Spiritual Warfare: Knowing & Understanding Our Enemy

Spiritual Warfare

Knowing & Understanding Our Enemy

Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher

I. Introductory Remarks.

Colossians 1:13

us into the kingdom of the Son of His love...

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated

Ephesians 6:12

principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against

As people who have been born again of God's Spirit, we have been delivered

from the power of darkness. There was a time when all of us were under the

influence and the jurisdiction of Satan's kingdom and domain. Now that we have

been born again and translated into the kingdom of God, we should not take

lightly that we still have an enemy who wants to bring harm to us and render us

ineffective as ambassadors of God's kingdom.

I believe it is important for us to understand the tactics and cunning devices of

God's arch enemy. Therefore, in this message today I want to talk about Satan,

who he is, his origin and fall and how he seeks to work in our lives. The Bible

says we are not to be ignorant of his devices.

2 Corinthians 2:11

ignorant of his devices.

...lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not

I believe many Christians are walking around in defeat and even in backslidden

conditions, simply because they have not been aware of the enemy's cunning

devices in their lives. We need to understand that Satan is the arch enemy of

God and the church. That means he is your arch enemy as well, if you belong to

God. His intent is to destroy the work of God in your life by any means possible.

Therefore we should understand just who this enemy is and how he works.

In warfare many victories are won by those who understand and know the moves

of their enemy. In spiritual warfare it is much the same way, the more we know

and understand the tactics of our enemy the more on guard we will be, as well as

being able to thwart his attacks.

1 Peter 5:8

like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about

Understanding & Knowing Our Enemy Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher

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II. Satan's Origin And Fall.

Who is Satan and where did he come from? This is a question of great

importance. The answer to this question gives us insight into his characteristics

and how he tries to operate in our lives.

1. He Was One Of God's Created Beings – An Archangel.

Ezekiel 28:13-14

was your covering: the sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper,

sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels

and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created. "You were the

anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain

of God; you walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.

You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone

Before his fall he was one of the most powerful angelic beings in the universe,

being of great beauty. His name was Lucifer and he had a high position in

heaven before he became Satan. Lucifer used his position and brought

destruction upon himself. He was perfect in every way.

Ezekiel 28:15

iniquity was found in you.

You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till

2. He Was Cast Out Of Heaven Because Of Sin.

Ezekiel 28:16

violence within, and you sinned; therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the

mountain of God; and I destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the

fiery stones.

"By the abundance of your trading you became filled with

Ezekiel 28:17

your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you

before kings, that they might gaze at you.

"Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted

3. Lucifer's Five "I Wills" Cause His Fall.

Pride enters into the heart of one of God's mightiest creatures and causes his

destruction and made Lucifer into the devil.

Isaiah 14:13-14

exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the

congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of

For you have said in your heart: `I will ascend into heaven, I will

Understanding & Knowing Our Enemy Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher

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the clouds, I will be like the Most High.'

1. I will ascend into heaven...

2. I will exalt my throne above the

stars of God...

3. I will sit upon the mount of the

congregation...

4. I will ascend above the heights of

the clouds...

5. I will be like the Most High...

Lucifer wanted to sit where God is and wanted his throne to be in heaven, not on

earth. The name "Most High" in the Bible is the word "El Eloim" which not only

means "most high," but also means "the possessor of heaven and earth."

Imagine, that a creature, a created angel, wanted to be possessor of heaven and

earth. This is why he failed and became the devil.

Lucifer did not want to get closer to God because of love. He wanted to get

closer because of jealousy. He was not satisfied with just getting closer, he

wanted to sit on the throne.

When Lucifer fell and was cast out of heaven, he was thrown out of the third

heaven. The Lord Jesus saw Satan fall from heaven like lightening.

Luke 10:18

And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

Jesus simply meant He saw Satan fall from the third heaven as lightning. Right

now the devil is still in the heavenlies. His place today is in the second heaven.

He dwells there as much as he dwells in the earth. He rules from his place of

authority, the heavenlies. This is the place we wrestle against spiritual hosts of

wickedness in the heavenly places. Eventually Satan will be thrown out of this

realm of heaven as well. This happens just prior to the great tribulation.

Revelation 12:7-8

against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not

prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought

III. Who Is Satan Today.

1. He Is A Powerful Angelic Being With Power To Deceive.

Let's remember that he is still a powerful angelic being of great beauty and is still

able to transform himself into an angel of light and to even transform his

ministers into ministers of righteousness.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

& Knowing Our Enemy Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher

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For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transUnderstanding

forming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself

transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his

ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end

will be according to their works.

