My Basic Thoughts on Spiritual Warfare

I was asked about my thoughts on Spiritual Warfare in the Facebook "Study Group on Spiritual Warfare" group. Thought I would share it here:

Although I am not an expert on the subject, I have had some experience since the early 80s. What I have seen is that there are many books out there on the subject, some good and some bad. The only great book on the subject is the Bible itself. Read all of the rest for insight but do not take any of them as pure truth.
They teach that you must know your enemy. I say, know your Captain "Jesus". Some people study demonology to the extreme. When our Church first started a study of Spiritual Warfare back in the 80s we learned that you become what you focus your study on. So I say study Jesus and draw as close as you can to Him.
The teaching usually starts with a study of our Spiritual Armor. This is good and I have heard many interpretations of the armor, but I lean to the understanding first that the armor is Jesus and His attributes.
Romans 13:4 says," But put on Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lust." and Gal. 3:27, "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
Spiritual Warfare may involve two things, and probably more, which is deliverance of our selves or someone else from Satan's control or influence.
As we "put on our armor or strive to be more like Jesus, we do battle with unseen enemies for control of our or someone else’s control of flesh.
Spiritual Warfare is simple, join with Christ to destroy the works of the Devil and advance the Kingdom of God. To do this is very simple, so simple people will not discipline themselves to do it. WE have heard it all our spiritual lives. Read the Word of God, fellowship with God's people (this means spiritual fellowship and not just flesh feeding meetings) and praying God's work (intersession)
This is just my basic thoughts on the subject of Spiritual Warfare and I hope it helps you to get started. If you had more detailed questions, I will try to answer or direct you to someone you can.

No Nudist In The Kingdom; The Conclusion: The Putting On

In parts 1-7 we looked at items in 1 Peter 2:1-3, Colossians 3:8-9 Eph. 4:31-32 and that we are to “put off” or better translated as “take off” as in taking off a coat and laying it aside. And we discussed how the Lord always gives us something better to put on when He has us take something off. Therefore not leaving us Spiritually naked.
Now we come to the conclusion, “The Putting On”.
In Ephesians 6:13-18 (NAS) we read:
"Therefore take up the full Armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore,
having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, Which is the Word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.
I’ve heard a lot of versions of this passage and in a sense all of them are true. Here is my take on the armor of God.
The girdle of Truth. Take off all the falseness and lies and put on truth. Just tell the truth. Be truthful. Not to the point of hurting others but don’t be a liar. No matter what else you do, being caught in a lie can undo all of it.
1. Breastplate of Righteousness. Take off all evil and be clothed in righteousness. Not our own but Christ’s. The Word says our righteousness is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Not good for anything. Stand before God in Christ. In Right Standing with the Father.
2. Shod with the Gospel of Peace. Take off all strife. And put on Peace. The Gospel in a whole is Peace. Peace with God, Peace with self and peace with others. Being always in strife can crush your testimony. Who always wants to be in turmoil?
3. Helmet of Salvation. The helmet protects the head therefore we must renew our minds by focusing on the Word and keeping our thoughts on the Kingdom.
4. Shield of Faith. The shield is not an item of clothing, but it is necessary for the armor. All through the Book of Psalms God is said to be our Shield. Pick up your Faith in God. You can lay it down and become vulnerable to the enemy. Pick it up and stand side by side with others (in the Church of Faith) and you all become a mighty fighting force. Just like the Romans depicted in the movies with their line of battle with shields in front, above and all sides. Unbeatable.
5. The Sword of the Spirit. It is as it says. The sword is the Word of God. The Bible. But it is much more. It is the Word of God used in and by the Holy Spirit in the Believer. Pick it up and use in His Spirit for attack and defense.
6. Prayer. Now prayer is listed as part of the whole military thing because without a good supply line the army will fail no matter how they won the battle.
So here we are at the end. Take it all off and put on the glorious garments the Lord has for you.

Prayer: Lord, help us to take off all actions and attributes that do not bring Glory to Your name and Kingdom and help us to put on the things that would further your Kingdom. Amen