Casting Down Strongholds

Casting Down Strongholds by Derek Prince
Study Notes
CD4326

I. Two Invisible Kingdoms (Matt. 12:24-28)
  A. Satan's kingdom (Eph. 6:12)
    1. Wrestling match with persons without bodies
    2. Against rulers with various areas and descending orders of authority
    3. Against the world dominators of this present darkness
    4. Spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenlies
  B. "Heavens" are plural (Gen 1:1)
    1. Third heaven/Paradise (2 Cor. 12:2-4)
      a. Third heaven = God's dwelling place
      b. First heaven = visible heaven: sun, moon, stars
      c. Second heaven = Between God's heaven and visible heaven: Satan's kingdom
    2. Jesus ascended above all heavens (Eph. 4:10)
  C. Picture of angelic battles in the heavenlies (Dan. 10:2-3, 12-13, 20-11:1)
    1. We must pray "through"
    2. Satanic power over:

      a. Cities
      b. Nationalities/racial groups; i.e. American Blacks & Native Americans
      c. Earthly kingdoms (Persia and Greece)
    3. Christians alone have been given the weapons to intervene in this spiritual war:
II. How to Wage Spiritual Warfare
  A. We must be equipped to play our part (Eph. 6:13-18)
    1. Waist girded with truth
    2. Breastplate of righteousness
    3. Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace
    4. Shield of faith
    5. Helmet of salvation (thought life) (I Thess. 5:8) Optimism vs. pessimism
    6. Sword of the Spirit--the Word of God
    7. Praying always (v. 18)
  B. First identify, then bind the "strong man" (Matt. 12:29)
  C. God has provided the necessary spiritual weapons (2 Cor. 10:3-5)
    1. Prayer (Matt. 18:18-20)
      a. Bind
      b. Harmonize
    2. Thanksgiving (John 6:11, 23; 11:41)
    3. Praise (Ps. 8:2; 2 Chron. 20:21-24; Acts 16:25-26)
    4. Proclamation (Rev. 12:7-11)--pattern of Moses' rod (the Bible)--use what's in your hand
  D. Need for revelatory gifts (I Cor. 12:7-11)
Copyright 1990--Derek Prince Ministries--International

Five misdiagnosed symptoms

by Jim Stitzinger

In the Emergency Room, decisions of life and death are regularly made with extreme pressure and very limited information. Symptoms present themselves and a trained, discerning mind diagnoses the real issue. Get it right and the treatment plan takes over. Get it wrong and not even the best treatment plan is able to fully help.

But what about diagnosing spiritual problems? Only God is omniscient and has a full, uninfluenced view of the human heart (1 Samuel 16:7). As believers, our discernment must be driven by the insights and fruit Scripture directs us toward as His Word exposes and corrects issues of the heart (Matthew 7:20; Hebrews 4:12-13). Many more could be added, but here are five symptoms that are commonly misdiagnosed by pastors:

1. Remorse misdiagnosed as repentance

Remorse is the reaction to the temporal, human consequences of sin. It springs from guilt and often seeks to halt the sin for a season. Mere remorse does not require any supernatural power. Remorse is not repentance. True repentance is God’s supernatural, sanctifying work in our hearts! It is both forsaking sin and turning to righteousness (2 Corinthians 7:10-11). It is the abandoning of self as the Spirit works in us to put off sinful thoughts, words and actions and works in us to putting on righteousness (Colossians 3:1-11) producing His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). Guilt and God’s wrath are not erased by remorse and His discipline will continue to remain until a believer is brought to repentance on a given sin issue (Hebrews 12:6).

2. Selfish ambition misdiagnosed as God’s direction

There is a world of difference between wanting to do something and presuming upon a divine commission. Sanctification, in all its components is God’s stated will (Romans 12:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:3). Before you “take the moon for Christ”, root out selfish ambition (Philippians 2:3) and presumption (James 4:13-16). It is one thing to humbly seek God’s leading and move out in faith, trusting Him to direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5,6;16:9). It is another to presume God’s anointing and appointment is on you. Saul did that and look how that turned out (1 Samuel 15:9-11). Follow James on this one (James 4:15).

3. Rebellion misdiagnosed as Spiritual drought

A powerful Christian life is filled and fueled by the Holy Spirit, producing His fruit in us (Galatians 5:22-23). With His unchanging love (Romans 8:35-39), He promises to “never leave us nor forsake us” (Hebrews 13:5). As the Father model’s love for His Son, Christ said, “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. (John 15:9-10)”.

