Answers Page for Intro to Spiritual Warfare Weaponry Part 1; This page is part of the Spiritual Warfare Bible Study
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A. Foundational weapons
1) The Authority of Christ
Having studied the kingdoms in the conflict and the enemy’s tactics, let’s now study our spiritual weapons. Perhaps the greatest weapon we have is the authority that God has given us through Jesus Christ.
1. Please write down the aspects the authority in Christ that God has given us in each of the below passages:
John 1:12-13: He gives us the right to be sons of God and exercise the authority thereof.
Matthew 18:18-20 (for additional insight, read the Amplified translation): God gives us power to “bind” and “loose” on earth, which also affects the heavenly realms. This is also a way of declaring what is lawful or unlawful in the spiritual realm. Additionally, God gives us the promise of answered prayer when it is done in agreement with another person
Mark 16:17-18: We have the power to drive out demons, speak in new tongues, survive natural hazards (such as poison and snakes) and initiate healing through the laying on of hands (in prayer).
2) The indwelling of the Holy Spirit
In addition to the authority of Jesus, God has given us the Holy Spirit.
2. For each passage below, write the functions of the Holy Spirit that are mentioned:
John 14:15-17, 26: helper, guide in truth, teacher and reminder of God’s word
John 16:13: Guide us in all truth, revealer of things to come
Romans 8:11-13: enables us to live as new persons in obedience to God
3. Read Acts 13:6-12. In what ways did the presence of the Holy Spirit in Paul influence what happened?
The Holy Spirit gave Paul supernatural discernment of Elymas’ character, spiritual condition and intent. He also enabled Paul to pronounce temporary blindness on Elymas.
Armed with the authority of Jesus and the Spirit of God living in us, we have many additional spiritual weapons at our disposal to fight the enemy. It is up to us to learn about these weapons and use them. If we wait for a crisis to get familiar with our weapons, our lack of skill will likely result in our defeat. Our enemy is a highly skilled adversary and his forces are experienced veterans. They know our weaknesses and how best to exploit them. God calls us to be good warriors, trained and skillful in using the weapons he has given us.
3. Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. What does the Bible say about our spiritual weapons? What are they capable of doing? Our weapons are not of flesh and blood; they are divinely powerful for:
The overthrow and destruction of strongholds
Refuting arguments & speculations that are contrary to God and his laws
Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ
B. The Armor of God
1) Introduction
Like the “general issue” gear that a new soldier receives when enlisting, the Armor of God is a foundational group of spiritual weaponry. Primarily defensive in function, the armor increases our endurance on the spiritual battlefield.
4. Read Ephesians 6:10-18. What are the 7 components of the Armor of God?
Helmet of Salvation
Shield of Faith
Breastplate of Righteousness
Belt of Truth
Shoes fitted with the Gospel of Peace
Sword of the Spirit
Prayer in the Spirit
5. Read Ephesians 6:11. What is the purpose of the Armor of God?
Enable us to stand against the schemes of the devil
2) Armor Specifics
a. The Shield of Faith
6. What are two definitions of faith presented in the below verses?
Hebrews 11:1: “The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”
2 Thessalonians 1:11 (Amplified): “Leaning of the whole human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness”
7. Considering the Hebrews 11:1 definition, why is faith a key ingredient for the entire set of the armor of God?
The armor is spiritual and therefore invisible. Faith believes in the unseen; it secures the armor to us.
8. Read 1 Peter 1:3-5. Our faith hooks our shield up to what power source? God
9. Read Ephesians 6:16. What does the shield of faith do?
Extinguishes all the flaming arrows of the evil one
10. Read Psalm 91:2-10. What are some examples of the “arrows” the enemy may send our way?
Terror, traps (“snare of the fowler”), sickness/plague, destruction, death, evil, calamity
11. Read Mark 9:23-25 & Hebrews 12:2. If our faith is weak, who can we ask for help in strengthening our faith?
Jesus
12. Jesus used several illustrations to show the potential power of faith. Please read these two examples and summarize:
Luke 17:6: faith as small as a mustard seed could cause a mulberry tree to be uprooted and thrown into the ocean
Matthew 17:20: faith as small as a mustard seed could move a mountain; nothing is impossible when you have faith!
b. The Helmet of Salvation
The helmet of salvation covers our heads which contain our minds. Our minds are highly significant in spiritual warfare.
