S P I R I T U A L W A R F A R E L E S S O N S I X

Spiritual Warfare
Heart Chat Bible Study
w/Pastor Mike

Tips for the Trenches

Spiritual Warfare Bible Study Instructions and Schedule

A Heart For God Ministries

INSTRUCTIONS Chat takes place on Facebook for 1 hour every Sunday at 4 pm Pacific USA. Web address for chat -> http://www.tinyurl.com/HeartChat-Facebook If you are unable to attend at the chat time, feel free to check out and interact with the chat (via your comments and "likes") when it's convenient. I will check in throughout the week to make sure and respond to you. Study guide for each week will be posted on Facebook the Monday before chat. (For example, the guide for the Sept 30th chat will be posted on Monday, Sept 24.) Read through the study guide for the week and do the exercises to prepare for chat.

SCHEDULE (6 weeks) Sept 30 Introduction to Warfare Oct 7 Oct 14 Oct 21 Oct 28 Nov 4 The Weapons / Battlefield The Enemy The Full Armor of God War Stories Tips for the Trenches

David and Goliath picture in the public domain: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osmar_Schindler_David_und_Goliath.jpg {{PD-US}} published in the US before 1923 and public domain in the US.

Spiritual Warfare eBook Study Guide Lesson 6

A Heart For God Ministries

TIPS FOR THE TRENCHES

THANK YOU Well, we made it, friends. This is the final Spiritual Warfare Study Guide. Thanks for joining me in seeking the Lord on this vital subject. I hope it has been as much a blessing to you as it has been to me. I wanted to leave you with a mini manual of assorted tips that you can use as you move forward from here in your battle and stand for Christ. I expect that there are many things you can (and will be able to) add to my thoughts. The main thing is to keep your eyes on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:2) He promises to finish His good work. (Philippians 1:6)

TRENCH TIP #1 Establish your relationship with God. Read the story of the seven sons of Sceva. (Acts 19:11-17) Your greatest single weapon against the powers of darkness is a relationship with God that is vital and growing. Key Verse: Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:18)

TRENCH TIP #2 Recognize, refuse and resist. (From Dean Sherman in Last Days magazine, pg 19-20) 1. Recognize that you are in a war. (Ephesians 6:12)

The Bible teaches us to be alert, which means to watch. If we watch, well recognize the strategies of the enemy in our lives as well as in society. Do you see a pattern of hurt and rejection in your life [or in the lives of others]? Or perhaps youre bothered by suicidal thoughts, or by the slow deadly escape of dope and booze? Does something always seem to happen to keep your family or church in strife? Look for the enemys strategies and recognize the patterns. (Sherman) 2. Refuse to entertain ungodly thoughts, attitudes and actions. (Sherman refers to this as passive warfare.) Once you recognize what [the devil] is up to, ignore it and avoid it. Turn away and begin to worship the Lord and lift Him up. Refuse to be hurt. Refuse to get angry. Just let it go by. Thats warfare. Nothing defeats the devil faster than ignoring what hes trying to stir up. (Sherman) 3. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7b) (Sherman refers to this as active warfare. Also, the first part of James 4:7 is vital and should not be forgotten: Submit yourselves, then, to God. You cannot resist except you be submitted first.) God wont resist [the devil for you] you have to. Speak to him and say, Devil, I cut off this strategy in Jesus name. Youve been doing this to me for 15 years, but Im on to you and ITS OVER! H may try it six more times, but when youve convinced him that youre convinced of your spiritual authority, he will stop (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9). (Sherman)

TRENCH TIP #3 Be filled with the Holy Spirit. Key Verse: Do not be drunk with wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God. (Ephesians 5:1820a) See Trench Tip #4.

TRENCH TIP #4 Look for spiritual power on the wilderness path. Read the story of Jesus being tempted by the devil. (Luke 4:1-14a) Note how Jesus is filled with the Spirit prior to the temptation. (Luke 4:1a) After the temptation, Jesus is EMPOWERED by the Spirit. (Luke 4:14a) Dont miss this!

TRENCH TIP #5 Beware of pride when you move in power. Key Verse: Master, said John, we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us. Do not stop him, Jesus said, for whoever is not against you is for you. (Luke 9:49) Watch your back! Satan is a master strategist. The disciples were impressed with themselves and their new-found power. So much so, that they allowed the flaming arrow of pride pierce their soul. Notice how they isolate themselves from a brother and criticize him though God is using him (friendly fire!). If Satan cant get you openly, hell get you subtly.

