TEACHING ON: "WAR AGAINST THE CHURCH"

Used with permission.

TEACHING ON: "WAR AGAINST THE CHURCH"

I. INTRODUCTION

WE ARE THE CHURCH! It's not a building, it is US.
Are you aware we are all in a spiritual warfare battle? Do you have
your spiritual armor on (Ephesians 6).

People of God, we are at war. Our war is a spiritual battle.
Every day we fight the enemy of our soul to overcome trials,
temptations, and the woes of every day living. But I am here to tell
you that we have VICTORY in Christ our Lord.

Let's see how the enemy of our soul is waring against the church of
Jesus Christ.

II. SOME WEAPONS THAT SATAN USES

Read 2 Corin. 2:11 - People, we are NOT ignorant of satan's devices
or at least we shouldn't be. If we keep our spiritual armor
(Ephesians 6) on we should be able to protect ourselves against
these weapons that satan uses.

A. WEAPON # 1 - LOOSE TONGUES

There was a motto in World War 2 that went like this: "Loose lips
sink ships". That is so applicable in the church body today.

James 3:6 identifies this weapon.
Matthew 7:1 tells us not to judge.

Borrowing from another teaching of mine, here are scriptures for you
to look at:

1. Galatians 5:15 "But if ye BITE and DEVOUR one another,
take heed that ye be not consumed one of another".

That's having a loose tongue, gossipping, spreading rumors, and
defaming others' reputations.

2. Matt. 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word
that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of
judgment.

We will given an account for every idle word we speak. EVERY
CHRISTIAN BELIEVER should hold this verse dear.

Don't get on the ban wagon when people attack another believer, but
instead, PRAY for the one doing the attacking and PRAY for the one
being attacked. Don't say, well they got what they deserved.
NO! Don't listen to the voice of satan when he whispers these things
in your ear. Rebuke him and help the one being attacked to
OVERCOME!!!! Lift them up in prayer.

3. 1 Cor.1:10 "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that
there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined
together in the same mind and in the same judgment".

4. Matt.5:11 "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you,
and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you
falsely, for my sake".

Please understand that if you are coming under attack it is because
you are stomping on satan's territory, he's angry. You are doing
something for God.

5. Luke 6:22 "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and
when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach
you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake".

Don't YOU be one of those who speak evil of another.

6. Ephesians 4:25 "Wherefore putting away lying, speak
every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of
another".

7. Ephesians 4:31 "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and
anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all
malice."

If your brother or sister has offended you, even if they have not
said they were sorry, FORGIVE!!!

8. Tim. 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband
of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to
hospitality, apt to teach;
(another version says: To speak evil of no man, to be no
brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.)

9. Watch your tongue and don't open your mouth when:

a. You are angered - Proverbs 14:17
b. If you don't have all the facts - Proverbs 18:13
c. If the story hasn't been verified -
Deuteronomy 17:6
d. Think before you speak in case your words offend a
weaker person - 1 Corinthians 8:11
e. Don't speak when it is time to listen -
Proverbs 13:1
f. If your words would convey the wrong impression
Proverbs 17:27

AND ESPECIALLY:
g. If the issue is none of your business -
Proverbs 14:10

If you are tempted to tell a lie read Proverbs 4:24

h. If your words will damage someone else's
reputation - Proverbs 16:27

LOOK AT THIS ONE!!!!!
i. If your words will damage a friendship -
Proverbs 16:28
j. If you are feeling critical. James 3:9

"Whoever guards his mouth & tongue keeps his soul from troubles"
Proverbs 21:23

Now we move on to another of satan's weapons:

B. WEAPON # 2 - DISCOURAGE BELIEVERS

Satan is waring against the church of Jesus Christ.
Here is another area where satan can also have a hayday with you.
He loves to discourage Christian workers from doing what they are
called to do. He loves to sow seeds of discord, get you angry with
your brother or sister in Christ. Satan loves to discourage
believers.