13. For each passage below, please describe the aspect of mind’s significance to spiritual warfare:
2 Corinthians 10:3-5: The mind is the strategic battle ground where spiritual warfare is commonly fought. It typically involves taking thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ and diffusing/refuting arguments that are contrary to the truth of God.
Romans 8:5-7: The mind is the key control center for a person. A mind controlled by evil prevents the person from pleasing God. The mind controlled by the Spirit enables the person to please God and enjoy life and peace.
14. Read 2 Corinthians 4:4. As we studied previously, what has Satan done to the minds of many people?
Satan, “The god of this world,” has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they can’t see the truth of the Gospel of Christ.
Our salvation through faith in Jesus brings us justification and peace with God (Romans 5:1-2), such that we can have eternal life with God (Romans 6:23). It also gives us access to God’s throne so that we may petition him by prayer, without fear of judgment (Hebrews 4:15-16, Hebrews 10:19-22). The value of having open access to God cannot be understated, yet so often people fail to make use of that access through prayer. Prayer is one of the ways we engage God’s protection that comes with the helmet of salvation.
15. Read Philippians 4:6-7. Please describe how prayer engages the protection of the helmet of salvation.
We engage God’s protection of our mind by taking everything to him in prayer that we’re tempted to be anxious or fearful about. Such prayer includes the elements of humility and thanksgiving. In response, we receive God’s peace which protects our minds.
16. Read Isaiah 26:3. What is the key to remaining in God’s peace? We must keep our minds “stayed” on him.
17. What are three or four ways you can foster a God-focused mindset?
Having a daily quiet time
Memorizing key verses that address typical struggles we face
Practicing continual prayer dialogue with God
Connecting with other Christians for fellowship, edification, discipleship, worship, etc.
c. The Breastplate of Righteousness
18. Read Genesis 3:7-10. When Adam and Eve sinned, what was their initial reaction? They realized they were naked; they were ashamed; they were afraid of God
In a sense, Adam and Eve lost their “spiritual covering” by sinning, because God’s glory (i.e. righteousness) no longer clothed them. Their sin caused separation between them and God, which ultimately led to them being driven out of the garden.
19. Read Isaiah 59:15-17. Who was the man whom God sent to first put on the breastplate of righteousness? Jesus
20. How did righteousness affect this man? (verse 16) It sustained him
Jesus was the first Son of God who made the way possible for us to become sons (gender neutral) of God through faith in him. With that in mind, we too can put on the breastplate of righteousness.
21. Read Philippians 3:8-9. What is the source of the righteousness in our breastplate?
God; righteousness is accounted to us through our faith in Christ
Through our faith in Jesus Christ, we are “re-covered” with God’s righteousness and have peace with him.
22. What significant “spiritual organ” does the breastplate protect? Our spiritual heart
23. Read Proverbs 4:23. Why is the heart so important?
The heart is the wellspring of life; it can be corrupted by sin and can lead us into much trouble, therefore we must guard it
One of the traps people sometimes fall into is trying to earn God’s acceptance by being good. No matter how hard we try, we can not earn righteousness that God will accept. Through faith in Christ, however, God confers righteousness upon us.
Though we can’t earn our salvation by being good, God still expects us to live in a righteous manner out of love and devotion to him.
24. Read Romans 6:13. How are we to “present ourselves” each day? As instruments of righteousness, and not sin
d. The Belt of Truth
25. Read John 17:17. God’s word is the Christian’s source of truth. What does God use it to do in us? God’s word is truth; he uses the truth to purify, consecrate, and separate us for Himself; to make us holy
26. Read John 8:31-32. What effect does truth have on us when we know it?
The truth sets us free from the power of lies
27. Read John 8:31-32 AMP. What is the key to knowing the truth?
Abiding in God’s word (holding fast to Christ’s teachings and live in accordance with them)
28. There are several practical actions we can take to foster our abiding in God’s word. Please read the below verses and summarize the action taken:
Joshua 1:8: Scripture meditation and memory
Psalm 63:1, Isaiah 26:9: Having a regular quiet time in the morning
Deuteronomy 30:16: Obeying God’s commands (ex. loving God, loving people, honoring parents, visiting the sick, abhorring evil, helping the poor, etc.)
