The Overcomer’s Guide: Our Armory - Wield Your Weapons
"Our Armory - Wield Your Weapons"
Embracing David’s Secret Strategies for Spiritual Warfare
Deliverance Service Replay 9/12/2023
Brothers and sisters in Christ, what an honor it is to be with you! We are continuing our series exploring spiritual warfare secrets from the life of King David. Last week we looked at recognizing the spiritual forces behind our battles and taking authority in Jesus' name.
Today I want to go in-depth on a vital topic - wielding our spiritual weapons and armor against demonic powers. There is so much revelation we can gain from David's example about how to practically take up divine weapons tailored to defeat the enemy's tactics and strongholds in our lives.
As followers of Jesus Christ, you and I have been given tremendous authority over the demonic realm through Christ's finished work on the cross. However, many believers do not fully understand or walk in the supernatural spiritual authority that is ours as co-heirs with Christ. By examining the example of King David in the Old Testament, we can gain revelation for how to practically walk in victory against the forces of darkness seeking to undermine our faith.
Last week, we explored how David embraced spiritual discernment to recognize and resist the enemy's schemes. This week, let's uncover 7 keys revealed through David's life for wielding the authority that is ours in Christ:
Key #1: Recognize Satan is a Defeated Foe
In order to walk confidently in victory, we must start by renewing our perspective to the truth that Satan is already fully defeated by Christ's finished work. Scripture declares in 1 John 3:8 that Jesus appeared specifically to destroy the works of the devil. No matter how fiercely Satan rages against believers, his final doom is already sealed.
The cross represents Satan's ultimate undoing. Colossians 2:15 proclaims that Jesus disarmed and triumphed over all demonic rulers and authorities at Calvary. The power of sin and death was broken. Just as David stood boldly against Goliath, recognizing the battle belonged to the Lord, so too can we stand unwavering against our defeated foe knowing that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
Key #2: Boldly Rebuke the Devil Out Loud
A vital way David exercised spiritual authority was by boldly rebuking the devil and demons when they confronted him. David would give voice to his faith, directly shouting at the forces of darkness to establish the supremacy of God's kingdom.
For example, when facing the giant Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:45-47, David spoke these bold words of faith: "You come against me with sword and spear, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands...All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves..."
Like David, we must open our mouths and release our faith into the atmosphere through declaring Christ's victory. We can speak directly to the spiritual forces behind our trials, proclaiming every weapon formed against us shall fail. As we boldly give voice to the supremacy of Christ's authority, demonic strongholds are demolished.
Key #3: Take Up the Sword of the Spirit
Another vital key to David's success against spiritual enemies was his mastery of wielding Scripture as an offensive spiritual weapon. He filled his heart with God's Word to combat demonic lies and imaginations exalting themselves against the Lord.
Psalm 119 reveals how David treasured the Word of God, declaring "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path...I have taken an oath to follow your righteous laws." Like David, we must daily immerse our minds in the light of Scripture until revelation dispels darkness in every area.
When demonic voices whisper lies and distortions, we must immediately take up the Sword of the Spirit and start swinging it through quoting relevant Scripture until those lies are severed. Allow the timeless truths of God's Word to redirect your thoughts, govern your emotions and guide your actions. The enemy cannot stand against the bold declaration of the Truth.
Key #4: Pray in the Spirit
In addition to Scripture, David also cultivated a lifestyle of praying in the Spirit to release supernatural wisdom, discernment and power against his adversaries. He recognized his dependence on the Holy Spirit's empowerment for victory.
As we devote ourselves to consistent prayer in tongues, we are spiritually strengthened to stand unwavering against evil forces. Praying in the Spirit activates revelation enabling us to pray strategically against demonic assignments. There is exponential power released as we commit to regular prayer in tongues as part of our spiritual warfare arsenal.
Key #5: Release Praise and Thanksgiving
King David continually demonstrated the power of praise and thanksgiving in his spiritual warfare strategy. He made a regular practice of exalting the Lord regardless of his circumstances or feelings.
In Psalm 109:30 David proclaimed: "With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord; in the multitude of his saints I will praise him." When we magnify the Lord in praise above our problems, the manifested glory of His presence scatters darkness. Just as Jehoshaphat's army marched into battle singing praise until God fought for them, our praise activates heavenly reinforcement.
Key #6: Stand on God's Faithfulness
A vital component of David's victory was anchoring his heart in the proven faithfulness and miraculous deeds of God on behalf of His people. He would remind himself of the Lord's mighty works of old to renew courage.
No matter how fiercely the battle rages, we must choose to stand unwaveringly upon the Rock of God's unchanging nature. We proclaim by faith that His promises are yes and amen! As we remember the testimonies of His past miracles and deeds on our behalf, our trust is strengthened to withstand every storm.
Key #7: Wait Upon the Lord's Deliverance
Finally, David embraced the disciplines of patiently waiting upon God's perfect timing and strategy for victory, rather than demanding his preferred outcome.
In Psalm 27:14 David proclaimed: "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." As we wait expectantly through seasons of contending in prayer for God's intervention, it builds our spiritual strength and steadfastness. His perfect timing will prevail.
Beloved, when we embrace these 7 principles demonstrated through King David's example, we will walk in new dimensions of supernatural confidence and courage against every demonic threat. We must renew our minds to the truth that Jesus has already fully conquered and disarmed the powers of darkness. Now we are called to enforce the victory of Calvary through bold faith, prayer, praise and standing unwaveringly on the authority of God's Word until Christ returns in glory. Continue to wage fierce spiritual warfare under the banner of our conquering King. His triumph shall be made manifest! Hallelujah!
