HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 316
page A314
Spiritual Warfare continued
inventory of his military might that was in direct contradiction to David’s experience of
God’s provision and protection throughout his lifetime.
• MAT T H E W 4 :3 -9 | During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of
God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” . . . Then the devil took him to the holy
city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God,
jump off!” . . . Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him
all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will
kneel down and worship me.”
In spiritual battle, you may be tempted by offers of personal gain, pride, and power.
In spiritual warfare, how do I fight back?
• MAT T H E W 4 : 7 , 1 0 | Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the
Lord your God.’ ” . . . “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say . . .”
• PSA L M 1 1 9 :1 1 | I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
• E PH E S I A NS 6 :1 7 | Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
• H E B R E W S 4 :1 2 | For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest
two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes
our innermost thoughts and desires.
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HelpFinder
Your best offensive weapon is the Word of God. It’s odd to think of the Bible as a weapon,
but in it, God reveals his plan of attack and defense against anyone or anything that tries
to bring you down. It’s your battle plan; if you don’t read it, you won’t know how to fight
the battle that literally determines your destiny both here on earth and for eternity. Only by
knowing who you are fighting, where the battle is, and how to defend yourself will you be
able to win. It is vital to read God’s Word as regularly as possible. This weapon will send
Satan running for cover and leave him defenseless.
• E PH E S I A NS 6 :1 0 -1 8 | A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on
all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For
we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits
in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to
resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand
your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For
shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In
addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on
salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in
the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for
all believers everywhere.
• 1 J O H N 4 :4 | But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory
over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in
the world.
When a dog threatens you, he will chase you if you run. But if you stand your ground, the
dog will usually back down because it is actually afraid of you. The same principle applies
in spiritual warfare. Stand your ground because you have the power of Jesus Christ with
you. Satan and his demonic forces understand and fear the power of God, and if you are
a believer, you have God’s spirit of power in you. See beyond the human antagonists to
the spiritual enemy, which is often working through the unaware parties involved. Prepare
yourself with the resources God provides, and count on God’s protection, not your own
intellect or cleverness.
• DA NI E L 1 0 :1 2 -1 4 | Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began
to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been
heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit
prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels,
came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.