Spiritual Warfare - Part 9 (Disagreements)

  Disagreement | Division | Distractions

How do we navigate the enemy's tactics of: disagreement, division and distractions

~~Watch the Video~~

Outline:

• Introduction
• Traits of Wholeness
• Review of Spiritual Warfare
• Disagreement / Division
• Distraction
• Fasting

• 
  

Scriptures:

• 1 Corinthians 1:10
• Deuteronomy 32:30
• Luke 11:17
• 2 Corinthians 2:10
• 1 Corinthians 7:5
• Ephesians 4:25-27
• Galatians 5:19-21
• 1 Timothy 6:3-5
• Romans 16:17
• Titus 3:9-11
• John 13:34-35
• Collosians 3:2
• Proverbs 28:19
• Ezra 8:21
• Psalms 69:10

Introduction

1 Corinthians 1:10

Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.

• Paul urges them not to have division

The Power of Unity

• World Wide Web
• HTML
• Browsers
• One currency
• DoorDash | Priceline 

Power of Agreement

"For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them" (Matthew 18:20)

If you want to go fast… Go alone if you want to go far go together

Example: ToastMasters

• momentum

Deuteronomy 32:30

“How could one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Unless their Rock had sold them, And the LORD had given them up?

Satan wants us to be divided

Knowing the Enemy’s Tactics

When you cause division… You are doing the devil's work for him

That’s one of the tactics of the enemy

When you know the tactics of the enemy you can stop and say…

… Where is this coming from?

We were just having a nice discussion and now…

• I’m mad
• They’re mad

Maybe it’s the enemy

Traits of Wholeness

We are in our series called Seeking Wholeness

How can we be:

• Spiritually healthy
• Emotionally healthy
• Mentally healthy

Free from oppression of

• Your past
• Yourself
• Bad thinking
• Strongholds
• The enemy

Sozo

• Saved
• Healed
• Delivered from demons

Dealing with life’s current stresses and also being healed from experiences/wounds of the past

We’re not just supposed to have eternal life

• We’re supposed to have: joy, peace, patience, and self control here on earth

Traits of Wholeness

• Authenticity
• Honesty
• Kindness
• Not seeking external approval / validation
• Living by values and principles
• Setting Boundaries
• Taking ownership of your responsibilities
• Living with purpose and passion
• Optimism
• Confidence
• Healthy relationships with others
• Not losing control of your emotions
• Free from addictions
• Addressing Conflict with truth and love
• Vulnerability
• Not critical or Judgemental
• Not jealous
• Genuinely applaud the success of others
• Forgive those who have wronged you in the past
• Know that you’re worthy of receiving love
• Not afraid to fail
• Able to manage irrational fear, worry, and anxiety
• Selfless encounters with others
• Not manipulating others trying to control their actions/reactions
• You care about how others feel
• Patient
• Don’t give into peer/social pressure
• Can communicate directly
• Don’t take responsibility for other people's emotions
• Take responsibility for your own emotions
• Slow to anger
• Ability to maturely express your wants, needs and desires
• Being led by the Spirit

We want to become

• aware of our issues
• empowered to manage/fix them

Review of Spiritual Warfare

3 mistakes Christians make

• Think spiritual warfare is a supernatural weird thing that we should ignore
• We shouldn’t ever talk about Satan or demons because we give them power
• Leaves you like Job (ignorant of the tactics of the enemy)
• Get fixated on spiritual warfare
• Blamed the devil or demons for all of the problems in our life
• This takes away personal responsibility

Enemies

We have an unseen enemies

• the devil
• Demons
• Fallen angels
• Rulers, powers, principalities

The Enemy’s Goal in Spiritual Warfare

• Keep You Operating From Your Flesh
• Prevent You From Walking in Your Purpose
• Challenge Your Identity
• To Draw us Away from God
• Kill, Steal and Destroy
• Damage Relationships

Don’t be shocked that you have warfare

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CpA2JWorRxT/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Principalities