Christ’s obedience was the key to the intimacy of abiding in the Father’s love. Christ says the same is true for us. Rebel and intimacy is obstructed (Psalm 66:18) and the Spirit is grieved (Ephesians 4:30). Whether our sin is failing to trust God’s character (Romans 8:28) or the proud self-righteous of wanting sanctification of our own design, we should never expect to enjoy God’s love as we abuse His mercy!

When a season of “spiritual drought” appears, submerge yourself in God’s Word, reset your mind on the person and work of Christ (Colossians 3:16). If your heart struggles at that point, prayerfully confess the sin of looking for intimacy with Christ apart from the way He has revealed Himself. The self-righteous sin of our heart will long for an easier pathway of sanctification and fickle emotions are seldom an ally in the fight against sin. Yield your will to Christ’s loving commands and in faith, trust His Spirit to do His transforming work.

If you are striving toward holiness, repenting of sin, submitting your will to every command of God, and ready to embrace whatever His providence allows, then rest assure He is doing everything through you that He intends to do at this moment. Leave sanctification in the hands of the One who does it.

4. Attendance misdiagnosed as Holiness

Filling a chair is no more a gauge of holiness than wearing a uniform makes you worthy to wear it. Yet it is easy to assume that being present also means being prepared to engage in corporate worship. Corporate worship services for believers are non negotiable and should be the predictable pattern of life.

However, perfect attendance at every event is not necessarily a mark of holiness. Sometimes it is a cover for a guilty conscience. Just the same sporadic attendance at a peripheral ministry meeting is not necessarily a symptom of sin.

Before clenching down on the jugular of attendance, ask! Consider several options, (1) Is there a conflict that can be worked through (work, rides, etc.) (2) is the meeting an obstacle to ministry and should be revamped or canceled; (3) is there something of greater spiritual importance is requiring their attention or (4) yes, maybe there is a heart issue being exposed. Pursue the heart issue. Don’t assume attendance equals holiness, Don’t assume absence equals sin. If godliness was gauged by attendance, Judas gets an “A”.

 

5. Discipline misdiagnosed as Persecution

Scripture assures us that our loving Father will discipline His children (Hebrews 12:6). But dismissing the consequences of sin as if it was “persecution” only cultivates spiritual blindness.

When sin provokes or prompts another to sin in return, it is not persecution. No matter the intensity or longevity, it is part of the manifold consequences of sin (1 Peter 2:20). Those consequences serve as painful reminders of the heinous offense our sin is to God (Psalm 5:5), the price He paid to forgive our sin (2 Corinthians 5:21) and how dependent we are on His strength to embrace whatever follows as part of His refining, humbling work in us. When we are taking full responsibility for our sin, we are able to see how even the most sever consequence is used by God to press us toward holiness (Hebrews 12:5-11).

Persecution is totally different. It is the hatred the world directs at Christ on display in our life. It fills the range from insults, lies, and slander to physical threats and attacks (Matthew 5:11-12). In every case, it is the world’s venom against the working of God in and through a believer (John 15:18-21). Persecution produces endurance (James 1:2-3;12). Consequences of sin produces righteousness (Hebrews 12:11). Job was persecuted (Job 1), David was punished (2 Samuel 12:13-14).

The Apostle Paul urged us to “admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Misdiagnose the issue and you may end up encouraging the unruly, helping the fainthearted, admonishing the weak, and being patient with no one!

We will get it wrong. Our flesh is deceptive (Romans 7:18), humanity limits our knowledge (Psalm 139:2) and we must guard against presumption (Proverbs 18:13). Yet we know the Holy Spirit is at all times working to sanctify each child of God (John 17:17). His Word exposes our hearts (Hebrews 4:12-13) and HIs love truly does cover all of our sin (Colossians 2:13-14, Romans 5:8). His diagnosis is always both accurate and precise and along with His Word, He gives 24 hour supervision and power in sanctifying Christ’s bride (Ephesians 5:25-29; 6:17).

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About Jim Stitzinger: Jim is the pastor of Grace Bible Church in Naples, FL, a new church that began just over three years ago.

Praise for report on shoulder

Thank you Lord, for hearing my prayer and sending Maureen, Judy, Connie, Karen, and others to pray for me. I am so grateful for you that Dr. Rohrbough has recommended a shot of cortisone and two months of physical therapy rather than surgery. Please help me to take care of myself and to heal.

