Ephesians 6 12 For our struggle is not

Ephesians 6 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. SPIRITUAL WARFARE

God established order in the celestial kingdom. By HIM were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by HIM, and for him: and HE is before all things, and by HIM all things consist. (Colossians 1: 16 -17)

RANKS OR DIVISIONS IN HEAVEN There are five ranks of angels: 1. Archangels, or chief angels (1 Thessalonians 4: 16; Jude 9) 2. Common angels (Psalm 8: 4 -5; 103: 20 -21; Hebrews 1: 14) 3. Seraphim (Isaiah 6: 1 -7) 4. Cherubim (Genesis 3: 24; Ezekiel 1: 1 -14; 10: 20 -21) 5. Living creatures (Revelation 4: 6 -9; 5: 6 -9; 15: 7; 19: 4)

Angels are intelligent and know what is happening on earth. They are higher than men, can fly, they excel in strength, know God's voice, are spirit beings, are created beings, make willful decisions, see the face of God, are not married, do not know when Jesus will return, are holy, are eternal, are too numerous to count, are radiant, and are all under the authority of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 6 : 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

In short, our battle isn’t against governments, Imams or the lack of education. There is an element of spirituality involved that we cannot ignore. Spiritual warfare is a personal and worldwide struggle between the truth of God and the lies of the Devil. This struggle is largely concerned with our minds and understanding, and while it involves prayer, it not exclusively the prayer life of the believer.

Five divisions of the enemy's forces. 1. Spirits or demons. “We wrestle not against flesh and blood. ” 2. Principalities. Chief rulers of the highest rank. 3. Powers. Authorities presiding over the chief rulers, executing their will. 4. Rulers of the darkness of this world. World rulers of darkness; natural men possessed demonic powers. 5. Spiritual wickedness in high places. Wicked spirits in the heavens; fallen angels.

What it is not! Angels battle in the heavenly realms affecting our daily lives, empowered or frustrated largely by the prayers of God's people. Their relative success or failure to see God's will accomplished or halted has come to be viewed by some as mostly or solely dependent upon the fervency of our prayers. This is not supported biblically.

What are we facing here! Not all spiritual warfare demon related. Strongholds – Addictions, substance abuse, self-abuse. Spiritual Darkness – Unable to comprehend Christ.

WHAT STEPS TO TAKE!

Accept God given authority. ü Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28: 16 -20

Put on God’s Armor. üTherefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6 üThis speaks of truth, righteousness, faith and the word of God.

Arming the weapons. 2 Corinthians 10. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Weapons of Spiritual Warfare 1. Prayer – (among weapons of spiritual warfare against all forms of evil, including sin, real failure, walking outside God’s will) 2. The Word of God -the sword of the Spirit and the belt of truth– (among weapons of spiritual warfare for evangelism and self defense weapon against ignorance, deception, false doctrines, spiritual poverty )

Weapons of Spiritual Warfare 3. Walking in love, repentance and forgiveness -the shoes of the gospel of peace- (among our weapons of spiritual warfare against curses, sickness and hatred) 4. Walking in humility- (among our weapons of spiritual warfare against pride, egoism, arrogance, disrespect). Jesus in the washing of feet.

Weapons of Spiritual Warfare 5. Holy communion-body and blood of Jesus– (among our weapons of spiritual warfare against all forms of evil, blood covering refuge, abiding in Christ and cleansing oneself) 6. Anointing with oil– (among our weapons of spiritual warfare against sickness, evil spirits, weakness and other burdens) The oil has no divine magical power. It is our faith and obedience to use it when and where necessary that enables God to do the miraculous work.

Weapons of Spiritual Warfare 7. Generous giving to the work in the body of Christ – (among our weapons of spiritual warfare against greed, selfishness, insufficiency, poverty) 8. The name of Jesus and our position in Christ –the helmet of salvation– (among our weapons of spiritual warfare against every curse and work of the enemy)

Weapons of Spiritual Warfare 9. Faith-the spiritual shield– (among our weapons of spiritual warfare against doubt, fear, the “spirit of despair” (Isaiah 61: 4), giving up, walking by sight, displeasing God. 10. Persistence –(among our weapons of spiritual warfare against impatience, despair, lack of commitment, lack of obligation)

Luke 10: 19 “I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you”.