The Proverbs advise us, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Prov 4:23) If your heart is good, everything that comes out of you will be good. If there is a problem in your heart, no matter how much good God tries to do for you, all you’ll see is problems. A key to victory in life is guarding our hearts. And what’s one of the most dangerous tools the Enemy uses to get into our hearts? Discouragement.
BRIAN SHULER | SPIRITUAL WARFARE | SATAN | VICTORY | RESTITUTION | RESTORATION | FREEDOM
The Bible promises freedom and victory, yet so many people struggle through life, seemingly at the mercy of forces beyond their understanding. One of the keys to win in this spiritual war is making restitution for what you’ve done – fixing what you broke, returning what you stole, healing what you hurt… Simply put, making things right.
Someone once said “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison yourself and waiting for the other person to die.” The Bible is clear that unforgiveness brings torment, gives the Enemy a foothold in your life, defiles you and everyone around you, and blocks God’s forgiveness in your life. But when you forgive, you get set free!
PRINCIPLES OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE 14 - REPENT AND BELIEVE
JAKE STIMPSON | SPIRITUAL WARFARE | SATAN | VICTORY | REPENTANCE | SIN | HOLINESS | FAITH
How do you win in spiritual warfare? The path to victory is not as complicated or esoteric as you may think. It begins with simple repentance of sin and turning to Jesus in faith. Sin is not just about breaking some arbitrary rule – it has a disastrous effect on all areas of our lives – so until you turn from it, you will not find the freedom you long for.
You can be free! To Western ears, the idea of demons influencing us, even residing within us, sounds equal parts lunacy, heresy, and horror film. Yet this is the clear picture we see in the Bible, that evil spirits can influence our minds, our hearts, and even our bodies. If you’re not experiencing the abundant life that Jesus promised, it could be a demon has made your body its home. It’s time to unmask the work of the Enemy and just get set free!
PRINCIPLES OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE 10 - JESUS HAS POWER AND AUTHORITY
JAKE STIMPSON | SPIRITUAL WARFARE | SATAN | VICTORY | THE CROSS | POWER | AUTHORITY | DEMONS | LEGION
“What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” – Luke 4:36. Our Enemy, Satan, is strong, he’s deceptive, he’s manipulative. He knows us better than we know ourselves… What hope do we have against so savage a foe? Jesus. In His life, He demonstrated complete and total authority over the power of the Enemy. Even the fiercest of demonic infestations were made to bow in submission before Him.
PRINCIPLES OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE 9 - JESUS CRUSHED THE SERPENT'S HEAD
JAKE STIMPSON | SPIRITUAL WARFARE | SATAN | VICTORY | SERPENT | THE CROSS | DEFEATED | GENESIS 3:15
In the Spring of 1846, the US entered war with Mexico. When it was all said and done, Mexico lost 1/3 of its territory and the US became a nation that stretched from sea to sea. How did America win such a decisive victory? General Winfield Scott and 12,000 troops traveled deep into the heart of Mexico, taking Mexico City itself and cutting the nation off from its chief city, forcing a total surrender. Jesus has done the same for us against our Enemy, not just winning some border skirmishes but crushing the Serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15).
Matthew Henry once wrote that on the cross, Jesus “spoiled the Enemy, broke the devil’s power, and conquered and disabled him, and made a show of him openly… He tied him to his chariot-wheels, and rode forth conquering and to conquer.” Who is this Enemy that Jesus decisively defeated? Today, in the light of Jesus’ triumph Easter morning, we finish up looking at the names of Satan and what they represent about his character – names like the Tempter, Belial, Beelzebub, the Great Dragon, the Destroyer, and others from early church history you probably never heard of. He is a fearsome and powerful enemy, but he is no match for Jesus, and through His victory, God has given us victory as well.
PRINCIPLES OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE 7 - GOD OF THIS WORLD
JAKE STIMPSON | SPIRITUAL WARFARE | SATAN | GOD OF THIS WORLD| VICTORY | AUTHORITY | NAMES
In 2 Corinthians 4:4, it says that “the god of this world” has blinded people’s minds from the truth. How does Satan operate as “the god of this world”? Is he really a god? How much power does he have? Where does he get his authority? And, most importantly, how can we walk free from his influence?
JAKE STIMPSON | SPIRITUAL WARFARE | SATAN | LUCIFER | VICTORY | LIES | THOUGHTS | MIND | NAMES
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star [KJV: Lucifer], son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!” – Isaiah 14:12. We are in the middle of a spiritual war, and our Enemy, who is known by many names, is always ready to deceive. One of his most insidious of his names is Lucifer, the Morning Star, a name for the planet Venus, which shines brighter than other stars but ultimately pales in comparison to the Sun. In a similar way, Satan as Lucifer has a level of glory and majesty, and though he pales in comparison to God, we must be on our guard to resist his influence whenever it appears.