WEAPONS OF THE SPIRIT

LESSON 48

INTRODUCTION

Jesus is about to face the full fury of His vicious and hateful adversary. On three separate occasions Satan will test the Lord of glory with one of hells's favorite words-"If." He will do anything to get Jesus to doubt who He is, to doubt the Father's care and to take an easier path than the Cross. Each time Jesus defeats the devil with "It is written" (Matthew chapter 4) as He uses the Word of God-in context-to resist Satan's lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life. The doomed king of hell is forced to retreat, as he always does, in the face of superior firepower.

CHRIST'S BLUEPRINT FOR YOU

Jesus' handling of Satan is more than an account of His earthly experiences. It is a blueprint for you and me in our own battles against the tempter. He knows you and where you are most vulnerable. And he waits-even patiently-for the moment to pounce. He can even make sin appear as mere human weakness to be excused, unless you know better because you live deep in the Scriptures. Your most valuable possession on earth is not your home, bank account, safe deposit box or whatever else. It's your Bible-God's very words to guide you through every struggle you will encounter and every sin Satan will place before you. Read and believe all of the Word. Memorize much of the Word. Apply the Word in your daily walk. And, like Jesus, quote the Word loud and clear when Satan draws near. It is one of our weapons of the Spirit along with four other spiritual weapons we will discover.

GOD'S WORD IS YOUR MIRROR

In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, the Holy Spirit, through Paul, wants to make us ready for a fight against the devil and his temporary dominion. The finish of evil; the triumph of justice; the reign of righteousness. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh" (v. 3). Don't look in a mirror that merely reflects your weak skin. Start looking into the mirror of God's Word that reflects His powerful Spirit within you. Then God tells us that our weapons are not "physical (weapons of flesh and blood), but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds" (v. 4 Amplified). Talk about "super-weapons". We have them! I shall just list the top five of these devil-conquering, temptation-defeating super-weapons.

THE WEAPONS

1. THE NAME OF JESUS…when used, brings demonic forces into subjection and surrender (Luke 10:17). "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name".

2. THE WORD OF GOD…causes Satan himself to flee in terror (Matthew 4:4-11). "But he answered and said, 'It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.' Then the devil took him up into the holy city, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, And said to him, 'If you be the Son of God, cast yourself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning you; and in their hands they shall bear you up, lest at any time you dash your foot against a stone.' Jesus said to him, 'It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord your God.' Again, the devil took him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them; And said to him, 'All these things will I give you, if you will fall down and worship me.' Then said Jesus unto him, 'Get you hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shall you serve.' Then the devil left him, and, behold angels came and ministered to him."

3. THE BLOOD OF JESUS…when confessed and applied, allows no satanic penetration (Revelation 12:11). "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death."

4. THE SPIRIT OF GOD…whom no evil force can withstand (Zechariah 4:6). "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts."

5. THE FAITH OF JESUS…believes and confesses God's Word as true in the face of

"impossible" circumstances (Galatians 2:20). "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live, yet not I: but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

HOW IT WORKS

The name of Jesus, when used in prayer and intercession, can demolish the strongest of satanic fortresses-and break the devil's hold over the minds of men. The blood of the Son of God can cleanse the worst sin and turn sinners into redeemed saints. And the power, signs and wonders done by the mighty Spirit of God can destroy imaginations-"arguments, theories, reasonings, and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the true knowledge of God…" (v. 5 Amplified Bible) that have forged the chains holding those who are lost-including your unsaved loved ones.

Accept the fact that you are at war until the Lord comes for you or calls you to Himself. Fight the good fight by using your weapons in prayer in resisting Satan and in binding the forces of darkness. Luke 10:19 is God's promise for you: "Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

ONE DAY AT A TIME

Determine to learn this warfare and concentrate on your armor one day at a time. Remember the saying, "Yard by yard, it's too hard; inch by inch, it's a cinch!" Those early believers had to learn this warfare just as you do. You might envy them because they attended the Lord's on-the-road Bible school for three years. Yet they would probably envy us. They did not have the indwelling Teacher, the Holy Spirit, nor the Father's written instructions we call the New Testament. And what is better-having Christ with you for three years, or in you for a lifetime?!

THE AUTHORITY

Now Jesus tells you as He told them: "Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you" (Luke 10:19). He is now telling you of the real world-that of the spiritual, invisible and eternal. And the armor, weapons and authority He bestowed on the early church have now been placed in you. Paul knew it was not who he was-but who was within him.

That same delegated authority is yours, but you must always remember from where that authority comes. When a 150 pound policeman stretched out his hand to stop traffic, a 250 pound driver brought his semi to a sudden halt. The officer's small stature did not matter; only the power of the state behind that badge. It is the same with you and the authority of the Kingdom of God which you represent. Your "badge" has at least five points called His Name, His Word, His Blood, His Spirit and His Faith. That badge is to be a sign to others that God is still at work in this world.

Like Paul, you and I will use God's authority, but we will never gloat or glory in it. Our rejoicing will be centered in one incredible fact of grace-"your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20)!