In part 10 we discussed the THREE LEVELS OF WARFARE:

1.  GROUND LEVEL WARFARE:
2.  OCCULT LEVEL WARFARE:
3.  STRATEGIC LEVEL WARFARE:

Now I want to talk about the different levels of power among the demonic. Our warfare comes in many levels. This is certainly not to induce fear, but awareness. Why? Typically, believers spend so much time thinking about the soulish natural realm and the temporal, that the spiritual realm and the eternal goes unnoticed.

Ephesians 6:12 ESV For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 1:21 ESV far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Ephesians 3:10 ESV so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

In Ephesians 6:12 I will give the definitions for the different powers according to the Strong's Concordance.

1.  PRINCIPALITIES:
The Greek word for principalities is "archē" pronounced ar-khay. It is a chief (in various applications of order, time, place or rank): A magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.

2.  POWERS:
The Greek word for powers is "exousia" pronounced ex-oo-see-ah. It means in the sense of ability; privilege, force, capacity, competency, mastery, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, delegated influence: authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.

3.  RULERS OF DARKNESS:
The Greek word for rulers of darkness is "kosmokratōr" pronounced kos-mok-rat'-ore. It means a world ruler, an epithet of Satan: A ruler.

4.  SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS:
The Greek word for  spiritual wickedness is "ponēria" pronounced pon-ay-ree'-ah. It means  depravity, malice;  plots, sins: iniquity, wickedness.

KNOWING YOUR ENEMY:

When going into battle it is important to know something about your enemy. In WWII the German Commanders and American Commanders read a lot of information about one another. They read about their families, their education, their personalities, and their leadership style. But one of the key elements they read about was their strategy in war and their history of previous battles. They tried to anticipate their opponents next move so that they could counter attack.

So it is with the Christian and our spiritual enemies, the demons of darkness. We read about them in both the Old and New Testaments to determine what ways they attack and then we form a counter against them.

Ephesians 6:10-11 ESV Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. (11) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

2 Corinthians 2:11 ESV so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

2 Corinthians 11:3 ESV But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:13-14 ESV (13) For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. (14) And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

Luke 22:31 ESV "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,

1 Peter 5:8 ESV Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

THREE LEVELS OF WARFARE:

1.     GROUND LEVEL WARFARE: Casting out demons, deliverance ministries. (See Mk.1:34, 39).

2.  OCCULT LEVEL WARFARE: Witchcraft, sorcery, freemasonry, new age, astrology, Eastern religions. (See Acts 13:10-12).

3.   STRATEGIC LEVEL WARFARE: Encounters with high-ranking principalities and powers which keep large numbers of people, regions, territories in spiritual bondage. (See Eph.6:12; Acts 19:21-41).

WARFARE INTERCESSION:

I have been in many deliverance sessions with others and often noticed that some of the Christians involved in the deliverance session was confessing fear. We should never be walking in fear, but especially when we are about to pray over someone to be free from demonic oppression.

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (6) In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

There is a time for everything. Therefore we need to be prepared at all times for what the Father has for us, and for what the world and the enemy will throw at us.

TIME: There are two words for time used in the Bible. We will be looking at Kairos time.

Kairos time

This is a measure of time, a portion of time.
This is a fixed and definite time when things are brought to a crisis.
This is a opportune or season of time.
This is the right time.
This is a limited period of time.
This is the state or condition of the times, or the events of our times.

Ephesians 6:17-18 ESV and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, (18) praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

"praying at all times". This is looking for windows of opportunities for spiritual intercession. It is well-timed spiritual attack in spiritual warfare. It is realizing or sensing that there is a scheme or plan assigned against you by the enemy and that you are in danger of a sudden attack by the enemy and in intercession you take the offensive.

1.  THERE ARE SPECIFIC TIMES OF TEMPTATIONS:

It was the Holy Spirit that lead our Lord Jesus Christ into the wilderness to be tempted by the enemy. It was specifically timed. Notice in the Matthew 4 and Luke 4 temptation accounts that our Lord was armed with the Word of God and He used what He was armed with.

Matthew 4:1 ESV Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Luke 4:1-2 ESV And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness (2) for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.

