Spiritual Warfare Archives - Stand Up For The Truth Podcast

In the Bible in the book of Acts, early church members gathered together amid threats of persecution and prayed to the Lord for the strength and perseverance to continue in Christ and spread His word. God answered their prayer: “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly” (Acts 4:31). God rocked the house and the gospel spread throughout the region.

But in a relatively short time, the Lord had to address many issues within several area churches. The seven letters to the churches in the Book of Revelation were custom designed to specific congregations at that time. There are however, principles from each one we can appreciate and apply to our lives today. Jesus loves us enough to reprove and discipline us when necessary, and to warn us when we are becoming self-sufficient or have given in to subtle compromise. 

TODAY’S GUEST: Leigh Young is an author, women’s conference speaker, Bible teacher, child advocate, and entrepreneur. Leigh has written and taught children’s Bible classes, Confirmation classes, and adult Bible series. She incorporates exegetical Bible teaching, active learning, worship, and fellowship.

Her first book, Lessons from the Letters: Living the Abundant Life, is about Christian transformation. Jesus wrote letters to seven early churches, and in her book Leigh combines historical and cultural facts with contemporary anecdotal stories in an effort to connect timeless wisdom to modern life.

Lessons from the Letters explores these letters to the church from Jesus, and are tucked away in the opening chapters of the book of Revelation, the only book in the Bible promising a blessing to those who read it! Although written two thousand years ago, these stern words of counsel are as relevant today as they were to those churches centuries ago.

Is there more to life than just going through the daily motions and routines?

Do you want a life that is deeper, more fulfilling, more meaningful?

What if you found writings that reveal the way to your most abundant life?

These texts exist. They are contained in Scripture, given by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and dictated to the apostle John. These letters, found in the second and third chapters of the book of Revelation, are addressed to believers in the area called Asia Minor in New Testament times. Today, we call this land Turkey. You might be surprised by how applicable Revelation 2 and 3 are to us as well, particularly in the American church!

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” Revelation 3:19-22

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16

The post Leigh Young: Letters in Revelation for Today’s Church appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

The battles in this life are fierce, but too many Christians don’t acknowledge the reality of spiritual warfare. Rather than put on the full armor of God, some are content to sit in the bleachers. America is getting darker, friends, but when darkness increases, light shines the brightest.

But are Christians generally equipped for the spiritual and cultural battles we are faced with today? As we strive to share the Gospel, there is also a spiritual war going on against Christ and His truth. The Bible encourages believers to be soldiers for Christ, not civilians for self.

The Apostle Paul tells us to put on the armor of God. Why? Believers need preparation and protection! He writes that the Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God, the only offensive weapon for believers. Sharpen your swords! We must speak the word and, in order to do that we need to know the word of God.

One chapter earlier, he also writes:

[F]or at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.  Ephesians 5:8-11

So how do we do this? With much prayer, wisdom, and discernment. We must train and discipline ourselves. 

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. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit; Ephesians 6:10-18

OTHER SCRIPTURES (scroll over to read below verses)

2 Timothy 2:3-4

1 John 4:1-4

Matthew 16:18

Revelation 19:11, 15-16

1 Corinthians 15:57-58

QUOTES SHARED

We as Bible-believing evangelical Christians are locked in a battle.  This is not a friendly gentleman’s discussion.  It is a life and death conflict between the spiritual hosts of wickedness and those who claim the name of Christ.  Francis Schaeffer

The major strategy of Satan is to distort the character of God and the truth of who we are. He can’t change God and he can’t do anything to change our identity and position in Christ. If, however, he can get us to believe a lie, we will live as though our identity in Christ isn’t true.  Neil T. Anderson

We are foolish to expect to serve God without opposition: the more zealous we are, the more sure are we to be assailed… Glory be to God, we know the end of the war. The great dragon shall be cast out and for ever destroyed, while Jesus and they who are with him shall receive the crown. Let us sharpen our swords to-night, and pray the Holy Spirit to nerve our arms for the conflict. Never battle so important, never crown so glorious. Every man to his post, ye warriors of the cross, and may the Lord tread Satan under your feet shortly!  Charles Spurgeon

