The Invisible War - Session 5 (part 1)

Last week's teachings was intense and filled with information.  There were so many good principles and applications, that we are going to split the session into two different posts.  For the first time in the past 4 weeks, we have now started talking about the offensive parts of the "Armor of God"

Chip starts this session with telling an amazing story of the enemy (Satan or demonic forces) attacking him in a very physical way.  He goes on to say that this may not happen for everybody, but it does happen, so what do we do in light of this.  That is what sessions 5 is all about.

Session 5 is titled "Engaging the Enemy".  Here are "Four Facts You Need to Know"

• Fact #1 God has objectively defeated Satan and his agenda. He has delivered us from sin's penalty and power and ultimately will deliver us from sin's very presence. In the interim, we are involved in guerrilla warfare with demonic forces.
• Fact #2 As believers, we have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of light with all the rights, privileges, and position that being a child of God entails.
• Fact #3 The spiritual battle we fight involves a responsibility on our part to "put on" the spiritual protection that God has provede for us.
• Fact #4 The great majority of spiritual warfare need never go beyond the regular practice of living out our position in Christ by faith.  Our practice of Paul's metaphor of the spritiual armor protects us from Satan's ongoing attempts to break our fellowship with Jesus and, as a result, greatly minimizes any impact by the Enemy. (Chip Ingram)

For this post, I just want to give you as much information about the enemy attacking and what that looks like (keeping in mind it will look differently for each person) and ask a key Question.  In part 2 we will answer that question and others as well as a reflection on what I have learned from this past session.

When will we face Satan's Attacks:

1. Taking spiritual steps in faith for spiritual growth.
2. Evangelizing - Invading the Enemy Territory
3. Exposing him (Satan) for who he really is.
4. Repenting and making a clean break from the world or a sin pattern.
5. God is preparing us for His glory.

I know this is a lot of information so I leave you with this question from Chip.  Once you're wearing your spiritual armor and yet find yourself bombarded by spiritual opposition, How do you engage and win the battles?

The Invisible War - Session 4

On June 15th, our bible study listened to Chip Ingram again on the subject of "How to Prepare Yourself for Spiritual Battle."  During this session Chip discusses the "breastplate of righteousness" and shoding your feet with the "gospel of peace."

"Satan's attacks are not merely deception, but accusation of the believer." - Chip Ingram.  Keeping in mind that we have girded our loins with truth,  the breastplate of righteousness is key to guarding our heart.  That is the main purpose of a breastplate to protect the heart from the enemy.  If Satan can convince you that you are a bad person - that at the core "your heart" you don't matter because you are sinful and unworthy.  At that point he is winning the battle. 

This is where I struggle the most.  I do know that God's love does flow through me by the power of the Holy Spirit, but it sometimes stops short or never gets communicated at all.  Because I allow myself at times to believe the lie that I am not worthy.  The little bit of truth is we are not by ourselves, but the better truth is that we are worthy because of Jesus Christ and the cross.  We can't forget that, I can't forget that.  I John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteosness. (NIV)

Staying in the Word daily helps me to confess everyday and to guard my heart, so that I can share the gospel of peace with others. 

Four Applications for being prepared to share the "gospel of peace":

1. Know and understand the content of the gospel. 1 Corinthians 15:1-5, Ephesians 2:1-9
2. Know the basis for your eternal security and the assurance of your salvation. Romans 8:38-39, Ephesians 1:13-14
3. Faith is based on facts not feelings.
4. Sharing your faith is one of the most powerful faith-builders available. Often "the best defense is a good offense."

Here is the great news, God has given us protection from Satan and the power through the Holy Spirit to defend ourselves and start fighting.  Your struggles may be vastly different from mine, but hopefully by sharing mine we can all be encouraged that "God is good all the time" and "He is with us always".