Matthew 24:24

signs and wonders, so as to deceive if possible, even the elect.

"For false christs and false prophets will arise and show great

2. He is the god or the Prince of this World.

John 14:30

coming, and he has nothing in Me.

"I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is

2 Corinthians 4:4

believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of

God, should shine on them.

...whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not

1 John 5:19

[sway] of the wicked one.

We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the

IV. Satan's Major Tactics and Works.

1. He Works through Deception and Subtlety.

2 Corinthians 11:3

craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his

In writing about America's problems with our own national security, Jim Banford,

author of "The Puzzle Palace", said, "Once you've sold one secret you're usually

hooked. They don't start by asking to get a top secret document. They usually

ask for something innocuous, like a telephone directory. Once a person starts,

they're hooked at that point." Isn't that the way Satan operates? He tempts us

to make little compromises that seem so insignificant and end up ensnaring us in

sin.

His deception often times comes through the word of God itself. He will take

God's word and either question it, take away or add to it. He will try to wrest the

scriptures to our destruction as well as his. This is how he was able to deceive

Eve.

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He caused Eve to question God's Word.

Genesis 3:1

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field

Understanding & Knowing Our Enemy Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher

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which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed

said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?"

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He Quoted Half Truths to Jesus.

Matthew 4:6

down. For it is written: `He shall give His angels charge concerning you,' and, `In

their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.' "

...and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself

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He twists or Wrests the Scriptures.

2 Peter 3:16

are some things hard to understand, which those who are untaught and unstable

twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which

John 8:44

want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the

truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his

own resources, for he is a [liar] and the father of it.

"You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you

Our victory over this kind of an attack is by knowing and understanding the Word

of God, being like David who said, "I have hid the word in my heart that I might

not sin against You."

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He Transforms Himself into an Angel of Light

His deception also comes about because of his ability to be transformed into an

angel of light. This is one of the major ways in which Christians shall be deceived

in the last days. The Bible says there is a strong delusion that is coming with

false signs and wonders being done by Satan's own ministers.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15

into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform

themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their

works.

And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself

2. He Purposes to Stumble Us and Lay Snares In our Paths.

Psalms 140:4-5

from violent men, who have purposed to make my steps stumble. The proud

have hidden a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside;

they have set traps for me. Selah

Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me

Understanding & Knowing Our Enemy Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher

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He waits for those vulnerable times in our lives when we are most susceptible to

temptation and then springs the trap. This was exactly how he worked in the life

of Jesus.

Luke 4:13

Him until an opportune time.

Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from

Our victory over this Satan in this area is to continually keep our eyes on Jesus,

because when our eyes are on Jesus, He will steer us around the traps and help

us to strengthen those areas of vulnerability. He will be our guard.

2 Thessalonians 3:3

you from the evil one.

But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard

3. He Opposes And Exalts Himself Above All That Is God.

The very thing that got Satan into trouble in the first place is still the major

characteristic that he has imbedded into our society -- the antichrist spirit.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the

son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or

that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself

that he is God.

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will

V. Other Tactics and Devices.

1. He afflicts the righteous.

2. Claims authority over the world.

3. Blinds the minds of unbelievers.

4. Slanders and accuses saints.

5. He opposes the righteous - tries to

keep us in our place.

6. Instigates us to sin or tempts us.

7. Contends with us in heavenly

realms.

8. He places his people in the church

to defraud it.

9. He steals, kills and destroys.

It is important for us to understand that our enemy is already defeated in every

sense of the word. Jesus defeated Him once and for all at the cross. All we

have to do is call on Jesus and defeat him by the blood of His testimony.

1 John 4:4

who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He

Armor Bearer

Life Guard – What Kind of an Armor Bearer Are You?

Provoking One Another to Great Exploits

Men’s Retreat 2007

I. Introductory Remarks.

I want to share a concept with you that should revolutionize the way you think

about ministry and God fulfilling His call and destiny in your lives. It’s an attitude

that must be in place in our lives if we are to properly motivate one another to

great exploits in Jesus.

We are living in an age that will demand more and more of us as Christians. If

Christianity is to become more of a force to be reckoned with, it will demand that

we as Christians are more involved in great exploits for our King. We need to be

men who provoke one another to great exploits in God.

Daniel 11:32

corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry

out great exploits.

