The Theology of Spiritual Warfare” Chapter 3 of an eBook by Dave Bessey

PART ONE – The Biblical Theology of Truth in Spiritual Warfare.

Chapter Three: Deliverance -Break the Chains

As I was writing this it was Father's day and I delivered a sermon that, “God Willing” touched every heart.

Though the message of deliverance (Spiritual Warfare) was given primarily to men, the word is applicable to every soul.

“I pray the Word will touch your heart as you read and deeply penetrate to the darkest places of your soul, body and mind and set you free by breaking every chain of bondage in the name of Jesus Amen.

Philippians 2:5-11 World English Bible

5 Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. WEB

Romans 5:1-10 World English Bible

1 Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; 2 through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope: 5 and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For while we were yet weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man. Yet perhaps for a righteous person someone would even dare to die. 8 But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we will be saved from God’s wrath through him. 10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we will be saved by his life. WEB

Warning, the world is trying to dictate to us how we should love. Watchmen beware! Sound the shofar!

In today's modern times it is not easy to be a Dad or a man, would you agree? It is not easy to be human. Everyday is a battle. Even learning the new technology can be difficult task for a Dad. And then everyone has a definition or expectations of what a dad or husband should be. We are Superman, right? The Man of Steel, we can do everything. Most of the time even the pulpits around the world beat men up --- a lot.

Psychologists have got all the answers as to why men fail to measure up. They blame their Dads. You see it is easy to bring a message of condemnation. It is in our old nature to do this. To bring a message of love and encouragement is prophetically supernatural and not of this fallen world system.

I could preach on any number of men, even bible characters who were good or bad examples of a father:

We could talk about Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David or even Joseph, Jesus' foster dad! Instead we will talk about one Father, our God. There really is no other father worthy to be called our “Father.”

I loved my Dad as I'm sure you do yours, but as men we fail and are not worthy to be worshiped. Dads should be honored though. We should honor men who strive everyday for their families or even barely getting out of bed against all odds. Men who endure pain, ridicule and frustration for many years and many reasons including the gospel and never ask for praise. Quiet men of valor who walk into the fight everyday, behind the scenes. Men who set the example through action and not just talk and who are an example of the love that Christ has for his Church. They fight the wars and come home and fight to put food on the table. Men who must overcome great insecurity and fear to be what God called them to be. These are the heroes. But despite this, God is still our ultimate example. He paid the ultimate price for us too. He went to the cross. Today we honor our awesome Lord and the Dads here. But let us keep Yahweh at the forefront of our minds, the one who created and paid for us in full for us to be here.

Sin came into the world through one man and the ENEMY has been using this against us men ever since.

Today we break this yolk of bondage in the name of Jesus. Jesus Christ has made us righteous through His blood. He defeated sin on the cross and through His resurrection has defeated death. There is no longer any condemnation possible for those who are in Christ Jesus. There is Power in the name of Jesus. The demons tremble at the sound of the name of Jesus and so should we.

The Son of Man, our God, though He never married or had any children of His own, is the example of humility and love for us all. True love demonstrated on the cross. Can you find a higher work ethic? Our mission is to follow Him into battle and be Christlike. as we persevere through His blood and the power of the testimony of what He has done through us. We are His sons, His warriors. Are you excited, the Word of God is our sword to freedom. We must follow His example and demonstrate His love too.

God commended or demonstrated His love through two aspect angles.

The first aspect is through His humbling Himself and coming to earth and the second aspect by His death on the cross.

A. The 1st aspect angle of God's commended or demonstrated love is through the aspect of humbling Himself and coming to earth. This love brought us hope and peace through the Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Paul in Philippians 2:5-11 says:

“Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, didn't consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee would bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue would confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God, the Father.”

Jesus became a man to save us and defeat the enemy of our souls, satan. He did it! He has won it all. We can no longer be condemned and are no longer victims, we are victors in Christ. With a Father who loves you like that, why are you still afraid?

Roman 8:15-17, 31 AND 35-39

For you didn't receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba! Father!" 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God; 17 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 with him...31 What then will we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?...35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Even as it is written, "For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter." 37 No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. WEB

B. Another aspect angle is God's commended love through the Cross.

Romans 5:8

“God commended or demonstrated Hid love towards us that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”

Sometimes as men we feel inadequate for the battle at hand. We feel like failures or full of shame. Some folks are also just stubborn. Still others want to please everyone, but we fail everytime. God has set us free from this kind of mindset if we will walk in the freedom of the cross, under the blood and washed clean. We really only have to please and obey Him. The freedom this brings is clear. The chains are broken when we begin to follow Him, anointing of His Spirit destroys the yolk of bondage as we pick up our cross everyday in humility. The results of this is we actually will be set free to please others too. We become aligned with the cross and God's purpose and will, rather than our own fears, lusts or desires. Walking by faith brings great freedom. Stepping out is the hard part. Fear needs to be overcome by the love of God.

1 John 4:18 World English Bible

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love.”

“Fear not, be strong and courageous” are just words until they are applied. Joshua's victory came as He obeyed, not from the words themselves:

Joshua 1 World English Bible

9 Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”WEB

Joshua 5 World English Bible

13 When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man stood in front of him with his sword drawn in his hand. Joshua went to him, and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?”14 He said, “No; but I have come now as commander of Yahweh’s army.” Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and worshiped, and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” 15 The prince of Yahweh’s army said to Joshua, “Take your shoes off of your feet; for the place on which you stand is holy.” Joshua did so.WEB

Here is another example of the kind of courage I'm talking about-okay folks it's time for, wait for it, yes, a war story: The story is called, “Butch and Eddy”.

