S P I R I T U A L W A R F A R E L E S S O N T H R E E

Spiritual Warfare
Heart Chat Bible Study
w/Pastor Mike

The Enemy

Spiritual Warfare Bible Study Instructions and Schedule

A Heart For God Ministries

INSTRUCTIONS Chat takes place on Facebook for 1 hour every Sunday at 4 pm Pacific USA. Web address for chat -> http://www.tinyurl.com/HeartChat-Facebook If you are unable to attend at the chat time, feel free to check out and interact with the chat (via your comments and "likes") when it's convenient. I will check in throughout the week to make sure and respond to you. Study guide for each week will be posted on Facebook the Monday before chat. (For example, the guide for the Sept 30th chat will be posted on Monday, Sept 24.) Read through the study guide for the week and do the exercises to prepare for chat.

SCHEDULE (6 weeks) Sept 30 Introduction to Warfare Oct 7 Oct 14 Oct 21 Oct 28 Nov 4 The Weapons / Battlefield The Enemy The Full Armor of God War Stories Tips for the Trenches

David and Goliath picture in the public domain: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osmar_Schindler_David_und_Goliath.jpg {{PD-US}} published in the US before 1923 and public domain in the US.

Spiritual Warfare eBook Study Guide Lesson 3

A Heart For God Ministries

THE ENEMY
PLEASE ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE TO YOU Ultimate Evil Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Attila the Hun, Jim Jones, David Koresh, the Unabomber, Pharoah, Herod the Great, Judas Iscariot, Lee Harvey Oswald, John Wilkes Booth ~ and the list goes on and on ~ names that will go down in infamy. Just the hearing of these names brings back unspeakable horrors and dastardly deeds to ones mind. Rape, murder, drive-bys, crime, kidnapping, genocide, euthanasia, abortion, beheadings just the thought of these crimes makes the soul sick. And yet there is one being whose sinful and decadent personality and works stands alone and above every despicable human being and every despicable action that ever was committed or contrived. When you think of him, I want you to think of the combined monstrosities of the past and present and realize that those still pale in comparison to the evil of this being. He is most unaffectionately known as Satan, the enemy of God and the enemy of our souls. Write it down: At this very moment, he is calculating how he might bring about the downfall of your marriage, the destruction of your family, the closing of your church and the tarnishing of your holy life and witness. If you are not using your armor and weapons, then its like playing a soccer match without a goalie. Its just a matter of time before the opposition will score. Why Emphasize the Enemy? Ive seen my share of moral collapses over the years that can be mostly attributed to ones having too high a view of themselves and their importance and too low a view of spiritual warfare and the enemys cunning and power. Casualties are a result. Throughout history, the devils character has been written off: One of Satans [strategies] is to give those who believe that he does exist an entirely wrong concept of what his true nature and character really are. In the Middle Ages, when there were no radios, no magazines, no newspapers, no movies, no telephones, and none of our modern means of passing the time, the people were frequently amused by the miracle plays. These were a sort of religious pageant in which religious stories were acted out on the stage. The audience learned to look for one character on the stage who was always dressed in red, wore horns on his head, and [had] a tail dangling out behind him. His hoofs were cloven, and he had a pitchfork in his hand. The onlookers were quite thrilled

when they saw this figure sneaking up on the hero or the heroine. The idea arose that Satan could be called the old Nick, or his satanic majesty, and that he was a slightly comic character. (Tan #5434)

DONT TAKE SATAN TOO SERIOUSLY We need to take the devil seriously while at the same time we need to be careful not to allow that seriousness to become obsessive. Satan is powerful, however, he is not like God. He has his flaws. He Doesnt Know Everything Satan is not omniscient. He cannot and does not know everything. Satan is limited in his reasoning abilities. (On the other hand, God has the ability to think of every possible outcome based on an individuals choices and He does this before one makes a choice; multiply that by the billions of people making innumerable choices moment by moment.) Satan cannot know that youre thinking. (This might be a revelation to some of you.) He can only take his cues from the way you react to his input/stimuli. (Kind of like when a brother bugs his sister. He continues because he knows that it irks her. If she wasnt irked by it, he would eventually stop to figure out some other way to bother her.) Satan is Not Omnipotent He does not have unlimited power/strength. Satan is Not Omnipresent He cannot possibly be everywhere at once. In truth, he can only be in one place at a time.

