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BACK
OVERCOMING/DOING BATTLE
This bible study gets into the
nitty-gritty of the spiritual war that
goes
on in the Christian's life. Hopefully by the end of this section
one will
know how
to be in the name of Jesus Christ and how to yield it as the sword
of the
spirit. It
is a real war and one can not be like the proverbial Ostrich
with his head in the
sand.
Most people are unaware of this area of the war
and thereby suffer the consequences.
We do not have to settle for the
sickness and disease that comes
upon us. It is
within our power to overcome
even these areas. Sounds like
science fiction but it is
very real, I assure you.
God has shown us in his word
how to fight and what is expected from
us.
If we are to be victorious in the battle
and survive one needs to have the
weapons and
know how to use them. We
must do battle before we can
overcome. The hardest battle, as you will see, is with ourselves. Don't
let pride or fear hinder you from
success in this realm.
Your life, physical
and spiritual depends on it. The bible says
two things about
this. My
people perish for lack of knowledge and because many eat the bread
unworthily, they are sick and sleep. The latter is not speaking of the host
that
we partake of but goes beyond this aspect into the spiritual realm.
If you
consume this section along with the other elements of this bible study,
you will
be a soldier of Christ fully
prepared to do the battle of the lord.
A War
1. Casualties
Hos 4:6 My
people are destroyed for lack of knowledge
2. The Battle
Pr 2:5 finding knowledge
Pr 9:10 knowledge of the holy is understanding
Pr 1:7 fear of the lord is the beginning of knowledge
Pr 9:10 fear of the lord is the beginning of wisdom
Mt 10:28 fear him who is able to destroy both body and soul
Pr 9:10 knowledge of the world is death
Pr 2:6 out of the mouth of God comes knowledge and understanding
(Note: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that
proceeds out of the mouth
of God)
3. Tactics
Pr 2:3 Cry
after knowledge and lift up thy
voice for understanding
Pr 2:1 receive His words
Pr 2:2 incline thine ear to wisdom
Mt 11:15 he with ears to hear, let him hear
Pr 2:1 hide his commandments with thee
Pr 2:2 apply thine heart to understanding
Ja 1:22 be a doer of the word and not a hearer only, deceiving
yourselves
Mt 12:34 out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth (tongue) speaks
4. Result- Overcoming
Pr 2:15 then one understands the fear of the lord and finds knowledge
Ja 4:17 we know to do evil but know not to do good
Pr 2:6 then is wisdom given when one seeks the word of God's mouth
Pr 14:16 a wise man feareth God and departs from evil, but the fool
rages on
in his
confidence
Note: Jesus said that he was the word, the way, the bread, the truth,
the
life, the light, and the I
AM.
If one is in Christ then he must be in the word, the way, the bread,
the
truth, the life, the
light, and the I AM.
OVERCOMING
A. The War
Eph 6:12 we wrestle not against
flesh and blood
II Cor 10:3 we walk in the
flesh, but war not after the flesh
B. Objectives
1. Finding God
Heb 11:6
those coming to God must believe that he is and that he
is a rewarder only of
those that diligently seek Him
Jn 4:24 God
is spirit and must be worshipped in spirit
Mt 7:14
straight is the gate and narrow is the way leading to life
and few there be that
find it
Jn 3:3 except a man be born of water and spirit, he cannot see the
kingdom of
God
2. Believing God
II Tim 3:16
all scripture is given by the inspiration of God
Heb 10:23 he
is faithful that promised
Titus 1:2
God cannot lie
Is 55:11
Gods word from his mouth shall not return void, shall
accomplish God's will,
shall prosper in it's purpose
Mt 4:20 some
hear the word, receive it and bring forth fruit
Titus 1:9
holding fast the word of God as taught
3. Following God
Heb 10:23
hold fast your profession of faith not wavering
Titus 1:9
hold fast the faithful word
II Tim 3:5
some have a form of Godliness, but deny the power
thereof
Mt 13:21
some have no root m themselves, endure for a while, are
offended when
persecution or tribulation arises over the word,
and fall
Mt 13:19
some hear and receive part of the word into their heart,
but they don't understand
and the devil steals the word
Lk 8:14 some
go forth after they've heard, but the world chokes it
Mt 13:22
they become unfruitful
Pr 2:1-2
