SPIRITUAL WARFARE 1.1

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

LAYING THE FOUNDATION – SECTION 1-1:

Question:
What do we mean by spiritual warfare?
– Some people limit warfare to conflict with the devil and his forces.
– Others include enemies mentioned in the Bible,
   such as the world, and the flesh (Ephesians 2:2-3)
– In simple terms, spiritual warfare is the conflict of two opposing wills
   (God and His followers versus Satan and his followers).
       – God is good and seeks to do good; He cannot do evil.
          Satan is evil and seeks to do evil; he cannot do good.

       – God always desires that which builds up.
          Satan always desires that which destroys.

       – God desires that which is right, pure, and lovely.
          Satan desires that which is wrong, corrupt, and perverse.

– Satan is in opposition to every aspect of God’s nature.
       – They can never be in agreement.
       – Their wills, desires, and actions will always be in conflict.
       – Each has followers.
          Whenever the desires of God and His Followers come
          into conflict with the desires of Satan and his followers,
          spiritual warfare occurs.

Question:
What caused this opposition between God and Satan?
– Ezekiel 28:11-19
  Note:
    In the Bible, God often used an earthly life as a
    reflection of someone of greater spiritual significance.
    Example:
        Moses was a type of savior when he delivered the children
        of Israel from bondage. His life foreshadowed Christ,
        the Savior Who delivered us from the bondage of sin.

  Note:
      Although these verses refer to the king of Tyre, many
      believe it reflects the beginning and fall of Satan.
          – Satan was originally created as an anointed cherub.
          – A cherub was not only an angel,
            but an angel that guarded the throne of God.
          – No other angel in heaven would have been closer to God.
          – Probably no other angel excelled him in power.
          – (verse 12)
            He was absolutely perfect, full of wisdom,
            and exceedingly beautiful.
          – God adorned him with every possible jewel
             so that he was the perfection of beauty.
          – His splendor was exceptionally great;
             probably greater than any other created being
             (which would be fitting for a guardian cherub).

Questions:
How did someone so close to God become so corrupted?
How could someone blessed so abundantly
turn against the One who blessed him?
What could have enticed Satan to rebel against God?
    – Apparently Satan was so enamored with himself and his
       beauty that he actually believed he deserved to be God.
    – (Ezekiel 28:17)
       His beauty clouded his better judgment
       until “self” became all important.
    – (Isaiah 14:12-15)
          – (verses 13-14)
             He used “I” five times in these two verses;
             in essence he said, “I will be like God”.
    – Satan had position, beauty, wisdom and perfection.
       In spite of these gifts, or maybe because of them, he focused
       on himself and forgot the One who gave the gifts to him.

Question:
What lesson can we learn from this?
    – The gifts and talents God gives us could cause us to focus
       on ourselves, if we are not careful and stay in touch with God.
      Question:
      What are some God-given gifts that could lead to pride?

Question:
Does the war still occur today?
    (Revelation 12:7-12)
    – A snapshot of what happens in our world today.
      (verse 12 – We are given a warning about Satan’s wrath).

    (Ephesians 6:12)
    – Paul confirms the war continues.

    (1 Peter 5:8)
    – Peter also confirms it.

This war is different than all others:
1. Satan is already defeated
   (Revelation 12:7-8; Colossians 2:15; Revelation 20:10).
   Note:
       Christians do not fight with uncertainty;
       the final outcome is not determined by what we do.
       Note:
           Our final outcome is determined by the choices we make.

2. The war will continue until the end.
    (Revelation 12:13,17)
    – The identity of the woman is debatable
       (Mary; believing Israel; the church).
       At any rate, the devil was enraged with the woman
       and made war against the rest of her offspring.

       Question:
       Who is her offspring?
           – Believers in Christ.
Note:
    For Christians, the question is not whether or not
    we want to be involved in this war, but when will
    we be involved, and will we be ready.