Introduction

As a child of God we must understand that our Heavenly Father is Faithful. He is motivated beyond mortal motives to bring us to a place of completion in Him and make us the best person we can possibly be. One of the many things He does as He deals with us in our Christian life is to prepare us for battle and develop our potential to the greatest degree possible. On the other hand, satan is totally evil. Jesus gives us satan’s job description in John 10:10 when He says, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.”We are engaged in a battle with the enemy and his dark forces; engaged in hand to hand combat on a daily basis. The enemy is fighting for the fervency of our faith.

To better understand how to prepare for the battle we must understand our God. Let’s look at the attributes of God that He has revealed about Himself in His Word to this point in time.

  1. ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

GOD IS:

  1. SPIRIT-not human or held to our limitations. Not just a spirit but the Father of all. John 4:24
  2. HOLY-He has never been touched by sin.Psalm 99:9, Lev. 11:44,45, 1 Pet. 1:16
  3. ETERNAL-He has always existed.Rev. 1:8; 22:13, Deut. 33:27, Gen. 21:33, Psalm 106:48
  4. OMNIPRESENT-everywhere at once. Rev. 4:8
  5. OMNISCIENT-all knowing.Rom. 16:27, 1 Tim. 1:17, Jude 1:25
  6. OMNIPOTENT-all mighty.Gen. 17:1; 35:11, Rev. 1:8
  7. TRUTH-He never, ever lies. 2 Sam. 7:28, Jer. 10:10, Deut. 32:4
  8. JUST-100% fair in His actions with us. Deut. 32:4, Isa 45:1
  9. RIGHTEOUS-totally good. Ezra 9:15,
  10. LIFE-he isn’t just alive…He is Life.John 1:4; 14:6
  11. LOVE-He is the most loving personality in the universe.1 John 4:8; 3:16
  12. FAITHFUL-absolutely trustworthy.Deut. 7:9, Psalm 89:8, 1 Cor. 1:9; 10:13
  13. MERCIFUL-beyond human comprehension.Deut. 4:31, Neh. 9:17, Psalm 116:5
  14. UNCHANGEABLE-James 1:17
  15. SOVEREIGN-absolute supreme ruler. But His Sovereignty is in complete harmony with His other attributes. God never steps out of character in any one of His attributes.

GODS ATTRIBUTES NEVER GET OUT OF BALANCE AND HE NEVER ACTS OUT OF CHARACTER.

For this reason we can trust and have confidence in God’s judgment concerning our lives. He will ALWAYS do what is best for us. He is totally wise, good and just. His love for us is beyond our understanding it is so great and He is absolutely trustworthy. So why would anyone ever want to disregard His leading and advice in their lives? Now, let’s look at what the Bible reveals to us about the character of the devil.

  1. ATTRIBUTES OF THE DEVIL

THE DEVIL IS:

  • A liar. John 8:44A murderer. John 8:44A sower of discord. Matt 13:27, 28
  • An adversaryCunning. Eph. 6:11Wicked. Matt. 13:19, 38
  • Totally evilCowardlyA tempter. Matt. 4:3, 1 Thess. 3:5
  • A thief. John 10:10Without principleProud
  • DeceitfulFierce and cruelAggressive
  1. COMPARISON

As we compare these two lists of attributes we see in high definition the vast difference in our God and the devil. Understand that the devil is not a negative God but he is a fallen angel. As a result of the fall he did not become more powerful but his influence and power was diminished. Sin ALWAYS weakens whatever it touches. Are we stronger or weaker after we have sinned? Just because he was Lucifer does not nullify the fact that he is nothing now compared to what he was when he was created perfect(Ezek. 28:15). However, if we get into the works of the flesh he is powerful because that is his playground.

Why does it seem like the enemy is so powerful in this world?

Some of the works of the devil are: sin, sickness, fear, depression, murder, temptation, deception, lust and rebellion. But 1 John 3:8 informs us, “for this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil.” Now, in the Name of Jesus, we have victory over the devil and his works because Jesus made them of no effect.

Are sickness, fear, depression, murder, temptation, deception, lusts, and rebellion byproducts of no faith?