We are involved in a great conflict for the soul of this nation, for the soul of the world – and many are spectators on the side. Ah, dear one, Christ wants you to be a soldier for Him. Pray that God will fill you with intensity to do whatever you can, to become involved, to get out of the bleachers and onto the playing field and become a participant in the greatest struggle in the history of the world – a struggle for goodness, a struggle for godliness, a struggle of Christ against Satan. That is the battle we are in. D. James Kennedy 

“We should not ask, ‘What is wrong with the world?’ for that diagnosis has already been given. Rather, we should ask, ‘Where is the salt and light? Where is the Church? Why are the salt and light of Jesus Christ not permeating and changing our society?’” John R. W. Stott

Satan’s strategies to stop the church will ultimately serve to spread the church. And Satan’s strategies to inflict earthly pain in your life will ultimately serve to increase eternal glory with your God; ‘Light momentary affliction.’  David Platt

ARTICLES

Schools pushing the envelope, promoting Islam

Lesbian Priest Calls Abortionists ‘Heroes’ and ‘Saints’

The Occult Roots of ‘Drag’ identity

Video: Drag Queen Agenda Part of LGBTQ

Satanic drag queens are after your children

Storming the Gates of Hell

What is the Full Armor of God? – Got Questions

Lukewarm? -Rapture Ready

The post Open War is Upon Us: the Reality of Spiritual Warfare appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

All Hallows Eve, All Saints Day, Halloween, Day of the Dead, Harvest Festival, Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas. The list could go on. As Christians, we live for Jesus Christ and celebrate Him. To live is Christ. He said to His followers “You are the light of the world.” What does that mean? How then should we live and can light mix with darkness?

We recently talked about Halloween and its origins, and discussed how Christians should celebrate it if at all. But we’re moving on to something that is evident in our culture and country year-round, sometimes obvious, often subtle: witchcraft. It’s prevalent in our culture and entertainment industry, kids games, the Internet, and in public school curriculum.

How has the church generally responded? But first…

SEGMENT 1 – When overwhelming odds are against you

We discuss an Old Testament example of victory through faith and prayer. It’s difficult but possible to trust God when circumstances are against us and it seems the world is caving in. 2 Chronicles 20:1-26

SEGMENT 2 – Witchcraft in the Culture and Harry Potter in the Classroom

The Encroaching Darkness – Jill Martin Rische

How Teachers Are Using Harry Potter Books in School – referenced

WHAT DOES SCRIPTURE TEACH?

“When you enter the land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12 For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord; and because of these detestable things the Lord your God will drive them out before you. 13 You shall be blameless before the Lord your God. 14 For those nations, which you shall dispossess, listen to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners, but as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do so. Deuteronomy 18:9-14

How do pagan practices find their way into the church? It begins rather innocently for some Christians, but understand the dangers of dabbling in something God detests come at a great cost.

SEGMENT 3 – Are Witchcraft and occult themes just harmless and innocent?

Have some Christian churches and families opened the door to witchcraft? The darkness of the occult and witchcraft has to a great degree been accepted in our society, but the question we should ask is to what extent has it seeped into our churches?

[Read 2 Kings 21:1-9]

It is hard not to notice the rapidly growing fascination in America with zombies, vampires, death, the occult, and the supernatural. Witchcraft has gone mainstream; casting spells is cool, black magic is exciting, fortune telling is fun, and killing zombies is sport. Are these just harmless, innocent fads or is there something more – something evil – behind the fascination?

Christians should strive to obey the commands and warnings throughout the Bible regarding the occult, witchcraft, and idolatry. We should avoid any form of spirituality or godliness that denies Jesus is Lord Savior. The modern spirits behind the ideas, practices, and products of Hollywood and the gaming industry certainly are not acknowledging Jesus as Lord and God. The Bible cautions us about the dangers and subtleties of sin and its practices. John also writes, Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God (1 John 4:1)

Author of the outstanding book, Occult Invasion, Dave Hunt, explains:

It involves mystic knowledge and magic powers and revelations received from the spirit world and dispensed for the benefit of devotees or directed destructively at enemies by those who have been initiated into its secrets. The masters of occult power are known as medicine men (or women), witch doctors, witches, psychics, priests, sorcerers, astrologers, gurus, yogis, shamans, mediums, seers, or healers.

David’s final point:

J.K. Rowling has defended her books and characters as being “highly moral,” and yet from the Harry Potter series, children have learned about demons, werewolves, and other monstrous creatures along with magic, spell casting, levitation, animal sacrifices, astral projection, crystal gazing, and communing with dead souls.

Innocent? Appropriate for Christian families? You make the call.

ARTICLES

Going Against God Just For Fun – Marsha West

Are Christians ‘Welcoming’ Witchcraft?

The post Witchcraft: from Culture to Classroom to Church? appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

Here are some of the things we discuss on today’s  program:

“In essentials unity; in doubtful matters, liberty; and in all things charity.” This has been shared by Christians for centuries and there is some biblical wisdom in it. But churches and denominations have grappled over what are the essentials and non-essentials of the Christian faith. What do you believe are the non-negotiable essentials of salvation?

Skillet’s John Cooper rightly calls out apostates and watered-down doctrines that have produced weak Christian leaders, but some believers say Skillet’s music is not even Christian and criticize them for playing secular rock festivals. (Chime in on our Facebook page!)

The post Your Questions and Comments! appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

We live in a nation where both our religious freedoms and right to bear arms are increasingly under attack.

Pastor and best-selling author, Carl Gallups joins us to discuss just where America might be headed.  Carl brings a unique perspective as a pastor, biblical scholar, and former Law Enforcement Official.  Where are we headed and can this slide toward totalitarian government be averted?  If not, what are the responsibilities of disciples of Jesus Christ toward a government that sees us as a threat to its power?

The post America in Crisis: Have We Reached a Tipping Point? appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

The post The Condition of the American Church – Part 2 appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

President, Silver Birch Ranch & Nicolet Bible Institute

Dave’s goal in life is to continually know Christ and make Him known. Check out Relate365.com

Mike and David are off today. Crash Connell visits with Dave Wager about what the Bible teaches believers how we should live and love in the world around us.  What is our motivation? Dave often refers to a book he’s reading, THE HOLY WAR by John Bunyan, 1st & 2nd John and passages in the book of Job.

Note:  Tomorrow, June 19th, we’ll repeat a past podcast with Elijah Abraham and Jay Seegert from April 19, 2019. No podcast will post on the feeds.

The post Dave Wager: Living vs Loving In Our World appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

President, Silver Birch Ranch & Nicolet Bible Institute

Dave’s goal in life is to continually know Christ and make Him known. Check out Relate365.com

Mike LeMay is speaking at the NRB Convention through Thursday. Tomorrow’s show will be a rebroadcast from a past Friday’s Q&A episode with Mike and David.

Today, our broadcast manager, Andy “Crash” Connell visits with Dave Wager. Their discussion is “If We Know God Loves Us, Why Don’t We Act Like It?

1 John:1-4

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. (ESV)

Book of Job

Hebrews 11

The post If We Know God Loves Us, Why Don’t We Act Like It? appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

Ratio Christi Chapter Co-Director at UCLA

William is founder of ReadySetQuestion.com, a place dedicated to building faith one question at a time.  Herath is a katalogetic & apologetic speaker.  He is part of the Truth Conferences with Josh McDowell and a member of the Ratio Christi Speakers Bureau.

Check out his active YouTube channel!

Ratio Christi at UCLA

Two fantastic guests on the program means #doubletruththursday. Is that a thing? Anyway…

Today, Mike and David welcome first-time guest, evangelist, Willie Herath of Ratio Christi in southern California and we discuss apologetics, deeper questions in the faith, and how to effectively respond to nonbelievers. Christians are to go!

How important is it for us to be ready to respond when people have questions or have objections to Christianity? This is huge. We often find out that they really did not know much about the Bible or the evidence for the Christian faith.

We also talk with radio host, Mike Zander, from Utah’s Key Radio where he reaches out to Mormons in Utah with the gospel. He’s in town today and in-studio with Mike LeMay and David Fiorazo.  

Ready. Set. Question.com – Apologetics website, Willie Herath

Key Radio

The post Deeper Faith, Honest Questions, Sharing the Gospel appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

So many controversial issues and debates, so little time! Here’s what listeners want to discuss today:

Leave us a comment or question you’d like Mike and David to respond!

The post No Comment or Question Off Limits appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.