Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual Warfare Against Demons

Breath of Life International Church, 2012

Adversaries of the Saints o The World o a system of thinking and values that oppose God’s Truth

o Sinful Nature/Flesh o that nature within us that opposes God’s Will

o Satan o a spirit being who opposes God’s Rule

The Spirit Realm

God (Holy Spirit)

Holy Angels

Demons

Spirit of Man

Angelic Hierarchy 1st Sphere

2nd Sphere

3rd Sphere

Worship around God’s throne

Heavenly governors

Heavenly messengers and soldiers

Cherubim, Seraphim, Thrones/Ophanim

Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Authorities

Principalities/Rulers, Archangels, Angels

1st Sphere Angels Defined SERAPHIM

CHERUBIM

OPHANIM

• Closest to the throne of God • Bearers of love and light • Worship (chanting Holy, Holy, Holy…)

• Full of knowledge • Keepers of God’s secrets • Tasked with great feats (i.e. expelling men from Eden) • Charioteers of God, steering the Ophanim

• God’s chariot • Full of submission and peace • Carry out God’s judgment • Pass messages to men and lower angels • Described as wheels with many eyes and glowing light

2nd Sphere Angels Defined DOMINATIONS

VIRTUES

POWERS

• Rule over angelic orders • Regulate duties of lower angels • Middle management between 1st and 2nd spheres • Zeal for the maintenance of God’s authority

• Maintain aspects of the natural world • Bestow material blessings (miracles) • Called on to combat the enemies of salvation • Power over celestial bodies, seasons and weather

• Favorites among men • Maintain borders between heaven and earth • On guard against demonic attack • Chaperone souls from the mortal to the immortal

3nd Sphere Angels Defined PRINCIPALITIES

ARCHANGELS

ANGELS

• Guide and protect nations, towns and cities • Watch over religion and politics

• Execute important missions to men • Protect the Church • Guard God’s ministers • Also known as guardian angels

• God’s messengers to men • Protect souls and families from attacks of the enemy

Demonic Hierarchy Imps Demons, Devils

Ghosts

Satan, Great Dragon

Spiritual Wickedness Evil Spirits Demonic Assignment

Demonic Assignment Satan

Demons, Devils, Evil Spirits

Influencers, Runners, Messengers

King of Hell

Command demonic activity

Imps, ghosts and apparitions

Father of Lies

Solicit worship and influence thought

Oppression & Possession (i.e. python, incubus/succubus)

Prince of this world

Ex. Beelzebub, Baal

Character alters (control, pride, etc.)

Demonic Strategy

• Attempts to make people believe lies • Genesis 3:4

Deception

Temptation • Entices and encourages men to sin • Matthew 4:1-10

• Uses the mistakes of one’s past to discourage and condemn • Revelation 12:10

Accusations

Classes of Demonic Spirits o Foul/unclean spirits o Afflict the mind and soul of man o Unclean thoughts, depression, immoral acts, etc.

o Lying spirits o Spirits of deception o Often manifest miracles and signs to deceive God’s people; divination o Active in the local church

o Deaf and dumb spirits o Inhibit the acts of human subjects o Often disguised or classified as mental disability

o Spirits of infirmity (sickness and disease) o Spirits of seduction o False doctrines and the occult

o Spirits of divination (familiar spirits) o Connection with the dead

Satan, the Ultimate Enemy o Isaiah 14:12-17 o Downfall caused by pride o Destroyed nations o Fallen from heaven

o Ezekiel 28:12-17 o Was a model of perfection o Wise and full of beauty o Heart was full of pride

o Revelation 12:3-9 o War in heaven (Michael vs. the dragon) o A third of the stars (angels) cast to earth o The dragon and his angels (demons/imps)

Who is Satan? o 2 Corinthians 4:4 o The god of this world

o Luke 4:5-6 o Power and jurisdiction over the kingdoms [and systems] of this world

o Job 1:1, 6-12; Daniel 10:2-21 o A hindrance to God’s people

o Zechariah 3:1-2 o An accuser of God’s people

The Armor of God o Helmet of SALVATION o Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS o Girdle of TRUTH o Shoes of the GOSPEL of peace o Shield of FAITH o Sword of the Spirit (WORD OF GOD) o Cloak of ZEAL (Isaiah 59:17)

Supernatural Weapons o 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 o Weapons are not carnal; mighty through God o Pull down strongholds o Cast down imaginations; thoughts into captivity

o Mark 16:17 o Devils are cast out by believers

o Revelation 12:11 o The blood of Christ overcomes o The word of testimony

o Hebrews 4:12 o God’s word is powerful and sharp

o Matthew 17:21 o Fasting and prayer overcome demons

Warfare Responsibilities o Cast out demons o Matthew 10:6-8; Mark 16:15-18 o Bring deliverance to captives o Luke 4:14-18 o Trample on serpents and scorpions o Luke 10:19 o Power and authority over all demons o Luke 9:1 o Power over unclean spirits o Matthew 10:1 o Destroy the works of the devil o 1 John 3:8

Warfare Methods Offensive

Defensive

The Mindset of a Soldier o 2 Timothy 2:4 o No cares for the things of this world o Desire to please God o Prioritizes responsibility of being a soldier o Good/successful at war

Fighting is not good enough. You are expected to WIN!

Wrestle | War | Fight o Revelation 13:7 o Satan rages war against God’s holy people

o Daniel 7:25 o The enemy desires to oppress (wear down) God’s people

o Ephesians 6:11-18 o Stand against Satan’s wiles (trickery) o God’s people are called to fight against: o o o o

PRINCIPALITIES (magistrate, ruler ship) POWERS (supernatural forces) RULERS OF DARKNESS (worldly, evil rulers) WICKED SPIRITS IN HIGH PLACES (celestial iniquity)

Avoidance is NOT an option. You MUST FIGHT!

Resist | Rebuke | Command o 1 Peter 5:8-9 o Be sober and watchful

o James 4:7 o Resist the devil

o 1 John 4:4 o The Holy Ghost is greater and more powerful

o Luke 8:28; James 2:19 o Satan and his demons are tormented by Christ o Rebuke and command him to go, in Jesus’ name o No need to beg, plead or negotiate with the enemy

Stages of Demonic Influence Foothold/Transmission

•Temptation, based on lusts, thoughts or direct demonic communication, designed to draw us away from the things of God

Manipulation/Stronghold

•Habits and mental rehearsals are formed based on a foothold that was not thwarted (i.e. pornography, pride, greed, etc.)

Oppression/Yoke

•External control, gained by the enemy, to keep an individual in a state of instability; control of thoughts and emotions

Obsession/Bondage

•A breakdown of sanity and reason due to the compulsive nature of the individual and their loss of control (i.e. addictions, such as drugs, alcohol, sex, etc.)

Demonization/Possession

•Demonic control is manifested to the point that the individual lacks control and his/her own will has no power; requires external intervention for deliverance

Questions

Spiritual Warfare Against Demons

Breath of Life International Church, 2012