Chapter 9 - GOD'S BATTLE PLAN
OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to:
Write the Key Verse from memory.
Identify the purpose of God.
Identify the purpose for which Jesus came into the world.
Explain the six point battle plan for spiritual warfare.
KEY VERSE FROM THE ARTICLES OF WAR:
He that committeth sin is of the Devil; for the Devil sinneth from the
beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He
might destroy the works of the Devil. (I John 3:8)
INTRODUCTION
This chapter introduces the basic battle for spiritual warfare. It is a strategy resting
upon understanding the purposes of our warfare and based upon communication with
our Commander-in-Chief by prayer, fasting, and the written Word of God.
When you do not understand God's purpose and plan, you may be tempted to become
discouraged in the conflicts of life. This is why many Christian soldiers fail in warfare: They
do not understand the divine purpose behind the battle.
...For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it
is from God, you will not be able to stop these men. You will only find
yourselves fighting against God. (Acts 5:38-39 New International
Version)
THE PURPOSE OF WARFARE
From the beginning of time, every natural battle that has been fought always had a purpose
for which it was waged. Before we examine God's battle plan, it is important to understand
the purpose of spiritual warfare. This involves understanding the purposes of God the
Father and Jesus Christ the Son.
THE PURPOSE OF GOD:
It is God's purpose that...
...in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in
one all things in Christ, both which are in Heaven, and which are on
earth... (Ephesians 1:10)
From the beginning of time, Satan has battled against the fulfillment of this purpose. Your
own warfare in the spirit world is related to this purpose of God. Satan battles to bring your
heart, mind, spirit, and soul into allegiance to him instead of the Lord Jesus Christ.
God works in you to accomplish His purpose:
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do His good
pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)
God also works through your life to accomplish His purposes:
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto
sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead,
and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. (Romans
6:13)
When you yield yourself to become "an instrument of righteousness unto God," it means you bring your life and ministry in harmony with His purpose and plans. By doing this, you
become a target for God's enemy, Satan.
THE PURPOSE OF JESUS:
Jesus said:
He that committeth sin is of the Devil; for the Devil sinneth from the
beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He
might destroy the works of the Devil. (I John 3:8)
The reason Jesus came into the world was to destroy the works of Satan. This immediately set Him in opposition to the enemy:
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am
come that they might have life and that they might have it more
abundantly. (John 10:10)
From the beginning of His earthly ministry, Jesus set about destroying the works of Satan:
He revealed the bondage of sin (John 8:34).
He forgave sins (Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12,17; Luke 4:17-32).
He stressed the heart condition rather than the deception of outward appearance (Matthew 15:16-20; Mark 7:20-23; Luke 6:45; 11:39).
He healed the sick (Matthew 11:5).
He raised people from the dead (Mark 5:35-43; Luke 8:49- 56; John 11).
He released people from demonic powers (Matthew 8:16).
In summary, He destroyed the works of Satan in the hearts, souls, minds, and bodies of men and women:
The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed,
and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel
preached to them. (Matthew 11:5)
Jesus not only destroyed the works of Satan, He also exposed the devious strategies of
the enemy:
He taught on the deception of Satan which would increase during the last days on earth Matthew 24-25; Mark 13; Luke 17:22-37; 21:8-36; Matthew 24-25).
He warned of Satan who was able to destroy the soul (Matthew 10:28).
He spoke of the necessity of binding the strong man (Satan) before spoiling his goods (Matthew 12:26-30; Mark 3:23-27; Luke 11:17-24).
He revealed how Satan tries to prevent the Word of God from being effective in the hearts of men and women (Matthew 13:38; Mark 4:15; Luke 8:12).
He exposed those who were not right with God as being of their "father, the devil" (John 8:44-47).
He revealed Satan as the "prince of the world" (John 14:30).
THE GREAT DIVISION
Although Jesus came to bring the peace of God (John 14:27; Philippians 4:7), and peace with
God (Romans 5:1), His coming also brought division: