TAKING GROUND: Opposition In The Spirit Steve Parrish Ephesians 6:10–12 (ESV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle (intense struggle) against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Following Jesus is a Journey, leading you to Taking Ground, one step at a time in your Discipleship Relationships Family Ministry Career Community Talents/Giftings Finances There is a spiritual realm God is Spirit - God created the spiritual realm There is the Holy Spirit There is the reality of angels There is the reality of fallen angels - Satan/Satana There is the reality of demons (likely not angels) There is the reality of false gods OPPOSITION IN THE SPIRIT: The Holy Spirit John 1:43 (ESV) The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Galatians 5:25 (ESV) If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Acts 16:6–10 (ESV) And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Misalignment with the Holy Spirit brings brings contention Acts 7:51 (ESV) “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Ephesians 4:30 (ESV) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. OPPOSITION IN THE SPIRIT: Surrendered Territory Ephesians 4:27 (NIV) and do not give the devil a foothold. This can happen Personal, Family, Region Unforgiveness Hidden/Addictive Sin Generation Sin Occultic Practice This establishes a rightful ground to be used for opposition in your life. Daniel 10:13 (ESV) The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, While slavery was a horrific sin of American in it’s early years, the sin of Abortion is far worse. Old Testament, Children were murdered Molech - children passed through the fire Baal - sacrifices Why? Favor, protection, blessing, prosperity and agricultural success. Fertility of land and livestock. Protection from enemies and disasters. Divine favor and acceptance. Mark 5:7–10 (ESV) And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. OPPOSITION IN THE SPIRIT: Deception Revelation 12:9 (ESV) And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Ephesians 2:1–2 (ESV) And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— Saul/Paul John 16:2 (ESV) They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. Acts 7:59–8:1 (ESV) And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Acts 8:3 (ESV) But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Acts 9:1–6 (ESV) But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” Believing things that are not true is a spiritual issue There are great limiters for believers - Revelation is needed OPPOSITION IN THE SPIRIT: Satan/Satana Genesis 3:14–15 (ESV) The LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” He Opposed Jesus: Luke 4:13 (ESV) And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. 2 Corinthians 2:11 (ESV) so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. 1 Peter 5:8–9 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. James 4:7–8 (ESV) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. John 8:44 (ESV) You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 (ESV) because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. OPPOSITION IN THE SPIRIT: Things Bound In The Spiritual Realm Matthew 17:19–21 (KJV 1900) Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. OPPOSITION IN THE SPIRIT: Occultic Practice Numbers 22:15–17 (ESV) Once again Balak sent princes, more in number and more honorable than these. And they came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: ‘Let nothing hinder you from coming to me, for I will surely do you great honor, and whatever you say to me I will do. Come, curse this people for me.’ ” “That cant touch me…”. It can, but you can discern and oppose it.