HIS NAMES Whats in a name? A name communicates an individuals character. (Mine is Michael which means: who is like God. Isnt that cool? Thats our goal: To be like Jesus!) Of course, the devils names say a lot about him. (1) Accuser. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night. (Revelation 12:10) An accuser is one who brings charges against someone for a misdeed. Satan is the chief tattletale!

(2) Adversary, or Enemy. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8) An adversary is a being opposed to; an enemy, personal, national or supernatural. Satan is opposed to the things of God and Gods people. (3) Belial. Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? (2 Corinthians 6:15) Belial is opposed to Christ, thus approaching the diabolical status of antichrist. (4) Beelzebub (KJV). But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons. (Matthew 12:24) Beelzebub is the prince of demons. (5) Devil. Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. (Matthew 4:1) The devil is the arch enemy of God and man; a slanderer. (6) God of this Age / World. [T]he god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:4) Matthew Henry paraphrased: Satan is called god of this age/world because of his interest in this world. As the prince of darkness of this world, he darkens the understanding of men and keeps them in ignorance (which is the context of 2 Corinthians 4:4). (7) Murderer. You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning. (John 8:44) Murder is the unlawful act of killing one human being by another. Satan hated man from the beginning. Therefore, he is disposed to murder; he is disposed to tempting human beings that he might draw them into sin so that they would be subject to eternal death. (8) Prince of Demons. But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons. (Matthew 12:24) Beelzebub. (KJV) Personal spiritual powers of evil are called princes. (Daniel 10:13) (9) Ruler of the Kingdom of the Air. [I]n which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. (Ephesians 2:2)

Matthew Henry paraphrased: The ruler of demonic beings which fill the air and the father of disobedience holding his children captive to his course and tenor (causes humanity to sing his tune). (10) Prince of the World. (NIV) I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. (John 14:30) Satan having his temporary taste of conquest as Jesus Christ is crucified. But Satan has no hold on Jesus. Therefore, he has no hold on His people. Let it sink in. (11) Ruler of Darkness. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12) Similar to god of this age / world ~ ruler of darkness in this world, but passage adds ruler of spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (NIV) (12) Serpent. And the serpent said to the woman, You surely shall not die! (Genesis 3:4) A serpent is a poisonous reptile, a symbol of evil. (Zondervan Pictorial Bible Encyclopedia) Some of the characteristics of a snake make it an appropriate prototype of Satan. A rattlesnake only two minutes old can strike effectively. Snakes can engulf prey on the ground, through water, or [from hiding places that] afford perfect camouflage so that their presence is not detected. Night-foraging snakes have eye pupils that are vertical like a cats, enabling them to see in the dark. (Tan #5436) Satan can only see in the dark (figurative for moral corruption). Any momentary lapse on our part into sin and Satan will attempt to take ground. It doesnt matter who you are or where you are ~ if you traffic in darkness, you are driving on the highway with his name. He feeds in the dark places of peoples hearts and minds. Peter warned us to be on our guard likening Satan to a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8) What are your weaknesses? List three of them. Satan will focus his attacks in these areas. (13) Tempter. And the tempter came and said to Him (Jesus), If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread. (Matthew 4:3) A tempter is bent on destruction. Temptation is traced all the way back to the serpent in the garden. Satan is the ultimate source of all desire and action contrary to the holy love of God. Temptation is his MO (method of operation). His goal is to undermine mans fidelity to God, using taste, outward sight and inward egotism with endless variation.

(14) Evil One. When anyone hears the world of the kingdom, and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. (Matthew 13:19) The evil one steals what good is sown in the heart. He is a thief lying in wait to steal and destroy. (15) Father of Lies. You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies. (John 8:44) First John says that a liar is in darkness and has no place in his heart for the word of truth. (1 John 1:10; 2:4, 10-11) Though Satan knows the word of truth, he has no place for it in his being and lifestyle. (16) The Great Red Dragon. And another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. (Revelation 12:3, 9) Satans got blood on his hands (great red dragon)! He leads the whole world astray. In Revelation 12, he is hurled to the earth and his angels with him. There is no place for him in heaven.

