Spiritual Self Defense (Mastering the Tactics of Spiritual Warfare) Part 7: Deploy the Double Edged Dominance of God’s Word Chinese Grace Bible Church Pastor Joe Pursch November 7, 2010

Introduction The Reality is that Satan wages a constant campaign to cripple the Christian convictions of every believer, and only God can defeat him. And He will.

Introduction The Realm of every believer’s battle is not at the human level but at a supernatural level of power, organization and wickedness we cannot fully imagine, where only God can win. And He will.

Introduction The Response of every believer is to answer every attack of the enemy with the protective truth of Scripture, which is the only weapon God can use. And He will.

Introduction The Reward for every believer who stands against Satan’s attacks is consistent stability in their mental world and ministry walk, as Satan flees. And he will.

Ephesians 6:17 17And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

1. The First Edge: Remarkable ___________ Identity

Ephesians 6:17 17And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

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

2 Timothy 3: All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

John 17: "I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16"They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17"Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 15Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

2 Corinthians 6:7 7in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,

2. The Second Edge: Real ___________ Impact

Ephesians 6:17 17And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

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

Romans 10:8 8But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"--that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,

Matthew 4:1-11 1Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. 3And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"

5Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU'; and 'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'"

7Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'" 8Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." 10Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'"

11Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.

Revelation 12:11 11"And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.

John 8:32 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

Romans 12:1-3 1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

3For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

Conclusion