World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Medal of Honor Recipient Butch O'Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to an aircraft carrier in the South Pacific near the Philippines.

One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier.

Reluctantly he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As he was returning to the mothership, he saw something that turned his blood cold. A squadron of Japanese Zeroes were speeding their way toward the American fleet. The American fighters were gone on a sortie and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor, could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger.

There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet. Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber's blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch weaved in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until finally all his ammunition was spent.

Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the Zeroes, trying to at least clip off a wing or tail, in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible and rendering them unfit to fly. He was desperate to do anything he could to keep them from reaching the American ships. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction.

Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. Upon arrival he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. He was recognized as a hero and given one of the nation's highest military honors.

And today, O'Hare International Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man. And oh by the way his dad was a notorious gangster attorney for the mob boss Al Capone. We don't pick our earthly dads, and we don't always have to turn out like them or use them as an excuse for our character or behavior failures.

Men, we may be a hero but no one would ever know it. We may be a hero waiting to rise up, but due to bondage we are held captive by our thoughts or enemy chains. We may be in denial of our pride. This can be for everyone.

Pastor Francis Fragipane said in his book “The Three Battlegrounds”:

“While we may find comfort in being Christians, being a Christian has not made us perfect. There are still many strongholds within us. Therefore, let us identify some of these spiritual fortresses. Rare is the Christian who is not limited by at least one of the following strongholds: unbelief, cold love, fear, pride, unforgiveness, lust, greed, or any combination of these, as well as the possibility of many others.”

Because we excuse ourselves so readily, it is difficult to discern the areas of oppression in our lives. After all, these are our thoughts, attitudes and perceptions; we justify and defend our thoughts with the same degree of intensity with which we justify and defend ourselves. As it is written, "...as [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7 KJV).

In other words, the essence of who we are exists in our thought-life. Therefore, before any deliverance can truly be accomplished, we must honestly recognize and confess our need. We must stop pretending everything is all right. We must humble ourselves and seek help. Indeed, as previously mentioned, the first stronghold that God must remove is pride. For until one is willing to admit that he needs deliverance, he will never be free from strongholds.”

War stories bring life to reality. Usually they are about life and death. Though I shared two aspects only of God's love there are many more that could be covered, but in spiritual warfare your personal aspect angle is critical. Said differently it means how you look at things or think about them, can mean life or death in battle. Your point of view, attitude and thought life. We must see that Jesus did not HAVE to come to save us and then go to the cross and defeat the devil. He could have just defeated the devil and we would never have been born. God created us for a purpose, to love us, set us free to serve and please Him and be part of His last day army to save the lost. To witness! We need to stay focused on Him in spiritual war. As servants of Jesus Christ we are either free or bound. To be free we must be spiritually sanctified or living a holy life, set apart from the surrounding area we are fighting in. The holiness must be practiced. It is not just about talk, it is the attitude of a servant who loves. When you chose Jesus and His kingdom, then you act like it. He is not just a escape mechanism from the last days. He is King and Lord of your life. Do you resemble your Heavenly Daddy? This is not about legalism or religion, it is about faith put into action. The power of the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus will break the chains if we let Him. Here is the challenge, will you humble yourself? Today?

Someone reading this may have never received Christ Jesus and needs salvation. You could have been going to a church building all you life, but you want to have the kind of love and freedom only Jesus can give. Now before you leave this page, you can be set free and receive salvation. Invite Jesus to be Lord of your life, lay down all you sin at His feet and receive the free gift of eternal life. In the Appendix there will be more on this subject.

Isaiah 52 World English Bible

1 Wake up, wake up, O Zion! Clothe yourselves with strength. Put on your beautiful clothes, O holy city of Jerusalem, for unclean and godless people will no longer enter your gates. 2 Rise from the dust, O Jerusalem. Remove the slave bands from your neck, O captive daughter of Zion. 3 For this is what the LORD says: "When I sold you into exile, I received no payment. Now I can redeem you without paying for you." 4 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "Long ago my people went to live as resident foreigners in Egypt. Now they have been oppressed without cause by Assyria. 5 And now, what is this?" asks the LORD. "Why are my people enslaved again? Those who rule them shout in exultation. My name is being blasphemed all day long. 6 But I will reveal my name to my people, and they will come to know its power. Then at last they will recognize that it is I who speaks to them." 7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! 8 The watchmen shout and sing with joy, for before their very eyes they see the LORD bringing his people home to Jerusalem. 9 Let the ruins of Jerusalem break into joyful song, for the LORD has comforted his people. He has redeemed Jerusalem. 10 The LORD will demonstrate his holy power before the eyes of all the nations. The ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God. 11 Go now, leave your bonds and slavery. Put Babylon behind you, with everything it represents, for it is unclean to you. You are the LORD's holy people. Purify yourselves, you who carry home the vessels of the LORD. 12 You will not leave in a hurry, running for your lives. For the LORD will go ahead of you, and the God of Israel will protect you from behind. 13 See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted. 14 Many were amazed when they saw him -- beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know he was a person. 15 And he will again startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in his presence. For they will see what they had not previously been told about; they will understand what they had not heard about.WEB

Tomorrow: Chapter 4