incline thine ears to wisdom and receive my words hide my
commandments in thee and apply thy heart to understanding
Ps 119:98 I
am wiser than my enemies through thy commandments
Ps 119:99 I
have more understanding than my teachers because I
meditate upon thy
testimonies
Rom 10:17
faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word
Heb 11:6
without faith, it is impossible to please God
II Tim 3:7
some are ever learning but never come to the knowledge
of
the truth
Ja 4:4
whosoever will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God
Rom 8:7 the
carnal mind is enmity (hostility or opposition)
against God
Mt 16:24 to
follow Christ, one must deny himself
4. Serving God
Rom 6:22 at
the cross we are made servants of God
Mt 4:10
serve only the Lord God
Mt 6:24 one
cannot serve God and mammon
Rom 1:9
serve God in spirit
Eph 6:6 as
servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart
Gal 5:13 by
love, serve one another
II Thes 3:6
withdraw from brethren that walk disorderly
II Thes 3:14
have no company with those who are disobedient to the
word that he may be
ashamed; count him not as an enemy, but
admonish him as a brother
I Tim 5:20
rebuke them that sin before all, so others will fear
I Tim 5:1
entreat rather than rebuke an elder
II Tim 4:2 preach the word, reprove, rebuke, exhort with longsuffering
and
doctrine
Mt 5:44
Love your enemies
bless them
that curse you
do good to
them that hate you
pray for
them that persecute and despitefully use you
I Pe 2:15
the will of God is that with well doing, you may put to
silence the ignorance
of the foolish men
Rom 12:21
overcome evil with good
feed your
enemy
give your
enemy drink
so doing
heaps coals of fire upon his head
I Cor 12:13
we are the body of Christ and each part has a job
5. Receiving from God
Mt 7:11
earthly fathers give good things, how much more shall our
heavenly father give
good things to sons that ask
I Jn 2:29
One who does righteousness is born of God
Rom 8:14
One who is led by the Holy Spirit is born of God
Gal 6:7
Whatsoever a man soweth, so shall he reap
Gal 6:8 sow
to the flesh, reap corruption; sow to the spirit, reap
everlasting life
II Cor 9:6
sow sparingly, reap sparingly; sow bountifully, reap
bountifully
II Cor 9:7
let every man give not grudgingly, God loves a
cheerful giver
C. Battles
II Cor 10:4-5
pulling down strongholds
casting
down imaginations
casting
down every high thing exalting itself
against the knowledge of God
bring every
thought unto the obedience of Christ
(Note: These battles start with the enemy of self
before they can
effectively
move to others. When selfishness of self is overcome
the rest comes naturally through the spirit.)
D. The Enemy
1. Demonic
Eph 6:12 we
wrestle against:
principalities
powers
rulers of
darkness of this world
spiritual
wickedness in high places
Eph 6:16
fiery darts of the wicked (defeated by the
shield of faith)
I Pe 5:8
as a roaring lion, Satan seeks whom he may devour
Mk 4:15 he
steals the word sown in the heart if not believed or
understood
2. Self
II Tim 3:4
lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God
II Tim 3:6 led away with diverse
lusts
Gal 5:17 The
flesh lusts against the spirit
Ja 1:14 he
is led away of his own lusts and enticed
Ja 1:15 lust
conceives and brings forth sin, sin brings death
Col 3:2 set
your affections on things above, not on things
on earth
Col 3:5
mortify your members upon the earth: fornication,
uncleanness, inordinate
affection, evil concupiscence,
covetousness which is idolatry
Col 3:6 the
wrath of God cometh upon the children doing these
things in
disobedience
Col 3:8 but
now ye also put off these: anger, wrath, malice,
blasphemy, filthy
communication out of the mouth
Col 3:9 put
off the old man and lie not to one another
3. Man - We Wrestle Not
Flesh And Blood
a.
General - allies of the devil
I Jn 3:8-10
he that sins is of the devil
He that does not righteousness is of the devil
He who loves not his brother is of the devil
b. False
Teachers And Prophets
Titus 1:11
subvert whole houses
Mt 15:9
teach man's commandments as doctrine
I Tim 1:7
understand not what they say or whereof they affirm
I Tim 1:1
some depart from the faith
I Tim 6:3
if any man teach otherwise, and consent not to the
words of our Lord
and to the doctrine of holiness, he is proud
knowing nothing
II Pe 2:1
they shall privily bring in damnable heresies, denying the
Lord that bought
them
4. The World
a.
