Setting The Stage
II Cor. 10:3-5, “ 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
Paul is setting up for us the playing field on which spiritual warfare occurs. He emphasizes that the war has been waged over our inner man; it’s a battle over our minds and affections. However, Satan is not the equal opposite of God. The devil has already been defeated and he knows it. He is seeking, however, to get us to cast accusation against God by getting us to have wrong thoughts and ideas about who God is.
What Are Strongholds
The first step in spiritual warfare is realizing that we cannot wage this war according to the flesh. The second is pulling down strongholds.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
Paul defines “pulling down strongholds” as the casting down of arguments that are exalted against the knowledge of God (verse 5). The word stronghold in the Greek is also translated as “castle,” or “wall”. It is used as both a positive and a negative in scripture. But here it is used as a negative.
These strongholds of the mind must be dismantled if one wants to move forward in the purposes of God. These strongholds of the mind are a collection of demonic, distorted ideas about God. These lies cause us, first, to accuse God and then ourselves and others. They are arguments or negative information about God’s beauty, character, power, and wisdom. When we believe lies about God then we believe lies about who we are in Him. We can only know the truth about ourselves as we understand the truth about God.
How Are Strongholds Established?
Personal strongholds are established by opening the door to Satan through sin and unbelief. Satan’s domain is the domain of darkness. He has no right or authority to enter the domain of our lives unless we give him permission. We permit this, or give
him access to us by filling our minds and hearts with sin, or in other words, sowing to the flesh.
Jesus gave Satan NO darkness, or access point to His life.
John 14:30, “…for the ruler of this world [Satan] is coming, and he has nothing in Me.”
How Do We Fight?
First of all, we cannot be naïve about the existence of evil. I see three wrong responses to the issue of evil.
1. First there is the “head in the sand” approach. We can simply pretend that evil doesn’t really exist, or at least it’s not really a big deal. As N.T. Wright puts it:
That’s about as much use as saying, when the house is on fire, that yes, it is getting a little warm, but if we all take off a layer of clothing and drink more iced water things will be just fine.
2. There is also the “wallow in evil” approach (which is more common than you might think). This approach sees only evil and sees it everywhere. This approach often leads to paranoia and a sense of being overwhelmed by the great forces of evil that are so abundant and overpowering. The common outcome of this is that our prayers begin focusing solely on the darkness of evil rather than the light and beauty of God.
3. Finally, there is the “self-righteous approach”. With this approach we say, like the Pharisees, “O Lord, thank You that I am not as other people.” We say that, yes, evil is out there, but it doesn’t have anything to do with us; we don’t struggle with that.
The correct response, however, is to recognize the reality of evil, expose it with the light and power of the kingdom of God, and begin operating in the opposite spirit. For example, Satan is the “father of lies”. So if we declare the truth of God and, by faith, walk in the truth of who God says we are, then we are waging warfare against the schemes of the enemy.
Since these strongholds are built of those things which seek to exalt themselves against the knowledge of God, then we can only pull them down by giving ourselves to the pursuing of the truth of who God is and declaring this truth over our lives. We do this by systematically ingesting the Word of God, agreeing with His heart, and walking as children of the light (Eph. 5:8-11).
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Spiritual Warfare
The Playing Field
II Cor. 10:3-5, “ 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”
Paul is setting up for us the playing field on which spiritual warfare occurs. He emphasizes that the war has been waged over our inner man. True spiritual warfare consists of bringing ourselves into full agreement with Christ and pursuing the truth of the knowledge of God.
Much of the spiritual warfare that occurs in the body of Christ today is primarily focused on one’s ability to stir up an aggressive emotion, shout some very zealous phrases, energetically commanding spiritual forces to desist. There is nothing wrong with those who have this particular personality type to pray this way, but this behavior in-and-of itself is not spiritual warfare.
Gary Wiens states it this way:
Those who have authority don’t need to posture themselves as authoritative. They are authoritative. Successful spiritual warfare is not a matter of decibels and energy, power-packed phrases and prophetic gestures. Successful spiritual warfare is rooted solely and completely in our position of influence with Jesus Christ. And that position of influence comes only in the secret place of intimacy by receiving the Word of God implanted in the human heart.
Pulling Down Strongholds
So the first step in spiritual warfare is defining the battleground. The second, according to Paul is the pulling down strongholds.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
Paul defines “pulling down strongholds” as the casting down of arguments that are exalted against the knowledge of God (verse 5). The word stronghold in the Greek is also translated as “castle”. It is used as both a positive and a negative in scripture. But here it is used as a negative. These strongholds of the mind must be dismantled if one wants to move forward in the purposes of God. Since these strongholds are built of those things that seek to exalt themselves against the knowledge of God, then we
can only pull them down by giving ourselves to the pursuing of the truth of who God is and declaring this truth over our lives. So how do we find the knowledge of God?
There is a promise given by God through Solomon concerning the knowledge of God. However, this promise is conditional.
Prov. 2:1-5, “1 My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, 2 so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; 3 yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, 4 if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.”
If we are going to combat the enemy and pull down the strongholds in our lives, we must systematically ingest the Word of God, taking it deep into our hearts by the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Paul tells us that we can be filled with the Spirit through singing, speaking, and making melody in our hearts to the Lord.
