WEAPONS OF WARFARE AGAINST THE EVIL ONE

Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness    Matthew 4:1-11 NIV

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ”

 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.  “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’^”

 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

As you can see, Jesus used the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God to rebuke the devil.  As any good soldier is aware of, he should have many weapons in his arsenal before he or she goes into battle.

What are the weapons of warfare that we can use against the evil one?

THE WORD OF GOD:

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NIV

Satan was trying to deceive Jesus in doubting His true identity and divinity.  “If you are the Son of God…..”   Jesus rebuked him by quoting His own Word against the devil. 

“Jesus used the Word of God once for each of the three main temptations which every son of man must face. These are: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Once we have overcome these fully, we have overcome Satan.
The apostle John wrote, “I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the Word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.” (1 John 2:14).  (Weapons of Our Warfare How to Break Free, Spiritual Warfare Michael Fackerell)

 

PRAISE:

“Praise is a major weapon against Satan. Satan and demons just HATE hearing people praise God, especially when they do so from a pure heart. Praise releases the presence of God in a way that Satan cannot resist. If we would praise God more, we would have far less interference from demonic powers in our lives.

God dwells manifestly by His Spirit in the PRAISES OF HIS PEOPLE. “But You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel”. (Psalm 22:3). The Kingdom of God will manifest through the presence of the King, which comes when we praise Him. The manifest presence of God drives demons OUT of the places near us where they can seek to gain influence over us. Let us therefore praise the Lord more than ever before!”  (Weapons of Our Warfare How to Break Free, Spiritual Warfare Michael Fackerell)

 

THE BLOOD OF JESUS:

The Blood of Jesus saves us, cleanses us, delivers us and heals us.  There is nothing more powerful than the Blood of Jesus!

They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.  Revelation 12:11 NIV

PRAYER:

Prayer is essential.  It is as necessary as our very breath.  Praying in the Spirit or praying in tongues is a great weapon because the devil does not know what we are praying.  Even the Apostle Paul, acknowledged the importance, ^“So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.  I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 1 Corinthians 14:15, 18 NIV

 THE POWER OF YOUR TESTIMONY:

Your testimony is another weapon that is very powerful.  When we testify what God has done through us and for us, it can touch the very hearts of people, because, in my opinion, someone’s testimony is a living example that He can do the same for us!

 

THE NAME OF JESUS:

And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”  Mark 16:17-18 NIV

 

FASTING:

Jesus fasted for 40 days before he officially started His ministry.  He was also tempted during this time.  “Fasting is a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare. See Matthew 4:1-11 where we read that Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights in preparation for resisting the temptations of Satan (see Matt. 17:14-21; Mark 9:29). Fasting heightens our complete dependence upon God and forces us to draw on him and his power, and to believe fully in his strength.” (10 Things You Should Know about Fasting Sam Storms Pastor, Author 2017 24 Apr)

 

THE ARMOR OF GOD      EPHESIANS 6-10-20 NIV

 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. 

DAILY PRAYER:

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray this prayer in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of
Jesus Christ. I bind and bring to no effect all division, discord, disunity, strife, anger, wrath,
criticism, condemnation, pride, envy, jealousy, gossip, slander, complaining, lying, false teaching,
false gifts, false manifestations, lying signs and wonders, poverty, fear of lack, fear, murmuring
spirits, deceiving spirits and spirits of Antichrist. These are all bound in me, my family and
church family.
I bind all curses that have been spoken against us. I bind the power of negative words and
curses, and I bind and render useless all prayers not inspired by the Holy Spirit.
I bless those who curse me and pray blessings on those who despitefully use me. I confess
that I am a child of God, that I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I am God‟s
property.
I confess the Holy Spirit guides and leads me. I do hear God‟s voice as Jesus said in John
10:27. I can discern between what is righteous and wicked. I have authority over Satan and
demons through Christ. I declare Satan is under my feet. I bind Satan from my family, my mind,
my body, my home, my church and my finances.
I confess I am healed and whole, I flourish, I am stable, fruitful, full of peace, patience and
love. Whatever I set my hands to shall prosper, for God supplies my every need.
God, I pray for the ministries You have for me to be revealed and matured. Anoint me for all
You have called me to do for You. I call forth divine appointments, open doors of opportunity,
God ordained encounters, ministry opportunities and ministry positions. I will use my life and
God given abilities for Your glory and honor, O Lord.
I claim a fence of protection around myself, spouse and children day and night, I ask You,
God, in the name of Jesus, to dispatch angels to surround me, my spouse and my children today
and to put them throughout my home, cars and properties. I ask that angels protect my home
from any intrusion and to protect me and my family from any harmful demonic, physical or
mental attacks.
And lastly, I declare by faith that revival is sweeping through me and my family, my church
family and nation. I will allow it to bring about the necessary changes in me. I am open to
correction, repentance, obedience and brokenness and a deeper walk with God. I deeply desire a
more powerful prayer life and a greater intimacy with the Lord and a burden for the lost.
I pray this prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
- Pastor John Kilpatrick, Brownsville Assembly Of God, Pensecola, Florida
Ministries

 

Marcella Ward    April 20, 2022

Author of “Stolen Identity: Plan of the Evil One”