This episode builds on the previous episodes on spiritual warfare, with an emphasis on the indispensable nature of God's power in transforming individual thought life. Casting down thoughts, imaginations and strongholds rests squarely on spiritual poverty and total dependence on God's empowerment to take thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. "Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might (Eph 6:10) is in the passive voice, and therefore it commands believers to be made strong, indicating our inability to be strong in ourselves. The subsequent command to put on the armor of God corresponds to human responsibility in making oneself available for God's empowerment. The latter part of the episode highlights how demonic activity is principally aimed at the thought-life and our fleshly sympathies to satanic suggestion. "Triggers" and the dynamics of addiction are also addressed.
Spiritual Warfare: Avoid the Goading of the Enemy
This episode is a continuation of a spiritual warfare series based on 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 in which believers are admonished to only fight God-inspired battles using divine/spiritual power. The broadcast highlights the numerous ways in which the devil sidetracks believers into fighting unwinnable battles that are based on fleshly categories like "winning arguments, ego contests, the rat-race of popularity, seeking the approval of others, etc. The devil often establishes the narrative that Christians foolishly embrace. Spiritual Christians should constantly be vigilant about the underlying spiritual goals of Christ which is winning souls for Christ and/or inspiring believers to commit to Him more. Spiritual warfare is often less about "winning" verbal contests than portraying the respectful, magnetic character of Christ that woos people to love Him. Additionally, successful spiritual warfare is often less about the evil out there, than dealing with our own sympathies with demonic agendas and devices.