Enticing
I Jn 2:16
all that is in the world: lust of the flesh
lust of the
eyes
pride of
life
b. It's
Knowledge And Wisdom
I Cor 15:34
some have not the knowledge of God
Rom 1:28
some didn't like to retain the knowledge of God
Jn 3:19
they liked darkness, the light revealed their evil deeds
I Cor 1:21
some, by wisdom, knew not God
I Cor 3:19
wisdom of the world is foolishness with God
I Cor 3:20
the Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they
are vain
I Cor 2:6
we speak wisdom, but not the world's wisdom
E. Weapons
1. General
Mt 4:4 man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word out
of the mouth
of God (note: There is more to it than just knowing
about the cross.)
Pr 2:6 out
of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding
II Tim 3:16
all scripture is given by the inspiration of God
2. Scripture
(bread)
II Tim 3:15
able to make one wise to salvation
II Tim 3:16
given so men of God may be perfect
Given:
for doctrine
for reproof
for correction
for
instruction in righteousness
II Tim 3:17
that men of God be thoroughly furnished unto all
good works
Pr 18:21
life and death are in the power of the tongue
3. Offensive
a. Sword
Word
Of God Eph 6:17
Heb 4:12 quick and powerful
Titus 1:9 exhorts and convinces gainsayers
Eph 6:17 divides asunder, soul and spirit
b. Sowing
Gal 16:8 sow to the spirit for eternal life
II Cor 9:6 sow sparingly and reap sparingly sow bountifully and
reap
bountifully
c. Authority
Mk 13:34 servants are given authority and a work to do
(Note: Servants are given authority, not
power.)
d. Power
Mt 28:18
Christ has all power in heaven and in earth
Lk 9:1
Christ gave it to his disciples
Mk 3:14-15 Christ ordained disciples to:
go forth
preaching
healing the
sick
casting out
devils
Lk
9:1 by the power and authority over all devils and all
manner of disease
4. Defensive
a. Armor
Of God (Eph 6:11-18)
1. girdle
of truth (Jn 8:32 the truth makes us free)
2.
breastplate of righteousness
3. feet
shod with preparation of the gospel of peace -
Rom 10:15 how beautiful
are the feet of them that preach
the gospel of peace
4. shield of faith quenches
all the fiery darts of the wicked
Rom 10:17 faith cometh by
hearing, and hearing by the word
(scripture)
5. helmet
of salvation
6. sword of
the spirit, the word of God (scripture)
7. prayer
in the spirit
(Note: Prayer is to be for the
saints - we have
the
sword for ourselves,
we are to ask the father for things, but not for the lusts of the flesh)
We know not what to pray for as we ought. Eph 6:18 in the
spirit
watching and persevering In the spirit we will only ask for good things
and
good things
(Mt 7:11) the father will give and all good and perfect things
(Ja 1:17) come from above not from the earth. (Ja 6:25-32) No thought is
to be
taken for
the needs of the body or
one's life for the father knows
what we
have need of.
Asking for the things we want are considered lusts
of the
flesh and (Ja 4:3) we shall not receive them. Seek ye first the
kingdom
and all the other things will he
added unto you. (Eph 6:18) We
are to
pray for
the saints and their welfare. This accomplishes two things:
1.
We are showing brotherly love as the word commands and
2. We are sowing
seeds that the father can multiply in
our own lives.
As we
obey the
commands of Christ, the word (sword) we have spoken
over ourselves is
activated. We are not under any curse; Christ bore
them for us. We
wrestle
not flesh and blood, our own either. We stand
on the word and
prosper and are in good health (31Jn 2) even as our
soul prospereth.
b. Divine
Protection
Lk 10:19
nothing shall by any means hurt us
Mk 16:17
Deadly drink can't harm us
Is 54:17 no
weapon formed against us shall prosper tongues
raised in judgment
against us shall be condemned
Mt 16:18
the gates of hell shall not prevail against them
Ja 5:16
confess your faults one to another to be healed; the
effectual, fervent
prayer of a righteous man availeth much
5. Receiving Weapons
a.
Servants
Mk 13:34
receive authority to accomplish the work given them
(Note: By being in the kingdom and serving)
Mt 10:7 the kingdom is at hand
Mt 25:34 the profitable servant
enters
Mt 25:29
the unprofitable servant is cast out
b.
Disciples
Lk 9:1
receive power and authority over all devils and to cure
all manner of disease
Mt 10:1
power against unclean spirits:
to cast
them out
to heal all
sickness (physical)
to heal all
disease (also mental)
c. The
Process
Lk 10:1
Christ appoints 70 others also, and sends them out
Lk 10:17 the 70 return…even the devils are subject unto us
in the Lord's
name
(Note: This is the authority of the servant to
use Christ’s name.)
