Watching for our weakness Pulling down strongholds Pentecost Sunday Putting our the fires of the enemy Guarding our heart Wearing spiritual armour Powerful praying

We are in a spiritual battle We see it in the world around us. The cosmic struggle of good against evil.

The now and not yet of the Kingdom We feel the tension in us. We’re delivered from the enemy’s domain. But are aware of his attack and oppression.

C S Lewis There are two equal and opposite errors into which we can fall about the devil. One is to disbelieve his existence. The other is to believe and feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in him. He is equally pleased by both errors.

Matthew 12: Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, ‘Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.’ 39 He answered, ‘A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and

now something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.

43 ‘When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, “I will return to the house I left.” When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it

seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.’

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Col 1: We have been transferred!

There are two teams on the field!

Important question here: What do we think of Jesus Christ? The Pharisees were looking for signs and proof. They missed that Jesus is the one with ultimate power & authority over all things. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Matt 28:18

Wise up to the devil’s tactics Fiery darts Foothold Stronghold Bondage Possession

Deal with fiery darts as they come. Eph 6:14 Get our shield up! Live counter culture. Respond with the opposite spirit. Be quick to apologise and forgive.

Anticipate when we might be vulnerable. Don’t downgrade sin at this point. Those small things will take root and grow. Don’t open the door!!

Footholds quickly become strongholds. Sin takes root in our lives. It’s easy to get caught up in sin management. Deep root symptoms: Small thing; huge reaction. Habitual sin Repetitive behaviour Rationalisation; I can’t do anything about it.

Long term oppression becomes bondage. Compulsion & addiction eg. compulsive lying These bonds can be broken in the name of Jesus. (Matt 18:18; John 20:23)

What to do… Commit to root out sin Go to God. Cooperate with him Pray; with others sometimes; SMT maybe Repentance & forgiveness Live in the new reality It is done… Fill up the hole with goodness.

Don’t let the devil find your house unoccupied v45. Pursue what brings life. …that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Eph3:19 Shield up Prayer Worship Community