Paul speaks of Rulers, powers, principalities, dominions, thrones

• In the Old Testament they are referred to as Sons of God (and elohim)
• Daniel refers to them as Princes

• Prince of Persia
• Prince of Greece

They influence the culture of a geographic area

• Influence strongholds/mindsets

Paul says that they are in Heavenly places

• They are not on earth
• We are not told to bind them or cast them out

He tells us to battle them using the Armor of God

Armor of God

Ephesians 6: 10 - 18^

We defeat them with

• Living a life of “truthfulness”
• Moral righteousness
• Believing the gospel of Jesus Christ
• Having faith in God
• Having the hope of salvation
• Reading the bible
• Hearing and obeying the Holy Spirit
• Led by the Spirit

Demons

Demons still exist today and still possess people

Christ has given us authority over demons

• A Christian can’t be possessed by a demon
• Demons can persecute and target Christians
• The apostle did bind and cast out demons

Curses

Generational Curses

Jesus redeemed us from the curses of the law

• We can’t be cursed based on sinning
• This means that God doesn’t punish us for our sins or the sins of our ancestors
• Therefore there aren’t any generational curses for our sins

Unbelievers can be under a generational curse from involvement with the occult

Deliverance is More than Casting Out Demons

Most Deliverance Isn’t Immediate

https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxii8isjPqSCCRDx5Cu8Rp0KLUCwGJOezv

Guy in class got delivered from alcoholism

• Was alone on Thanksgiving
• Relapsed

Deliverance is more than casting out demons

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CnRq789JmpX/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Inner healing

Sozo

The Enemy’s Attacks

The battlefield is our minds

The enemy attacks our thoughts with:

• Temptation
• Accusation
• Deception
• Discord / Disagreements / Divisiveness
• Distractions
• Disappointment
• Discouragement

Temptation

The devil didn’t make you do anything… He just gave you the opportunity

The deception behind temptation is that it will fulfill you

Accusation

Once you fall for the temptation… The enemy will start to accuse you

• When you are living righteous… He tells you how wonderful sin is
• When you fall… He tells you how horrible you are

Condemnation from the enemy makes you feel

• Shame
• Regret

Conviction of the Holy Spirit encourages you to be righteous

Deception

The bigger goal isn’t just to make you sin, but to make justify why the sin is ok

Disagreement / Division

Tactic: Divide us

Luke 11:17

But He knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and a house divided against itself falls.

• A Kingdom will fall from internal division
• Jesus said every kingdom with internal division will eventually fall
• A house divided will fall
• A family divided will fall

Divisiveness Gives Satan an Advantage

What is something the  Bible says you can do to help Satan attack you?

Paul makes it clear that if we are in disagreement…we give Satan an advantage

Strife in your relationships with others can help Satan

• Not just your sins

It’s not just your faith and Christ’s finished work

Unforgiveness

2 Corinthians 2:10-11

10 But one whom you forgive anything, I also forgive; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did so for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11 so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.

• Repented believer
• Satan scheme is to make you not to forgive someone

It is Satan’s scheme for us to be in unforgiveness

Paul encourages the church at Corinth to forgive and reassure any repentant believer who may have caused the rest of the church grief. The apostle urges the church to make such a person feel welcome and loved. Why? Because Paul particularly does not want Satan to outwit them.

Deprivation of Sex (in Marriage)

1 Corinthians 7:5

5 Stop depriving one another [of sex], except by agreement for a time so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Paul tells married couples not to deprive one another sexually, otherwise Satan will capitalize on the deprived spouse’s lack of self-control

Anger

Ephesians 4:25-27

25 Therefore, ridding yourselves of falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE OF YOU WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, because we are parts of one another. 26 BE ANGRY, AND YET DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity.

• your neighbor (not just romantic relationships)
• Staying angry gives the devil an opportunity

Anger becomes unforgiveness

• Over time

Not reconciling give Satan advantage

Solutions

• Speak the truth in love
• Be slow to anger
• Act on it and move on

Divisiveness

Galatians 5:19-21

19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

• Strife
• Dissension

What types of things do people divide over?

