Kingdom Principle: There are real spiritual forces that we encounter in this world. We should be mindful of this spiritual battle in order that we do not lose sight of God’s purposes in our circumstances. 

1. Spiritual Affliction is ___________________________.

Luke 13:11 (ESV) — 11 And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself.

Among the suggestions for the disease referred to are [ankylosing] spondylitis (a fusion of the spinal bones; Marshall 1978: 557) and skoliasis hysterica (a type of hysterical or muscular paralysis; Grundmann 1963: 279).

The point is that there is a spirit of infirmity that is causing this woman to be disabled, and that this spirit answers to the prince of demons. 

Ephesians 6:10–13 (ESV) — 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For 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. 13 Therefore 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. 

There are some things in life that have a very normal and physical explanation. (John 9:1-4) Not everything has a spiritual cause. On the other hand, not everything can be explained by physical or material causes either. We should be mindful of both.

1. Believers are not _______________________ from this kind of affliction.

Luke 13:16 (ESV) — 16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?”

Everything in this text suggests that this woman was faithful to God, in spite of her condition. What this teaches us is not only that this woman is suffering from a spiritual affliction, brought about by the direction of Satan, but also that she is a believer. This suggest that believers are not immune to this kind of spiritual attack

Two Biblical Illustrations of this, Job and Paul:

Job 1:6–12 (ESV) — 6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 8 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” 9 Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” 12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. 

Job 1:21 (ESV) — 21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” 

2 Corinthians 12:7–9 (ESV) — 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

1. God ________________________ over all of our affliction.