Spiritual Warfare

Murder and Entertainment!


 

THE FASCINATION WITH MURDER

Murder is on the increase, not only with those who physically commit such crimes, but also those who are transfixed with their details. Many video games and apps, news reports, and television programs all have one thing in common — exploiting murder! Our world has a curiosity, fascination, and even a love affair with the “how’s” and “whys” of murder. We are being fed a steady diet of crime, served up in as many ways as possible to make the viewing and hearing about killing palatable. Murder is a heinous crime that can capture the attention of its listeners and viewers. For those taken in by the sensationalism, at some point murder goes beyond “news”. The news has the ability to feed on the psyche and can become as addictive as any powerful drug. This is a trick of an enemy!

THE EFFECTS OF MURDER ON A SOCIETY

Many know the account of Samson who was fascinated with Delilah’s ways. After Sampson’s hair was cut, he thought he had the strength he once had to fight. He found out at the critical time he didn’t have that strength at all. Likewise, one cannot be consistently curious about murder and think it doesn’t have any negative affect on them mentally and spiritually (Mt. 24:12). The Bible states: “We know that anyone born of God does not keep on sinning; the One who was born of God protects him, and the evil one cannot touch him. We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one.” – I John 5:19 – Berean Study Bible

Copycat killings usually start with one who is intrigued by another’s murder(s). The intrigued person eventually “acts out” what has been sown in their heart. We should stay away from anything that is wicked — and our hearts are desperately wicked (Jer. 17:9). We should also know that we haven’t experienced the utter depths of where our hearts can lead us. (“Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” – Prov. 4:23/GNT.) A person who is “saved” is not immune from being caught up in the spirit of murder — which is usually in some form of news or entertainment through means of broadcasting. People can be subject to this spirit, whether saved or unsaved (James 4:2; I John 3:14-15). Great spirits from history have a way of returning and affecting masses of people. We see these following accounts in the Bible. During Noah’s day the earth at that time was given over to violence (Gen. 6:13). The apostle Paul noticed that the city of Athens was given over to a similar spirit, which was idolatry (Acts. 17:16). The prophet Hosea took a wife from the land of Israel that was given over to idolatry and adultery. Habakkuk complained of the wide-spread violence of his day (Hab. 1:1-3). History has a way of coming back to repeat itself.

The first murder in the Bible was broadcast for the purpose of showing how dark sin really is, but we see the insatiable drawing power murder has to consume all who are given over to its spell — from those who commit actual crimes to those who are drawn in by the details.

Stay away from murder!

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The Fight of Your Life


I do not fight like a boxer who hits nothing but air.
(I Cor. 9:26)

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You are fighting a real opponent! It doesn’t matter if you are a teen or an adult! (In a sense, the battle starts in the womb and continues on until we become old and breathe our last breath!) Your opponent cares nothing about the fact that you may be weak, female, or elderly. Satan’s powers at work fight to destroy impoverished people as well as the rich. No one is exempt from fighting. If we don’t fight we become defeated! But, so many people are ill-prepared for spiritual war (Eph. 6:11-18)! They haven’t learned how to fight spiritually. They don’t have a working knowledge of the scriptures and they don’t have an intimate relationship with the Lord. Millions who do not pray are left defenseless! So many have not exercised themselves in spiritual warfare, and as a result, they are left vulnerable to an enemy who fights to destroy families, kill dreams, and suggests defeat, as well as suicide as a way of an escape.

We can use the apostle Paul as an example of overcoming and fighting until the end. Here are his words: “I have fought a good fight…I have kept the faith” (II Tim. 4:7).

The scriptures below can be used for spiritual warfare:

  1. “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
  2. “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
  3. “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” 1 Pet. 5:8-9
  4. “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord.” Is. 54:17
  5. “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Eph. 6:11-17
  6. “In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Rom. 8:37
  7. So be careful. When you think you are standing firm, you might fall. You are tempted in the same way all other human beings are. God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted any more than you can take. But when you are tempted, God will give you a way out. Then you will be able to deal with it. I Cor. 10:12-13
  8. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 15:57
  9. “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thess. 3:3
  10. “Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom. 12:21
  11. “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Tim. 6:12
  12. “,,,On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matt. 16:18
  13. “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Is. 40:31
  14. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” Rom. 8:31
  15. “You are tempted in the same way all other human beings are. God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted any more than you can take. But when you are tempted, God will give you a way out. Then you will be able to deal with it. I Cor. 10:13.
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Cares!


