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Effective Discipleship Through Academics, Service & Missions.4 THE DISCIPLE’S SPIRITUAL LIFESUGGESTED READING “Celebration of of Discipline” by Robert Foster The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer“Engaging the Enemy,” “Prayer Shield,” “Breaking Strongholds in Your City,” by C. PeterWagnerSPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run,but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. Andeveryone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it toobtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I runthus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But Idiscipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached toothers, I myself should become disqualified.1.Spiritual disciplines, when done with the correct motive canopen the door to personal freedom. It is possible to turndisciplines into laws of legalistic “righteousness,” which resultsin death, especially when superimposed upon others. ThePharisees were masters at external righteousness (Matthew5:20). Everybody thinks of changing humanity and nobody thinks of changinghimself. - Leo Tolstoy2. Outward behavior alone changes us. In Romans 12:1-2 it is clear that as we offerourselves to God He changes our thinking, which changes our behavior, and transformation occurs!Christian disciplines are intended to enhance our relationship with the Lord and this begins withan internal transformation.3. In this lesson we will look at the Christian disciplines of: Prayer Praise and worship Cleansing and renewal Spiritual warfare and prayer walkingDiscipleship Development is a ministry of Christian Life Center, A Foursquare Church9085 California Avenue, Riverside, CA 92503 951-689-6785 www.discipleshipdevelopment.org Jack & Jane Lankhorst, PastorsChristian Life Center Discipleship Institute
THE DISCIPLINE OF PRAYER Whenever God gets ready to do something new in the earth, He always sets His people to praying. - Dr. J. Edwin OrrThe ones who have most fully illustrated Christ in their character, and have most powerfully affected the world for Himhave been those who spend much time with God as to make it a notable feature in their lives. - E.M. BoundsGod shapes the world the world by prayer and prayers outlive the lives of those who uttered them - E.M. BoundsPRAYER IS.1.Prayer is a dialogue based upon our of God. Effective prayer is aprocess of knowing God over time. Exodus 33:12-14; Hebrews 5:142. Prayer matures our and transforms the person who takes time to pray. Mark 11:12-14, 20-263. Prayer is the catalyst in bringing in the Lord’s . Matthew 9:37-384. Prayer is the means by which we can the devil. Ephesians 6:185. Prayer (and being alert) keeps us from temptation. Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38COMMON HINDRANCES TO ANSWERED PRAYERGod may have to deal with something in us first before He is able to bring an answer through us.1.sin. Psalm 66:18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;.2. (unbelief). James 1:5-7 .But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt,.3. Disregarding Biblical Truth. Proverbs 1:28-31 Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, sincethey hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD.4. Wrong . James 4:3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what youget on your pleasures.5. Religious insincerity. Matthew 6:5-7 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, to be seen by others.6. .Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute2
Matthew 6:14-15 .“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But ifyou do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.7. interference. Daniel 10:12-14 .But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me (Angel) twenty-one days; and behold,Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me,.FIVE DYNAMIC AREAS OF THE DISCIPLE’S PRAYERMatthew 6:9-13 This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgivenour debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”What we commonly call the Lord’s Prayer in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:9-13) could actuallybe called the Disciples’ Prayer Pattern. Using this pattern Jesus taught His disciples how to pray.Approximately a year and a half later, when they asked Him to teach them to pray, He brought themback to the earlier pattern and a more condensed version (Luke 11:1-4).This is our model prayer, a prayer pattern that Christ established for communicating with God. Eachphrase reflects a basic area of human need and places us in the position to be able to receive those needs.1.OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME,.A. Begin with and worship.B. “To hallow” means to admire, respect, acknowledge as being set apart. In the original languagethe word “name” gives the meaning of character or authority. Begin prayer by praising Himthrough the Old & New Testament Names of God (Exodus 3:13-15). Here are a few of His OldTestament Names. Jehovah Jireh The LORD our Provider (Genesis 22:1-9). Praise Him because He sees andprovides our spiritual and physical needs through Christ. Jehovah Rophe The LORD our Healer (Genesis 15:22-27). Praise Him for spiritual &physical healing. Jehovah Nissi The LORD our Banner (Exodus 17:8-16). Praise Him for our victory overevery work of the devil. Jehovah M’Kaddesh The LORD our Sanctifier (Leviticus 20:8). Praise Him for separatingus to Himself and for changing us into His likeness. Jehovah Shalom The LORD our Peace (Judges 6:1-24). Praise Him because He is our Peace. Jehovah Rohi The LORD our Shepherd (Psalm 23). Praise Him for His Shepherding care. Jehovah Shammah The LORD is There (Ezekiel 48:35). Praise Him for His Presence.2. YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.A. Establish God’sB. As our Savior, He is also our absolute Lord and Master and the King of an eternal Kingdom. Weare His Kingdom people with all the responsibilities and benefits.Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute3