(NKJV) "Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall

God’s desire is for all of us to be people who know our God and thus doing great

exploits for Him. The focus of this message is about encouraging others and

esteeming others as more important than yourself. It’s about being an armorbearer.

It about perceiving the grace and anointing in others so that you can

properly encourage them to great exploits in God.

Message Title: What Kind of an Armor Bearer Are You?

Definition of an Armor-bearer:

because of his bravery, not only to bear their armor, but also to stand by them in

the time of danger.

An officer selected by kings and generals— Easton's Illustrated Dictionary

II. Illustration: The Story of Jonathan and Armor bearer – 1 Samuel 14

This is a powerful story of someone who knew his God and what God was

capable of and how Jonathan’s armor-bearer encouraged him to take a risk of

faith that brought forth a great exploit and victory for the nation of Israel. This

passage of scripture truly shows how we must work together to do great exploits

for Jesus.

Background of Story:

because the Philistines are operating from a stronghold and terrorizing the

Saul and his army are reduced to about 600 men

Life Guard – What Kind of an Armor-Bearer Are You? Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher

Provoking One Another to Great Exploits Page 2

Israelites to the degree that most of the army has deserted and is hiding in

caves, thickets, rocks, holes and pits. Of the 600 men only Saul and Jonathan

have weapons, because the Philistines took away all their blacksmiths.

Similar to where Christianity is today:

before the enemy with our entire spiritual arsenal stripped from us because we

have compromised ourselves before our enemies of the faith.

What is needed today are new heroes of the faith who are willing to do great

exploits by taking great risks in faith to insure the victories that are needed.

Much of Christianity today is cowering

1 Samuel 14:1-2

the young man who bore his armor,

garrison that is on the other side." But he did not tell his father.

was sitting in the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in

Migron. The people who were with him were about six hundred men.

Now it happened one day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to"Come, let us go over to the Philistines'2And Saul

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laughed at him and destroyed his faith.

Why didn’t Jonathan tell his father? His father probably would have

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visions, goals and calling with without being ridiculed.

He goes to his armor-bearer and begins to share his plan.

We need to know who the people are in our lives that we can share ourJonathan knew.

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Do you know who your trusted armor-bearers are?

1 Samuel 14:6

Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor,

"Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be

that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving

by many or by few."

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God was able to do.

Many of us are afraid to step out in faith unless we have a sure word from the

Lord. At this point in the story, Jonathan did not have a sure word. All he had

was what he knew God was able to do.

Later on in the story He had a faith that was invincible, because as he began to

move forward in what He knew God was able to do, his faith was personalized

Jonathan’s confession of faith – He stepped out in faith in what He knew

Life Guard – What Kind of an Armor-Bearer Are You? Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher

Provoking One Another to Great Exploits Page 3

and is confession turned from one of

LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel."

“it might be” to "Come up after me, for the

The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith – Romans 10:17.

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The Armor-bearer’s response.

1 Samuel 14:7

then; here I am with you, according to your heart."

"Very well, let us cross over to these men, and we will show ourselves to them.

So his armorbearer said to him, "Do all that is in your heart. Go8Then Jonathan said,

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place and not go up to them.

"If they say thus to us, 'Wait until we come to you,' then we will stand still in our

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in his life

His armor bearer said,

nation of Israel reaped a great blessing and victory because the armor-bearer

encouraged Jonathan in this process.

This was to be one of Jonathan’s greatest and most successful exploits.“Do all that is in your heart, I am with you.” The whole

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attacking from every side.

Saul and his army were literally stuck in discouragement with the enemy

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and his armor-bearer.

Now the balance of war is about to change because of the exploits of one man

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Lord works with him to win a great battle in which the enemies of Israel are in

such a state of confusion, that they begin to kill one another.

As the story goes on, Jonathan becomes invincible in his faith and the

1 Samuel 14:12b

the L

Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come up after me, forORD has delivered them in the hand of Israel.

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been scattered and were in hiding.

Saul and all the people eventually join him in the battle with all those who had

1 Samuel 14:22-23

mountains of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, they also

followed hard after them in the battle.

the battle shifted to Beth Aven.

Likewise all the men of Israel who had hidden in the23So the LORD saved Israel that day, and

Life Guard – What Kind of an Armor-Bearer Are You? Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher

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The point I want to focus on here is, how important the armor-bearer was to

Jonathan and his great exploit and victory that ensued.

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then; here I am with you, according to your heart."

He encouraged Jonathan greatly by saying "Do all that is in your heart. Go

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Jonathan did.

He stood with him in the battle and risked his life in the same way that

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battle, I don’t believe Jonathan would have had the courage to go it alone.