There are 2 tactics satan uses against workers:

1. Discourage Believer to the point of quitting. How many
of us are guilty of this one!!! (myself included)

He loves to DISCOURAGE born-again Christian believers from doing
their ministry they are called to do.

He disheartens some who are serving to where they want to quit.
SOUND FAMILIAR?

He will toss obstacles in the path to discourage believers.

Believers need encouragement (1 Corin. 15:58; Galatians 6:9)

C. WEAPON #3 - EMOTIONAL UPHEAVAL

Satan loves to mess with you emotionally and play havoc with your
emotions.

1. Satan loves to make you feel unloved, unappreciated,
unworthy.

("Oh what's the use? Nobody cares. This is all so useless". Sound
familiar?)

2. Makes you feel like you're wasting your time, nobody is
listening.

Do you feel like your ministry is in vain? That you are putting
alot of hard work into your ministry and not seeing any results?
You never know the heart you are touching, encouraging, uplifting.
Continue on with God's help in the area of ministry He has called
you.

D. WEAPON #4 - ANOTHER WEAPON IS CONFLICT

Satan causes confusion, conflict in every area. He is a master of
TWISTING things, making you hear something that wasn't said.
Makes you THINK you are hearing something that is NOT being said.
He is a great TWISTER to the point of making you believe you are not
effective any longer.

How many times has someone said something to you and you heard
something different??? ?

1. Example - The Garden of Eden

When we read about the story on the Garden of Eden we see how satan
twisted the Word of God to fit his own purpose.

2. Twists the truth

Satan is a master at twisting the truth and making it seem a lie and
also the reverse: twisting a lie to make it seem the truth.

When division breaks out in church, you need to recognize where that
division is coming from. Satan needs to be recognized in all church
conflicts. He is the one causing the division, not a particular
person. Look beyond the person to WHO THE REAL CULPRIT IS.

The ones being used of satan in a church to cause conflict we refer
to as Brother or Sister Sandpaper. They "rub" us the wrong way.

III. DEFENSES AGAINST SATAN'S WEAPONS

There are defenses we can use against these weapons. We need to
learn how to use them.

A. DEFENSE #1 - STAY PRAYED UP

Pray always. Keep in constant prayer with the Heavenly Father so
you will be more on the look out, more alert to satan's wicked ways.
As soon as you recognize satan's handiwork, that he is at work,
immediately go to prayer.

B. DEFENSE #2 - STAY READ UP

Read your bible more than ever before. Stay in the Word. Know the
Word so you can use it against satan and his demons when they start
causing havoc in your own personal life. Remember that we are at
war. Satan is waring against the Church of Jesus Christ and we need
to stay in the Word, to use the Word against him.

C. DEFENSE #3 - BE ALERT AND WATCHFUL FOR HIS ATTACKS

We must be aware of what is happening and discern in the Spirit when
something is amiss or wrong. Be so spiritually minded that you can
recognize immediately that satan is at work. He is trying to tear up
your home, your family, your church, your very life. Stay on guard.
Be alert and be prepared for such attacks.

D. DEFENSE #4 - PUT UP RESISTANCE

James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and
he will flee from you".

When you get angry, before retorting or saying something you might
be sorry for, remember this old adage: "When angry, count to ten".
DO NOT RETALIATE!!! !!

Defuse the lighted dynamite and it can't go off.
Deal with confusion through study and prayer.
Get alone with God.
Go into your prayer closet and seek the Face of the Lord and He will
lead you and guide you and help you to resist the enemy of our soul.

Make sure you have ALL THE FACTS before you confront a certain
situation.

Stay out of problems that do not directly involve you. You have been
called to ministry. Unless you are a counselor or pastor of a
church, if a problem doesn't involve you, try to avoid it. This is
best way to keep you from getting discouraged and the target of alot
of unnecessary emotional pain.

Love one another (1 John 3:23; 1 John 4:7,8; 1 Corin. 13)

Stay close to the Lord and He will stay close to you.
Copyright©2005 Rev. Theresa Q. Pavone,A.TH, B.TH
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Do not use without permission.
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