Eph. 5:18-19, “18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”
Releasing God’s Purposes Through Singing
Psalm 149:5-9 tells us of the power that the saints have when they declare the goodness, the kindness, the beauty, the awesomeness, power of God through singing – more importantly, singing the word.
Psalm 149:5-9, “5 Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud on their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouths, and a two-edged sword in their hand, 7 to exercise vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples; 8 to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 to execute on them the written judgment – this honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord!
It is God’s design that the songs of the saints, energized by the power of the Word, defeat, confuse, and ultimately destroy the kingdom of darkness. Psalm 8 and Matthew 21 give us another great example of the power released through song.
Psalm 8:2, “Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger.”
Matt. 21:16, “…and Jesus said to them, ‘Yes, have you never read, “Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise”?’”
Praise going forth, even from the mouths of babies, is a weapon of warfare against the enemy.
Another example of the power of praise:
II. Chron. 5:13-14, “13 …it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying: ‘For He is good, for His mercy endures forever,’ that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, 14 so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.”
II Chron. 20:21-22, “21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: ‘Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.’ 22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people…who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.”
There are many other examples of this in scripture. I encourage you to search them out. I want us to get a grasp of what it is that we do here at the International House of Prayer. We are warring in the heavenly battle through our songs of praise. We combat the enemy when we engage in the opposite spirit and actions of the enemy. If Satan is the father of lies, then as we simply proclaim truth over our region we push back the spiritual forces of darkness. For darkness has to yield to even the smallest amount of light.
If you want darkness out of your life, city, school, or country, just turn on the light! Proclaim the power of the “Father of lights” (James 1:17), and sing of the One who wraps Himself in “light as with a garment” (Psalm 104:2).
II Cor. 10:3-5, “ 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”
Paul is setting up for us the playing field on which spiritual warfare occurs. He emphasizes that the war has been waged over our inner man. True spiritual warfare consists of bringing ourselves into full agreement with Christ and pursuing the truth of the knowledge of God.
Much of the spiritual warfare that occurs in the body of Christ today is primarily focused on one’s ability to stir up an aggressive emotion, shout some very zealous phrases, energetically commanding spiritual forces to desist. There is nothing wrong with those who have this particular personality type to pray this way, but this behavior in-and-of itself is not spiritual warfare.
Gary Wiens states it this way:
Those who have authority don’t need to posture themselves as authoritative. They are authoritative. Successful spiritual warfare is not a matter of decibels and energy, power-packed phrases and prophetic gestures. Successful spiritual warfare is rooted solely and completely in our position of influence with Jesus Christ. And that position of influence comes only in the secret place of intimacy by receiving the Word of God implanted in the human heart.
Pulling Down Strongholds
So the first step in spiritual warfare is defining the battleground. The second, according to Paul is the pulling down strongholds.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
Paul defines “pulling down strongholds” as the casting down of arguments that are exalted against the knowledge of God (verse 5). The word stronghold in the Greek is also translated as “castle”. It is used as both a positive and a negative in scripture. But here it is used as a negative. These strongholds of the mind must be dismantled if one wants to move forward in the purposes of God. Since these strongholds are built of those things that seek to exalt themselves against the knowledge of God, then we
can only pull them down by giving ourselves to the pursuing of the truth of who God is and declaring this truth over our lives. So how do we find the knowledge of God?
There is a promise given by God through Solomon concerning the knowledge of God. However, this promise is conditional.
Prov. 2:1-5, “1 My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, 2 so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; 3 yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, 4 if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.”
If we are going to combat the enemy and pull down the strongholds in our lives, we must systematically ingest the Word of God, taking it deep into our hearts by the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Paul tells us that we can be filled with the Spirit through singing, speaking, and making melody in our hearts to the Lord.
Eph. 5:18-19, “18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”
Releasing God’s Purposes Through Singing
Psalm 149:5-9 tells us of the power that the saints have when they declare the goodness, the kindness, the beauty, the awesomeness, power of God through singing – more importantly, singing the word.
Psalm 149:5-9, “5 Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud on their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouths, and a two-edged sword in their hand, 7 to exercise vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples; 8 to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 to execute on them the written judgment – this honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord!
It is God’s design that the songs of the saints, energized by the power of the Word, defeat, confuse, and ultimately destroy the kingdom of darkness. Psalm 8 and Matthew 21 give us another great example of the power released through song.
Psalm 8:2, “Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger.”
Matt. 21:16, “…and Jesus said to them, ‘Yes, have you never read, “Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise”?’”
Praise going forth, even from the mouths of babies, is a weapon of warfare against the enemy.
Another example of the power of praise:
II. Chron. 5:13-14, “13 …it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying: ‘For He is good, for His mercy endures forever,’ that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, 14 so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.”
II Chron. 20:21-22, “21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: ‘Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.’ 22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people…who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.”
There are many other examples of this in scripture. I encourage you to search them out. I want us to get a grasp of what it is that we do here at the International House of Prayer. We are warring in the heavenly battle through our songs of praise. We combat the enemy when we engage in the opposite spirit and actions of the enemy. If Satan is the father of lies, then as we simply proclaim truth over our region we push back the spiritual forces of darkness. For darkness has to yield to even the smallest amount of light.
If you want darkness out of your life, city, school, or country, just turn on the light! Proclaim the power of the “Father of lights” (James 1:17), and sing of the One who wraps Himself in “light as with a garment” (Psalm 104:2).
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