Once the enemy was beaten in the wilderness and tried to tempt our Lord Jesus Christ in every possible way for forty days he left for a season waiting for another specific time to tempt our Lord.

Luke 4:13 ESV And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Our Lord Jesus Christ already warded Peter that the enemy was coming to tempt him. However, with the promise of a serious attack from the enemy came the promise from our Lord that He had already prayed for Peter that he not fail in the faith. 

Luke 22:31-32 ESV "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, (32) but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."

2.  THERE ARE SPECIFIC TIMES OF PERSECUTION:

There were times in the first century when persecution upon Christians was at its peak. We need to be aware of this. Christians in Europe and America typically think that persecution is someone on TV making fun of Christians. However, the death of Christians which we have witnessed from hostile Muslim countries is coming to European and American soils. There is a specific time to this and we need to be keenly aware least we place ourselves in harms way needlessly.

Acts 12:1-2 ESV About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. (2) He killed James the brother of John with the sword,

Acts 19:23 ESV About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way.

Warfare intercession: Pray without ceasing and be ready in season and out of season. Having done all else STAND!

In the previous posts we said to...
Part 1: BE STRONG in the Lord
Part 2: BE CLOTHED with the armor of God.
Part 3: BE  CLOTHED with the armor of God.
Part 4: BE AGGRESSIVE in prayer.
Part 5: BE FIRM against the enemy.
Part 6: BE INTENTIONAL about praying down strongholds.
Part 7: We are to...
            PULL DOWN ===> STRONG HOLDS
            CAST DOWN ===> IMAGINATIONS
            CAST DOWN ===> EVERY HIGH THING THAT EXALTS ITSELF AGAINST GOD.
            CAPTURE  =====> EVERY THOUGHT TO CHRIST

Praying With Authority:

When we refer to authority in prayer we do not mean authority to command God!  God is sovereign and we are his servants.   We can however command things, and the enemy!

COMMANDING THINGS:

Mark 11:23-25 ESV Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. (24) Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (25) And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."

Matthew 8:26-27 ESV And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. (27) And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?"

COMMANDING DISEASE:

Luke 4:38-39 ESV And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. (39) And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.

COMMANDING THE ENEMY:

James 4:7 ESV Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Mark 8:32-33 ESV And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. (33) But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."

Matthew 17:16-18 ESV And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him." (17) And Jesus answered, "O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me." (18) And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly.

Mark 9:23-25 ESV And Jesus said to him, "'If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes." (24) Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" (25) And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again."

The word REBUKE is often used of Jesus relation to the oppositions of Satan whether through people, nature, disease, or evil spirits.  The word REBUKE (epitimao) means to "put a weight upon", to "contradict."   So then Jesus was putting pressure on the enemy with His authority.

Jesus also made it clear that his disciples were given authority in His name over all the power of the enemy!  The stopping of Satan's pillage of the earth is the task and privilege of believers.   In fact Jesus said that we cannot make headway into territory of the enemy until we first "BIND THE STRONG MAN."

Matthew 12:29 ESV Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 ESV (3) For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. (4) For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. (5) We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, (6) being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

Paul writes to the church and says that the weapons of OUR WARFARE are not carnal (fleshly) but different in that they are mighty through God to the destruction of Satan's strongholds.

Note what these weapons do:
PULL DOWN =====> STRONG HOLDS
CAST DOWN =====> IMAGINATIONS
CAST DOWN =====> EVERY HIGH THING THAT EXALTS ITSELF AGAINST GOD.
CAPTURES  =====> EVERY THOUGHT TO CHRIST

Isn't it interesting that most Christians live as though they had no offensive weapons at all.   Never do they attack the enemy.  They spend their lives fending off the attacks of the enemy cringing in their corners like powerless weaklings.

It is time to WAKE UP!  It is time PULL DOWN, CAST DOWN, CAST OUT, BIND, REBUKE, RESIST, ROUT, AND SPOIL the enemy's encampments before he entrenches himself in our back yards!