Without his encouragement and willingness to stand with Jonathan in the

III. What Does It Take to Be a Good Armor-Bearer?

We find some of these attitudes later on in the life of Jonathan in his friendship to

David. Even though Jonathan had has his great moments in battle, he was

perceiving the grace of God in David and that God had truly called David. He

must decrease while David increases.

In the same way that his armor-bearer laid his life down for him, he must now do

the same for David. Jonathan and David were both kingdom men. They saw

beyond the natural circumstances and into the kingdom perspective.

1. We Must See Our Lives Through A Kingdom Perspective

.

1 Samuel 20:4

do it for you."

So Jonathan said to David, "Whatever you yourself desire, I will

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most or do you see your life through an eternal perspective?

Are you seeing your life through the here and now and what benefits you the

2. We Must Be Willing To Lay Our Lives Down For The Benefit of Others

and the Kingdom.

Jonathan sacrificed his position for the throne in light of the grace he

perceived in David

to David and knew in his heart David was the man – not him.

fully supported David and helped David to become the great man of God that he

was.

. I believe he took an inventory of his life in comparisonAs a result he

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Provoking One Another to Great Exploits Page 5

1 Samuel 20:30-31

said to him, "You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you

have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your

mother's nakedness?

you shall not be established, nor your kingdom

bring him to me, for he shall surely die."

Then Saul's anger was aroused against Jonathan, and he31"For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth,. Now therefore, send and

Jonathan’s willingness to help David escape his father shows that he was willing

to lay down his own dreams and aspirations to see David succeed. He was

willingly giving up his position as the future king of Israel because he perceived

the grace and anointing was on David.

You will never be able to properly encourage and provoke others to great exploits

until you are truly willing to lose your life.

Luke 17:33

will preserve it.

"Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life

1 John 3:16 – Lay our lives down for one another. We must learn how to throw

the lifeline to others no matter what the cost to our own lives maybe.

How many of us are willing to lay down our own dreams and aspirations to see

others succeed in our stead when we perceive there is a grace and an anointing

that may be greater than our own?

Personal testimony of resigning as Sr. Pastor

:

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moved in.

My wife and I pastored in the Bonita Building for 12 years before the Rock

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the church forward from a state of decline.

Took an inventory of my life and grace – did not feel I had the grace to move

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kingdom difference in our community.

Our prayer was that the building could be sold to someone who could make a

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I was led to Pastor Francis, knowing he wanted to start a church in Roseville.

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knew he was a man of vision and excellence.

I had been to his evangelism seminars and gifts of the spirit seminars and

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Became an armor-bearer to Pastor Francis.

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hard because we were just being obedient to God’s will and to the integrity of

the man God had called us to serve.

People always said to us, “Wasn’t that hard to do? Honestly it wasn’t that

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Provoking One Another to Great Exploits Page 6

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delivering newspapers while we were figuring out what to do next.

How did this attitude come about? Was it something that was just developed

over night? No! There were previous trials and responses that led to this being

worked out in our lives.

We went from being senior pastors to becoming the church janitors and

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bearer.

Example of former pastor rejecting me and continuing to serve as his armor

3. We Must Develop An Attitude Of Honoring And Preferring One Another.

This really is the attitude adjustment that needs to take place in all of our lives if

we are to successfully encourage one another to great exploits.

Romans 12:10

honor giving preference to one another;

Philippians 2:3-4

lowliness of mind

look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, inLet nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but inlet each esteem others better than himself. 4Let each of you

This is really the primary attitude and concept that allows us to become all that

God has ordained for our lives and that properly motivates us to encourage

others to great exploits in Jesus.

Selfish ambition and conceit will only produce wood, hay and stubble in your

lives. You may have some exploits, but they won’t be the exploits that are born

out of the heart of God.

God wants to lead you into exploits that produce gold, silver and precious stones.

It really takes having an attitude of preferring others as more important than

yourself to produce the qualities that true armor bearers have.

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must decrease.”

John the Baptist understood this when he said, “Jesus must increase and he

John 3:30

and less.

(NLT) He must become greater and greater, and I must become less

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We have to guard our hearts from jealousies and selfish ambitions.

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4. We Must Recognize The Season We Are In And Build Our Lives Within

The Balance.

Jonathan recognized both seasons he was in. He knew when it was time to step

out in faith to perform great exploits and he also recognized the season of being

a great encourager to David. Kingdom people have a sense of where they are at

and what they have been commissioned to do and build accordingly. Do you?