Differences in

• Doctrine
• Ethnicity
• Education
• Social economic background
• Age
• Worship styles
• Politics
• Stages in life
• Vaccine / masks

Some Christians think they should avoid things/people that are different

Politics

The Jews in Jesus day missed the Messiah because they were too hung up on politics

• They were expecting a messiah who was going to overtake the government

Gossip

Proverbs 6:16-19^

16 There are six things that the LORD hates, Seven that are an abomination to Him: 17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, 19 A false witness who declares lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.

• God hates a person who spread strife

Example: ALCF splits

Doctrine

1 Timothy 6:3-5

3If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a sick craving for controversial questions and disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction between people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

• Craving controversial questions
• Disputes about words (e.g. “luck”)

Story: when I joined bible study

• Show how much I know
• It’s not my class
• Not my job to correct the teachings

The enemy will have you focus on things you disagree with instead of the things you agree with

Has a preacher ever said something you disagree with and you just didn’t hear the whole rest of the sermon?

Romans 16:17

Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.

You have to have learned the teaching

Arguing With Christians

Titus 3:9-11

9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.

10 Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a man is corrupt and sinful; he is self-condemned.

• Have nothing more to do with them

Not just disagreement

• Causing conflict

Example: Sizzler arguments

• Christian approached us
• When some people “lose” they want to attack

When we are divisive as Christians… We destroy our credibility

John 13:34-35

34 “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 “By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.”

Social media

Example: TikTok haters

Solutions

• Show grace to Christians with different views on nonessentials
• Value the relationship over being right

Distraction

• Tactic: distract us from the things of God

Collosians 3:2

 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

What are some things that distract people from focusing on godly things?

The enemy will distract you with

• Gossip / Slander
• Trivial things
• Urgent things
• Battling with a brother or sister in the church
• Social media
• Fighting battles that don’t matter
• Thinking about things you shouldn’t be thinking about
• Involved in things that consume too much time
• Mr/Ms Right Now

Example: My Quora distraction

• What is singular for Nephilim
• Is Bigfoot a Nephilim?
• Who would win a fight between Jesus and Moses
• “Do you want a potato?”
• Bon appetito

Why the Enemy Wants to Distract You

The enemy will distract you from

• Christian walk
• Relationship with God
• Your purpose

Why We’re Losing Christians

Why is America less Christian now?

“We are not losing Christians to Islam and the occult. We are losing them to

• Football
• Brunch
• Sleeping in”

The Good Taking Place of The Great

Mary and Martha

Luke 10:38-42^

38 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who was also seated at the Lord’s feet, and was listening to His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do the serving by myself? Then tell her to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary; for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Good things can take your focus off of what is most important

• Job
• Kids
• Too many ministries

Example: too many ministries

• St. Paul

Apostles Won't Serve Tables

Acts 6:1-4^

1Now [a]at this time, as the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint developed on the part of the [b]Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2So the twelve summoned the [c]congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 Instead, brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the [d]ministry of the word.”

• “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables

Story: Growth groups = little churches

• I Didn’t want to pastor

Story: backup teachers

• Not called to start a Bible study
• Called to “teach”

“Don’t confuse momentum with instruction”

Types of Obstacles

• Distraction - you can choose
• Interruption -
• Involuntarily breaks focus
• you can choose whether or not to deal with it
• Disruption -
• you can’t help it; beyond your control

What are some examples of distractions?

Distraction 

• Most news
• Gossip
• Social media
• Sports
• Sale at store

Example: Current News

• School shooting
• Police killed a black man
• Earthquake in Turkey and Syria
• Revival going on in Asbury
• Power outages
• Trump rigged election
• Crypto market | stock market
• The Grammy awards - Sam Smith
• Rihanna superbowl performance
• Elon Musk | Kanye West

Example: layoff

• “Are you okay?”
• Didn’t know we had one

What are some examples of interruptions?