This war takes place in the realm of prayer.  Here is what we are commanded to do to Satan through prayer:

1. BE STRONG IN THE LORD!  BE BULLISH! - Eph.6:10

2. PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD - Isa.59:16-19; Eph.6:11-18

3. BIND THE ENEMY is Jesus Name - Matt.18:18-20; Matt.12:29

4. RESIST HIS EFFORTS -  Jam.4:7; I Pet.5:9

5. CLAIM THE BLOOD of Jesus as your power and safety - Rev.12:11; I Jn.4:4

6. DECLARE THE LOOSING OF CAPTIVES - Lk.4:18; Lk.13:16

7. PULL DOWN his STRONGHOLDS - II Cor.10:3-5

8. ASK AND TRUST IN GOD'S HEDGE AROUND YOU - Ez.22:30; Ps.34:7; Ps.91:1-2

9. COMMAND HIM TO LEAVE - CAST HIM OUT! - Matt.10:1; Matt.16:23

10. REBUKE HIM IN JESUS NAME - Matt.8:26; Matt.17:18; Jude 1:9

It is only when we stand in our own righteousness that we should be afraid to stand before the enemy, for our righteousnesses are as "FILTHY RAGS" but the righteousness of Christ is called the "BREASTPLATE (metal jacket) OF RIGHTEOUSNESS."

We need to be actively engaged in spiritual warfare. If not then we are losing the battles because the enemy is always active in warfare against us. The days in which we live are filled with every form of immorality and violence. Christians are becoming needless casualties of war because of their failure to enter into the battle. No one is safe on the sideline.
 
In the previous posts we said to...
Part 1: BE STRONG in the Lord
Part 2: BE CLOTHED with the armor of God.
Part 3: BE  CLOTHED with the armor of God.
Part 4: BE AGGRESSIVE in prayer.
Part 5: BE FIRM against the enemy.
today in #6..we need to BE INTENTIONAL

In part 6 we will see that we need to BE INTENTIONAL about praying down his strongholds.

1.  Intentional against the stronghold of thoughts and imaginations:

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 ESV (4) For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. (5) We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

2.  Intentional against the stronghold of false angels of light:

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ESV (13) For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. (14) And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (15) So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

3. Intentional against the stronghold of people ensnared and captive by the enemy:

2 Timothy 2:25-26 ESV correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, (26) and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

4. Intentional against the stronghold of things and nature:

Mark 11:23-24 ESV Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. (24) Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Matthew 8:24-27 ESV And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. (25) And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing." (26) And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. (27) And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?"

5.  Intentional against the stronghold of diseases.

Luke 4:39 ESV And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.

2 Corinthians 12:7 ESV So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.

In the previous posts we said to...
Part 1: BE STRONG in the Lord
Part 2: BE CLOTHED with the armor of God.
Part 3: BE  CLOTHED with the armor of God.
Part 4: Be AGGRESSIVE in prayer.

Now in Part 5 we will speak about being FIRM against the enemy.

I have met many believers who have the idea that if they ignore the enemy then the enemy will ignore them. How foolish to embrace such a lie. We have not be given armor to stand against the enemy just so we can stick our heads in the sand and hope for the best. 

We are called to submit to God and to draw close to God and resist the demons.

James 4:7-8 ESV Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (8) Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

BE FIRM:

Ephesians 6:13 ESV 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 firm.

The word "firm" in the Greek is histemi pronounced his-tay-mee. It is the continual and prolonged position of standing, holding up, or abiding. It is a firm belief that God is with you and will protect you as you stand against the enemy in faith. 

2 Kings 6:16 ESV He said, "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

1.  Therefore we need to stand firm in RESISTING THE ENEMY:

James 4:7 ESV Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

2.  We need to stand firm in REBUKING THE ENEMY:

Matthew 17:18 ESV And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly.

Jude 1:9 ESV But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you."

3.  We need to stand firm in BINDING THE ENEMY:

Matthew 18:18-20 ESV Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (19) Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. (20) For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."

Matthew 12:29 ESV Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.

4. We need to stand firm in COMMANDING THE ENEMY:

Matthew 10:1 ESV And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.

Matthew 16:23 ESV But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."