Lk 10:19
Behold, I (Christ) give unto you power:
to Tread
upon serpents and scorpions and
over all
the power of the enemy and
nothing,
shall by any means, harm you
(Note: We become servants at the cross (Rom 6:22)
when we
accept servitude
(Rom 10:9).
We receive authority to use his name and are sent out. If
we are
obedient
and
serve as commanded, then we become disciples
and receive power
and authority.
Power is given after proving one’s self.
If one is not profitable,
he loses
even that which
he has, the authority.
As disciples (Jn 15: 14-15) we
are
obedient and are considered
friends.
We are no longer servants by command,
but
by choice, and Christ shows
us
what he and the father are doing. Christ laid
down his life for his
friends. (Jn 15:13))
d.
Evidence Of Being And Receiving
Mk 16:17-18
these signs shall follow them that believe:
In my name,
they shall cast out devils
Speak with
new tongues
Take up
serpents
Deadly
drink shall not hurt them
Lay hands
on the sick, and they will recover
Jn 14:12
Greater works than these (what Christ did)
shall you do
e. Their
Use
II Cor 10:4
weapons are spiritual and mighty through God to:
Pulling
down of strongholds
Casting
down of imaginations
Casting
down every high thing that exalts itself
against the knowledge
of God
Bringing
into captivity every thought to the obedience to Christ
II Cor 10:6 when your
obedience is fulfilled, Christ is ready to
revenge all disobedience
(Note: When one is no longer an unprofitable,
disobedient, selfish,
servant/child, then Christ moves against the spirits
that don’t obey that
disciple. Spirits and curses cause sickness.)
F. Tactics
Ja 4:6-7 God resists the proud,
heareth not sinners, and gives divine
influence to the humble
--therefore--submit yourselves to God,
resist the devil, and then he will flee from
you
Mt 4:4,7,10 Jesus resisted
Satan by speaking scripture
G. Results ----Overcoming----
Deu 28:7 your enemies shall
come at you one way but flee before
you 7 ways
Deu 32:28 they are a nation
void of understanding. How should one
chase 1,000;
and two put
10,000 to flight?
Lev 26:7 5 shall put 100
enemies fleeing and 100 shall put 10,000
to flight.
Your enemies
shall fall before you by the sword
H. Allies
1. God
Rom 8:31 If
God be fore us, who can be against us
Rom 8:37 in
all these things we are more than conquerors,
through him
II Tim 1:7
God has given us the spirit of power, love, and sound
mind, not the spirit of
fear
II Cor 10:5
When we obey Christ, God revenges disobedience
against us
Ex 23:25
serve the Lord thy God and he will bless your bread and
water He will take
sickness from the midst of you
Deu 28:7 The
lord shall cause enemies that rise against thee to be
smitten before thy face
Col 1:13 God
has delivered us from the power of darkness
Jn 15:5
without him, we can do nothing
Phil 4:13 we
can do all things through him that strengthens us
2. Angels
Heb 1:14
They minister for us (not to us)
(Note: Given charge means to be ordered or commanded. They are not
our boss, they are ordered to protect (keep) us.)
Ps 91:10
There shall no evil befall thee, neither any plague,
thy dwelling
Ps 91:11
given charge over us to keep us in our ways
3. Disciples/Friends Of
Christ
Mt 18:19 If
two on earth shall agree on any thing, it shall be done
for them
Mt 18:20
where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, there am I in the
midst of them
Heb 10:24
they provoke us to love and good works
Heb 10:25
they exhort us
Ja 5:16 they
pray for us
Acts 8:17
they lay hands on us to receive the Holy Spirit
II Tim 1:6
they lay hands on us to stir up the gifts of God in us
Mt 25:14-46
they help meet our needs
PERSONAL UNDERSTANDING
FACTS TO KNOW
1. One's opinion doesn't change the truth of God's word.
2. Our fight, physical and mental, is against spirits.
3. Our fight has two battles:
a. Overcoming self: lust,
greed, not serving, etc.
b. Helping others overcome 'a'
above.
4. If one isn't controlling the spirits, then the spirits
are controlling them.
5. We cannot overcome outside of Christ.
6. We are only in Christ when we are obedient to him and
the scriptures.
7. We can only be obedient if we know his words: warnings, commands, etc.
8. He speaks through scripture.
9. He equips through scripture.
10. If you are not in scripture on your own, then you
are:
taking a man's word
not being obedient
not being equipped
probably not in Christ
and probably going to miss the
rapture.
11. Christ is the word. If you are not in the word, then
you are not in Christ.
You are still an unfruitful
servant and all you do is for earthly gain for self.
You even go to God, not to
serve, but to be served by him.
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