Victory over the Battles Within

Dealing with the Battles Within

Battles of the flesh (dealing with the old man) - Romans 7:13-25  Did that which is good (the law), then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. 14For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin.15For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

21So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Battles with the devil - Eph 6:10-12 - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle 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. 

Who will deliver us from this body of death?  Thanks be to God, who delivers us through Jesus Christ our Lord!

[Rom 8:37 NLT] No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

The Bible tells us that we can have overwhelming victory over the battles within (with the flesh), and the battles with the devil. But just how do we gain these victories?

Romans 8, the answer to Romans 7:

[Rom 8:14 NKJV] For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

[Rom 8:15 NKJV] For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."

[Rom 8:16 NKJV] The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

[Rom 8:17 NKJV] and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with [Him], that we may also be glorified together.

[Rom 8:18 NKJV] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

[Rom 8:19 NKJV] For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

[Rom 8:20 NKJV] For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected [it] in hope;

[Rom 8:21 NKJV] because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

[Rom 8:22 NKJV] For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

[Rom 8:23 NKJV] Not only [that], but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

[Rom 8:24 NKJV] For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?

[Rom 8:25 NKJV] But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for [it] with perseverance.

[Rom 8:26 NKJV] Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

[Rom 8:27 NKJV] Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit [is], because He makes intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.

[Rom 8:28 NKJV] And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to [His] purpose.

[Rom 8:29 NKJV] For whom He foreknew, He also predestined [to be] conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

[Rom 8:30 NKJV] Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

[Rom 8:31 NKJV] What then shall we say to these things? If God [is] for us, who [can be] against us?

[Rom 8:32 NKJV] He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

[Rom 8:33 NKJV] Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? [It is] God who justifies.

[Rom 8:34 NKJV] Who [is] he who condemns? [It is] Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

[Rom 8:35 NKJV] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [Shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

[Rom 8:36 NKJV] As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."

[Rom 8:37 NKJV] Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

[Rom 8:38 NKJV] For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,

[Rom 8:39 NKJV] nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Defeating the devil:

What happened to Satan at the cross?

·         He was stripped of his authority and disarmed - Col. 2:15.

·         His works were destroyed - 1 Jn. 3:8; Mk. 16:17-18.

·         So the enemy’s weapons and authority are gone, but he still deceives  (he gets us to obey by deceptions and lies -Gen. 3:13).

·         Revelation 20:3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

·         John 8:44 - You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

 What happened to us at the cross?

·         He delivered us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of Light - Col. 1:13-14.

·         He gave us the power to live the life He called us to live - 1 Jn. 4:4.

·         He gave us back authority to exercise on the earth -Lk. 10:19.

·         We exercise our authority by obedience.  Legal authority must become exercised authority.

·         In the book of Acts, God gave us the power to exercise our legal authority.  We must activate our will and choose to exercise our authority.  We must pursue the enemy, confront the enemy, and finally “arrest” the enemy.  It is the dunamis power of God that is within that is the power to enforce Jesus’ victory on the cross.

1.    Now all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus.  He in turn now gives it to all those who are His disciples, His Bride, the sons and daughters of God in order that they can continue His work on earth; making disciples of all nations and destroying the works of the enemy.

·         Matthew 28:18-19 - Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

·          1 John 3:8 - He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. (NIV)

2.    The power and the right to exercise that power, which is authority, that has been released to the saints of God to use on earth is to be used for specific things.

·         It is authority over evil spirits, demons and the power of the enemy:  It is also authority over sickness and the authority to heal diseases. 

·         Matthew 10:1 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

·         Luke 9:1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,

·         Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

·         Mark 6:7 Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.

·         Mark 16:17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

·         It is the authority to bind and to loose things on earth.

·         Matthew 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

·         It is the authority to encourage and build up the saints of God on earth.

·         2 Corinthians 10:8 For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it.

·         Titus 2:15 - These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

·         It is the power and authority to be His witnesses in all the earth.

·         Acts 1:8 -  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."   (Matt. 28:18-19)

·         And to those who are over comers and do His will to the end, He will give power and authority over the nations.

