Spiritual Warfare

Robert D. PattonMissionary to SurinameBaptist World Mission

Introduction Situation with Eugene: A young teenage

man ran from the attack of evil spirits into the street to my wife’s car. She stopped, rebuked the spirits, and led him to the Lord. He removed his witchcraft items

The following day I went there with a national. He was wearing more witchcraft things again, and ran in front of the village captain and two under-captains under demonic control. After prayer, the demon screamed: I am going to hell, and he was free.

Introduction

He arrived at church on Sunday and froze at the entrance. A group of men prayed until he was free.

Several months later I went with a national to an empty house reeking of beer where he had been washed. The demon told us we were too late, and he had eaten the man’s liver. We took him to church and prayed 3 hours before he was free

Introduction The family continued to take him to witchdoctors

in Frans Guyana; he later went to Holland & we lost contact

Luke 11:24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and finding none, he saith, I will return to my house whence I came out. 25. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished, 26. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

We must be in a position to minister to our people

Many missionaries work on the assumption of western worldview that evil spirits don’t exist, and cannot help those who are bound

Unfortuately, this may also be true of many pastors in the western world – because satan is active here too….

Our three enemies

Our old nature The world system – kosmos The devil

All 3 enemies come from the evil one

Our old nature – from the encounter of satan with Adam & Eve

The world system, which fell into the hands of the evil one, and is based on the principle “Me first; what is good for me…”

The evil one, satan

It is a world-wide war

Jn 10:[10] The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I Peter 5:[8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

It is a world-wide war:

We must recognize the voice of the shepherd, Jesus by spending time with him. Jn. 10:[4] And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.[5] And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

It is a world-wide war:

We must know how the enemy thinks and works: 2 Cor. 2: [11] Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

We must not be conformed to the world

Rom. 12:1-2 [1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.[2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

. 2:11

We don’t need to fear

It is the fear of God that is the basis for wisdom, not the fear of the devil. 2 Tim. 1: [7] For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Courage is resolute action in the presence of fear

We don’t need to fear

The enemy is already defeated: Col. 2: [14] Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;[15] And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Don’t be afraid

Heb. 2: [14] Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;[15] And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Toward a Biblical Worldview Worldview = the assumptions we

hold as to the basic makeup of the universe

Some believe that demons never do anything to a “good Christian” so it is better to ignore them.

This is not from the Bible - we must resist, stand against, etc.

“Western” world-view

Although some are atheists and deny any supernatural, the majority have this worldview:

The supernatural - God, angels & demons, - Religion and mysticism

separated from

The natural - science – Faulty conclusion: No contact above. Therefore

the supernatural can be basically ignored. This is a faulty worldview

Western worldview

Often we try to cure spiritual problems physically - pills, etc.

This is because we believe in practice in the reality of science, but not in the supernatural. Thus we use physical methods to produce a spiritual cure – and work without success

Animism – the prevailing worldview of folk religion

God is creator, but far away and usually not helpful

Spirits have control of virtually everything There is mana - undifferentiated

spiritual power in things. It can be “god” or impersonal power, like

electricity it can be controlled the shaman, witchdoctor, can control this power

Spirits themselves they also can be good or evil

They can be controlled - but only partially

Characteristics of Folk Religion

Evil spirits can transform into animals or humans. Mana is transferred to those who eat him. This may be well part of cannibalism

Spirits may be transported great distances

Constant fear and need for security

South American shaman

Religion gives meaning to death - Formal religion - where is the person

gone Forgiveness is important Meaning in life is important

Formal religion - what happens to people after death? .Folk religion - how can we keep

contact with the dead? Chinese believe that they must

continue to provide for dead ancestors, or bad things will happen

Religion gives meaning to death - Folk religion - what impacts the

living Why did this happen? There

must be a reason – not just chance

Why did this happen to us? How can we be protected against

these things?

Virtually every folk religion has a series of “gods” or demons

We will give a brief outline of some of the more common ones in larger religions in other sections

Bush Negroes from Suriname have them too – like bakroes – supposed short men with big heads who will bring money to the owner but eventually demand blood from his own family…

Even in the USA, we find the same problems and approach

People have their beliefs in spirits and worship them as well even in the “civilized west”

We will look in the future at ways we open doors to demons

But for now – remember that we are victorious in Christ.

Thank you for watching!

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Robert D. PattonMissionary to SurinameBaptist World Mission

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