It’s War

by Pastor Bob Rasmussen

This morning I would like to talk a little about spiritual warfare. There may be some folks here or watching us online that might hear that term “spiritual warfare” and be what is that? Let me be clear what I don’t think it is.
The enemy is not behind every bad thing that happens in our lives – I am NOT giving him that much power, amen? We live in a fallen world with a bunch of messy people living in it. If someone cuts you off while driving, do we need to “I rebuke you Satan in the name of Jesus!” Or if I get a flat tire do I whip out the: “Flat tire! I bind you in the name of Jesus and loose the healing power of air!” Not every bad thing that happens is enemy driven, BUT some bad things that happen ARE from the enemy and we need to understand that. Pastor Jeff shared some scripture from Ephesians last week and I am going to start there as well.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

This is God’s power through us, amen? It’s not about how strong you or I are, it’s about how strong He is.
It is not based on our earthly resources or earthly powers to defeat the enemy. God offers us everything we need for life and godliness with the power within us, the Holy Spirit.

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

We are greater than the enemy because we are in Christ and Christ is greater than the enemy and that enemy is defeated because of Jesus. That is the power of Jesus in us, hallelujah and amen!

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

This is the Word of God saying this, not just me. But, there are strategies and plans that the devil has set up to get us off course, to get you and me to say yes to things that are going to steal, kill, and destroy from our lives.
And I do notice that the word does not say a single plan, it says wiles which is plural. The word wiles in the Greek sounds something like METHODEIA. The word in my dictionary says it means scheming, craftiness, strategy
That word strategy tells me that this is actually, a form of war, where there is a plan for defeat, for conquering
But thank You Lord that you have given us the ability to stand against every strategy that the enemy sends our way. There is not one strategy, plan, or attempt of the enemy that God hasn’t already given you the power and the ability to withstand and overcome. Amen.

Ephesians 6:12 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. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

And so the bible is telling us very clearly that there is a spiritual battle, that there is spiritual warfare. There are weapons and there is armor that God has given His people to use to fight these battles. Now there are some people that do not believe there is an enemy, that there is no battling that needs to be done. You know who loves that? The enemy. It makes his job, Satan’s job, easier. But the Word here is telling us very clearly, opening our eyes to the reality of an unseen enemy of designs and strategies, and attacks whose goal is to what? It’s here in this scripture:

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

So this morning I am reminding myself and encouraging all of us that we should do what God has called us to do, to resist what the enemy is doing.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

As I alluded to earlier, there are 2 extremes in conversations about spiritual warfare. One is that everything is spiritual warfare. Like I said, we live in a fallen world. Sometimes people are just being…people. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Sometimes, stuff just happens.

But there is also the other extreme, that everything that happens is natural. Nothing is of the enemy; nothing is spiritual warfare. I think the Word of God is telling us that there must be a balance, a discernment if you will.
The devil is a cunning enemy, but God is greater.

In Revelations 12, we can see that the enemy, a Red Dragon, brought down with him a 1/3 of the stars. If what I read, and Jeff is more of an authority on this, but if I read my commentary right that would mean the angels that followed Satan in his rebellion. So if he can persuade angels, we need to be aware that he has some strategies and plans. I think it is a very dangerous position to be in when we think in the flesh that we are too smart to be deceived, or I am too smart. I am very comfortable to share that I need help, that I can be vulnerable. I do not know everything, and that is a fact.

I was working on these systems the last 2 weeks at various grocery stores, PIC – the technology is called Gatekeeper, and what it does is monitor shopping carts and if people are trying to steal something or even steal the actual cart, the green light will start strobing, and there is an audible alarm, and the cart has a wheel that will be sent a signal and it will lock, and you can’t move the cart. We do not have all that technology in us, but we do have something else, something better, and that is the Holy Spirit.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

The Holy ghost is our gatekeeper. He can help us know when we should say no. He lets us know when we should say stop in your tracks! Danger! Now I would love to tell you that every time in my life, I listened to the Holy Spirit, there are times when I most assuredly said, nah, I’m not listening to you. And the results were – what’s the word – disastrous. But we do have a powerful helper in the spiritual battles we will be in, amen. That Holy Ghost power is available 24×7, everyday of our lives – if we will just submit to it. And do not mistake me, I, we should not be afraid of the devil.

Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Verse 15 from the Amplified says it like this:
15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities [those supernatural forces of evil operating against us], He made a public example of them [exhibiting them as captives in His triumphal procession], having triumphed over them through [i]the cross.

Jesus took our record of sin, our transgressions by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed, the greatest weapon that the enemy had. He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. I think it’s wonderful that the Bible puts a lot of emphasis on the unseen realm of rulers. Sometimes we’re only looking at the physical flesh world.
I am not going to talk politics this morning, but all we have to do is look around and see how evil is becoming more prevalent and accepted in this world.