·         Revelation 2:26 To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations -- (NIV)

·         The Church, Jesus' bride, is to rule and reign with Him as kings and priests.  Lk. 12:32, Rev. 3:21, 1 Cor. 6:2-3, Jn. 17:22, Rom. 8:17, 1 Pet. 2:9.

Eph 6:10-20 -  10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle 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. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

[1Co 16:13 NASB] Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

[Phl 4:1 NASB] Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

[1Th 3:8 NASB] for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

[2Th 2:15 NASB] So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.

In the end, the answer to the question of just how do we gain the victories over our flesh and over the devil is through the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

[Rom 7:25 NLT] Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. ------

[Rom 8:37 NLT] No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

[Rom 8:38 NLT] And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love.

[Rom 8:39 NLT] No power in the sky above or in the earth below--indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 The victories are ours if we stand firm in the Lord and stay very close to Him!

Our part is to minister to one another:

We are to comfort one another:

parakaleó: to call to or for, to exhort, to encourage

Original Word: παρακαλέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: parakaleó
Phonetic Spelling: (par-ak-al-eh'-o)
Short Definition: I summon, entreat, admonish, comfort
Definition: (a) I send for, summon, invite, (b) I beseech, entreat, beg, (c) I exhort, admonish, (d) I comfort, encourage, console.

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[Rom 15:4 NKJV] For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

[1Co 14:3 NKJV] But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

[2Co 1:4 NKJV] who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

[1Th 4:18 NKJV] Therefore comfort one another with these words.

[1Th 5:11 NKJV] Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

[1Th 5:14 NKJV] Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

We are to build up one another:

oikodomeó: to build a house

Original Word: οἰκοδομέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: oikodomeó
Phonetic Spelling: (oy-kod-om-eh'-o)
Short Definition: I build, build up, edify
Definition: I erect a building, build; fig. of the building up of character: I build up, edify, encourage.

build (13), builders (4), building (2), built (10), edified (1), edifies (3), edify (1), rebuild (4), strengthened (1).

[1Th 5:11 NASB] Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

[Act 20:32 NASB] "And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

We encourage one another:

We are to be strong and take courage:

Deu 31:6 NKJV - "Be strong (chazak) and of good courage (amatz), do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He [is] the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."

chazaq: to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen

Original Word: חָזַק
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: chazaq
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-zak')
Short Definition: strong

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amets: to be stout, strong, bold, alert

Original Word: אָמַץ
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: amets
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-mats')
Short Definition: courageous

conquered (1), courageous (11), determined (1), harden (1), hardened (1), increases (1), made his obstinate (1), made firm (1), made haste (2), made strong (1), makes her strong (1), mighty (1), proved...strong (1), raises (1), strengthen (6), strengthened (3), strong (2), stronger (1), summon (1), supported (1), take courage (2).

Deu 31:6 NKJV - "Be strong (chazak) and of good courage (amatz), do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He [is] the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."

Jos 1:7 NKJV - "Only (rak) be strong (chazak) and very courageous (amatz), that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.

Jos 1:9 NKJV - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God [is] with you wherever you go."

1Ch 28:20 NKJV - And David said to his son Solomon, "Be strong and of good courage, and do [it]; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God--my God--[will be] with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

 [Jos 10:25 NKJV] Then Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight."

[2Sa 10:12 NKJV] "Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD do [what is] good in His sight."

[1Ch 22:13 NKJV] "Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the LORD charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed.

[1Ch 28:20 NKJV] And David said to his son Solomon, "Be strong and of good courage, and do [it]; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God--my God--[will be] with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

[Jos 1:9 NLT] This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

[1Ch 22:13 NLT] For you will be successful if you carefully obey the decrees and regulations that the LORD gave to Israel through Moses. Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or lose heart!

[2Ch 15:7 NLT] But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded."

[2Ch 32:7 NLT] "Be strong and courageous! Don't be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side!

[Psa 27:14 NLT] Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

[Psa 31:24 NLT] So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD!

[1Co 16:13 NLT] Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.

“Chazak Amats"

The Ancient War Cry of Israel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-XKSV9sKr8w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN5OSKXI65I