Spiritual Warfare and Territorial Spirits

[Malvaro]

great thoughts people.... even though it's not in the Fellowship Hall, let's keep this thread ALIVE!!!!

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by revrandy

I do not critisize I just don't agree with some of the ideas surrounding it..

I agree with you. I don't agree with some of the things I hear or with some people's over preoccupation with devils and spirits, demons and things that go bump in the night.

I'm also very aware that every believer faces ongoing devilish opposition. The Bible teaches this very clearly and that we need to use "spiritual" weapons to battle principalities and spirits that are constantly hindering, oppressing and discouraging.

This is a big topic and can go in many different directions.

Couple of points........

• There are different scale battles and some are larger than others.
  
  
• God's calling and purpose isn't the same for every person and so we don't all fight on the same level.
  
  
• And it's the truth that many Christians live on a very carnal level. They don't walk in the Spirit and are very imperceptive when it comes to spiritual things.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Malvaro

It seems that the scripture's scope regarding Territorial Spirits aka "Territorial" model that Pelathais previously mentioned is limited.... although the generic topic of Spiritual Warfare is much more visible throughout the scriptures....

I agree with PhilJ, this particular topic could use more attention in the Church....

Re 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Satan has IronBladder deceived.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Felicity

Meaning (in part) ....

**the higher level we move into spiritually the greater spiritual opposition we will encounter**

Is there experience to support this?

I suppose if there are archangels and the angels are considered the army of the Lord (Lord of hosts) then it would be logical for the devil to copy God.

Have you read CS Lewis' The Screwtape letters.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Felicity

I understand you're asking for scripture. I can't offer you a specific scripture at the moment that is a solid proof of what I said earlier. I just know through experience it's true. And I believe that Scripture bears witness to the fact of demonic/devilish attack and oppression when we're involved in spiritual warfare (which is constant and ongoing) and where oppression or bondage is great.

I also added (in part) when I offered earlier explanation of the *bigger level - bigger devil* comment. I don't have time now to go into it further and I find that whenever you start talking about this topic there is some cynicism. Some of us know of what I speak.

I've never discussed this online so I don't know about the cynicism, but I do know what it is like to be attacked by the enemy, spiritually and physically as well.

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

Is there experience to support this?

I suppose if there are archangels and the angels are considered the army of the Lord (Lord of hosts) then it would be logical for the devil to copy God.

Haven't you read CS Lewis' The Screwtape letters.

Oh yes! There is definitely experience to support it, but I'm somewhat reluctant to talk about it publicly like this.

As there is hierarchy in the angelic realm so there is in the satanic realm. I don't think the average person is going to have the Prince of Persia (just an example) or some other one of the bigger power brokers in satan's realm expose themselves or come against them unless they're involved in ministry of a particular type or if they've been called by the Lord to intercede in that realm and on that level.

I can say this and I know I'm leaving myself open to ridicule and *rolled eyes* by some who just don't understand what I'm saying here ....... that I have come face to face so to speak with one of the major movers and shakers in Satan's inner cabinet (just a figure of speech) in one of the key and strategic locations of the world.

I know of what I speak I can guarantee you. And there will be a few others here who will understand as well.

Have you ever heard Billy Cole talk about some of his experiences as he's ministered in some areas of the world that are very very hard and very difficult? I know what he's talking about.

I know what it is to have imps in my face giving me a hard time (we all do if we're walking in the Spirit at all), but I also know what it is to do battle with key players .... rulers of darkness and principalities and powers.

Eph. 6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

As I've said ....... God doesn't call us all to the same callings. Some of us have been called to and placed in areas of the world and to soul winning on a level that's more demanding and that not everyone has been called to. This demands a consecration and a calling to prayer and intercession that goes deeper than many know anything about.

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

I've never discussed this online so I don't know about the cynicism, but I do know what it is like to be attacked by the enemy, spiritually and physically as well.