And we see people in positions of authority or power. But the Bible isn’t really concerned about those individuals, because there’s a spirit behind them. There are principalities and powers behind them that are more ancient and more powerful than the ones we see in the natural, which is why our weaponry can get right behind the scheming happening behind closed doors and get right into the spirit realm, which is calling those shots that we see in the physical.

That’s why all time that we spend in prayer is important. Because that time in prayer is the entry point into those spirit realms. That is where we can release the Word and power of God into those places. Isn’t it awesome? It’s like Wayne’s rocket mower (PIC) catapulting us into the heavenlies! The enemies radar cannot find or stop it, and all of a sudden God’s Word is released into a place or into a situation.

So now when we engage in spiritual warfare, it’s not us trying to defeat the enemy, he’s already defeated. It’s us enforcing the victory that Jesus already purchased on the cross. This is not a battle that we have to win. It’s a battle that we have to stand on and for the moment stand in. And let us not forget the power of praying in tongues, I think this is so important.

Luke 12:12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

When you are facing something and you do not know what to say or pray, it is OK, because our helper will lead us what to pray. When we pray in tongues we are interceding and submitting to the Will of God.

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

We serve and great, mighty, powerful God – he will help us pray! And just because your doing things right, you are walking directly in the will of God, the enemy can and will still try to attack.

I just shared some of the scripture about Paul and Silas in the prison 2 weeks ago. They were doing good things, sharing the word of God, and then casting that demon out, and what happened – a 2 week vacation, all expenses included? A big financial bonus? Extra fishes and loaves? Nope, they were arrested and thrown in prison. We often have a bigger target on our back when we are working for the Kingdom of God, so we need to have our eyes open!

Some attacks can be experienced as temptation. The thing that started this whole mess in the beginning of the bible. Temptation can be greed. The temptation of self-centeredness. Temptation of craving more to possess more of whatever it is.

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

The Bible actually brings these temptations into 3 categories. The lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These are areas we need to be mindful of and aware of in our walk with God. Some other ways to say that is if you have an unhealthy desire for food, an unhealthy desire for sex, or an unhealthy desire for attention. These are all warning signs. Or it may be constantly seeking the approval of others, rather than standing on our identity in Christ. Maybe it’s money. Money in and of itself, is not bad. But if it is how you measure your life and all you want is more and more, that’s when it becomes a problem. When we make money our God, and our pursuit of it is more than our desire for God in our lives.

Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Being self-centered and focusing only on yourself, arrogance – all of these are some things that the enemy will use. But fear not my friends when the enemy tries to tempt you away from God.

1 Corinthians 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

We can take comfort and be confident that Jesus will help us when the enemy tries to tempt us – His Word declares it, amen? I think that there can also be an attack from the enemy with oppression. Have you ever walked into a place – it might be work, or a school, or even a church, and you just feel that heaviness just kind of weighing on your spirit? I know that I have and I do not like it at all.

I remember a service here in this very church, where it seemed almost palpable – and Pastor Jeff felt it as well. And rather than let it hang around, he did what we all should do. He acknowledged it, he prayed and preached the Word of God. And I felt it was removed through everyone’s prayer and praise by the end of the service, that’s warfare. Praying, preaching and believing the Word of God, amen? The problem with that kind of attack if you will, is that it can get familiar. Especially if you are alone, or not with other believers. When things have not been going well and that thing moves in we start to believe, we start to say “well that is just the way it is”. There’s nothing else I can do. But there is, because it is war!

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

You are not alone, and please, if you ever need prayer, please let us know! Sometimes attacks do come from people. I know, shocking, isn’t it? They can be accusatory, judgmental, and critical. Anyone ever had someone like that in your life? I know that I have. Some of the stuff coming out of people’s mouth, but sometimes it’s not really the person. It’s something inside of them, behind them. And they just consistently try to make you or perhaps what God’s doing, they consistently bring it down to try to make you feel small. To make you feel weak. Helpless, it’s the spirit trying to intimidate, to make you cower, to make you quit, to shut you up. And they just keep hammering you and trying to diminish what you’re doing for the Kingdom. Trying to make you quit. Are you hearing me? Trying to make you feel helpless? Where you’re even beginning to question even that call of God. But remember, it’s war!

Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

And what about mind games? They can attack anyone. Israel, in Numbers Chapter 13, they are told by the Lord to go get that promised land – they had been freed from Egypt, they see God’s Fire at night and His Cloud by day. Goodness gracious, they saw the sea parted and their enemies literally drowned in front of their very eyes.
After all of this, they go and take a peak at the promise of God, and all of a sudden, they say, “we’re like grasshoppers”. We can’t do it, it is not possible. Really? God is right there with them, literally holding their hands, and all of sudden – let’s go back to oppression, let’s go back to slavery and let’s go back to nothingness – we are just grasshoppers. Really? Did that come from God? I don’t think so.

