The Disciple Maker‘s Podcast Discipleship and the Demonic (feat. Shodankeh Johnson)
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Understanding Spiritual Warfare: Equipping Disciples for Battle
In this session, we dive into the reality of spiritual warfare, a critical but often overlooked aspect of the Christian journey. Emphasizing its biblical foundation, the speaker discusses the necessity of acknowledging and addressing spiritual battles in disciple-making. The session covers profound insights into the nature of spiritual warfare, the importance of prayer and fasting, and the use of God-given spiritual weapons. Personal anecdotes highlight the challenges and triumphs faced, providing encouragement and practical advice for believers and disciple-makers. The speaker calls for a deeper understanding of spiritual warfare to strengthen faith and foster resilience against the enemy's attacks.
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Key Takeaways
00:00 Introduction and Opening Prayer
02:01 Understanding Spiritual Warfare
04:14 The Reality of Spiritual Battles
05:01 The Importance of Coaching Disciples
10:09 The Power of Prayer and Worship
11:11 Personal Testimony of Loss and Faith
20:39 Practical Insights on Spiritual Warfare
28:37 Divine Weapons and Spiritual Armor
32:23 Morning Prayer and Armor of God
33:44 Understanding Satan's Activities
34:32 Accusations and Deception by Satan
35:58 The Power of Resurrection
41:00 Territorial and Ideological Strongholds
44:38 Personal Strongholds and Overcoming Fear
51:02 Spiritual Weapons and Stronghold Warfare
55:03 Questions and Practical Advice
01:00:43 Concluding Prayer and Blessings
Resources on Discipleship
Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your Church
What Is Church? And How Important Is It?
Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleship
In this episode we dive into the reality of spiritual warfare in the context of discipleship. Shodankeh Johnson starts by asking everyone to pray for insight and understanding, stressing that acknowledging spiritual warfare is crucial despite its often-avoided nature. He emphasizes that spiritual warfare, as described in both the Old and New Testaments, is a constant battle between good and evil, mirroring Jesus' own encounters with the enemy.
The episode highlights that neglecting spiritual warfare makes disciples vulnerable to fear and ignorance. The speaker insists that belief in spiritual warfare is as fundamental as gravity—it's real whether or not we believe in it. He stresses that the focus should be on teaching the relevance of God’s word rather than proving it.
Through personal stories, the speaker illustrates the impact of spiritual warfare. He shares how the unexpected death of his son, initially seen as a defeat, ultimately strengthened many people’s faith and attracted new believers. Another story involves a life-threatening incident that was averted through divine insight.
Practical steps for engaging in spiritual warfare are discussed, including the power of prayer and worship as vital tools. Ephesians 6:12 is referenced to remind us that the true battle is spiritual, not physical. The speaker outlines the essential aspects of spiritual warfare: recognizing ongoing battles, understanding the nature of the conflict, and using God’s armor effectively.
He identifies five key activities of Satan—afflicting, accusing, instigating, deceiving, and causing fruitlessness—and describes three types of strongholds—territorial, ideological, and personal. Strategies to break these strongholds include using Scripture, relying on the Holy Spirit, and engaging in prayer and fasting.
The episode wraps up with a Q&A session, addressing practical concerns about handling church opposition and encouraging new believers to adopt spiritual practices.
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