Spiritual Warfare: The Battle for God's Glory
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Christians already have victory over the world through Jesus, but Satan picks a fight with believers nonetheless, tempting them with the influences of the world in an effort to steal God’s glory. Indeed, the battle rages on, but the nature of the enemy is baldly exposed in Spiritual Warfare, helping readers better understand feelings of resentment, anger, doubt, pride, and adversity for what they really are: fiery darts of deception.
Written by International Mission Board president Jerry Rankin, who has witnessed spiritual warfare at work around the world, the book in turn becomes an inspiring guide to the Spirit-filled life, illuminating spiritual disciplines that equip us for victory including prayer, Bible study, fasting, Sabbath observance, active church membership, and praising God in all things.
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- Explores the reality of spiritual warfare through examples of it around the world
- Examines real life struggles to point out how Satan takes part in the way they spiritually impact lives today
- Studies the spiritual disciplines that can help the Christian confront spiritual warfare with preparation to come out in victory
- The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
- The Nature of Our Enemy, Part 1
- The Nature of Our Enemy, Part 2
- The Struggle with the World
- The Battle between the Flesh and the Spirit
- Denying the Flesh Entails Suffering
- Satan's Favorite Fiery Darts
- Adversity, Satan's Most Effective Weapon
- Foundations for Victory
- Gaining the Ultimate Victory for God's Glory
Top Highlights
“We walk in the Spirit by constantly crucifying—putting to death—the desires, the gratification, the comforts of the self-centered life, and denying our own rights. And that hurts. It’s not natural. Sacrifice is not what our human nature is inclined to do. So self-denial—putting to death the deeds, inclinations, desires of the flesh—entails suffering.” (Page 144)
“We need to understand that Satan is against us, the world is around us, and the flesh is within us—all collaborating together, conspiring to rob us of what God has already procured for us in Christ.” (Page 108)
“Satan deceives us to think that we have rights, that we have a right to our opinions; he tells us to stand up for ourselves no matter who is hurt by our actions.” (Page 47)
“Satan also hinders us from doing God’s will by getting us to focus on ourselves—our needs, our comforts, and our plans—rather than on God.” (Page 78)
“The Scripture also defines Satan as a deceiver and a liar. He is clever and can convince us that wrong is right and right is wrong. The Bible describes him as being disguised as an angel or messenger of light. As such, he can deceive us into justifying sinful, carnal attitudes and actions, thinking they are acceptable behavior. He can influence us to criticize and attack others, to create dissension and conflict, under the guise of serving God. He delights in getting us busy doing good things that actually divert us from God’s will. He can also cause us to waste hours and days in carnal entertainment and activity without a word of thankfulness and praise. He plants unclean thoughts in our minds and makes us believe they are of no consequence since we are under grace.” (Page 45)
"Too many works about spiritual warfare are more about Satan than God, more about anecdote than the Bible, and more about power displays than Christian discipleship. This book, too, will likely stretch you - perhaps even to points of disagreement at times - but it takes you to the bottom line of victory in spiritual warfare: living daily in the power of God. Read this book, and learn from a man who longs for the entire world to know this Christ-centered victory."
Dr. Chuck Lawless, Dean, Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism, and Church Growth, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Can there be consistent victory against our selfish disposition, our seductive and oppresing environment and the unseen, dark power of our enemy? Jerry Rankin answers these questions with a resounding "yes" in specific, clear, exciting, compelling biblical detail. The book is Scripture saturated, evangelical in orientation, and packed with powerful illustrations from the author's personal experiences. It will give the reader guidance, encouragement, conviction, and hope for living a victorious Christian life."
Dr. Robertson McQuilkin, President Emeritus, Columbia International University, Author of Life in the Spirit and Living the Life
"If anybody knows that servants of God are in a furious battle with an unseen enemy, my friends Jerry and Bobbye Rankin do. If anybody knows that the enemy will do anything he can to halt kingdom work, Jerry and Bobbye Rankin do. And if any two people know how to brush themselves off after an unexpected assault, then stand back to their feet with twice the power, Jerry and Bobbye Rankin do. As the day-in, day-out leader of an army of several thousand missionaries mobilized around the globe, Dr. Rankin is in a unique position to tell people like you and me what God is doing around the world. Fron an eyes-on, hands-on perspective, he can also tell us what Satan is doing to try to stop him. As much as anyone I've ever met, Dr. Rankin knows this battle is real and what it takes to be consistently victorious. He is an experienced warrior in this worthy fight. He knows what works. He knows what doesn't. He also knows the roles of love and forgiveness, without which Jesus assured us a kingdom divides and falls. Of all things I love best about the Rankins, this is chief: they are rock solid in doctrine but not stifled or stuffy in how they live it out. They're all about Jesus and how He reaches the hearts, saves and fortifies the lives of real people."
Beth Moore, Author and teacher, Founder of Living Proof Ministries