Have you ever been like that, you took a peak at the promise of God, and your like that promise sounds good, but no, I am not ready. That promise sounds great, but I am not good enough. That promise sounds phenomenal, but no, it will be too hard. Mind games, the enemies greatest weapon. But God’s weapons are greater. Because it is war!

Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

If it is a promise from Jesus, go for it! Trust Him more than your own mind and confidence. And tell all those other voices to get out, in the mighty, powerful, healing, joyous name of Jesus! I think one of the greatest wiles of the enemy is to remind me, or us, perhaps about our past. Even as I was thinking and pondering this message, out of nowhere, it just seemed like I had this feeling of judgement and unforgiveness for myself about some things in my past. I know I did not want to think about it, but it was just this push of condemnation, and it seemed overwhelming. I was actually kind of taken by surprise – could it be that was from somewhere else – indeed! So I reminded myself of something, because it’s war!

Psalm 103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

The enemy is defeated, but He will try to take the victory out of your life and beat you down with guilt, remorse, and sadness. If it is under the blood, it is under the blood, amen? And Jesus was tempted by the devil, so should we not expect some of the same? Jesus had to deal with demons and casting them out, so perhaps we should be wise enough to know we may have too as well. So did the apostles, so maybe – it is war.

Jesus had to deal with some very critical people that did not want the Kingdom of God, as Jesus wanted it – the Pharisees, supposedly holy people that loved God, yet they plotted against Jesus and succeeded in killing him – maybe we will have to deal with people like that in our life as well.
I had another job recently, for a company that provides Smart Gateways for large venues. Their name is Xtract ONE. Cool technology – describe – detected my brackets on my ribs. I worked on several to get them setup at the Baird Center in Milwaukee, where the some of the RNC is slated to take place.

I was asked to go back to repair 4 of them. Everything was going fine until literally the last unit. There was a bolt, I could not get loose. I asked a couple construction guys to help me, and they could not do it either. We actually broke this screwdriver, which I had just gotten. My Dewalt was not doing anything at all. They said I needed a breaker bar, which I did not have. So I ordered one. Actually 3, it came in a set.

I also thought, well, maybe, I needed more power from a drill. I got a Milwaukee 18Volt not too long ago, so I brought it to the party. I also grabbed my newer set of sockets, there had to be more power with these, right? Bits, more bits, I brought those as well. I got it all in my backpack and trudged up to the site. Well, the breaker bars were the wrong size. The drill? Worthless, it would not fit in the space with the bit I had.

All the sockets did was add another 5 pounds to my backpack. Same with stupid bits. I was frustrated. My car was 3 blocks away, it was super-hot, and I had to get to another job, so what did I do? I prayed. I then looked in my backpack for the 5th time and the tool that solved my problem. It was this hex wrench – the simplest of tools.

I bring this up for 2 reasons. The first is that when looking at spiritual warfare, there are lots of folks that want to sell you a book, a course, or an opportunity. The reality to me in this example, is sometimes the best tool, the most powerful tool, the tool is already in our backpack of faith, the Bible.

Working with the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God, and prayer – it’s all right there. And when Jesus was tempted in the desert, how did He answer every question from the enemy? With scripture, the Word of God. And we can apply the Word. Even with a broken screwdriver.

Secondly, I remember listening to a pastor preach a sermon one time and He shared that there were a lot of things that were happening in his life as he was building a ministry. His wife was continually getting sick, and they were just kind of trudging through when He felt the Lord say hey, you need to pray. This is not normal, wake up. We need to be aware of everything that is going on in the physical and the spiritual. I need to wake up and grab that Word.

It is so easy for me to accept what is going on in my health and others health that I forget there may be something else at work. And I think it would be appropriate right now to pray for everyone here in church this morning that may dealing with sickness, maybe depression, maybe pain, whatever it is. Like pastor Mike says, Get your filthy stinking hands off of my family, our church family.

Jesus, Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Our Savior, our undefeated one. We come to you this morning with gratitude and thankfulness. Lord, I ask that any and all attacks of the enemy be bound in this very moment in the powerful name of Jesus. I bind sickness, I bind mental issues like depression and schizophrenia, I bind pain, knee pain, hip pain, nerve pain, all of it. I bind digestive issues/ Lord, you know all of it and I bind it all in your precious name.

We loose healing in this place, we loose freedom that you have paid for, we loose your grace and mercy here, in this moment, this very morning. We loose your absolute love, and by your stripes, we are healed, in Jesus Name. In the mighty name of Jesus. If there is anyone that wants to add anything, please jump in, let’s pray for a moment. Amen!