Joel 2 gives us a vivid picture of the church functioning perfectly – Everyone

knew their place and position. This is what is going to make the church in the

last days become the beautiful and glorious church going forth doing the great

exploits that it has been purposed for.

Joel 2:7-8,11

Every one marches in formation, And they do not break ranks.

one another; every one marches in his own column. Though they lunge between

the weapons, they are not cut down.

For His camp is very great; for strong is the One who executes His word.

They run like mighty men, They climb the wall like men of war;8They do not push11The LORD gives voice before His army,

Ephesians 4:16

every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does

its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love

At The Rock there are so many areas we can serve as armor-bearers such as

small groups, prayer team, care-giving, greeting, ushering and serving in the

many different areas. If you see a hole, figure out how you can plug it up.

I believe it’s time for the balance of power to change in our spiritual warfare. Just

as Jonathan and his armor bearer were able to change the balance of power for

the nation of Israel, I believe we can do the same for the church as we link

together with those we are serving with. Especially now, as we are positioned at

the gates of the city, let us go forth in the position God has ordained for this

season of our lives.

Let us march in step with each other, no one pushing or shoving for position, but

rather united together to hear the voice of God as He gives voice to his great

army in this hour of our destiny!from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what.

SPIRITUAL WARFARE Dealing With Strongholds

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Dealing With Strongholds

Ken Birks

I. Introductory Remarks.

Romans 13:12

the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off

In this message I would like to talk about how you can pull down the strongholds

that Satan has built in your lives. I would also like to talk about the kind of

stronghold that we can build that will not allow Satan to gain any kind of a

foothold in your life.

It is time for us to cast off the works of darkness and to walk in the armor of light

not giving place to the devil. Too many of us have allowed the devil to have a

foothold in our lives. We have let him have free reign to harass, oppress and

bring us into bondages that God desires us to walk in a freedom to. God should

be our rock and stronghold, but the problem is too many have allowed the enemy

to control the strongholds.

2 Samuel 22:1

day when the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and

from the hand of Saul. And he said: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my

deliverer;

-2 Then David spoke to the LORD the words of this song, on the

2 Corinthians 10:4-6

in God for pulling down strongholds, 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, and being ready to punish all disobedience

when your obedience is fulfilled.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty

Francis Frangipane writes in one of his books, "What men call "salvation" is

simply the first stage of God's plan for our lives, which is to conform us in

character and power to the image of Jesus Christ. If we fail to see our

relationship to God as such, we will allow too many areas within us to remain

unchanged. Pulling down strongholds is the demolition and removal of these old

ways of thinking so that the actual Presence of Jesus Christ can be manifested

through us."

II. What Are Strongholds.

1. Old Testament Definition.

In the Old Testament, a stronghold was a fortified dwelling used as a means of

protection from an enemy. We find that David hid from King Saul in wilderness

strongholds at Horesh.

1 Samuel 23:14,19

remained in the mountains in the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day,

but God did not deliver him into his hand....Then the Ziphites came up to Saul at

Gibeah, saying, "Is David not hiding with us in strongholds in the woods, in the

hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?

And David stayed in strongholds in the wilderness, and

These were physical structures usually caves high on a mountainside, and were

very difficult to assault. It was this imagery in mind that the inspired writers of the

Bible adapted the word "stronghold" to define powerful, vigorously protected

spiritual realities.

A stronghold can be a source of protection for us from the devil, as is the case

when the Lord becomes our stronghold as it did for David. Or conversely, a

stronghold can be a source of defense for the devil's influence in our lives, where

demonic or sinful activity is actually defended within our sympathetic thoughts

toward evil.

Romans 6:16

obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin to death, or of

obedience to righteousness?

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to

2. The Apostle Paul's Definition of a Stronghold.

The apostle Paul defines strongholds as speculations or lofty things raised up

against the knowledge of God. It is any type of thinking that exalts itself above

the knowledge of God, thereby giving the devil a secure place of influence in an

individual's thought-life.

2 Corinthians 10:5

itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the

obedience of Christ...

...casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts

3. Another Definition.

Ed Silvoso defines a stronghold as a mindset impregnated with hopelessness

that causes us to accept something that we know is contrary to the will of God.

Romans 6:6

body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the

It is important to recognize that when we speak of strongholds, we are not talking

about random thoughts or occasional sins. We are talking about areas in your

life that you are in bondage to and are having a hard time breaking loose from.

