TRUE AUTHORITY - WARFARE 1

Welcome back to the True Authority in Christ discussion:  Let's pray: 

Father, Abba, thank you for your amazing love for all of us who live move and have our being in You/Your Love. Please help us to gain the insight necessary for the next step in our walk into True Authority in Christ.  As we walk this walk not our will but Your will be done, always, and forever in Jesus, Amen

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Now let's begin this important lesson - in the level of intercession - warfare. 

Ephesians 6:12 KING JAMES VERSION

 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. 

First we learn who we do not wrestle against:  flesh and blood - or in other words, human beings. Second there is a list of who we do wrestle against - and the list is all spiritual - so the struggle will be in the spiritual realm: 

^{AMPLIFIED BIBLE VERSION:}

¹²For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

THE MESSAGE VERSION:

This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

And to prepare for this spiritual warfare let's look at the following scriptures:

Ephesians 6:11-18: KING JAMES VERSION

   ¹¹Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

   ¹²For 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.

   ¹³Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

   ¹⁴Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

   ¹⁵And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

   ¹⁶Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

   ¹⁷And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

   ¹⁸Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

    ¹²For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

    ¹³Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].

    ¹⁴Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,

    ¹⁵And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the ^[a]firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness ^[b]produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.^(A)

    ¹⁶Lift up over all the [covering] shield of ^[c]saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].

    ¹⁷And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit ^[d]wields, which is the Word of God.

    ¹⁸Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).

Ephesians 6:11-18: THE MESSAGE VERSION

A Fight to the Finish

    ^{10 -12}And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

   ^{13 -18}Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. 

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We are to put on the whole armor of God which God/LOVE  provides for us so that we may resist the danger that the devil, our enemy and all of his fallen forces present against us. The Armor is made up of:

• Belt of Truth to protect the area of our loins 
• Breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,
  
• 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
  
• Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].
  
• And take the helmet of salvation (which covers that part of us which can change us and the world - our mind)
  
• and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.

And the way of our warfare (at this level of authority - which is the mid-level,) is: 

• Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and
• Watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
• Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, 
  • with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. 
  • To that end keep alert and 
  • watch with strong purpose and perseverance, 
  • interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people)
• Truth, 
• Righteousness, 
• Peace, 
• Faith, and 
• Salvation are more than words. 
• Learn how to apply them. 
• You'll need them throughout your life. 
• God's Word is an indispensable weapon. 
• In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. 
• Pray hard and long. 
• Pray for your brothers and sisters. 
• Keep your eyes open. 
• Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
  

Prayer is powerful for a true warrior of God - one called, prepared and empowered by the truth of God's Living Word.  This level of pray includes the knowledge through experience of the truth Jesus showed us in the garden - 'Not my will but Your Will Father, God be done'.  One is committed to laying down all, including one's own understanding and even prophetic revelation/insight - all is laid down and given over to God for His Will to be done, only.  The victory is ours only in God's will.  

I hope you have journaled and studied - including looking up words for clarity. 

Peace and joy unspeakable until we meet again.