C. Prayer. Bring everything in our lives under His authority (Matthew 6:33). Pray that His will be done in my life, family, church, nation and in the world.3. GIVE US TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD.A. Receive dailyB. Our greatest concerns include food, clothing and shelter. If we seek first His Kingdom that theLord would provide what we need (Matthew 6:28-34). He wants us to ask so that our joymight be complete (John 16:24). Malachi 3:10-12 states that if I am faithful to the Tithe then Heis faithful to provide for me, to destroy the devourer and to enlarge my ability to give.C. Prayer. Be in the will of God concerning my finances (Tithing, generous attitude). Pray for provision for physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Pray for a hunger for God’s Word in me and in the people of God.4. FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS AS WE HAVE FORGIVEN OUR DEBTORS.A. Forgive & receive forgiveness orB. So powerful is the aspect of forgiveness that Jesus places it in the middle of the prayer and atthe end! If we will not forgive others He cannot forgive us (Matthew 6:14-15; 18:1-34).C. Prayer. Ask God to forgive me of my sins and offenses (Psalm 32:5; 1 John 1:8-9). Forgive and release those who have offended me (Matthew 6:14). Set my will to forgive those who may offend me today.5. AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE.A. Live in Holy SpiritB. Deep, unconfessed sin are areas where the devil has authority (John 14:30). When we areunwilling to acknowledge those areas, God will allow us to be led into areas of temptation sothat we can recognize those areas and be cleansed (James 1:13-15).C. Prayer. Ask God to purify me and to cleanse me from secret sin (Psalm 19:12-13; James 1:13-15). Put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). Pray for the revival of the church (Hosea 6:2-3). Pray for a harvest of souls to come into the Kingdom of God (Matthew 9:37).PRAYER FOR REVIVAL BY CHARLES SPURGEON (1834 - 1892)OGod, send us the Holy Ghost! Give us both the breath of spiritual life andthe fire of unconquerable zeal. O Thou art our God, answer us by fire, wepray Thee! Answer us both by wind and fire, and then we shall see Thee to be Godindeed! The Kingdom comes not, and the work is flagging. Oh, that Thou wouldstsend the wind and fire! Thou wilt do this when we are all in one accord, allbelieving, all expecting, all prepared in prayer.Lord, bring us to this waiting state! God, send us a season of glorious disorder. Oh,Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute4
for a sweep of the wind that will set the seas in motion, and make our ironclad brethren, now lying soquietly at anchor, to roll from stern to stern.Oh, for the fire to fall again, fire which shall affect the most stolid! Oh, that such fire might first sit uponthe disciples, and then fall on all around! God, Thou art ready to work within us today even as Thoudidst then. Stay not, we beseech Thee, but work at once.Break down every barrier that hinders the incoming of Thy might! Give us both hearts of flame andtongues of fire to preach Thy reconciling word, for Jesus’ sake! Amen! THE DISCIPLINE OF PRAISE & WORSHIP 1.A definition of praise “Praise is an instrument of war, and a way of creating an atmosphere forthe Presence of the Lord. Worship is born from the womb of relationship.” - Judson Cornwall.2. A definition of worship “The essence of worship, is not the physical prostration as much as theflattening of the human will which rises to assert its own dignity, ignorant all the while that ourhighest dignity is entering the Presence of the King with worship,.” - Jack HayfordPRINCIPLES OF PRAISE & WORSHIP1.True worship is an issue of the heart, not a religious obligation. Jesus, our example and High Priest did not come from the Jewish tribe of Levi, the groupresponsible for temple activities and worship, but from the tribe of Judah (Yadah), meaningpraise. Hebrews 7:11-14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Mosessaid nothing about priests.2. God is not seeking worship as much as He is seeking the . John 4:23-24 .the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such toworship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. The Greek word for “truth” in John 4:23-24 is to be real and genuine before the Lord.3. Praise and worship is the into the Presence of the King of Glory.A. Psalm 100 .Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise B. There are several, distinctly different form of praise mentioned here.4. God’s Presence descends as worship follows . Moses and the Tabernacle in Exodus 40:34-35 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the gloryof the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it,and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Solomon and the Temple in 1 Kings 8:10-11 And the priests could not perform their service because of thecloud, for the glory of the LORD filled his temple.Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute5
