3 BFTB - REASONS BEHIND THE CONFLICT

This podcast episode discusses the invisible war between God's kingdom and Satan's kingdom. It explains how the battle started with Lucifer's rebellion in heaven, leading to his casting out and the formation of Satan's kingdom on earth. The conflict is ultimately due to man's sin and separation from God. However, through belief in Jesus and repentance from sin, individuals can be released from the power of the enemy. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding spiritual warfare strategies and recognizing that all battles in life have a spiritual cause. It also highlights the need to choose a side in the war and be either a victim or a victor. The episode concludes by inviting listeners to learn more about healings and God's deliverance in the next episode. Hello, and welcome back to the Living Church Ministries Podcast. I'm so glad you've returned as we continue this series, Battle for the Body. I'm your host, Stacey Patriarchius, and today's lesson is entitled, Reasons Behind the Conflict. Today, we will learn how the battle started, what the reasons were for this battle, and what is our place in it. Last week, we learned about the two spiritual kingdoms. We learned about God's kingdom and Satan's kingdom. We also learned about the invisible war that we are in. Most importantly, we learned that Satan is a defeated foe by Jesus Christ's finished work on the cross, and because of that, we can live victoriously. Now, let's prepare our hearts as I declare this proclamation from Isaiah 55, 10, and 11. Now, you may be asking yourself, how exactly did this battle start? The invisible war started in heaven with an angel named Lucifer, who was originally a beautiful angel created by God and part of the kingdom of God. Lucifer decided he wanted to take over God's kingdom. You can read about this rebellion in Isaiah 14, 12-17 and Ezekiel 28, 12-19. A group of angels joined Lucifer, now called Satan, in this rebellion. Lucifer and the rebellious angels were cast out of heaven by God. They formed their own kingdom on earth, and there was a war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, Satan, and the dragon fought and his angels. Revelation 12, 7 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 earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12, 9 Lucifer became known as Satan and the angels which followed him in rebellion as demons. Demon spirits can enter, torment, control, and use humans who belong to Satan's kingdom. They motivate evil acts which are done by men and women. Satan directs his demons in their evil activities. He combines his powerful forces with the world and the flesh to war against all of mankind. But what is the reason behind the conflict? Man was originally created in the image of God and for the glory of God. Genesis Chapter 2 The invisible war against man started with the first temptation in the Garden of Eden. Genesis Chapter 3 Satan caused Adam and Eve to sin. This resulted in all men inheriting the basic sin nature and committing individual acts of sin due to this nature. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned. Romans 5, 12 It also resulted in the invisible war between man and the forces of evil. And I will put enmity between thee, Satan, and the woman, mankind, and between thy seed, the forces of evil, and her seed, the forces of good, represented by the Lord Jesus Christ. Genesis 3, 15 Because of sin, man was separated from God and condemned to death. This death was a spiritual death of separation from God. It was also a physical death, for when man sinned, Satan entered the genetic system with the curses of sickness and disease. But God loved man so much that He made a special plan to save him from sin. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. John 3, 16, 17 Through belief in Jesus, confession, and repentance from sin, men and women can be released from the power of the enemy. The death and resurrection of Jesus not only resulted in salvation from sin, it also defeated the enemy, Satan. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. But, if Satan is defeated, why does the war still rage? Why do we still see evil in the world around us? Why are we tempted by sin and attacked by sickness? In the world, following any war, there are always pockets of enemy resistance. There are rebellious troops that will not give up until forced to do so. Although Jesus defeated Satan, we are living in territory which is still occupied by enemy resistance forces. Understanding spiritual warfare strategies gives us the ability to deal with these evil powers. Satan is trying to keep men captive in sin. Through deceptive methods, he is enticing men and women to sinful living. He aims for the affections of the soul and spirit, which rightfully belong to God. He also targets the body to destroy it with sickness and disease. The Thief Satan cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. —John 10.10 Satan still wants to be the supreme ruler. He is waging an intense battle for the body, soul, and spirit of man. His strategies are directed at God, His plans, and His people. You might ask, but what is the meaning of spiritual warfare? Spiritual warfare is the analysis of, and active participation