HIS APPEARANCE (MAKE UP) / PERSONALITY For maximum benefit, open your Bible to the two Scripture passages and follow along with the outlines. Pre-Fall from Grace (Ezekiel 28:12-15; Isaiah 14:11) (a) created by God (v. 13) (b) model of perfection, full of wisdom, perfect in beauty. (v. 12) (c) adorned with precious stones, settings and mountings made of gold (v. 13) (d) guardian cherub (angel) of the throne of God, walked among the fiery stones (v. 14) (e) blameless (v. 15) (f) harps (Isaiah 14:11b); Chief musician in heaven. Led the worship of God. I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ~Jesus Christ (Luke 10:18) Post-Fall from Grace (Ezekiel 28:15-18)

(a) filled with violence (v. 16) (b) proud because of beauty (v. 17) (c) corrupted wisdom because of splendor (v. 17) (b) many sins and dishonest trade (v. 18)

HIS POWER Permitted to Afflict the Righteous Then the Lord said to Satan, Behold, all that he (Job) has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him. So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord. (Job 1:12) Note that Satan must obtain permission from God, first, before he can afflict. God has a purpose / reason for your affliction. For Job, it was to give proof of his blamelessness to his wife and his three so-called friends. Claims Authority over the World And the devil said to him (Jesus), I will give You all this domain and its glory for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. (Luke 4:6) Satan claims authority over the world. God is the Supreme Ruler, however. (Psalm 24:1) Has Dominion over Sinners [T]o open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me. (Acts 26:18) Blinds the Minds of Unbelievers And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4) Wrestles with the Saints For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)

Inspires Counterfeit Miracles [T]hat is, the one (antichrist) whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders. (2 Thessalonians 2:9) Holds the Power of Death Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. (Hebrews 2:14) Jesus now holds the keys of death and Hades through His victory on the cross. (Revelation 1:18)

HIS WORKS / TACTICS / STRATEGIES Part of the devils strategy is to cause us to either maximize or minimize his abilities and his influence when it comes to our lives. Satan Tempts to Disobey Mankind lost: And the serpent said to the woman, You surely shall not die! (Genesis 3:4ff) Mankind won: Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. (Matthew 4:1ff) Satan Slanders the Saints Then Satan answered the Lord, Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face. (Job 1:9-11) The devil is the #1 gossip, #1 back-biter, #1 in-secret slanderer. Most often, he doesnt even show his face to the accused. He slanders from the hidden places. Satan Afflicts with Disease Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. (Job 2:7) Satan Accuses the Righteous

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. (Zechariah 3:1) [F]or the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. (Revelation 12:10) This is the devils primary weapon against believers. His accusations lead to trial. (Job 1) Some of the trials we face can be directly attributed to an accusation brought about by Satan. (Luke 22:31) Note Jesus presence and prayer for the person who faces trial because of Satans accusation and dont miss the restoration part if you should succumb to accusation! (Luke 22:32) Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers. (Luke 22:31-32) Satan Removes Good Seed When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. (Matthew 13:19) Dont be fooled. The devil not only removes good seed (the word of the kingdom) from unbelievers, but he does it with believers, too (if were not careful). Satan Sows Weeds [T]he field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares (weeds) are the sons of the evil one; and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. (Matthew 13:38-39) Satan Destroys Body and Soul While he was still approaching, the demon slammed him to the ground and threw him into a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy and gave him back to his father. (Luke 9:42) Satan Promotes Falsehood You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies. (John 8:44) Satan Instigates To Sin

During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him (Christ). (John 13:2) There is a fable wherein the Devil once was crossing the Libyan desert and met a group of friends tempting a holy hermit. They tried seductions of the flesh, used doubts and fears, etc, but to no avail. The holy man was unmoved. The Devil then stepped forward: Your methods are too crude. Permit me one moment. Going to the hermit, he said, Have you heard the news? Your brother has been made the Bishop of Alexandria. According to the fable, a scowl of malignant jealousy clouded the serene face of the holy man. (Tan #2669) Satan Persecutes Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)

HIS TROOPS Quote The enemies we face are not bad vibes, or negative energies in the universe, or the dark side of the force. They are personalities who think, talk, listen, observe, and plan strategies. (Dean Sherman in Last Days Magazine, pg 19) Fallen Angels And his (the dragons) tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. (Revelation 12:4) Satans troops are fallen angels under His command. They fell from heaven with him and are just as full of pride and wickedness as he is. (By the way, two thirds of Gods angels did not fall. They are on our side. We have the devils angels outnumbered.)

HIS DEFEAT The Truth The devil does not want you to understand the following truth. Why? Because he knows that when you do, hell no longer have any power over you. At that point, all he can attempt to do is to make you forget it. The truth is this: Satan has been totally and completely defeated by the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, he no longer has any power over you.