  1. OPENED DOORS

Now let’s look at a very important truth in spiritual warfare. Paul lets us know that we are the determining factor in whether the devil can operate in our life or not. Eph. 4:27 says, “neither give place to the devil.” When we allow openings in our spiritual life the devil feels he has the right to take advantage of us in those specific territories. If we keep the doors closed he can’t do what he would like to do(James 4:7).

What are opened doors? How are they opened? How are they closed? Is every opened door negative?

The Bible introduces us to the open door principle in Genesis 4:7 when the Lord said to Cain, “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.” God told Cain that satan was crouched at his doorway, waiting to leap into his life. Cain had the choice but he made the wrong choice and satan led him into the murder of his brother, Abel.

What door was opened in Cain’s life? What sin followed after the door was opened?

Sin is progressive. One thing leads to another until we find ourselves in big trouble. For that reason we must learn to close those doors and keep them closed before they develop into something harmful.

Name one sin that can lead to another, explain.

  1. WHAT ARE SOME OPEN DOORS?

LINEAGE-Inherited weaknesses[Generational Curses] from our family lineage is an area that we should examine closely. Our ancestors may have done things we are completely unaware of that can still affect us today. Ex. 20:5; 34:7; Lam. 5:7.

Can Christians live under a generational curse?Why or why not?

CRISIS-An emotional or physical crisis can leave doors open that we must go back and close so the enemy will not continue to hassle us in that part of our life. unforgiveness, family secrets, death, trauma. This opened door springs forth fruit of anxiety, mistrust, selfishness, etc.

Name a crisis and the door that can be opened by it.

IGNORANCE-ignorance to the Word can leave openings in our defenses that are devastating. If you don’t know your rights as a child of God how can you defend yourself? 2 Cor. 2:11, Hos. 4:6, Mt. 18:18-20

Why is ignorance such a powerful tool when used by the enemy?

RAPE/MOLESTATION-These horrible acts work to distort the mind, body, and spirit of victim in a way that the enemy is sometimes able to hold over them long after the incident is over.

What door can be opened by having been raped/molested?

ALCOHOLISM/DRUG ABUSE-alcoholism and drug abuse works to keep the victim in an alternate state of mind whereby they are not able to soberly hear from and serve God in Spirit and in truth. Intoxicants (spirits) don’t just damage the body they also damage the mindset of a person.

How does alcohol and drugs abuse affect you and your spiritual walk with God?

SEXUAL PERVERSION-the power of sexual perversion is that the guilt of that sin diminishes until it feels normal to engage in sexually perverse acts (pornography, masturbation, unnatural stimulus). Sex creates soul ties and unholy covenants. It is not just physical, it is also spiritual.

What kind of doors do soul ties open up in the life of the person dealing with it?

WITCHCRAFT-witchcraft covers a wide scope of thoughts and actions. It can be as miniscule as rebellion and as major as divination. There are many acts that are considered to be acts of witchcraft (pyschics, palm readers, astrologers, old wives fables, chants, and roots.

FEAR-Fear is the root, but it springs forth leaves of….phobias, torment, horrors, nightmares, terrors, fear of man, fear of death, distrust, anxiety, doubt, etc. Bind: the spirit of fear. Loose: love, power, and a sound mind. 2 Tim. 1:7

Can faith and fear operate at the same time in a person? Why or why not?

  1. PUT ON YOUR ARMOR

Eph. 6:10-18-Recognize your enemy. Put on the armor of God. Don’t sit around feeling sorry for yourself. We know we are not fighting human personalities but satan and his henchmen. That’s why God tells us to “resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Resisting isn’t enough though, we need to know what the Word says in order to properly arm ourselves with the sword of the Spirit.

II Tim. 2:15 says “study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” When we are grounded in God’s Word and find ourselves in battle with the enemy, we will have no question about who we are fighting, what the procedure is to defeat him and by whose authority we will gain the victory.

  1. FAITH IS THE KEY

The reason we need a good Bible based church home is because “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Rom. 10:17. We can’t get away from the Word because it’s the cornerstone of our faith. Our power source is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word. When we fully understand this principle we are ready to begin applying Matthew 18:18 (read).

  1. OUR PART IS TO PREPARE!

Rom. 13:12-14 (read). Positive action is required. Wake up, walk honestly, and put off the works of darkness. Remember that Paul is writing here to a Christian body of believers, not pagans. These believers were into works of darkness. Some of them were still hanging on to past sins. But through the Word we see that we must cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.