SPIRITUAL BOOT CAMP
What are the things that a new recruit to the military has to learn?
1. He has to learn to follow orders
2. He has to become physically fit
3. He has to endure in touch situations
4. He has to look out for his fellow soldiers
5. He has to become proficient in using his weapons.
6. He has to become familiar with the strategy of the enemy.
As in the natural, so in the spiritual realm.
Eph. 6:10-12
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
We are admonished to put on the armor of God, which is truth, righteousness, preparation of the gospel of peace, faith, and salvation. These are all defensive protection from the fiery darts of the enemy.
But what are our offensive weapons?
1. The Word of God
2. Prayer in the Spirit
Ephesians 6:17-18
“And take …the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”
3. The Name of Jesus**
Philemon 2:9-10
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.”
The Blood of Jesus
Our Testimony
Revelation 12:11
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony…”
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”
We are not just fighting against evil in society and other people, but we are fighting against things in ourselves that are contrary to the will of God.
The devil will always try to attack you in your moments of weakness.
JESUS TEMPTATION IN THE WILDERNESS
Matt. 4:1-2
“Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered.”
He was tempted to satisfy his own needs by making stones into bread. Jesus’ answer: “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
1. He was tempted to become famous by jumping off the pinnacle of the Temple. Jesus’ answer: “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”
2. He was tempted to gain worldly riches and power by worshipping the devil. Jesus’ answer: “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
Jesus in His life on earth waged war against Satan by using the Word, prayer and obedience (which is action).
James 4:7-8a
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you…”
Jesus is the One who defeated Satan on the cross.
Colossians 2:13-15
“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 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; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”
And because of what Jesus did we can also defeat Satan and his demons.
Colonses 2:10
“And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.”
Luke 10:19
“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall be any means hurt you.”
THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S
**2 Chron. 20:15b, 17a
“…Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s… Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you…”
Exodus 14:13
“…Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show you today.”
Psalms 24:8
“Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.”
2 Kings 6:15-17
“And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! How shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”
MAN OF WAR
Ex. 15:3
“The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.”
Psalms 144:1-2
“Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: my goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.”
Psalms 18:34-36
“He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.”
Jehovah Sabaoth – The LORD of hosts (armies) used 300 times in Scripture
1 Samuel 17:45
“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.”
James 5:4
“…the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.”
Romans 9:29
“And as Esaias (Isaiah) said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma (Sodom), and been made like unto Gomorrha.”
DO NOT FEAR
2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind..”
1 John 4:16
18 “God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
Psalms 91:5-6
“Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.”
VENGEANCE BELONGS TO GOD
Deuteronomy 32:35
“To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.”
Isa. 35:3-4 “Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you.”
Romans 12:19-21
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Hebrew 10:30-31
“For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
WORSHIP IS A POWERFUL WEAPON
Psalms 149:6
“Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand.”
2 Chronicles 20:20-22
“And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth forever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.”