DEALING WITH AN UNSEEN FOE SPIRITUAL WARFARE DEALING WITH AN UNSEEN FOE

STORIES FROM THE FIELD ISAAN/LAOS NORTHERN THAILAND VIETNAM CAMBODIA MYANMAR

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON? Luke 8:26-39 “They met a man from the city who had demons. Legion was his name. John 14:30 “The ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me” I Corinthians 10:20 “No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons.” II Corinthians 2:11 “ So that we would not be outwitted by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his designs.” II Corinthians 10:3-5 “we are not waging war according to the flesh.” II Corinthians 11:14 “Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light”

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON? Ephesians 6:12 “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood..” Ephesians 2:1-2 “The prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.” I Thessalonians 2:18 “We wanted to come to you, again and again, but Satan hindered us.” Deuteronomy 18:9-12 “Abominable practices” are attempts to contact and manipulate the spirit world.

WHAT DID PAUL DO AND NOT DO? Acts 19:11-18 “And the evil spirits came out of them.” Paul recognized the spiritual world at work around him, but: (See Acts 16:16-18) Paul does not discuss the origin of the demons. Paul does not reconstruct spirit hierarchies. Paul does not affirm territorial jurisdiction. Paul does not name powers. Paul does not list the functions of various spirits. Paul does not teach techniques for thwarting or casting out demons. He dealt with demons when necessary to facilitate the work of God.

WHO IS THE ENEMY? Satan -- adversary Revelation 12:9 Dragon ” Ancient serpent “ Devil -- slanderer “ Deceiver of whole world Revelation 12:10 Father of lies John 8:44 Murderer ” Ruler of this present world John 12:31 Adversary I Peter 5:8

HOW DOES SATAN WORK IN THIS WORLD? Perverts scripture Matthew 4:6 Opposes God’s work II Corinthians 4:3-4 Performs lying wonders II Thessalonians 2:9 Masquerades as angel of light II Corinthians 11:14 Blinds II Corinthians 4:4 Deceives I Timothy 2:14 Ensnares I Timothy 3:7 Sifts believers Luke 22:31 Afflicts/harasses II Corinthians 12:7

HOW DOES SATAN WORK IN THIS WORLD? Schemes Ephesians 6:11 Outwits II Corinthians 2:11 Tempts I Thessalonians 3:2-5 Physically possess Luke 22:3 Rules the demons world Mark 3:23-27 Accuses Revelation 12:10 & Zechariah 3:1 Hinders I Thessalonians 2:18 Manipulates James 3:13-15 Holds the power of death Hebrews 2:14

THE ACTIVITY OF DEMONS IN GENERAL Inflict diseases: deafness, muteness, bodily deformity, blindness, epileptic seizures. (Mk 9:25, Mt 12:22, Lk13:10-17, Mt 12:22, Lk 9:39) Influence the mind: unbelievers (II Cor. 4:4), believers (II Cor. 11:3) Deceives people: (Eph. 2:2) & (I Timothy 4:1) Deceives nations: (Revelation 16:13-14, Daniel 10:13, Isa. 24:21 Demonizes individuals: Mark 5:1-13

WAYS SATAN WORKS AGAINST BELIEVERS Through temptation I Thess. 3:5 Direct opposition to God Daniel 10:12-14 Harmful influence and deception I Sam. 28:7-20, II Sam 24:10 Oppression and possession Acts 16:16-18 Physical affliction II Corinthians 12:7 Emotional turmoil I Samuel 16:14 Attacking the mind Acts 5:3 Hindering our spiritual life & health Ephesians 6:11

HOW DO BELIEVERS FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT? We should be knowledgeable. (of Satan’s designs, schemes, and intentions. His enticements or compulsion. II Corinthians 2:11 We should be careful. (be on the alert Satan is seeking) I Peter 5:8 We should be armed (flaming arrows). Ephesians 6:11-16 We should be obedient. James 4:7 (submit, resist) We should be overcomers. We are to be strong against sin, error, and deception. Revelation 12:11, I John 2:13