III. How Strongholds Take Root.

In order to fully understand how to pull down strongholds, it is first important that

we understand how it is they first took root in our lives.

1. Strongholds Come From Worldly Influence.

1 John 5:19

of the wicked one.

We know that we are of God, & the whole world lies under the sway

Many strongholds are a result of an accumulation of uncrucified thoughts and

unsanctified attitudes that have ruled our lives during our formative years. As

children growing up in a world that is under the influence and the sway of the

enemy we received a steady stream of information and experiences that

continually shaped our childhood perceptions. This is why the Bible says our

minds need to be renewed once we are born again of God's Spirit.

The amount of love (or lack of love) in our home, our cultural environment, peer

values and pressures, as well as fears of rejection and exposure--even our

physical appearance and intelligence, all combine to form our sense of identity

and our view of life.

Many of our opinions about life are ours only because we know of no other way

to think. Yet we protect and defend our ideas, justify our opinions as though they

were born in the wombs of our own creativity.

Proverbs 23:7

...for as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

In other words, the essence of who we are is an accumulation of our thought life.

For example, many of our thoughts and opinions were shaped by our parents

and school teachers. As good of people as they may have been, if their opinions

were not God's than they were wrong.

Isaiah 55:7-8

thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our

God, for He will abundantly pardon. "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor

are your ways My ways..."

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his

We have a mindset that has been shaped by our parents and educators as well

as the ungodly environment in which we live. As Christians, the only truth

suitable for eternity is the truth of Christ. If we fail to realize this we will be like

our teacher, never doing more than the deeds of our fathers. When we come to

Christ, all that we are in nature and character is destined to change.

IV. Common Strongholds Many Deal With.

Just because we are Christians does not exempt us from having strongholds that

must be dealt with. There are still many strongholds within us. I have listed a

few strongholds that are common to most Christians.

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Fear

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Resentment

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Bitterness

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Unforgiveness

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Apathy

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Unbelief

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Depression

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Anxiety

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Lukewarmness

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Sinful thoughts

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Lust

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Pride

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Greed

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Drugs

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Alcohol

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Pornography

Because we all have a tendency to excuse ourselves so readily, it is difficult to

discern the areas of oppression in our lives. After all, these are our thoughts, our

attitudes, our perceptions--we justify and defend our thoughts with the same

degree of intensity with which we justify and defend ourselves. As a man thinks

so is he. Therefore, before any deliverance can truly be accomplished, we must

honestly recognize and confess our need.

When identifying your strongholds, survey or examine the attitudes in your heart,

every area in your thinking that glistens with hope in God is an area which is

being liberated by Christ. Any system of thinking that does not have hope, which

feels hopelessness, is a stronghold, which must be pulled down.

V. Faith Principles For Pulling Down Strongholds.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 gives us two important things that help us to tear down

strong holds. The first one is bringing our thoughts into conformity with Christ's

and the second one is obedience to His Word.

2 Corinthians10:4-5

God for pulling down strongholds, 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..

...the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in

1. We Bring Our Thoughts Into Captivity To Christ's.

Jesus Christ is the model of what God considers typical for the new-creation

man. He is not just our Savior, He is the Indwelling One who conforms us to His

image, the first-born of a family of glorious sons. When our thought life is in

agreement with unbelief, fear or habitual sin, the enemy has rest and seeks out

those places that are in harmony with his environment.

Therefore we must learn to look objectively at any thoughts or attitudes that fail

to conform to the likeness and teachings of Jesus. Those thoughts must be

captured and wrong attitudes crucified. We must make way in us for the coming

of the Lord. We must allow the "increase of His government" to expand until we

are so absorbed into His Spirit that we not only believe in Him, we believe like

Him. His love, thoughts and desires flow out from within us.

To bring down or cast down the "stronghold of our past experiences" we must let

God be found true and every man a liar.

Romans 3:4

written: "That You may be justified in Your words, and may overcome when You

are judged."

Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is

The only one who has the right to shape our lives is Jesus Christ. We must

determine to allow nothing and no one to shape us, not even our personal

experiences unless they are consistent with the promises of God. eg. if you were

not healed, a stronghold of unbelief could set in, but if you bring your thoughts

into conformity with God's thoughts, the stronghold will break and faith will come

forth. If we have a problem with a brother or sister and forgiveness is not

enacted, bitterness and resentment will settle in.

2. Obedience Brings Us Into the Stronghold Of Christ's Likeness.

The Father's goal in breaking the strongholds in our lives is much more than

simply seeing our burdens or the devil taken off our backs. The specific purpose

toward which God steers the working of all things in our lives, is our conformity.