Casting all your care upon Him; for he cares for you.
 (I Peter 5:7)

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Those who have feelings of anxiety often feel like there is no hope and no one understands — and there is no one to help them come out of what they are experiencing in that moment. People with anxiety can often feel overwhelmed with thoughts of what other people’s opinions are about them.  Those with anxiety may even be worried about the future or something else that is unfolding in their lives.

GOD IS THE ANSWER TO ANXIETY! David had feelings of anxiety, but he learned how to overcome his fears. He said in Psalms 61:2-3, “From the most remote place of the earth, I will call to you, when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower from the enemy” (NHEB). The enemy is expert at trapping unsuspecting souls, but it is written: “Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Ps. 124:7-8).

There are solutions to life that we don’t have and questions about life that we can’t answer. God is there to give solutions and to answer questions. He will amaze you with His problem-solving and answers! He has the ability to take the most complex situation in our lives and turn it around for our good! What a mighty God we serve! He will never leave or forsake us; He proves Himself time and time again!

Can’t you hear Jesus’ words to Martha: “But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things” (Luke 10:41 – ESV).  Like Martha’s sister, Mary, there are times when we are to put away the details and come sit at Jesus’ feet! We are to cast all our cares on Him. He cares for us! This day has enough to deal with, so don’t give undue thought about tomorrow, but seek God’s kingdom (Matt. 6:33-34). We are not to be anxious about anything, but our cares should be given over to Jesus as we pray (Phil. 4:6-7).

He that has ears to hear, let him hear!

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Fighting Our Enemies!


ICEA – “Church At Study”

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers against the
rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places

 

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Would you like to offer a seminar, training, group discussion, or panel discussion on spiritual warfare? Use our template to just fill in presenters’ names; everything else has been supplied with this simple handout.

 

Here are the topics:

Presenter #1 – Fighting to be Faithful
Presenter #2 – Fighting in Stressful Times
Presenter #3 – Fighting in Senior Years
Presenter #4 – Fighting the Enemy of Fear
Presenter #5 – Fighting for Our Children
Presenter #6 – Fighting the Enemy of Our Past
Presenter #7 – Fighting as a Man
Presenter #8 – Fighting as a Woman
Presenter #9 – Fighting and Knowing Your Enemy

CLICK BELOW FOR HANDOUT:

Fighting Our Enemies (blank form)

 

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Tis the Season for Forgiving!


Then said Jesus, Father, forgive
them; for they know not what they do.
And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
(Luke 23:34)

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Does the holidays have you stressed out because you don’t seem to have much to give?  Why don’t you give someone a wonderful gift this holiday season that may be valued more than money? Give forgiveness! This great gift that you have can, no doubt, bring joy to some troubled soul today. You may very well have the power to release someone of past offenses done to you or levelled at you. Release them and in turn, release yourself. You may find it to be the best gift you ever gave.

It is true that some people don’t accept gifts to well, but still give it in the spirit that Christ would (St. John 1:11). All of us have given quality gifts we thought people would like only to find it didn’t suit them, and that’s okay…but, give anyway!

There has never been a better time when Christmas and Easter come together so beautifully. We celebrate both Christ’s birth and resurrection as well as reflect on His death. His birth is a season for giving. His death is a time we reflect on Him giving himself for those who humiliated and wronged Him. They planned and schemed. They lied in wait for Him and finally, beat and put Him to death. Here is a quote from Luke 23;34, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.” In His humility, Christ was a VICTIM who became the world’s greatest OVERCOMER (Phil. 2:8-9)! He gave to those who hurt Him the most. His example is the true spirit of giving this holiday season!

Why don’t you, by the Spirit of the Lord, call someone and tell them you are sorry for what happened in the past and ask for forgiveness or maybe you need to tell them you forgive them. These make great gifts this time of year!

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