DEEPER LIFE BIBLE CHURCH, LOCATION / REGION SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES Year of Full Restoration 17 DECEMBER, 2017

LESSON 673: SAINTS’ SPIRITUAL WARFARE MEMORY VERSE: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10: 3,4) TEXT: 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

SUMMARY (1) From our last study, we learnt the following lessons: Our giving must be purposeful, faithful and sacrificial. The poor and the rich should be equally faithful. Faith in God will lead us to liberal, cheerful and thoughtful giving. When we give scripturally, God rewards us financially and in other areas. The study of today touches on three points: Portrait of a saintly warrior. Purpose of saints’ spiritual warfare. Power of saints’ spiritual weapons.

SUMMARY (2) Portrait of a saintly warrior (2 Cor. 10:1; Mat. 11:28,29): A saint suffers wrong without bitterness; he is tender; he cares for others’ feelings. He guards his soul against Satan, watches against false ministers, resists falsehood by the Word, does not love the world and anchors himself in God through His Word. Purpose of saints spiritual warfare (2 Cor 10: 1-3; Heb. 12:1): To preserve believers from corrupting influences through teaching and practice. To war against false doctrine to reclaim tempted and straying believers back to Jesus. To claim promises for all-round breakthrough and for the expansion of God’s Kingdom. Power of saints’ spiritual weapons (2 Cor 10: 4-6; Zech. 4:6,7): Satan holds sinners bound; spiritual weapons of truth, righteousness, gospel, faith, salvation, the Word and prayer can destroy these strongholds and release the captives. God avenges every disobedience provided we keep on in obedience to Him.

DISCUSSION

QUESTION 1 Mention three Christ-like attributes of Paul the apostle in the text that should characterise all believers. 2 Corinthians 10:1 2 Corinthians 10:2,3

QUESTION 2 Why is it important for saints to be meek and gentle? James 1:21 1 Peter 3:4 Matthew 11:29

QUESTION 3 Briefly comment on the lifestyle of a saintly warrior: Ephesians 4:27 1 John 3:8-10 2 Timothy 2:4

QUESTION 4 Give reasons for Paul’s toughness through letters 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 2 Corinthians 11:2,3

QUESTION 5 (a) Mention some physical weapons Paul could boast of: Acts 22:1-5 Acts 23:6,7 Philippians 3:4-6 (b) Why are these weapons insufficient in spiritual warfare? Ephesians 6:10-13

QUESTION 6 Why is the believer’s obedience an indispensable condition for divine vengeance on the disobedient? 2 Corinthians 10:6

CONCLUSION A saint must be tender and gentle, guard his soul against Satan and his ministers, separate from the world and anchor himself in God’s Word. Spiritual warfare is to preserve believers, war against false doctrine, reclaim the lost for Jesus and claim promises for all-round breakthrough. Satan holds sinners bound but our spiritual weapons can destroy his strongholds and release his captives. God avenges every disobedience when we keep on in obedience to Him.