Some people understand this truth quite well. Some not so well. Your depth of understanding can show up in sins that you seemingly are not free of. The weapon of spiritual warfare being considered here is the blood of Christ. Scriptural Basis Spend some time meditating on (considering, pondering) the following Scripture passage in four different versions of the Bible When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. (Colossians 2:13-15; New American Standard) You were dead in sins, and your sinful desires were not yet cut away. Then he gave you a share in the very life of Christ, for he forgave all your sins, and blotted out the charges proved against you, the list of his commandments which you had not obeyed. He took this list of sins and destroyed it by nailing it to Christs cross. In this way God took away Satans power to accuse you of sin, and God openly displayed to the whole world Christs triumph at the cross where your sins were all taken away. (Colossians 2:13-15; Living Bible) When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you aliveright along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christs cross. He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets. (Colossians 2:13-15; The Message Bible) When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (Colossians 2:13-15; New International Version) No More Authority Do you remember what Jesus said shortly after His resurrection? He said: All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 28:18) Jesus, through the event of His cross, has disarmed the devil of any legal rights to your life and mine. Jesus Christ now owns those rights (if you believe in Him). They were

purchased with His blood. Revelation 12:10 says that the tribulation saints overcame him (the devil) by the blood of the Lamb. We overcome Satan in the same way the tribulation saints do. The fact is the devil has no more authority in your life. Some of you have been feeling condemned. Dont allow it anymore. Believe the truth of God! There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1; KJV) There is a legend of Martin Luther, that, during a serious illness, the Evil One entered his sick-room and, looking at him with a triumphant smile, unrolled a big scroll which he carried in his arms. As the fiend threw one end of it on the floor, it unwound by itself. Luthers eyes read the long fearful record of his sins, one by one. That stout heart quailed before the ghastly roll. Suddenly it flashed into Luthers mind that there was one thing not written there. He cried aloud: One thing you have forgotten. The rest is all true, but one thing you have forgotten: The blood of Jesus Christ His son cleanseth us from all sin. And as he said this, the Accuser of the Brethren and his heavy roll disappeared. (Tan #480) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9; KJV) Zechariahs Vision The prophet Zechariah had a vision in his Old Testament book of the devil as accuser. (Zechariah 3:1-5) In this passage, we see the enemy accusing Joshua the High Priest before the throne of God. (Put your name in Joshuas place!) Satan does have a right to accuse people. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Roman 3:23) The Word of God clearly communicates the culpability of man. Satan makes sure to remind people about it. You are guilty!, he exclaims. But during his accusation he conveniently forgets the next verse. Certainly all have sinned and are guilty before God, but every last one of us can be justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:24) Justified means just as if I never sinned. (Memorize this statement. Repeat it to yourself often. Put it on a 3 x 5 card and tape it to your bathroom mirror so you see it every morning.) Scriptures As far as the east is from the west, so far has He (God) removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12)

He (Jesus) Himself bore (carried) our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin, and live to righteousness; for by His wounds your were healed. (1 Peter 2:24) For He delivered us from the domain (authority) of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13-14) No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (1 John 3:9) Questions Are there any areas in your life where you feel like theyre beyond your control? Do you sometimes feel like youre at the mercy of a particular sinful tendency a habit, an attitude or an action maybe its your thought life? Your deliverance begins with a clear understanding of your release from the enemy that was secured by Christ. You are free! So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36) You no longer have to remain bound to sin because Satan has been totally and completely stripped of his power and authority.

HIS END The Lake of Fire [T]he eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels. (Matthew 25:41) And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Revelation 20:10) The devil is destined for the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. Quote When Satan tries to remind you of your past, you remind him of his future! (Heres another statement to tape to your mirror!)

REFLECTION TIME Exercise

Here are a series of questions important for you to contemplate. You may even want to pray about a partner that God might send to you (if you dont have one already) that you could sit down and discuss these with (or chat online). It needs to be a mature believer that can be trusted. (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) What is the enemys strategy in your life? How has the devil been attacking you? How has he been attacking your spouse? How has he been attacking your marriage? How has he been attacking your kids? How has he been attacking your relationships? How has he been attacking your church? How has he been attacking your neighbors?

As you take a moment to reflect, be reminded of Satans defeat. Hes no more than the Wizard of Oz throwing his weight around with a lot of smoke and mirrors.

(Cover picture in the public domain at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ary_Scheffer__The_Temptation_of_Christ_%281854%29.jpg)