• Involuntarily breaks focus
• you can choose whether or not to deal with it

Interruption

• Email
• Text message alerts
• Smoke detector battery

What are some examples of disruptions?

• you can’t help it; beyond your control

Disruption

• Busted pipe
• Layoff
• Loss of loved one
• Health issue
• Car accident

Solution

• Don’t treat your distractions like disruptions

Cell Phones

It’s hard to keep our minds on godly things when …

Who used to own or still owns:

• Home phone
• Mailbox
• Bookcase
• Encyclopedia
• Calculators
• Credit cards
• Calendars
• Little black book
• Photo albums
• Camera
• Video camera
• Maps
• Newspaper
• GPS

Now we have all of that in our pockets

More people in the world own a mobile device than on a toothbrush

Smartphones Make You Dumb

https://youtube.com/shorts/aydLdneCupk?feature=share

Science experiment: cell phone and mental capacity

• Visible
• Phone turned upside down

59% of the world's population uses social media.

The average daily usage is 2 hours and 31 minutes (January 2023).

–smartinsights.com

“The great use of Twitter and Facebook will be on judgment day to prove that prayerlessness wasn’t due to lack of time”

— John piper

“It is possible to have the illusion of companionship without the burden of relationship”

—Jentezen Franklin

Solutions

Cell phone

• Turn off app alerts
• Do not disturb

Detours

We sometimes try to start things too early and they don’t succeed

We give premature life to things that weren’t supposed to be here yet

Lofty Dreams

Proverbs 28:19

19The one who works his land will have plenty of food,

but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

Story: Joe’s ideas

•  always has new idea how we can get rich or famous

Warren Buffet advice

https://youtu.be/3mE_CBgesQQ

Solutions for Distraction

What are things you do to keep from getting distracted?

Have a “Spiritual Why”

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CozY6WSsypi/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Which Kingdom Do You Belong To?

• The battle is over our attention

Which kingdom are you loyal to?

• spending your time on
• Spending your money on
• Thinking about
• Have your goals set towards
• Have your value based in
• Success / failure

What makes you say

• “ today was a good day in “
• “today was a productive day“

Exercise: List out Your Goals

• Which ones are goals God gives in the Bible?
• Which ones aid the Kingdom?

Obedience is better than sacrifice

Fasting

Fasting is a weapon of spiritual warfare

Lent

Why do we fast?

• What is the purpose of fasting?

Why did Jesus fast?

People say you need to fast based on “Whatever it is you’re focusing on more than God“

• Jesus fasted
• Was it because he was focusing on food more than God?

Ezra 8:21

Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods.

The main purpose of fasting is … to humble yourself

Psalms 69:10

10  When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting,

    it became my reproach.

Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.

– C. S. Lewis

Fasting

• Not a diet

Putting God’s desires ahead of your own

Fear of God

Take your trust off of yourself and put it into the Lord

Don’t trust your

• Connections
• Beauty
• Spirituality
• Money

It is true that my blessings come through men… But my eyes are fixed on you

Instructor: Michael Leadon

References

5 ways demons attack believers

David Diga Hernandez

Demonic attacks (1/2)

David Diga Hernandez

Demonic attacks (2/2)

David Diga Hernandez

Are you under demonic attack? – Seven demonic strategies exposed

David Diga Hernandez

The power of distraction

Jentezen Franklin

How to know if Satan is attacking you: three signs of spiritual warfare

Apply godsword.com

Five targets demons attack in spiritual warfare

Grace digital Netwerk

Facing a Satanic attack – Dr. Charles Stanley

In Touch Ministries

Division is demonic | Preston Morrison

Pillar church

(99+) Are there Really More Mobile Phone Owners than Toothbrush Owners? | LinkedIn

Extra

Change The Pattern

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CkdTiGlgh_-/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Cell Phones

A landmark report released today by Common Sense Media finds that teenagers (ages 13-18) use an average of nine hours of entertainment media per day and that tweens (ages 8-12) use an average of six hours a day, not including time spent using media for school or homework.

• TV
• Music
• Social media
• This will be 24 years of their lives