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Do Christians today really take spiritual warfare seriously?


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#21 Alan G Phillips Jr

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Posted 22 December 2014 - 07:39 AM

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#22 Julie Daube

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Posted 23 December 2014 - 09:05 AM

Spiritual warfare affects each Christian on a personal level. Often, when pastors and theologians address this topic, their remarks are confined to this level.

Such confinement is understandable, given our nation's overemphasis on individualism.

However, the subject of spiritual warfare goes well beyond the daily battles in one Christian life. It also involves rival citizenship.

Every individual instance of spiritual warfare involves an underlying battle between competing kingdoms, worldviews and agendas. Never forget this.

Perhaps, when you first trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, nobody told you that you "enlisted." Maybe you were even misled into thinking that when you accepted Christ all your problems would fade or grow dim. This is positive-confession heresy.

When you accepted Jesus, yes, all the privileges, blessings and joys of being adopted into God's wondrous family became yours. But....you also took on new duties and responsibilities too. Joining the Lord's family also made you a vulnerable citizen/ soldier of His Kingdom:

"Behold, what mannner of love the father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not" (1 John 3:1, KJV).

Since the beginning of human history, this kingdom that you joined has been a kingdom under attack.

Scripture describes this conflict of kingdoms in a variety of ways: The Kingdom of God versus the kosmos or the kingdom of heaven versus "the spirit of Antichrist" (1 John 4:3).

So, what are the practical implications? One key outcome is that Christians who were once "at home" in the kosmos become "strangers" in a foreign place. They become "aliens," "sojourners" or "peculiar people" (Hebrews 11:8-9 & 1 Peter 2:9-11). It is an inevitable transformation of the new birth. John reminds believers, "Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you"(1 John 3:13, KJV).

"Marvel not...." Are many Christians today walking around, dazed and stunned, wondering why they feel "out of place" in work, family and social settings? Are they masters of "marvel," surprised that Satan's forces persecute them on a daily basis?

"Marvel not..." Behind John's admonition is a call to sobriety, preparedness and spiritual empowerment through Christ Jesus our Lord.


Well said, Alan! Thank you for this excellent admonition. The Church desperately needs to hear this today.
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#23 Gordy

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Posted 30 December 2014 - 04:55 PM

In just two letters,NO!



#24 Alan G Phillips Jr

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Posted 01 January 2015 - 07:25 PM

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#25 Alan G Phillips Jr

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Posted 01 January 2015 - 07:30 PM

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#26 Alan G Phillips Jr

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Posted 01 January 2015 - 07:31 PM

'

#27 Julie Daube

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Posted 02 January 2015 - 07:57 AM

Julie,

Thanks for your input and encouragement. Have a blessed 2015.


Thank you, Alan - I wish the same for you!

#28 Merilyn Lauffer

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Posted 06 February 2015 - 10:01 AM

I do not believe they do.  However, our best posture is to practice the presence of God. When we bring His presence into the situation the enemy will flee.

 

I love Psalm 114.  In His presence, the earth trembles, the sea flees and rocks turn into puddles.  There are also references in the Psalms to the Mountains melting like wax!  Not to mention the conversion of Saul, when confronted with the presence of the Lord as well as the demonics that the apostles encountered as they brought the presence of the Lord with them in their travels.

 

We are not to be unaware, but we walk forward, bringing the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15).  We bring his presence into the situation and "when the day of evil comes" (6:13) we are equipped and we stand firm. And we have the authority in Jesus to loose the bonds of wickedness, be the repairer of the breach (Isa 58).

 

I think another good question is, Do we practice the presence of God? And if the answer is," not really." What are we practicing the presence of?  Social media? Our burdens? Appearances? Or perhaps we are more focused on the enemy than we are of The Lord. 

 

The presence of the Lord and obedience brought down the walls of the stronghold, Jericho. Walk with your feet shoed with the gospel of peace in obedience in the presence of the Lord and the battle will be His.


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#29 Julie Daube

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Posted 18 February 2015 - 03:59 PM

I do not believe they do.  However, our best posture is to practice the presence of God. When we bring His presence into the situation the enemy will flee.
 
I love Psalm 114.  In His presence, the earth trembles, the sea flees and rocks turn into puddles.  There are also references in the Psalms to the Mountains melting like wax!  Not to mention the conversion of Saul, when confronted with the presence of the Lord as well as the demonics that the apostles encountered as they brought the presence of the Lord with them in their travels.
 
We are not to be unaware, but we walk forward, bringing the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15).  We bring his presence into the situation and "when the day of evil comes" (6:13) we are equipped and we stand firm. And we have the authority in Jesus to loose the bonds of wickedness, be the repairer of the breach (Isa 58).
 
I think another good question is, Do we practice the presence of God? And if the answer is," not really." What are we practicing the presence of?  Social media? Our burdens? Appearances? Or perhaps we are more focused on the enemy than we are of The Lord. 
 
The presence of the Lord and obedience brought down the walls of the stronghold, Jericho. Walk with your feet shoed with the gospel of peace in obedience in the presence of the Lord and the battle will be His.


Excellent response, Merilyn!

#30 Gordy

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Posted 19 February 2015 - 11:20 AM

The church has taken a laze faire attitude on what they believe.  I pray that we take God's standards seriously.

 

Let's think about that, Amen


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#31 Gordy

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Posted 28 March 2015 - 04:51 PM

we are in a spiritual war.  Don't believe me? Read Ephesians 6:10-18.


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#32 jtvang

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Posted 05 February 2016 - 08:26 AM

Yes, we are in spiritual warfare everyday. 



#33 Fireweed Trekker

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Posted 17 May 2016 - 09:00 PM

When Christ's enemies killed him, they made a GRAVE mistake.
He came back to life.
I heard this one line zinger recently.

B?  & C?
 


#34 DCRyanJr

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Posted 26 May 2017 - 01:59 AM

First the King James Version just because it sounds so cool! 

2 Corinthians 10:3-6
 

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Now the ESV to help us understand the verses a little better.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

Our battle is in the mind. Addictions, lies, strongholds, opinions, imaginations that are all against the knowledge of God! It is for this very reason that the internet, movies, TV, music, social networking, etc... are so dangerous! People in this Post-Christian society are numb to the idea of acknowledging right and wrong and give their minds over to the enemy to be lulled to sleep!