I believe you sis. We have an enemy to be sure and he makes his presence felt - particularly if you're living a consecrated sold out life. Sometimes I hear people wondering "why" things are so difficult, why they struggle with consistent persistent Bible reading and prayer. Why they feel lethargic and tired and worn out with little desire for spiritual things. Part of the reason is that Satan's strategy is to wear the saints down.

It's important to stay cognizant all the time of the fact that we are being opposed, but also to remember that we are more than conquerors, stand on the promises of God and claim the fact that he is under our feet.

The fact is ....... the victory is already ours. It's been given to us but we still have to fight battles. Jesus did. So why wouldn't we? Paul did. Peter did. So will we.

So on one hand we stand on the promises of God knowing that we're ultimately victorious but on the other hand we have to "fight the good fight". We have to cast down imagination, we have to invade territory that the devil has a stake in. We have to do violence to the kingdom of satan.

It's not all a Sunday School picnic although most live an awful lot of the time as if it is.

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Amos

Sister Felicity,

You are right, and some of us do know what you are talking about.

It is probably a fruitless quest to try and convince the skeptics of that which they are unlikely to experience in their current frame of mind.

Thanks bro! I'm not out to convince anyone really but it's a topic I love to talk about to those who can understand. Not everyone is able of course.

God began to move me into intercession after I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. That came first - even before the gifts of the Spirit began to operate. I didn't know and wasn't really aware of what it was that was happening to me.

I had an insatiable thirst for the presence of God and my prayer life took off after I received the HG baptism. I spent hours and hours on my knees, generally always the last one up off my knees whether in my pew or at an altar. It was the same way at conventions and campmeeting and later in Bible School as well. Saints took note and preachers encouraged me and recognized that the hand of God was on my life in perhaps a little more unusual way than others.

Well .... God calls, and very often he calls those who seem insignificant to themselves and perhaps to others as well. It doesn't matter really. What matters is being that vessel that is useful in the kingdom of God and ohhhhh!! .... how Satan wants that for himself. How desirous he is to rip those those who he knows can do violence to his own kingdom out of the plan and purpose of God ........ and so the battle gets very very hot at times!

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Felicity

I believe you sis. We have an enemy to be sure and he makes his presence felt - particularly if you're living a consecrated sold out life. Sometimes I hear people wondering "why" things are so difficult, why they struggle with consistent persistent Bible reading and prayer. Why they feel lethargic and tired and worn out with little desire for spiritual things. Part of the reason is that Satan's strategy is to wear the saints down.

It's important to stay cognizant all the time of the fact that we are being opposed, but also to remember that we are more than conquerors, stand on the promises of God and claim the fact that he is under our feet.

The fact is ....... the victory is already ours. It's been given to us but we still have to fight battles. Jesus did. So why wouldn't we? Paul did. Peter did. So will we.

So on one hand we stand on the promises of God knowing that we're ultimately victorious but on the other hand we have to "fight the good fight". We have to cast down imagination, we have to invade territory that the devil has a stake in. We have to do violence to the kingdom of satan.

It's not all a Sunday School picnic although most live an awful lot of the time as if it is.

I agree with all you've said. I'm sure I haven't been attacked on the scale you have been considering the work you have been involved with for the Lord, but I remember one day waking up in bed to a demonic presence I couldn't see who was threatening to destroy me and my family. I couldn't move or speak. I called on Jesus in my mind and that spirit left.

Within three years my marriage was destroyed.

Felicity, I'd like to hear about your battles.

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

I agree with all you've said. I'm sure I haven't been attacked on the scale you have been considering the work you have been involved with for the Lord, but I remember one day waking up in bed to a demonic presence I couldn't see who was threatening to destroy me and my family. I couldn't move or speak. I called on Jesus in my mind and that spirit left.

Within three years my marriage was destroyed.

Felicity, I'd like to hear about your battles.

Oftentimes the devil attacks people in their sleep. It's very common.

I'm so sorry about your marriage Mizpeh. Life can be so tough sometimes.