Battlefield Of The Mind Tuesday May 13 2008

Battlefield Of The Mind Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Spiritual Warfare Foundational Scriptures l Ephesians 6: 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. l Ephesians 6: 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Spiritual Warfare 2 Corinthians 10: 4 For the weapons of our warfare not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 2 Corinthians 10: 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ

Spiritual Warfare When it looks like nothing is happening Deuteronomy 7: 22 -23 And the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. (23) But the Lord your God will deliver them over to you, and will inflict defeat upon them until they are destroyed.

Spiritual Warfare Have you ever asked yourself? How often have I asked myself, if I had known then what I know now, there is no way I would get on this road. How many of you who are married, have said? How many parents, have you said?

Spiritual Warfare Very Important As I look back, however, I realize that God held my hand let me advance in small steps. I had times of great discouragement—as we all do. I remember times of bitter tears over my personal failures. But God kept nudging me forward. That’s the secret of living the victorious Christian life—we move ahead little by little.

Spiritual Warfare l It’s an inching forward over months and years. Most of us can understand that. The same is true in the battle for the mind. l We don’t get rid of Satan in one big blow and then live in victory forever after (we wish). We win one small battle, and then we’re ready to move on to the next one.

Spiritual Warfare We may have a few major victories that come suddenly, but not many of them. The fight to destroy Satan’s strongholds comes mostly by daily, slowly, moving ahead. The first time I thought of that fact, it was discouraging, until I realized the wisdom of God.

Spiritual Warfare After the Jews left Egypt and wandered in the wilderness, God spoke to them before they went into the Promised Land. It was a special land—fertile, beautiful, and promised to them. But in the more than 400 years since Jacob and his sons had left the land, others had moved in and occupied land that didn’t belong to them. l

Spiritual Warfare l For the children of Israel, it wasn’t merely a matter of going in and settling down. They had to fight for every foot of ground—even though it was their inheritance. l Prevailing Question: l If the land was promised, why do they have to fight to get it?

Spiritual Warfare l That’s how the spiritual principle works on every level. God has the blessings out there waiting for us, but it’s up to us to go in and take the land. Just as it was for the Jews of old, it is a battle.

Spiritual Warfare l When we move ahead little by little, it makes us savor every victory. Each time we overcome or destroy one of Satan’s strongholds, we rejoice. We can remain in a constant state of thanksgiving. If we’ve had only one victory, and that was thirty years ago, how dull our lives would be.

Spiritual Warfare l 2 Corinthians 2: 14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ… I like the KJV better on this one 2 Corinthians 2: 14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ… Chase this verse