GROWING INTO MATURITY: LESSON 4- The Christian Warfare

INTRODUCTION

The Christian is constantly in battle against the forces that militate against him. Some Christians are even ignorant of the existence of such a battle and its source. Just knowing how to handle sin and how to be controlled by the Holy Spirit is not sufficient. We also need to know who our enemies are; their schemes; how to deal with them and how to walk in victory as we continue to grow as Christians. This is the subject matter of this lesson.

DISCUSSIONS

A.  WARFARE

      (i) What is warfare?

      (ii). How did the Christian warfare begin? Rev. 12:1-12; Isa. 14:12-14

B.  REALITIES OF THE SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Complete the following table by identifying the enemy; the target of attack; his strategies and his purpose or reason of attack for the corresponding verses.

VERSES	ENEMY	TARGET OF ATTACK	STRATEGIES	PURPOSE
Gal. 5:17 Rom. 7:15-24
Jn. 15:18,19
1 Jn. 2:15-17
Job 1:18,19 Job 2:1-9 Lk. 22:31-34
1 Thess. 2:18
Acts 5:1-5 Lk. 22:1-6 Matt. 27:1-5

C. OUR STRATEGIES IN THE SPIRITUAL WARFARE

(i)               Be sure you are a Christian and filled by the Holy Spirit. Col. 3:5; Rom. 13:14; Gal. 5:16

(ii)             Know the strategies of your enemy. 2 Cor. 2:11

(iii)            Know and use your weapons. 2 Cor. 10:3-5; Eph. 6:10-18; Matt. 18:18; Rev. 12:11

D. ASSURANCE OF OUR VICTORY

(i)               1 Cor. 10:13      (ii) 1 Jn. 4:4         (iii) 1 Jn. 5:4        (iv) Rom. 8:37-39

SUMMARY: The Christian is constantly engaged in a life long battle. Satan, our arch enemy is mighty but God is Almighty. Satan is forever defeated at Calvary. We can continue in this victory only if we depend on Christ daily through Quiet time, Bible study, Fasting and Prayer; which we will learn about in detail in Class 5.

MEMORY VERSE:  1 Jn. 4:4