THE DEVIL GOES TO CHURCH
PRAYER AS SPIRITUAL WARFARELesson 5: The Nature of Our Enemy
One of the most important lessons for Christians is that we do not fight against other people but against spiritual forces of evil. That changes completely the way we wage war. People are not our enemy. Satan is.
In this lesson you will:
• be reminded that our battle is not against flesh and blood.
• examine the biblical hierarchy of evil as seen in Ephesians 6: 10-18.
• receive assurance from the Apostle Paul that we are not unaware of Satan’s schemes.
Video 5: The Nature of Our Enemy
Discussion Questions:
1. How do you feel about facing an enemy that is spirit and not flesh and blood?
2. Have you ever fought a battle against the wrong enemy? Someone who was/is made of flesh and blood? What was the result?
3. Have you had an encounter that you believed was with evil spirits? Describe the experience.
4. Do you believe your church is aware or unaware of Satan’s schemes? Why or why not?
Download Lesson 5 Discussion Questions
Watch Dave’s Summary Video (2-3 minutes)
Spend Time in Prayer
The group leader or another in the group: Read Hebrews 7:25 and Romans 8:33-34 (below) out loud.
Think of a way that Satan has criticized and accused you, or made you feel that way. If you are comfortable naming the criticism or accusation of the enemy, do so. If not, you may express that you have an unnamed accusation.
Spend time praying for one another. Be sure everyone has an opportunity to share and be ministered to.
Read Revelation 12:10 (below) and declare the defeat of the devil!
Ask God to remind you to be an overcomer by the knowledge that the Accuser has been defeated forever by the Living Jesus!
Hebrews 7:25: “Therefore, He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
Romans 8:33-34: “Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.”
Revelation 12:10: “Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.”
Next Steps:
Is there someone you have treated as the enemy who needs an apology from you? Would you pray about asking for forgiveness from this person or persons this week? Or, if someone has treated you as an enemy…instead of being angry and unforgiving, would you extend forgiveness to this person? Consider reading the two articles by Kim Butts in the Supplemental Material section to help you.
Supplemental Material for Lesson 5:
• Praying for Our Enemies by Kim Butts https://www.harvestprayer.com/resources/personal-2/praying-for-enemies/
• A Lifestyle of Forgiveness by Kim Butts
https://www.harvestprayer.com/a-lifestyle-of- forgiveness/
• The Devil Goes to Church – Chapter 7 The Intercessor Versus the Accuser
• The Accuser Versus the Intercessor by Dave Butts
https://www.harvestprayer.com/resources/personal-2/the-accuser-versus-the-intercessor/
Optional Consultation/Question-Answer Session
With every PrayerU course, there is an option to have a one-hour Zoom session with your instructor(s). This is your opportunity to engage your instructor(s) on a personal level with either a question-answer session, a deeper level conversation about the course content, or both.
There is an additional cost for the consultation session and scheduling is subject to availability.