Leading During Spiritual Conflict - pt. 3

Biblical Baseline:

1.   Spiritual conflict is a reality.

2.   We are equipped to fight spiritually

3.   The Lord is fully engaged in the battle for us

4.   We should expect to be victorious in spiritual conflict

Ephesians 6:10-13 NIV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 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. 13 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.

The devils schemes.

Our struggle

Its not just people

Armor is need for the intensity of the battle

The goal? – to remain standing.

Review:

Our thought life is a battlefield

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV

Doubt

Temptation – Accusation

Discouragement

This week, let’s look more into the Devils schemes:

1.   Unforgiveness – dangerous to teach and fail to practice. 

 

10 If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven--if there was anything to forgive--I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.  2 Cor 2:10-11 NIV84

2.   We are to forgive one another to receive forgiveness ourselves

14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)

IF – there is a choice when it comes to you forgiving others

BUT – there is a consequence if you do not.  Choice is yours consequences are not your to choose – they are handed out by God himself.

Anger: Strong Feeling of intense displeasure, hostility or indignation as a result of a real or imagined threat, insult, frustration or injustice toward yourself or others important to you.

 

Unforgiveness: The deliberate willful refusal to give up ones resentment and the “right” to get even based on the wrongful thought that somebody needs to pay.

 

Forgiveness: Giving up resentment against someone and your “right” to get even no matter what has been done to us.  It is the surrender of my “right” to hurt you back.

 

Please notice in Matt 6:12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

The word “us” is significant – it is not me, mine, or I – it is us.

Remember:

  • Forgiveness is not forgetting

17 Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” Hebrews 10:17 (NIV)

  • Forgiveness is not an emotion

  • Forgiveness is not easy

  • Forgiveness is not letting the other person off the hook

19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:19 (NIV)

  • Forgiveness is an act of the will

  • Forgiveness is for your benefit

  • Forgiveness is something we are commanded to do

  • Forgiveness is not an issue between you and the other person it is between you and God

11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. John 17:11 (NIV)