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The Fight For Life Virtual Class Forum
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WEEK 2 SPIRITUAL WARFARE
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Discuss
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Brian Hardin 07/16/2011 21:11 |
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Craig from Illinois
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07/17/2011 07:24 |
There are tons of things going through my head about this weeks episode. One is that I think John Eldridge has a vivid imagination about the spirit world. Then, just when I start to convince myself that spiritual warfare isn't quite this pervasive, John says "you may be thinking that spiritual warfare isn't real... that's a "foul spirit" whispering a lie to you". Really John? Or could it be that you need to say that so I don't challenge your point of view?
Here's the thing, I'm a child of God with the Holy Spirit abiding in me and I in Christ. True, I believe it's possible that I could come under a spiritual attack, especially if I invite a "foul spirit" into my life through an act of sin. However, I also believe that most of the time I am walking with Christ under the canopy of prayer and protection. If I then believe that foul spirits are controlling my thoughts and effecting my physical being, don't I effectively diminish Christ?
The things that John calls "foul spirits" I call "sins of the flesh" or "the human nature". I am in a process of sanctification through Christ to overcome the sinful nature". I have a hard time accepting that there is a real live "foul spirit" in my mind or on my shoulder or whispering in my ear. It's a little too much Sci-Fi for me. There seems to be enough theology in the "Fall of Man" to account for my bent towards sin. Does it always have to be demons and devils?
Respectfully,
Craig
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Tom B
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07/17/2011 07:31 |
Thanks for your post Craig. I think I am somewhere in the middle on this. I think there are evil spirits acting in our lives, but I also think that often we are inviting them through our actions, and often we are protected by our relationship and faith. I am looking at the Daily Prayer and praying it today, because I like the scriptural references. I will pray over this topic for clarity and guidance.
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Brian Hardin
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07/17/2011 19:18 |
For me I was once where Craig was. In fact I was much more extreme and had all but dismissed Spiritual Warfare as much of a category for anything in my life. Bad things happen....you deal with it an move on. Then I started reading the Bible everyday and two things happened. First my life went crazy in both good and bad ways. Secondly I started watching very carefully the life of Jesus in the Gospels and Christ doesn't in any way diminish the reality of foul spirits being involved in all sorts of things. We could say that these were illnesses that now have a name and drugs to sort out and that might be fair in some cases however the Holy Spirit chose to reveal Himself and GOD chose to come in the flesh at a point in history for a reason. If GOD Himself in the flesh chose to acknowledge the affects of the evil one and the forces of darkness in the world then I am absolutely personally not going to ignore it for a second.
Then the Scriptures go on to describe the evil one's intention of stealing, killing, destroying, devouring like a lion etc. These are vivid illustrations. We can decide that it's not true but we have to throw out portions of Scripture to get there. I'm not willing to do it. I've seen it actually at play in my life. I've literally been in conversations with people and had the distinct feeling that there's more going on. I've had too many troubled or demon possessed people call the Daily Audio Bible and threaten to kill me or curse me by the power of Satan. I'm not looking for the devil under every rock or behind every door but I know that the Bible teaches a doctrine of acute vigilance over our souls. We are commanded to do things like "stand firm," or "resist." These require actual conscious action on our parts. To simply decide that the Age of Reason explains away the spiritual world is possibly the most dangerous thing that's ever happened. But things go in cycles and the world is turning back to the mystical in the post modern age. Even science is turning to alternative explanations for many things that a person would call spiritual in nature.
Does the power and blood of Christ protect and cover us from the evil intentions of the kingdom of darkness? I believe so. Do we just get to have it without a fight? I don't think so. Even Jesus faced the evil one straight on. If Jesus faced it, we can assume that we will as well.
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Ray
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07/17/2011 20:37 |
"If I then believe that foul spirits are controlling my thoughts and effecting my physical being, don't I effectively diminish Christ?"
I think one of the points of the teaching is to not let your responsibility slide to the point where this is a possibility, to stand firm against the tide. The scenario you describe is the end game of the enemy. For example, if lust comes, it is better to stand up against it, correct? If one fails to stand, then the threat remains and can get to be as you describe, controlling. Witness Legion.
'The things that John calls "foul spirits" I call "sins of the flesh" or "the human nature".'
How is the problem of human nature relate to what Paul describes?
Eph 6:12 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. 13 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.
Not trying to be hard to get along with, Craig. I think your questioning is good.
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Kelley
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07/17/2011 21:35 |
I dunno, Craig, I've been working through some of this stuff and what I've encountered as I try to face it feels very much like personal and purposeful opposition. My suggestion would be to treat it as though it were true, act on it, and see if you don't get some very personal attention from someone you don't think is there! ;)
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