge army to capture, and to kill, the prophet, Elisha. The next morning, the servant of Elisha goes out of the tent and sees the huge Syrian army surrounding the entire city in which Elisha was residing. In great panic, the servant cries out to Elisha that they are doomed. Elisha tells the servant something that must have made the servant think his old master had gone nuts. Elisha said, "Fear not; for those with us are more than those with them," (2 Kin. 6 16). Elisha could see that the servant did not believe his statement, so he prayed that God would "open his eyes" that he could see God's army and Satan’s army were waging war in the spiritual realms. Immediately, the servant could look into the spirit world and he saw "the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha," (2 Kin. 6 17). His testimony was, “There are more with us than with them. Page -1- This is our testimony too! Chapter Two It’s Warfare (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. . .” TAKING SATAN’S TERRITORY Every ounce of Satan's territory that you take for Christ is a battle. It's a struggle. It's warfare. We must stand in Christ's power and battle for souls. Jesus said: "And I say also unto thee. That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it,” (Matt. 16:18). I. THE CHRISTIAN WALK AS A WARFARE A. Spiritual power is the greatest power in the universe. 1. The source of power is God Himself. 2. “God has spoken once; twice have I heard this that power belongeth unto God,” (Psa. 62:11). 3. This spiritual power can do things no other power can do. I. Before and after His resurrection, Jesus unleashed spiritual power and even nature obeyed his will. A. Jesus Commanded the word. 1. He spoke the word and water was made into wine. 2. He blessed the bread and the fishes and they were multiplied. Page -2- 3. He spoke the word to dead Lazarus and he came out of the grave. B. Jesus Commanded demons to leave a writhing victim alone and to come out of him. 1. The person was loosed that same hour. 2. These and many other works show spiritual power in action. II. Jesus said that if we that if we would believe, we could even say to a mountain, “Be thou removed and cast into the sea.” A. It would be done. III. In the beginning, God spoke the word, and the universe came into existence! A. In the beginning God created the Heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters,” (Gen 1:1-2). B. At, and after the resurrection, Jesus displayed the power of appearing and disappearing and the power to rise unaided at His ascension. 1. “King of Kings 2. “Lord Jesus, You have been exalted by God and given a Name which is above every name; that at Your name every knee should bow and every tongue confess that You are Lord, to the glory of God the Father. You are the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords. The kingdoms of this world will become Your throne, and You shall reign forever and ever,” (See Phil. 2-9-11; Rev. 11:15).1 3. “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above 1 The 2959 Plan Revised Edition, Peter Lord, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49516. Page -3- every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father,” (Phil 2:9-11). 4. “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever,” (Rev 11:15). Page -4- Chapter Three Christian Power Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power , and coming in the clouds of heaven, (Matt 26:64). HOW TO RECEIVE POWER I. When a sinner comes to Christ, he receives power to become a son of God. A. After Salvation, we can receive extra power from God. The Lamb of God. 1. “Lord Jesus, You are the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. You died for my sins according to the Scriptures. In You I have redemption through Your blood, the forgiveness of sin. Worthy are You, the Lamb that was stain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing . . . To Him Who sits on the throne, and to You, the Lamb, the blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” (See Jn. 1:29; I Cor. 15:3; Col. 1:14:14; Rev. 5:12, 13). 2 2. (Acts 1:8 and 2:38), describes this extra endowment of power as the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. II. (Gal. 5:15), along with (I Pet. 2:11), show how to clean up our lives. A. Our text places the capstone on our spiritual power. 2 ibid, The 2959 Plan Revised Edition, Peter Lord, Baker Page -5- 1. Let us examine what happens if we fail to do our part. B. Reading (Phil. 2:12), we see what God expects us to do. 1. “Wherefore, my beloved, ye have always obeyed not as in my presence only, but how much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” C. Why should we fear and tremble? 1. Is it because of a possibility of losing our salvation? 2. Is it possible to lose our “God consciousness,” even as an unsanctified mind and lusts of our body. 3. We must control them, and we can through the power of God. D. The purpose of this power is three-fold: 1. One purpose is to clean out the chaff from our lives. 2. The other is to be a witness to lost souls. 3. Fight a good warfare. III. Spiritual power, man’s spirit has received, gives him the ability to dominate his soul and body. 1. All a man must do to win is to say no to appetites and lusts and thoughts that are contrary to the Word of God. 2. In doing this, he will be the victor. B. The reason man must resist his own thoughts is shown in (Isa. 55:8). 1. Man’s thoughts are contrary to God’s thoughts.3 2. “Avoid every kind of evil,”(1 Thess. 3 Neglected Truths from the Holy Bible, Call to Holiness, 5405 S. Broadway, Lrain, Ohio,44052. Page -6- 5:22). IV. Soldier A. “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier,” (2 Tim 2:3-4). B. “The legionary soldiers among the Romans were not permitted to engage in husbandry, merchandise, mechanical employments, or anything that might be inconsistent with their calling. Many canons, at different times, have been made to prevent ecclesiastics from inter meddling with secular employments. He who will preach the Gospel thoroughly, and wishes to give full proof of his ministry, had need to have no other work. He should be wholly in this thing, that his profiting may appear unto all. There are many who sin against this direction. They love the world, and labour for it, and are regardless of the souls committed to their charge. But what are they, either in number or guilt, compared to the immense herd of men professing to be Christian ministers, who neither read nor study, and consequently never improve? These are too conscientious to meddle with secular affairs, and yet have no scruple of conscience to while away time, be among the chief in needless self-indulgence, and, by their burdensome and monotonous ministry, become an incumbrance to the church! Do you inquire: In what sect or party are these to be found? I answer: In ALL. Idle drones.”1 V. Apostle Paul showed us“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (fleshly but mighty through God to the pulling down of Page -7- strongholds: casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalted itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every through to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Cor. 10:4). A. This proves that we have the power individually to dominate our thoughts, mind, intellect, ego and soul. VI. We can be renewed in the spirit of our minds, (Eph. 4:23). 1. In (I Pet. 1:13) we are told to gird up (bind them) the loins of our mind. 2. These and other scriptures show us that we can dominate our souls through the spiritual power we now have in the inner man. 3. “I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be happened; when you run, you will not stumble,” (Prov. 4:11-12). VII. Many Christians are content to live with demon powers controlling their lives and their families. A. Sin has become a companion. 1. They do not resist temptation. 2. “. . .. I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpents cunning, so your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ,” (2 Cor. 11:3). 3. They enjoy living for the things of the world and the flesh. VIII. A basic problem in the Church is full of uncommitted Christians. A. They are full of rebellion, spiritual and sexual perversions, adultery, lust, incest, Page -8-
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