2 Timothy 3:16-17: Studying the Bible
Hebrews 10:24-25: Staying connected with the Body of Christ (i.e. church) for fellowship, encouragement and edification
29. How will knowing the truth help us fight temptations?
The truth will break the power of the lies involved in the temptations
30. Read John 16:13. What “helper” has God given us to assist us in knowing and clinging to the truth?
The Holy Spirit, who is the “Spirit of truth”
e. Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace
The Amplified Bible explains the meaning of this piece of our armor:
“And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace” Ephesians 6:15 AMP
31. Read Romans 5:1-2. What is the “Gospel of peace”?
The term “Gospel of Peace” refers to the peace we have with God through faith in Jesus Christ
32. Read Ephesians 2:18-19. In addition to having peace with God through Christ, what other benefits do we enjoy?
We have access through the Holy Spirit to God the Father, and we are citizens of God’s kingdom and members of his household
Knowing we are members of God’s own family, with direct access to him should help us stand confidently in battle against the enemy’s forces. We have his resources at our disposal!
33. Read Philippians 4:6-7. When trials, tribulations and other challenges come up in our lives, how are we to respond?
We shouldn’t be anxious about troubles, but rather we can take those things to God in prayer, giving thanks. We can then expect his peace to guard our hearts and minds.
f. The Sword of the Spirit
34. Read Ephesians 6:17. What is the Sword of the Spirit? The word of God
To better understand the Sword of the Spirit, let’s examine the meaning of the Greek words Logos and Rhema, which are often used for the “word” of God in the New Testament:
Logos – the word of God (see Strong’s #3056): Logos is often used to identify the written scriptures in the Bible, which were given to people under the inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Collectively, the Bible, as God’s “word,” is the written, divine expression or revelation of God to humanity. Jesus completed this expression as the literal embodiment of God’s word, logos (John 1:1-5,14).
Rhema – the word of God (Strong’s #4487): Rhema is the spoken word of God, and is the Greek word used in the Sword of the Spirit verse (Ephesians 6:17). Strong’s concordance says that rhema is “that which is or has been uttered by the living voice.”
Applying those definitions, using the Sword of the Spirit is verbalizing specific scripture verses (logos) to the situations we are facing. This can be done through declaration, prayer or song.
35. Jesus gave us a striking example of how to use the Sword of the Spirit in defeating temptations. Read Luke 4:1-13. Please describe what happened.
Jesus used scripture to defeat Satan in the wilderness temptations
The scripture he chose revealed and destroyed the lies of each temptation.
36. The Sword of the Spirit may also be used in general ministry activities such as prayer and preaching. Please write down what happened in these two examples of the Sword of the Spirit:
Acts 4:24-31: A group of believers prayed the word and the result was that the place was shaken, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly
Acts 13:38-43: Paul quoted the word as he preached
37. Read Genesis 3:1-6. How did Eve fail to use the Sword of the Spirit effectively? The serpent [Satan] questioned Eve on what God had commanded. Eve recited it slightly different from what God had said (adding not to touch the fruit). This perhaps gave Satan the edge he needed to tempt Eve successfully to sin. Instead of standing by God’s command, Eve chose to believe Satan’s lie.
38. Throughout history, God demonstrated the power of his word. In the below examples, briefly describe what God’s word did/does:
Hebrews 11:3: God created the earth and heavens by his word (rhema)
Isaiah 55:11: God’s word will not return void; it will accomplish all that he desires
Jeremiah 23:29: God’s word is like a hammer that breaks rocks
39. Read Numbers 23:19. How reliable is God’s word?
God does not lie – therefore his word is always true; he will follow through on what he says he will do
As God’s adopted children (Romans 8:17) who are made in his likeness (Genesis 1:26), we too have the ability to release power through speech.
40. Describe the power of words described in the below verses:
Proverbs 18:21: our words can bring life and death
James 3:8-10: Our words can bless and encourage people, yet they also can be used to curse and tear them down.
41. In order to use the Sword of the Spirit properly, we must be familiar with God’s word. Knowing the context of a scripture will help us in properly using it in the situations that we face. In the below verses, what habits are mentioned that we can practice to strengthen our ability to use the sword?
Joshua 1:8: Meditate on the word
Matthew 22:29: Know the scriptures
Acts 17:11: Search and study the scriptures daily
g. Prayer in the Spirit
Prayer is both a communication link with God and a powerful strategic weapon. In warfare, communication is extremely important. Prayer in the Spirit is a special type of communication that goes beyond our understanding and connects us with the Holy Spirit for intercession and edification. It is activity that we do with our spirit, in concert with the Holy Spirit. It may be done through spoken prayer or in our thoughts.