We need to know how and when to do warfare. Back in the 1960's to 2000 spiritual warfare was typically a job done by the few professionals but not something the average Christian was interested in becoming involved with. The times which we now live has left us no choice in the matter. We must enter the fight or die as a by-stander.

The old teaching that demons will leave us alone if we leave them alone is not only insane false teaching but incredibility incorrect. The demons are constantly seeking whom they can devour. Passive Christianity opens the doors to demonic attack and demonic victory. We must know how to STAND STRONG. It is also imperative that we learn how to be CLOTHED in the whole armor of God and know what each piece is used for.

In the first 2 posts we said to...
BE STRONG in the Lord
BE CLOTHED with the armor of God.

The third stage of spiritual WARFARE is to be AGGRESSIVE. This means that we need to learn how to Wrestle in prayer. The language of Eph.6:12 leads us to believe that we have entered into the wrestling match.

Ephesians 6:12 ESV For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

1. In going to war we need not find ourselves in a position that there is no intercessor:  

Isaiah 59:16 ESV He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him.

2. In going to war we need not find ourselves in a position that because of sin no one calls on the Lord in wrestling intercession:

Isaiah 64:6-7 ESV We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. (7) There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities.

3. In going to war we need not find ourselves in a position that God couldn't find one person who would stand in the gap for the city.

Ezekiel 22:30 ESV And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.

4. In going to war we need to find ourselves following behind a company of those who truly know how to praise the Father.

2 Chronicles 20:21-22 ESV (21) And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, "Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever." (22) And when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed.

5. In going to war we need to know that we have the Apostolic and Prophetic lifting up their arms to God on our behalf.

Exodus 17:11-12 ESV Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. (12) But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

6. In going to war we need to ensure that we have raised a standard before the Lord, before the people of God and against the enemy.

THIS IS MY FAVORITE: Jer.51:27 is where my ministry, RAISING THE STANDARDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES (RSIM) received her name.

Jeremiah 51:12 ESV "Set up a standard against the walls of Babylon; make the watch strong; set up watchmen; prepare the ambushes; for the LORD has both planned and done what he spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.

Jeremiah 51:27 ESV "Set up a standard on the earth; blow the trumpet among the nations; prepare the nations for war against her; summon against her the kingdoms, Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz; appoint a marshal against her; bring up horses like bristling locusts.

In the first 2 posts we said to...
BE STRONG
BE CLOTHED

Ephesians 6:11-18 ESV Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (13) 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 firm. (14) Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. (16) In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; (17) and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, (18) praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

1.  Helmet of salvation - Eph 2:8-9 / Ps 34:2

1 Thessalonians 5:8-9 ESV (8) But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. (9) For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2.  Vest of righteousness - Zech. 3:1-5

Isaiah 59:17 ESV He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.

3.  Belt of Truth - 1 Peter 1:13

Isaiah 11:5 ESV Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.

4.  Boots of Gospel - Romans 16:20 / Is 52:7/ Is 40:31

Romans 10:15 ESV And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"

5.  Sword of Spirit/Word of God - Hebrews 4:12

Hebrews 4:12 ESV For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Revelation 1:16 ESV In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

Revelation 2:16 ESV Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

6.  Shield of faith (Shield and Buckler) Psalm 91:4

Proverbs 18:10 ESV The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

In part 1 we said that in spiritual warfare we need to be strong:

1.  BE STRONG: Eph.6:10

Ephesians 6:10-12 ESV Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. (11) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

We need to know...
Our Position in Christ:
How to use the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ:
The power of the blood of our Lord:

Now we will look at point two

2. BE CLOTHED: Eph.6:11

Ephesians 6:11 ESV Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Zechariah 4:6 ESV Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.

2 Chronicles 20:15 ESV And he said, "Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, 'Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's.

We need to know how to STAND IN THE ARMOR: The battle is not ours to win, but it is ours to fight. The Lord has won the battle. We have read the end of the Book and know how it all ends. But we are called to arm ourselves and stand in the battle. There need not be any casualties of war because we were passive and unarmed. We are not dressed in armor to defend our picket fence because we are called not to just a defensive position. There need not be any casualties of war because we charged ahead of God in the flesh or in sin. We are called to be aggressive in offensive and take the land. 

