Men of Wisdom - Wise Spiritual Warfare - Mark 16:15-17

Men of Wisdom-Wise Spiritual Warfare

Subject: Inspiration and insights into wise spiritual warfare
Band of brothers Conference 2013

August 24, 2013

Mark 16:15-17

Reading

• Luke 13:10-13 – woman is bent over by a spirit of infirmity, 18 years
• Mark 16:15-17 – in my name they will drive out demons
• Acts 16:16-18 – Paul tells a spirit of divination to come out of a woman

INTRODUCTION

• Dianne and I were visiting at a church once
• A person came in to the church service, doubled over with pain
• Dianne and I both felt that God wanted us to pray for him to be healed
• So after the service we went to the lead pastor, and asked if it would be ok for us to pray for this person who seemed to be in agony
• We had experience in praying for healing, and in setting people free from bondages
• The pastor was in agreement, so we prayed for the person
• We started by praying asking God to heal him of the source of the pain
• When the pain did not go away, and the person was obviously being tormented, I had to think of the woman who had been tormented by a spirit of infirmity so that she was bent over and could not straighten up – Luke 13:10-13
• I followed this train of thought, and told the spirit of pain that was bending this person double to leave, in the name of Jesus
• There was an obvious reaction, the pain increased.
• Then the battle was on
• Eventually the spirit that caused the pain left, he was able to straighten up and he was totally set free.
• He went around town telling people of how Jesus had marvelously set him free from his pain, as well as from his addiction to methadone and a number of other issues
• This is an example of how Jesus does set people free, even today!
• The subject I have been assigned to speak about is “insights into wise spiritual warfare”

SPIRITUAL WARFARE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

• When people think about spiritual warfare, they often think about sensational television evangelists, or the movie the Exorcist, depending on what they have been watching
• Because of this fear of the unknown, people often do not come for help in this area of life
• Jesus example
• Jesus, however set the example for us in many instances of deliverance in the gospels
• People recognized they had problems and came to him for healing
• Jesus did not disappoint them, they walked away, set free
• Disciples commissioned
• Mark records Jesus command to the disciples: in my name they will drive out demons – Mark 16:15-17
• Verse 20 – they went out, they preached the word, God worked with them and confirmed the word by the signs that accompanied it
• Paul shows how it is done
• Paul illustrates his method for deliverance in Acts 16:16-18
• He basically told the spirit to come out of the woman, and it left

WHY DID JESUS AND THE APOSTLES COMMAND THESE SPIRITS TO LEAVE?

• Today, we set people free, for two main reasons
• 1. If a person is being tormented by a spirit and we have the love and compassion of God in us, we will want that person set free
• We can't stand to allow Satan to have his way with people
• We stand in the gap for this person, and do battle with the enemy, so this person can be released to become all God intends for them!
• 2. The miracle of deliverance testifies to the power of Jesus, and provides an opportunity to present the gospel to this person.
• So many people know the reality of demons, because they see and experience them
• When a person is finally set free from anger, addiction, pornography, pride, self-pity, depression, anxiety or any number of issues, they know Jesus is real and powerful, in a whole new way!

WHAT ARE SOME POINTS OF WISDOM TO THINK ABOUT?

• 1. First of all, take responsibility
• So often we allow our past to determine our future
• We feel sorry for ourselves, we blame others, we have a little pity party
• We can take a stand, today, and decide that our future is going to be different
• Steve was saying last night how addicts are so often blaming everyone but themselves for how they are
• I used to do this too
• I blamed my childhood for the way I was – it was a great crutch, but it kept me where I was, without changing
• When I turned 40, I read something which challenged me to take responsibility for my life
• It woke me up. This was the start of monumental change in my life
• I did not need to stay the way I was
• You can do the same!
• You may have battled against anger or some other issue all your life
• It may have damaged your relationships, and held you back from becoming the man God called you to be
• This can be the day you decide to make a stand
• 2. Seek help
• We are guys
• Guys feel, I can do it alone
• It is part of our macho image
• But if we are going to be real with God, it will take humility
• Recognize when the thing we are battling is not budging, and we need assistance
• 3. Stop sinning

• If we are sinning in particular areas, and thus opening doors so the enemy can come in and torment us, just telling the enemy to go will not solve the issue
• We need to repent of those sins, radically
• Job 42:4-6 I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes
• We humble ourselves so that God can lift us up
• Now, when the spirit is told to leave, it no longer has grounds for staying, and we will be able to keep our deliverance
• 4. Help others
• Once we have been healed, we can become God's agents in passing it on
• A person who has been there is better able to help
• 2 Cor 1:3-4
• Ill. Salvation Army
• If we have had an anger problem, and God has healed us of it, we can help someone else who has anger issues
• If we had a problem with pornography, and we have been set free from that magnetic attachment, which is spiritual bondage, we can now help others be set free
• This is what we were made for
• Not to stay where we are, but be used by God to bring healing into other people's lives
• But the decision is ours
• Are we going to stay as we are, or are we going to be set free, and help others?

CONCLUSION

• 1. Take responsibility
• 2. Seek help
• 3. Stop sinning
• 4. Help others

• This ministry is not for the faint-hearted
• You will need to be filled with the Holy Spirit
• You will need wise counsel, from someone who has experience in this area
• But if God has laid it on your heart to do battle in spiritual warfare, you will experience the joy of people being set free from longstanding torments, like addiction, fear, depression, and anger
• Someone needs to be doing this!
• Is the Lord speaking to you right now, asking “Whom will I send?”
• What is your reply going to be?
• If you want to know more about this ministry, please come and talk

PRAYER