in, the invisible spiritual war. It includes the study of the opposing forces of good and evil, the strategies of Satan, and spiritual strategies for overcoming the enemy. Spiritual warfare is more than a mere analysis of spiritual principles. It includes active participation in warfare by application of these strategies in life and ministry. One of the most effective strategies of Satan is to keep believers ignorant of his devices. Paul said, it is important to know Satan's strategies. Lest, Satan should get an advantage of us, for we are not ignorant of his devices. —2 Corinthians 2.11 We should learn all we can about Satan's strategies of attack. We must also understand the scriptural basis of victory over Satan and the forces of evil. We are called to intelligent combat. Basic to the understanding of spiritual warfare is this key principle. You must recognize that all battles of life, whether physical, spiritual, emotional, mental, financial, or with human personalities, are only outward manifestations of a spiritual cause. Although in the natural world, problems may seem to occur through circumstances of life, the basis of these natural battles is in the spirit world. Read the story of Job, which confirms this principle. —Job 1-2 We have tried to correct the evils of this world through medicine, education, legislation, and improved environments. It has not worked because the invisible evils of this world are the result of an underlying spiritual cause. They cannot be corrected by natural means. Now ask yourself this question, to which kingdom do you belong? In the natural world, a king is the sovereign ruler of a kingdom. All the territory and the people in the kingdom belong to him. He has the power of life and death over his subjects. The same is true in the spiritual world. You are either part of the kingdom of God or the kingdom of Satan. Either God or Satan has power over your life. One of the parables told by Jesus illustrates that all men are either part of the kingdom of Satan or the kingdom of God. Jesus compared the world to a field. The good seed in the field are children of the kingdom of God. The bad seed, which resulted in the growth of tares or weeds, are the children of the wicked one. The field is the world, the good seed are the children of the kingdom, but the tares are the children of the wicked one. —Matthew 13, 38 People enter the kingdom of Satan through natural birth. The Bible teaches that all men are born in sin. This means that they have a basic sin nature, or the seed of sin within. Their natural inclination is to do evil. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. —Psalm 51, 5 Wherefore, as by one man, Adam, sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned. —Romans 5, 12 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. —Romans 3, 28 Because we are born with a basic sin nature, we have all at one time been part of the kingdom of Satan. All who remain sinners remain part of the kingdom of Satan. The whole message of God's written word, the Holy Bible, is to appeal to man to move from this kingdom of Satan to the kingdom of God. Men are born into the kingdom of Satan through natural birth. They must be reborn into the kingdom of God through spiritual birth. Entrance to the kingdom of God is by the new birth experience explained in John 3. There are only two divisions in this invisible war. Jesus said, He that is not with me is against me. —Luke 11, 23 You cannot be neutral in this war. You are on one side or the other in this spiritual war. Some believers, because of their fear of confrontation with the enemy, try to ignore the war and form a truce with the enemy. They think if they ignore Satan, he will not bother them. This is one of Satan's main strategies. He tries to render members of God's army immobile by his terror tactics. But there is no neutrality in this war. You are either a victim or a victor. You will either be victorious in your soul and spirit, or you will be defeated, discouraged, and despondent. The spiritual call to arms is going out. Are you on the side of good or evil? Are you a part of Satan's kingdom or the kingdom of God? To which kingdom do you belong? Are you a victim or a victor in this invisible war? I hope you will join me next week as we will be learning about the types of healings present in our world and the difference between them and God's healing and deliverance. Until next time, may the Lord bless you and may the Lord keep you. May He make His face to shine upon you, and may He keep you in all your ways. And may you have a great rest of your day. We hope you enjoyed studying Battle for the Body with us today. Join Stacy next time as she continues her series, Battle for the Body. Harvest Time International Institute and Living Truth Bible College furnish all materials. You can find helpful materials like this and more by going to www.myltbc.org. Again, that's www.myltbc.org. Stacy wants to hear from you if you're enjoying her teaching. You can email her at stacy at myltbc.org. Again, that's stacy at myltbc.org. If you want to learn more about LTM or LTBC or the courses we offer, you can email us at info at myltbc.org. Again, that's info, I-N-F-O, at myltbc.org. This broadcast is brought to you by Living Truth Ministries.