Isaiah 54:17 ESV no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD."

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV (3) For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. (4) For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. (5) We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

The next lesson we will break down the different parts of the armor.

Some men die by shrapnel,
Some men die in the flames;
But most men die inch by inch and minute by minute,
Playing their silly little games.

1. BE STRONG: Eph.6:10

Ephesians 6:10-12 ESV Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. (11) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

2. KNOW YOUR POSITION IN CHRIST: Eph.2:6

Ephesians 1:18-22 ESV having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, (19) and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might (20) that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, (21) far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. (22) And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,

Ephesians 2:6 ESV and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

3. USE THE NAME OF JESUS: Lk.10:17

Luke 10:17 ESV The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!"

Acts 16:18 ESV And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour.

4. USE THE BLOOD OF JESUS:

Revelation 12:11 ESV And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

We live in a day of great lawlessness and demonic oppression. These are the days when men call evil good and good evil.

(Isaiah 5:20 ESV) Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

(Isaiah 5:21 ESV) Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!

(Isaiah 5:22 ESV) Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine, and valiant men in mixing strong drink,

(Isaiah 5:23 ESV) who acquit the guilty for a bribe, and deprive the innocent of his right!

However, lest we feel like all is hopeless we need to remember that with the warning about the evil of the last days we also have the promise of a supernatural outpouring of the Person of the Holy Spirit in the last days.

(Joel 2:28 ESV) "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.

(Joel 2:29 ESV) Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.

(Joel 2:30 ESV) "And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke.

(Joel 2:31 ESV) The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.

A new wave of the Holy Spirit is flooding the Earth these days.  We have the honor of living in one of the greatest outpouring of God's Spirit in the history of mankind.  Great revelation is coming forth from the Throne of God to the Church through Word of God and true spiritual leaders of God. 

(Ephesians 2:19 ESV) So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

(Ephesians 2:20 ESV) built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

(Ephesians 2:21 ESV) in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

Amos 3:7-8 ESV "For the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. (8) The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken; who can but prophesy?"

Ephesians 3:4-5 ESV When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, (5) which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

This is training and equipping the Saints as no other time in history.  Every believer that is hungry and thirsty for truth is receiving an anointing and impartation of simple and practical and deep knowledge about the things of the Father.

It is the Father’s longing to make every believer a true intercessor, a true spiritual warrior, and a man or woman of faith.  A believer armed and ready to carry out the work of the Father effectively and in power.  This will come about through the power anointing that the Father is pouring out in these last days. Remember this dear brother or sister in the Lord. You will either stand strong in the Lord and His Word as part of the solution to mankind, or you will fall faithless as a victim filled with excuses before man as part of the problem. God is not holding back from you, He is waiting on you. Having done all else....STAND!

You said Father to let my yes be yes and my no to be no, but I have spoken to quickly in making vows, promises, or oaths to people. I ask forgiveness for broken promises, oaths, and vows to everyone whom I spoke these too. I speak in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ a God-blessing over everyone who received a broken oath, vow, or promise from me. I also take charge over every oath, vow, or promise that was spoken to me that was broken and unfulfilled, and I forgive those who spoke those promises.

I speak forth in the name and authority of Jesus Christ a complete severing from every occult, cord of bondage, or form of oppression, which has been established over me, or has been able to lay a stronghold in my thoughts, emotions, will, or body. I speak against any curse, vow, hex, spell, or, incantation assigned to me and my household. In the name of Jesus Christ I proclaim their works broken and nullified now. I release the blessings of God revealed by His Word and I declare liberty in all of my personhood.

Any item I bought, any gift ever given to me, anything in my home which may be cursed or linked to the demonic or linked to faiths and beliefs that attack the Word of God, I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, for the curse on that article to be nullified and the link to that person or to the demonic to be severed. I speak by faith that it becomes clean to be used for the Glory of God. By the name of Jesus Christ I ask Father for the blood of Jesus Christ to wash over every article which is in my home and on my property and I ask for these things including myself to be blessed and purified under Your anointing work by Your Word, Your Holy Spirit, and by Your blood.