What is SOAP?

SOAP is an acronym for: Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. As you prepare for participating in City Group this week, we invite you to write down your thoughts in a journal. Journaling is a great way to record and process your thoughts & what God is sharing with you.

Week of April 26th
Spiritual Warfare

OVERVIEW

This Sunday PC brought a powerful message on moving from "barely surviving" to "truly thriving" in Christ by addressing both internal heart blockages and external spiritual opposition. This lesson balances the reality of spiritual warfare with the practical necessity of personal holiness and submission to God.

For our time today, let’s look at what prevents us from living in this "truly thriving life" to the fullest, in the tree of Life, in Christ Jesus. This is critical to our continued discovery of what it means to walk in Freedom! Scripture says, "What a man thinks in his heart so is he " (Proverbs 23:7) It’s truly powerful to be able to experience God designed freedom in our hearts as our frame of view, our perspectives, our mind sets, our paradigms, and our hearts are being transformed by the Holy Spirit in us. We can experience life to the fullest!

KEY POINTS

Freedom Conference at Cowichan Camp starts this Friday! May 1st -3rd Links below for schedule.

The core premise for freedom in Christ
True freedom isn't just an absence of trouble; it is a shift from survival mode to an abundant life.

This happens in two stages:

  • Clearing Heart Blockages: Addressing selfishness, bitterness, rejection, and evil thoughts.
  • Spiritual Warfare: Acknowledging an active enemy (Satan/demons) and utilizing God-given authority to resist them.

 

3 Truths About the Enemy. This Sunday PC "debunked" common myths (like the cartoonish red suit and pitchfork) and establishes these points:

  • Demons are Real: Evidence of evil is visible in the world and influences human hearts.
  • The Enemy Wants to Destroy: Satan uses deception, lies, and "dress-up" tactics to appeal to our desires and pull us into darkness.
  • Demons Respond to Higher Authority: They are not God's equal. They must submit to the Name of Jesus, the Word of God, and the Blood of the Cross.

A believer can be "operationally effective" in spiritual warfare: Here are the tools:

    • The Name of Jesus - Walking in humble obedience. Power comes from belonging to the Kingdom, not personal pride.
    • The Word of God - Using scripture as an offensive weapon (a sword) in the "prayer closet" rather than picking fights with neighbors.
    • The Blood of the Lamb - Overcoming accusations by remembering that Jesus paid the debt. It is our "testimony" of His victory.

To experience this "Freedom," Pastor Chris suggested three daily actions:

  • Surrender: Move your heart closer to God so He moves closer to you (James 4:7-8).
  • Close Doors: Don’t let anger or sin provide a "foothold" or a place for the enemy to sit (Ephesians 4:26-27).
  • Confront Daily: Use prayer and scripture to take every thought captive. Before turning to "coping mechanisms" (alcohol, binging, etc.), turn to prayer (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

SCRIPTURE

As we read aloud through these verses, let's pause, reflect, and listen for what Holy Spirit might be saying to you through the Word of God.

Key scriptures from Sunday. 

  • Colossians 2:6-15 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7  rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8  See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9  For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10  and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11  In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12  having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13  And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14  by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15  He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. 

Additional Scriptures

  • Acts 10:38
  • Revelations 12:7-9
  • 1 Timothy 6:12
  • Ephesians 6:10-13
  • 1 Peter 5:8-9
  • 1 John 4:4

OBSERVATION

Q1. In your current season of life, where do you see the "grey areas" or "fruitless deeds" that might be providing the enemy a foothold? How has the "host culture" (careerism, individualism, consumerism) made it harder for you to stay alert and sober-minded?

Q2. If you have successfully removed a "heart blockage" (like bitterness or rejection), what specific "Word of God" or "fruit of the Spirit" are you intentionally using to fill that empty space so it isn't left vulnerable?

Q3. How would your approach to a difficult relationship or a frustrating cultural issue change if you committed to "warring against principalities" in your prayer closet first, before engaging with the person or issue directly?

Q4. When you feel under attack or "barely surviving," what is the specific "testimony" (the story of what Jesus has already done for you) that you can speak out loud to remind yourself, and the enemy, that you are "blood-bought" and no longer belong to darkness?

Personal Reflection Quotes

"Jesus did two wonderful things often: He came to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable."

This captures the tension of Sunday's message, challenging the "consumerism" and "individualism" of modern culture while offering the comfort of Christ’s total victory over darkness.

"Freedom looks good on you!"

APPLICATION

Read and pray through the putting on the armour of God from Ephesians 6:10-18

Putting on the armour of God and asking the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom, to guide our steps, and to help us stand and fight against the enemy of everything good. This is vital to protecting your freedom

Helmet of Salvation.
Thank you Jesus for my salvation. I receive it in a new and fresh way from You and I declare that nothing can separate me now from the love of Christ and the place I shall have in Your Kingdom.

Breastplate of Righteousness 
Jesus, I wear Your righteousness today against all condemnation and corruption. Fit me with You holiness and purity. Defend me from all assaults against my heart.

Belt of Truth
Lord, I put on the belt of truth. I choose a lifestyle of honest, humility, and integrity. Shoe me the truths that I so desperately need today. Expose the lies that I am not even aware that I believe.

Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
Jesus, I choose to live for and out the gospel at all times. Show me how I can be a part of what You are doing on the earth. Keep me focused on the path You want me to walk.

Shield of Faith
Jesus, I lift the confidence that You are good against every lie and every assault of the enemy. You have good in store for me. Nothing is coming today that can overcome me because You are with me.

Sword of the Spirit
Holy Spirit, show me specifically today the truths of the Word of God that I will need to counter the snares of the enemy. Bring them to mind throughout the day.

Holy Spirit, even now, I agree to walk in step with You in everything – in all prayer and supplication as my spirit communes with you throughout the day. In Jesus name amen!

PRAYER

Jesus, thank You for dying on the cross and making a way for me to be in relationship with you. Thank you for absorbing my sin and shame, for healing my hurt and brokenness. I choose to receive this extravagant gift of life you offer and ask You to come into my heart and be the Lord and leader of my entire life. I give You all of me and ask You to lead my life for Your glory. Fill me with Your Spirit, and help me live the life You died to give me. I want to be in relationship with you, I want to learn more about your way of living. Holy Spirit reveal and reconcile these areas in my life where I have surrendered to the influence of evil spirits. Reveal to us through your word and spirit the authority you have given us, reveal your plans and purposes for our lives, and how we too can walk in liberty, in freedom and with abundant life. Show us how to activate your word in our lives. Holy Spirit continue to transform and change me and fill me to the fullest with your Spirit, in Jesus name, Amen!

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