Spiritual Warfare

Robert D. PattonMissionary to SurinameBaptist World Mission

False prophets and teachers

Every prophet was an evangelist who brought people back to God’s righteousness

No true prophet will put a dream above the Word of God

The Word should be like a consuming fire and a hammer, bringing people back to righteous living - I Peter 4:17 [17] For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

False prophets Reject those who tell you: “God told me

to tell you...” There is one mediator between God and man. I Tim. 2: [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

God can deal directly with us. Be careful that someone is not working like a medium

We must test all signs and wonders - do they draw us closer to God?

Deut 13:[1] If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, [2] And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; [3] Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Be careful of signs and wonders

Deut 13 goes on to tell us that even if our own family entices us, we must kill them with stones.

Jesus also warns: Mk. 13:[22] For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. See also Mt. 7:21-23

False prophets

Be careful even in the church just because someone seems sincere, has a good personality, etc. The basis is truth and righteousness. False prophets are often involved in immorality - usually sex or money

False prophets have an independent spirit and are not submissive

False prophets Jude [3] Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write

unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.[4] For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

False prophets serve Satan

II Cor. 11:[13] For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.[14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.[15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works

False prophets

God broke up the rule over men into Prophets - preaching & teaching Priests - pastoring & shepherding Kings - administration

No one can handle all authority without getting into trouble except the Lord Jesus Christ

Deceiving spirits - I Tim. 4:1; I Jn. 4:1-6

We need discernment to distinguish right and wrong I Tim.4:[1] Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

I Jn. 4:[1] Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Deceiving spirits

I Jn. 4:[2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:[3] And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

God’s word is the truth that reveals their lies

Jn 17:17 Thy Word is truth Jn. 8:[31] Then said Jesus to those Jews

which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;[32] And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Eph. 6:[14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

False beliefs

To seek tongues is can open the door to demonic deception. This is also true with healing – be careful of the source of healing

The filling of the Holy Spirit happens when we are under the control of the Holy Spirit, and will demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit

False beliefs People can have mediumistic

gifts which are Hereditary Through occult participation

Occult transference may come through laying on of hands. Be careful who does this to you, and under which circumstances

Victory in Christ

We need to see that our position in Christ now is not the same as before the cross.

We are now victors through the victory which Jesus won for us on the cross

Victory through the Cross

Jesus won the victory on the cross over: Our old nature: Gal. 2:20 The world system: Gal. 6:14 The devil: Colossians 2:14-15

Victory over our old self-focused nature

Galatians 2:[20] I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Victory over the world system

Galatians 6:[14] But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Victory over the devil

Colossians 2:[14] Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;[15] And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it