to jump for joy) through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, 5. Through praise and worship we receive a revelation of God’s purposes. Acts 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 6. Praise and worship brings joy, spiritual growth and strength. Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand arepleasures forevermore.7. Through praise and worship we honor our Father, the God of all creation and establish HisWorth and Superiority. Joshua 5:13-15 “as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to theearth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” Then the Commander of theLORD’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.”8. We are positioned for judgment when we the way others express theirlove for the Lord. As David brought the Ark of God back to Israel, Michal, David’s wife despised the way Davidexpressed himself in praise to God. The results were very devastating as she became barren. 2 Samuel 6:16-23 Now as the ark of the LORD came into the City of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, lookedthrough a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.9. Through praise and worship the enemy is defeated before us. 2 Chronicles 20:18-26 Jehoshaphat he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praisethe beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the LORD, for Hismercy endures forever.”.10. Through worship we are delivered out of our . Acts 16:25-26 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners werelistening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; andimmediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.11. Praise and worship is expressive. Jesus’ “rejoicing” in Luke 10:17, 21 The seventy-two returned with joy (chairo: glad, cheerful, happy)and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”. At that time Jesus, full of joy (agalliao: torejoice with exceeding joy, to jump for joy) through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord ofheaven and earth, Luke 19:37-40 Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of thedisciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: “Blessedis the King who comes in the name of the LORD. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”12. There are several words for the word, “praise.” Tehilla is one of those words. Definition: A hymn, praise, praise worthy deeds. From halal, to be clear (originally of sound,but usually of color), to shine, to make a show, to be clamorously foolish, to celebrate. Tehillabrings in the idea of singing extemporaneously, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit. “Tehilla isthat which births and blesses the Name of the Lord. It is the song that the Lord sings in the midst of His church.”Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute6
Leonard GardnerThis type of praise is always spontaneous. Psalm 40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praiseto our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.God dwells in the spontaneous and expressive praise of the believer. Psalm 22:3 But You are holy,enthroned in the praises (Tehilla) of Israel.Tehilla is the the praise of victorious warfare. Psalm 149:6-9 May the praise of God be in their mouthsand a double-edged sword in their hands,. This is the glory of all his saints.2 Chronicles 20:22 As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon andMoab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.13. Notice the various forms of praise found in Psalm 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving (Todah) andhis courts with praise (Tehilla); give thanks (Yadhah) to him and praise (Barakh) his name. Todah — Confession, extending the hands in adoration, lifting the arms with hands cuppedinward, a choir of worshippers, the sacrifice of praise and thanks, a vow. Tehillah — From “Halal,” to be clear (transparent) or shine, to laud, rave, celebrate glamorously,loudly foolish, to make a show. Used 113 times in the Old Testament 24 times with “JAH,” or“Hallelujah,” the spontaneous outcry of one excited about God. This praise is offered in delightand rejoicing. Most occurrences are plural, involving choirs, instruments, speaking (Jeremiah31:7), singing (Psalm 69:30) and dancing (Psalm 149:3). Yadhah — To confess, praise, give thanks, to use the hand, revere or worship with extendedhands, to throw out the hands with rejoicing. “Yadah” was predominantly used to expresspublic proclamation and declaration of God’s attributes and works including a confession ofsin. Barakh — To kneel, praise, salute and bless: To endue with power for success, prosperity,fertility, longevity, etc. To expect in hope. This word is used 289 times in the Old Testament.14. Praise can literally bring us out of our deep despair. 1 Samuel 30:1-6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of allthe people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD hisGod.BIBLICAL EXPRESSIONS OF PRAISE & WORSHIP1.Audible Psalm 51:15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.2. Singing Psalm 147:1 Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting topraise him!3. Lifted hands Psalm 134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.4. Musical instruments Psalm 150:3-5 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harpand lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash ofcymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.5Bowing down, kneeling Psalm 95:6-7 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD ourMaker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.6. Clapping Psalm 47:1-2 Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. How awesome is theChristian Life Center Discipleship Institute7
LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth!7. Dancing, including choreographed dance Psalm 149:3-4 Let them praise his name with dancing andmake music to him with tambourine and harp. For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble withsalvation. (Also Psalm 68:24-26)8. Shouting Psalm 47:1 Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. (Also Psalm 66:1-2) THE DISCIPLINE OF PERSONAL REVIVAL & CLEANSING 1.To successfully engage in Spiritual Warfare, we MUST have a clean and pure heart before God.This cleansing is not a legalistic exercise but a life habit of repentance from anything that displeasesthe Lord.2. A disciple is to have an uncompromising determination to maintain a pure lifestyle and a passion forthe Kingdom. To do this we must have regular spiritual renewal in prayer. Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there isany offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.3. KEY: the way we are purified of sin is that we confess our sin (agree with God) andwalk in the light by maintaining an open relationship with Him. This is not legalism but a lifestyleof repentance. John 1:7-9 says: But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and theblood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and thetruth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from allunrighteousness.INSTRUCTIONS.Go through each area below and confess the need as God reveals by His Spirit. Check the areas whichneed to be energized and ask Him to give you a willingness to make it right. This exercise is NOTintended to condemn (Romans 8:1), but to guide you through an honest evaluation followed bycleansing from the Holy Spirit. Then believe that God will change the heart and finish the work Hebegan in you!1.God’s Word Psalm 119:97, 140 Do I love to read and meditate on God’s Word? Do I apply what I read to everyday life?2. Holy Spirit control Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 5:18-21 Do I ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit each day? Am I sensitive to the Spirit’s voice and do I allow Him to lead andcontrol me?3. First Love Philippians 1:21-23; Revelation 2:4-5 Is Jesus Christ still the most important Person in my life? Does my schedule, spending, etc. reveal that God is first in my life?Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute8
4. Prayer 1 Timothy 2:1-2 Am I faithful to a consistent life of prayer? Is my prayer life filled with joy and intimacy with the Father?5. Submission 1 Samuel 15:22; Hebrews 13:17 Do I truly obey God from the heart? Do I genuinely obey human authorities that God has placed over my life?6. Humility Psalm 51:17; Isaiah 57:15; Luke 14:7-11 Am I quick to admit I am wrong? Am I willing to take the “lower place”?7. A pure heart Matthew 5:8; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 1 John 1:9 Do I keep “short accounts” with God and do I search my heart for issues that displease Him? Is repentance (a change of thinking accompanied with action) a part of my everyday life?8. Moral purity Matthew 5:27-30; 2 Corinthians 10:3; Ephesians 5:3-5 Do I aggressively keep my mind free from immoral fantasizing? Am I accountable to someone?9. Priorities Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:12-14 Do I love what God loves and hate what He hates? Do I seek to do His Will each day?10. Finances Proverbs 19:17; Malachi 3:10-12 Do I Tithe the first portion of my earnings to God? Am I a generous person?11. Forgiveness Acts 24:16; Colossians 3:12-14; Hebrews 12:14-15 Am I willing to release offenses and be reconciled to God and the person with whom I amoffended? Do I stop slander and not allow a destructive spirit of unforgiveness to divide my church? Do Iencourage reconciliation when that is possible?12. Evangelism Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8 Do I have a burden for people who do not know Christ? How am I reaching the lost with the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ?Follow up. Identify the areas I need to focus on. Work on the important one first, then the next, etc. Do I trust the Holy Spirit to create these things in me? THE DISCIPLINE OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. (referencing Genesis 3:15), John 10:10;Ephesians 2:1-10, 6:10-18; James 4:1-7; 1 John 5:4-52 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of ourChristian Life Center Discipleship Institute9
warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing thatexalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,.AREAS OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE1.The Our thinking. (Romans 7:21-24; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5)2. The Our old, unsubmited self. (Romans 8:5-8; Galatians 5:17; James 4:7)A. Our flesh is at war against the Spirit of God (Romans 7). The flesh is the self-centered distortion of the human nature which makes us want to be our own god. It isthat proud ego, that uncircumcised self which is the seat of willful defiance and rebellion against authority.— Ray Stedman3. The Conforming us to the world’s pattern. (Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15-17;James 4:4)4. The The enemy’s focus is to fragment the church to make it powerlessagainst the enemy. (Ephesians 4:29-32)5. The The evil, supernatural realm. (Ephesians 6:10-12) Name the five arrogant “I wills” of Lucifer from Isaiah 14:13-14 CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR ENEMY, THE DEVIL1.Our spiritual battle is NOT/NEVER against people but against the demonic, spiritual enemy. Thisenemy is highly strategic, organized and in unity! (Read Ephesians 6:10-20) Principalities - Arche: First, chief in order, time, place or rank (Satan). Powers - Exousia: Delegated influence, authority or jurisdiction. These are territorial powerssuch as the Prince of Persia in Daniel 10:12-14. Rulers - Kosmokrator: World rulers who use the darkness of philosophies, religions, etc. Spiritual wickedness - Poneria: Depravity, malice, sins, degeneracy from original condition,physical and moral disease, vicious, evil, wicked, etc.2. He is subtle, crafty, calculating, and scheming. 2 Corinthians 2:11 .in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.3. He is a spirit but with limitations. Job 1:12 The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself donot lay a finger.” (Also in Job 2:6)4. He is committed! John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;.5. He has the ability to influence and deceive. 1 Chronicles 21:1 Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.6. The devil has three main weapons he uses against the church.Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute10
A. To deceive means to believe a lie. From the very beginning,Satan has deceived us into believing that God’s Word is not true (Genesis 3:1-7). Strongholdsare built through deception. A stronghold is an incorrect thinking pattern that results frombelieving something false.B. Temptation often follows deception. The enemy first attemptsto deceive us about God’s Word/Commands, then makes the “fruit on the forbidden tree” lookgood. Sin is first pleasing, then easy, then frequent, then habitual.C. The devil is known as the accuser of the brethren (Revelation12:10). He accuses you to God, you to others and you to yourself.7. Satan deceives us, then tempts us, then accuses us of those very things. But, through Christ’sfinished work on the Cross (Colossians 2:15), we have complete victory over our enemy (Revelation12:11). The following principle may shed light on this.THE “HANDLES” PRINCIPLE - Galatians 5:16-21John 14:30 “.the prince of this world is coming and has no hold over me, ”1.As Satan could have no hold over/on Jesus, so we can walk in thatsame confidence. The “acts of the sinful nature” in Galatians 5:16-21are like the handles of a cup and are areas of unsubmitted weaknesswhere the enemy has authority in our lives. He effectively uses these“handles” to manipulate and torment us. By conquering these areas(breaking off these handles) we CAN be victorious!2. Notice the illustration “The Power of Our Choice” at the end of thelesson.THE ARMOR OF GODEphesians 6:10-18 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For wedo not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of thisage, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.The focus of the Armor of God is not the pieces of the armor as much as the character they represent inus. It is Godly character, not brute force or human ability, wins the spiritual battle.1.The belt of Aletheia: The unveiled reality lying at the basis of and agreeing with an appearance. (John 8:31) Point: A key in winning the spiritual battle is to have a true understanding of reality, what isreally taking place. (2 Chronicles 20:22-23; Luke 22:49-51).2. The breastplate of Diakaios: Conforming to God’s rightness, to fulfill God’s claims in contrast to the lawlessness ofthis world. In essence, it is obedience to God’s Word and to His ways, doing right. (1 Samuel15:22-23; Song of Solomon 2:15; Psalm 19:13-14; John 14:30)Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute11
Point: Satan has authority over a life which is not submitted to God and filled with sin. Davidcried out to God after his horrific sin with Bathsheba and Uriah and asked that he be restoredand filled with God’s Spirit. (2 Samuel 11-12; Psalm 51) The warrior’s character and rightbehavior growing from a right heart is a great defense.3. The footwear of Hetoimasia: Preparation, adjusted, to be ready (Matthew 25:13; Mark 14:32-42; 1 Corinthians16:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; 2 Timothy 2:21; Revelation 16:15)Because Peter was asleep and not ready to stand against what was about to take place (thesoldiers coming to arrest Jesus just before the crucifixion), he not only reacted against thesoldiers but did not have the power to stand with Jesus that night. The result was that hedenied the Lord and fell away. (Matthew 26:69-75)Point: Being ready requires we are always ready. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Be on your guard; stand firmin the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.4. The shield of Pistis: To be persuaded in belief and in action, choosing to believe God and His word in the faceof conflicting reality. (2 Chronicles 20:20-24; Hebrews 11:1-2, 6, 32-40)Point: Satan’s arrows are his lies, deceptions and perversions of reality. True faith is active andpowerful (James 2:17-26) and stands firm in the battle.5. The helmet of Soterion: The confident and anticipative hope of salvation, past, present and future. (Colossians2:13-15; 1 Thessalonians 5:8-9) Point: The helmet both protected the soldier and provided a striking symbol of militaryvictory. With His helmet we can block out the lies of the enemy and place our focus on God’sWord and declare that, in the Spirit, the battle has been won! Salvation is our hope in the battleand our helmet is a spiritual
Oct 04, 2012 · The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer “Engaging the Enemy,” “Prayer Shield,” “Breaking Strongholds in Your City,” by C. Peter Wagner SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one rece