TRENCH TIP #6 Not all your plans are from the Lord. Read the story of David numbering Israel. (1 Chronicles 21:1-27a) Key Verse: Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. (1 Chronicles 21:1) Are you planning to do something? Lay out your plans before God. Never proceed without His direction/confirmation. The ramifications can be devastating.

TRENCH TIP #7 Be aware of the devils schemes. Key Verse: [I]n order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. (2 Corinthians 2:11) Keep a spiritual journal. List the situations and circumstances you are facing. Note the thoughts, attitudes and actions that are generated in you. Consider whether the enemy is involved in some way. Ask God what he (the devil) is up to. Pray for discernment and guidance.

TRENCH TIP #8 Win the battle before it begins.

Become an Alaskan bull moose! (or at least learn a lesson from one). Recently National Geographic ran an article about the Alaskan bull moose. The males of the species battle for dominance during the fall breeding season, literally going headto-head with antlers crunching together as they collide. Often the antlers, their only weapon, are broken. That ensures defeat. The heftiest moose, with the largest and strongest antlers, triumphs. Therefore, the battle fought in the fall is really won during the summer, when the moose eat continually. The one that consumes the best diet for growing antlers and gaining weight will be the heavyweight in the fight. Those that eat inadequately sport weaker antlers and less bulk. There is a lesson here for us. Spiritual battles await. Satan will choose a season to attack. Will we be victorious, or will we fall? Much depends on what we do before the wars begin. The bull moose principle: Enduring faith, strength and wisdom for trials are best developed before theyre needed. (Craig Larson in Leadership; Vol 9, #3)

TRENCH TIP #9 Dont give the devil an opportunity. Key Verse: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. (Ephesians 4:26b-27) Dont let the sun go down on your wrong thoughts, attitudes, deeds; whether its anger, pride, lust, covetousness, etc. Deal with it in the present! Keep short accounts. For example, dont keep making deposits in the bank of unforgiveness (fill in the blank with any other sin). As much as it remains in your power, dont allow others to make multiple deposits on you. If someone wrongs you, then forgive him. That is victorious spiritual warfare. If you wrong someone, confess your sin and repent. That is victorious spiritual warfare. If someone wrongs you and you dont forgive him, then youve given the devil an opportunity. Literally, its as if youve laid down your shield of faith to give the devil a free shot at you with a flaming arrow of bitterness.

TRENCH TIP #10 You may lose a battle along the way, but that doesnt mean youve lost the war. Its the losses in life that make the victories that much sweeter. My dad was the manager of my brother and my baseball team growing up. Our team was the laughingstock of the league. My dad was joked about among the coaches for three

long years. But then in the fourth year, he won it all! He was the champion of the league. :) Dont you ever forget it: Peter denied Christ, but later preached on Pentecost and three thousand got saved. Yes!

TRENCH TIP #11 Live your life with a soldiers mindset. Key Verse: Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:3) The conflicts of this life most often are rough and wearisome. Anticipate and embrace the battles that most assuredly will come your way. Satan means them for your destruction, but God means them for your growth and maturity. Jesus said that in this world we would have tribulation, but to take heart because He has overcome the world. (John 16:33) That goes for spiritual warfare. Because Jesus has overcome, we can as well. Become dedicated to doing your part in the battles of life. Your family is depending on you. Your church is depending on you. The lost are depending on you. Your Lord is depending on you!

TRENCH TIP #12 Apply the blood of Jesus Christ to the doorposts of your house (figuratively speaking!). Read the story of the Passover lamb. (Exodus 12, especially v. 3, 5-7, 12-13) The destroyer passes over those who are under the blood (of Jesus). The enemys plans/tactics are nullified.

TRENCH TIP #13 Test the spirits. Read Johns instruction on how to discern truth from error. (1 John 4:1-6) Key Verse: Now there are a variety of gifts, but the same Spirit. And to another [is given] the distinguishing of spirits. (1 Corinthians 12:4, 10b) Watch out for false prophets, teachers, shepherds. They are rampant in the last days.

TRENCH TIP #14 Be ready to be sifted when you walk out the door! Key Verse: Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. (Luke 22:31) Put your name in the verse instead. Satan will say, So, you think that you know a little bit about spiritual battles, eh? Ill find out about that real quick. Be humble. Confess your sins often. Find somebody that you can trust to be your spiritual warfare partner. Pray for each other.

French troopers using periscope, 1915 cover picture in the public domain: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Periscope_tranch%C3%A9e_fran%C3%A7aise.jpg