Tina

Marilyn Meberg--Women of Faith

Part I
Of Human Bondage--great book
What do you do with the feelings when God doesn't answer your prayer the way you wanted?
What does God want to show us rather than stuffing it in a box?
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus--Lazarus died.
Psalm 94: 19 When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.
Consolation #1, we can fuss at God, accuse Him, complain to Him.
Consolation # 2, He has empathy with us. When Mary and Martha did so, Jesus wept. He felt their pain.
Consolation # 3, He hears us. Jesus prayed with Mary and Martha saying to God, I know you hear My prayer. We have access through Jesus, who is our Mediator with the Father.
Consolation # 4, He teaches us that God is Sovereign. He does it all, He chooses what, when, how, things in our life occur. Nothing is random with Him.
Ephesians 1:11 " . . for He chose us from the beginning and all things happen just as He decided."
Job says there is not a solitary day we have beyond what God has ordained.
Psalm 139 says He knows our days from the beginning to the end.
He cares more about us than we do.
God is in control of everything, even the pain that comes into our life. Sin abounds, and we face the effects.
Take one pain out of your box. Then do the following:
Psalm 100 "On your feet now, applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter. Sing yourself into His presence. Enter with the password: Thank you!" Doing so goes against everything in our humanity, but when we thank Him for it, we release it to His Sovereign control, His presence. Lift these to Him.
Romans 8:28

Part II
God is for our pleasure.
I Timothy 6:17 "God richly gives us all we need for enjoyment.
James 1:17 Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God.
The problem is in our overstimulation of pleasure--keeping the pleasure in balance is our task.
Satan uses our pleasure center to try to get us out of balance. More is better lie.
Be aware of the vulnerability I have to swallow the hook swinging before me.
I cannot risk a platonic relationship with someone of the opposite sex. There is an underlying tide. There is nothing that is more dangerous than someone who makes you feel attractive, worthy, listened to.

8 Questions to ask yourself to test if the hook is dangling, and how close you are to swallowing it.

1. Do you consider your more person a soul mate.
2. Does your more person know more about you than your spouse?
3. Have you confided private and personal weaknesses in your marriage.
4. Would you be uncomfortable if your spouse knew you had confided?
5. Would you feel uncomfortable if your spouse joined you on future times spent with your more person?
6. Do you and your more person flirt with each other?
7. Have you imagined having sex with your more person?
8. Have you mutually agreed each of you feels sexual chemistry?

If you answer yes to the last three questions, your roof will cave.

From Marilyn's book What to Do When the Roof Caves In.

Story of David and Bathsheeba
If you yield repeatedly to the same hook, confess it to God and dig deeper to see why you keep swallowing, what makes you continually vulnerable. Be free of shame and know you are forgiven. God forgives and forgets.

Steve Arterburn--Women of Faith Conference

Gain a New Awareness to Have Transformation

1. Four Questions to Ask Ourselves:
• What am I so angry about?
• What am I missing?
• What am I learning?
• What is it that I need?
2. Then seek resolution.
3. Healing Waters, Healing Stones--two books by Steve Arterburn
4. Look at things from your past--deep things. Get started on the journey to wholeness. With a new sense of who God is to you, go for it.

Join Our Desires to His to Have Transformation

• Find what is blocking the feeling of God's love.
• He wants to give us the desires of our heart.
• God wants to say "yes," but we need to be willing to trust Him.
• He can transform our mistakes into His plan.
• God says, "Get back up."
• He covers us in His grace and loves us anyway.
• His forgiveness to us is His glory.
• He calls us to obey. Prov. 3:7
• Develop personal character.
• Live your life as God has called you to live it.
• Miraculous blessing follows obedience to Christ.
• Don't be guilt ridden. Don't be afraid. Don't miss your moment.
• God wants us to dance.
• Gain a new confidence in God's love for you.

Steven Curtis Chapman @ Dove Awards

Partnering with God

Think of a huge project you may work on with a friend; perhaps building a house, putting on an event, or going on a road trip together. If you work together well, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."- Romans 12:12you will create a lasting, deep friendship. If you don’t, your relationship can be ruined, along with any desire to do that particular project again.As you pray for the president, the nation and the troops, think of it as a project you and God are working on together, and consider the three ways Paul gives you to best “get along with God” as you partner with Him. You’re to be joyful while you trust in Him to do the brunt of the work and produce quality results. You’re to endure with a good attitude through the tough times. And you’re to be faithful, dependable and committed in prayer until your project is complete.As you work with God, developing these qualities as you go, you will develop a deep, intimate, lasting bond with Him as you intercede for America.Recommended Reading: Philippians 1:4-6, 9-11