"..to the image of His Son."

Romans 8:28-29

who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom

He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that

He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

And we know that all things work together for good to those

The way to realize God's ultimate victory is to reach toward His ultimate goal,

which is complete transformation into the likeness of Christ. We must recognize

that it is not you that the devil is afraid of, it is Christ in You!

Victory begins with the name of Jesus on our lips. It is consummated by the

nature of Jesus in our hearts. If you are troubled by fear, resentment,

depression, sinful thoughts, apathy, lukewarmness or whatever, submit those

areas to God, repenting of your unbelief and then yield yourself to Christ's faith

within you. Are you troubled by lust and shame? Present those areas of sin to

God, repenting of your old nature, drawing upon the forgiveness of Christ and

HIs purity of heart.

James 4:7

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

We must learn that on a personal level, it is better to develop godly virtues than

to spend our day praying against the devil ....it is the joy of the Lord that defeats

depression ...it is living a life of faith that destroys unbelief ...it is aggressive love

that casts out fear.

As we continually yield ourselves to Christ, surrendering ourselves by faith to His

nature and His words, we literally build the impenetrable stronghold of His

Presence around us. The way into the fortress of the Almighty is simple. Victory

begins with the name of Jesus on our lips. It is consummated by the nature of

Jesus in our heart.

3. Building A Stronghold Of Christlikeness Involves A Struggle.

The process of getting free of worldly and fleshly strongholds involves a season

of inner conflict and turmoil. This is a good sign, signifying the desire of your will

to be free. We should expect a time where we must exercise our athority in

Christ as we "resist" the devil.

