Bulletins - Brookfield Church of Christ

- - Bible Trivia
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Introduction
When some who call themselves Christians think of spiritual warfare they think of the wrong thing
Not demons or necessarily temptations. These are distractions, pivots, redirections
It’s ideas
The question - Is that how the Bible describes spiritual warfare?
2 Corinthians 10:3–4 ESV
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
Stronghold - a fortified, secure place (physical) or an entrenched mindset (spiritual) that acts as a fortress.
Paul uses "stronghold" (Greek: ochyrōma) to describe arguments or arrogant obstacles that keep people from obeying Christ, which must be torn down through spiritual warfare
When Paul mentions “divine power”, some this he’s about to talk about demons; spiritual encounters, or supernatural activity
That’s not what Paul says. Instead - Look at what he says in verse 5
2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
The arguments, opinions and the thoughts are the stronghold. And that’s what we are fighting
Ephesians 6:12 ESV
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Is this a contradiction?
Weapons as seen in the movie Van Helsing
Eph 6 talks who we are fighting; 2 Cor 10 talks about how we fight
Note in Eph 6 these demonic forces are very real. BUT THEY DO NOT FIGHT YOU PHYSICALLY, THEY ATTACK YOU MENTALLY
THE BATTLEGROUND OF THIS SPIRITUAL WAR IS THE MIND
The enemy my operate in heavenly places, but the battle shows up in your mind.
Romans 12:1–2 ESV
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
This is where this war actually shows up in your life. Your thoughts, arguments, and opinions
Ephesians 6:16 ESV
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
WHERE DO THE FLAMING DARTS TARGET?
The target is you mind and this is where the darts (arrows) hit?
Where are you constantly bombarded by false ideas and lies?
Online, Media, TV, Podcasts, Ideologies, Groups (war against the KNOWLEDGE OF GOD)
2 Corinthians 2:10–11 ESV
Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
The enemy does not come at you with an all out front assault
Mind Games: The primary target is the mind, utilizing "soft assault" weapons—thoughts, subtle lies, and distractions.
THE ENEMY CHALLENGES WHAT YOU BELIEVE
About God,
You can never know THE truth, because the only truth that matters in YOUR truth
You can’t trust anybody because all institutions, including the church, is corrupt.
If these thoughts get in you mind and set up a stronghold, your faith begins to unravel
If the enemy conveniences you that you don’t need God (of the Bible) then he does not need to do anything else. Live a slow virus
THERE’S NO WARNING LABEL BECAUSE IT FEELS NORMAL
2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
You notice that it seems no one knows what is actually real?
CONCLUSION
The easy way to loose a war is not knowing you’re in one
The most effective deception is the one you don’t realize is happening to you.
2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Who is the we?
Do you think people walk around saying I believe a whole lot of lies. No they believe them
If the Enemy’s primary weapon is deception, then our primary weapon is the truth
Your opinions, thoughts, arguments are either being shaped by lies or the truth
THERE IS NO NEUTRAL GROUND
- - 2 Corinthians 10:3–4ESV
- - 2 Corinthians 10:5ESV
- - Ephesians 6:12ESV
- - Romans 12:1–2ESV
- - Ephesians 6:16ESV
- - 2 Corinthians 2:10–11ESV
- - 2 Corinthians 4:4ESV
- - 2 Corinthians 10:5ESV
- - http://www.barrygjohnsonsr.com/

The question - Is that how the Bible describes spiritual warfare?

THE BATTLEGROUND OF THIS SPIRITUAL WAR IS THE MIND

WHERE DO THE FLAMING DARTS TARGET?

Where are you constantly bombarded by false ideas and lies?

THE ENEMY CHALLENGES WHAT YOU BELIEVE

THERE’S NO WARNING LABEL BECAUSE IT FEELS NORMAL

CONCLUSION

2 Corinthians 10:3–4ESV

2 Corinthians 10:5ESV

Ephesians 6:12ESV

Romans 12:1–2ESV

Ephesians 6:16ESV

2 Corinthians 2:10–11ESV

2 Corinthians 4:4ESV

2 Corinthians 10:5ESV