Read Ephesians 6:17-18.
42. How did Paul describe prayer in the Spirit?
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (NKJV)
43. How often are we to pray in the Spirit? At all times
44.What are the purposes of prayer in the Spirit according to this passage?
Intercession for all Christians
Staying vigilant, keeping a lookout for enemy attacks
45. The definition of supplication is “asking for humbly or earnestly, as by praying” (American Heritage Dictionary). Read James 4:6-8. Why is humility an important element in prayer and in spiritual warfare activities in general?
God resists proud people, but gives grace to the humble. When we humble ourselves before God (i.e. submit to God), we are then able to receive God’s help and resist the devil successfully.
Prayer is an acknowledgement that we are not in control and need God to intervene. This attitude of humility opens the door for communication with God, who can direct and apply our prayers in ways far beyond our understanding.
46. Read Romans 8:26-27. Prayer in the Spirit is especially profitable when we don’t know how to pray in a situation, and/or we’re not sure what God’s will is for the outcome. With that in mind, what does the Holy Spirit do when we pray in the Spirit?
He comes to our aid and helps us in our weaknesses
He intercedes for us with God the Father
Perfects our prayer and corrects the manner and delivery to be acceptable to God
Increases effectiveness of prayer for others (intercession)
Aligns our prayer with God’s will
47. What aspect of praying the Spirit did Paul discuss in 1 Corinthians 14:14-15?
Praying in tongues combined with praying with his mind
Read 1 Corinthians 14:5,18.
48. How often did Paul speak in tongues? Frequently
49. What did Paul wish that other Christians would do? Speak in tongues and prophesy
Speaking/praying in tongues is another way of humbling ourselves before God, as we usually will not know what we are praying (1 Corinthians 14:2). Praying in tongues is one example of the types of prayer Paul linked with praying in the Spirit in Ephesians 6:18. The beauty of tongues is that our will isn’t able to corrupt our prayers. (For more info, see our page, http://www.porn-free.org/speaking_in_tongues.htm )
50. Jude mentioned prayer in the Spirit as one of the tools to accomplish what spiritual warfare tasks in Jude 1:18-23?
Protection from false doctrine and corruption by worldly lusts, refuting false doctrine & rescuing people from it
Of all the spiritual armor, prayer in the Spirit is something that we’re to be donning continually. Therefore, if you feel that you have not fully experienced prayer in the Spirit, please take a moment to ask the Lord to help you learn and discover how to pray in the Spirit.
3) Putting on the Armor of God
51. As previously mentioned, faith is the power-link on which the armor of God relies. Reading 2 Corinthians 4:13-14 & Romans 10:9, what are two actions associated with faith?
Believing in our hearts
Confessing it with our mouths
With those actions in mind, we can put each peace of the Armor of God on each day by “speaking it on” and believing that we are covered by it.
Here is an example prayer/declaration we can make:
Heavenly Father, I praise and worship you because you are God. I am honored to be your servant and I take my stand today against the devil and his schemes against me, my family and my ministry. Father, as I take up each piece of the armor, please secure it in place on me.
I take up the shield of faith and extend it over myself. It extinguishes all the fiery darts of the evil one.
I put on the helmet of salvation, which protects my mind from the enemy’s attacks. I have the mind of Christ.
I put on the breastplate of righteousness, which covers me with the righteousness of God. In Christ, every foothold of evil has been washed away and I am clothed in righteousness!
I gird my loins with the belt of truth. Your word, O God, is truth. Please sanctify me according to your word and remind me of the truth that destroys the lies of sin.
I shod my feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace. I have peace with God through the blood of Jesus. I walk in my inheritance as an adopted son of God and have authority over evil in Jesus’ name.
I will use the Sword of the Spirit by speaking the Word of God as it applies to whatever situation I may face today. Father, please remind me of your Word today.
I will continue to pray in the Spirit throughout the day, and intercede for all Christians as the Holy Spirit prompts me. I believe that the Holy Spirit is interceding on my behalf according to my prayers.
Thank you, Father, for the whole armor of God. Please surround me with your hedge of protection as I move forward on the spiritual battlefield today. I praise and worship you now and forever, Amen.
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