Springs Article 2022-09 (2)

Ephesians 6:10-13
Ephesians 6:14-18
2 Corinthians 10:3-6

What is spiritual warfare?

  • True believers are called to righteousness and holiness!
  • True believers are called to enacting the will of God on earth
  • Romans 6:18-22, Matthew 6:10
  • True believers are called to living in victory over all forms of spiritual darkness (idolatry, immorality, sickness, disease, poverty, barrenness, addiction, oppression, depression, the dominion of evil spirits)
  • There are forces of darkness on earth and in the heavenly places (sky and space) who are contending with you. They are fighting against the will of God on the earth and the will of God in your life
  • The greatest battle of your life is the battle for your soul!
  • Satan is fighting against your destiny in Christ (God’s plan for your life)
  • If the devil wins the battle for your soul, any other thing you achieve in this life is a waste
  • Mark 8:34-38

What are the forces of darkness?

  • There are 4 hierarchies of the forces of spiritual darkness: principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in heavenly places, Ephesians 6:12
  • The forces of darkness are demons and fallen angels!
  • They operate through the world and the flesh
  • The head (chairman) of the forces of darkness is Satan (the devil)
  • The world (ungoldly world system of unbelievers) is the wife of Satan
  • The flesh (undisciplined body and unrenewed mind) is the instrument of Satan
  • The forces of darkness are seeking to influence and dominate your life
  • Everything is influence and influence is everything!

How can I overcome the forces of darkness?

  • The devil is your adversary (active challenger and opposer), 1 Peter 5:8
  • You cannot win spiritual battles with physical weapons, 2 Corinthians 10:4
  • Spiritual weapons are packaged in the Word of God and Prayer!
  • You cannot live in total victory over spiritual darkness without submission to and fellowship in the Word and Prayer
  • James 4:6-10 gives us the principles of overcoming the forces of darkness: submit to God first; then you can resist the devil successfully.
  • There is no submission without humility: you have to humble yourself before the Lord (giving up your pride and choosing to obey His Word)
  • The first step to living in victory over darkness is your consecration!

What is consecration?

  • Consecration is setting yourself apart to the Lord!
  • Consecration is the pursuit of righteousness and holiness
  • Consecration requires humility, modesty and self-denial
  • Consecration requires separation from worldliness (the ungodly influence of the world) and abstinence from carnality (the uncontrolled indulgence of the flesh)
  • Romans 12:1-2
  • Consecration empowers spirituality. Consecration is the pathway to spirituality (a living sacrifice – holy and acceptable unto God)
  • Whatever wordiness or carnality you allow to dominate you is a gateway for the devil to operate in your life, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 John 2:15-17
  • Modesty is an expression of your humility and godly contentment!
  • 1 Timothy 2:9-10, 6:6
  • The worldly and fleshly excesses you are embracing are gateways for the influence of darkness in your life
  • Worldliness and carnality always tend towards idolatry and immorality (the breaking of God’s laws).
  • It’s not enough to say that you’re blessed and not cursed. If you are truly blessed, then you will walk in the light of the Word of God in order to experience the fullness of the blessing
  • Walking in pride and selfishness always opens a door for the devil
  • Ephesians 4:27

2022: A Year of Fruitfulness

To find out more, listen to the audio sermon.