1 Peter 5:9

like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the

faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in

the world.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about

As you continue to yield yourself to Christ, He will remove Satan's armor from

your mind. he will show you what you need to bring down. You will see that the

weapons of your warfare are mighty, to the pulling down of strongholds

Spiritual Warfare Making a Determined Effort

Spiritual Warfare Making a Determined Effort Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher I. Introductory Remarks. In this lesson I want to emphasize the importance of making a determined effort in everything that we are involved in, both spiritual and natural. Determination is a necessary part of our spiritual warfare our walk with the Lord. We will not endure to the end without it.
You can have plenty of vision, insight and purpose, but without determination you will not get the job done. When your vision and purpose fail, your determination must kick in to keep you going in the midst of doubt and uncertainty. Proverbs 4:23-27 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you. Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil. Determination Definition. Determination is the inner fortitude and strength of character – being disciplined to remain consistent, strong and diligent regardless of the odds or the demands. It is the act of deciding definitely and firmly, or coming to a resolve. Determination is acting in faith when we temporarily lose sight of where we are going.
Without determination we will find ourselves being tossed here and there and beat to a pulp when the enemy comes against us. When the pressure is on we will find ourselves reacting in a way that is contradictory to what we believe. We must have the inner fortitude and strength of character to remain consistent, strong and diligent regardless of the odds or the demands. II. Determination is an Important Part of our Spiritual Warfare. 1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Ephesians 6:13
Biblical Perspectives 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 & Making a Determined Effort Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher The thing that we must realize is that the devil is making a determined effort towards us and if he is more determined to keep us from moving forward in God than we are, he will win. 1. The Example of Manasseh and the Canaanites. God had given all of the tribes of Israel the command to go forth into the Promised Land and to drive all of its inhabitants out. He not only commanded them, but promised them that He would help them.
They had vision, purpose and destiny, but did they have the determination that was needed to possess all that God had given to them? Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." With this promise and destiny, the children of Israel were to go forth conquering all of the inhabitants of the Promised Land. We find however, that this did not happen in all cases, because of the determination of their enemies to continue to dwell in the land. Joshua 17:12-13 Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities, but the Canaanites were determined to dwell in that land. And it happened, when the children of Israel grew strong, that they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not utterly drive them out. The reason the children of Manasseh were not able to drive the Canaanites completely out of the land was because they lacked the determination to do so. The Canaanites were more determined to stay then the Tribe of Manasseh was determined to drive them out.
What about you? How many of God’s enemies are still existing in your life because of the determination of the enemy? How many strongholds do they have possession of? 2. Through a Determined Effort, We Are to Drive Out Our Enemies. How many of us give place to the devil, because we lack the determination to completely drive him out of our lives? God has given us the authority and the power to defeat the enemy.
Biblical Perspectives Spiritual Warfare & Making a Determined Effort Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher Luke 10:19 "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. We all have strongholds in our lives that the enemy is trying to hold on to with a determined effort. The thing that we have to realize is that we must have more of a determined effort than the enemy, realizing that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
The enemy doesn't give up that easily. He is determined, so therefore you must realize that it takes a determined effort on your part to defeat him. We are wrestling against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. Ephesians 6:12-13 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. 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. Many Christians fail in many areas because they fail to make a determined effort. Marriages, children, jobs, business, ministry, bondage to sin, and prayer life are areas that the enemy wants to continue to dwell in. Are you letting him, simply because he is more determined than you are?
Do you have the inner fortitude and strength of character to remain consistent, strong and diligent regardless of the odds or the demands that are being placed upon you in these areas?
Without determination you will find yourselves being tossed to and fro and beat to a pulp when the enemy comes against you. When the pressure is on you will find yourselves reacting in a way that is contradictory to what you really believe. 1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. III. The Kingdom Is Extended Through Determination.
Biblical Perspectives Spiritual Warfare & Making a Determined Effort Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher 1. The Example Of Solomon Being Determined To Build The Temple. 2 Chronicles 2:1 Then Solomon determined to build a temple for the name of the LORD, and a royal house for himself.  The kingdom that was established under Solomon's reign was the greatest and most glorious of all the kingdoms of the earth.  I'm sure that Solomon had his obstacles that he faced along the way. But he was determined to complete and fulfill the vision, purpose and destiny he had received from His God.  Solomon had the inner fortitude and strength of character to remain consistent, steadfast in the faith, strong and diligent regardless of the odds or the demands that were placed upon him. 2. We Too Must Be Determined To See The Kingdom Extended. Matthew 11:12 "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. We must make a determined effort in establishing the kingdom of God in our midst. When we experience defeats, setbacks, discouragements and other hindrances, we too, must be like the apostle Paul who said, "None of these things move me." Acts 20:24 "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 3. Illustrations
A page from John Wesley's Diary reads as follows: Sunday morning, May 5, preached in St. Ann's, was asked not to come back anymore. Spiritual Warfare & Making a Determined Effort Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher
Biblical Perspectives 　
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 Sunday a.m., June 2, preached out at the edge of town, kicked off the highway.
 Sunday p.m., June 2, afternoon service, preached in a pasture, 10,000 people came to hear me. Sunday a.m., May 26, preached in meadow, chased out of meadow as a bull was turned loose during the services. Harold Sherman wrote a book entitled, "How To Turn Failure Into Success." In it he gives a code of persistence. He says: I will never give up so long as I know I am right. – Moody, 5-10-91 IV. Concluding Remarks. My prayer is that you would come to the place in your life where you have more determination than the enemy in dealing with your issues and moving forward in faith towards the destiny God has for you.
There is a great and mighty battle that is taking place in the heavenlies over your destiny and purpose in God. Who has the most determination – You or the enemies of your soul?
Biblical Perspectives Spiritual Warfare & Making a Determined Effort Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher Journal Notes 1. What was the primary truth you received from this lesson? 　
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 I will believe that all things will work out for me if I hang on to the end.
 I will be courageous and undismayed in the face of odds.
 I will not permit anyone to intimidate or deter me from my goals.
 I will fight to overcome all physical handicaps and setbacks.
 I will try again and again and yet again to accomplish what I desire.
 I will take new faith and resolution from the knowledge that all successful men and women have had to fight defeat and adversity.
 I will never surrender to discouragement or despair no matter what seeming obstacles may confront me.
In 1873 D. L. Moody and Ira Sankey sailed to England for a series of evangelistic meetings. But once there they found to their dismay that all three of their prime contacts had died. Meetings had to be hastily arranged. Some of the pastors who had endorsed Moody's ministry turned against him. At Sunderland, a group of pastors covered the public buildings with material warning about the Americans and their "questionable procedure" and probable evil results." Rumors about Moody traveled ahead of him. He and Sankey went to Scotland, only to encounter deep skepticism. But Moody persevered, and revival swept the British Isles. 
 Sunday p.m., May 5, preached at St. John's, deacons said, "Get out and stay out."
 Sunday a.m., May 12, preached at St. Jude's, can't go back there either.
 Sunday p.m., May 12, preached at St. George's, kicked out again.
 Sunday a.m., May 19, preached at St. somebody else's, deacons called special meeting and said I couldn't return.
 Sunday p.m., May 19, preached on the street, kicked off the street. 

2. How will this truth be applied to your life?