Grab your Bibles and open to the book of 1 Samuel as we get started. Let's set the stage again - David was anointed by Samuel to be king over Israel as a young shepherd boy. But he did not immediately take the throne. He faced intense demonic opposition and warfare trying to prevent his God-ordained destiny from coming to pass.
King Saul, the current ruler of Israel, was tormented by a demonically influenced hatred and jealousy against David. Saul relentlessly pursued David to capture and kill him, forcing David to flee for his life for over 10 years across the wilderness.
During this decade of exile, warfare, and cave-dwelling, David discovered how to access spiritual weaponry that enabled him to finally overcome Saul’s demonic obsession, claim the throne, and fulfill his purpose.
David’s example provides a blueprint for how we can also access divine weaponry tailored to defeat ANY assignment of hell coming against us. Let’s examine the nature of the demonic enemies David had to overcome, and then dive into the spiritual arsenal he wielded to demolish their influence and secure God's victory.
Part 1 - David's Demonic Enemies
First, it is vital we recognize the true nature of the adversarial forces David had to overcome. He battled far more than just King Saul and physical enemies. The warfare was against organized demonic powers determined to stop God's purposes.
David discerned he was up against cunning principalities and rulers of darkness empowering and deceiving Saul. These were the true enemies orchestrating the attacks, utilizing Saul as their earthly instrument of oppression.
In Ephesians 6:12, it is stated, "For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." This was the nature of what David faced.
For example, 1 Samuel 18 describes a time when David was playing skillful music in Saul’s presence by the king’s invitation. But suddenly Saul tried to pin David to the wall with his spear out of nowhere, seeking to kill him. What happened?
Verse 10 reveals that a harmful, demonically inspired spirit came on Saul as David played. This was no mere mental illness - it was a deceiving demon gaining access to influence and control Saul’s mind and actions. David discerned he was up against spiritual opponents empowering Saul’s murderous obsession.
Not only did David have to evade Saul’s physical pursuit, he had to overcome the demonic grip on Saul’s mind. David couldn’t reason with a man under this degree of satanic deception and control. He had to war strategically against the root spiritual forces at work.
In 1 Samuel 16:14, Scripture plainly reveals that an evil spirit from the Lord began to regularly torment Saul after God’s favor left him. Whenever this evil spirit was active, David would play skillful music on his harp as a spiritual counter-attack to dispel its influence so Saul could find relief.
But David knew the harassment would keep returning and must be decisively overcome through spiritual warfare.
Saul was not his only adversary. David also experienced direct satanic attacks, demonic deception, and harassment from other enemies like Goliath empowered by evil spirits. He faced overwhelming demonic oppression and plots against his life every season.
But David learned how to access spiritual weaponry that enabled him to demolish these satanic assignments and walk in victory.
Part 2 - The Word of God as a Spiritual Weapon
The first and most essential weapon David wielded was the Word of God. He continually filled his heart with Scripture and based his warfare on specific Biblical truths and promises.
For example, against Goliath in 1 Samuel 17, David proclaimed the promise of Deuteronomy 20:4 that God would fight for His people and deliver the enemy into their hands. David spoke Scripture as a faith-filled counterattack tailored against Goliath’s intimidation and blasphemy.
In Psalm 119, David repeatedly declares God's Word as an illuminating weapon against the enemy’s deception and lies:
Psalm 119:105 - “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Psalm 119:130 - “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”
He gripped Scripture as a sword to expose and sever the enemy’s false arguments and demonically inspired thoughts seeking to manipulate his mind and choices.
David testifies in Psalm 17:4 regarding the Word - “By the word of your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.” He used specific Scripture to guard his imagination and thought life from demonic influence and sinful enticement.
Additionally, David combatted Satan’s lies and accusations by praying back God’s Word. Psalm 5:8 declares “Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies— make your way straight before me.”
Rather than accept false guilt and condemnation, David prayed the truth - that the Lord's righteousness was his covering and protection against demonic accusations.
Saints, like David, we must master wielding the Sword of the Spirit as our first line of defense against satanic attacks and deception. No other weapon can penetrate hardened demonic strongholds like the piercing double-edged blade of God’s living Word.
Part 3 - The Weapon of Prayer
In addition to God's Word, David heavily relied on fervent, strategic prayer as a spiritual weapon against the forces of darkness. Through prayer, he obtained critical revelation from God and accessed supernatural aid.
For example, in 1 Samuel 23, David is on the run from Saul who is hunting him again with murderous obsession. Saul is closing in on David's location, ready to capture and kill him.
Verse 2 reveals David “inquired of the Lord” through urgent prayer, asking God whether Saul was going to come against him and whether the people of Keilah would surrender him to Saul. God supernaturally reveals to David through prayer that Saul indeed intends to come, and that the people of Keilah will hand him over.
Armed with this strategic prophetic intelligence directly from heaven, David is able to escape merely minutes before Saul’s arrival. God thwarted the entire demonically inspired plot to trap and destroy David through a simple prayer of inquiry.
David did not rely on human instincts or reasoning when facing demonic schemes. He urgently sought discernment and strategy from the all-knowing Spirit of God through prayer. Saints, we must follow his example by continually asking God to expose the enemy’s traps and reveal His strategy for breakthrough.
David also mobilized supernatural reinforcements against demonic powers through prayer. In Psalm 35 he prays:
Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to me, “I am your salvation.”
David petitioned God to actively intervene against his spiritual enemies. Through passionate prayer, he accessed angelic warriors, heavenly weapons, and divine favor that empowered him to overcome.
Beloved, like David, wield fervent prayer as your spiritual long-range weapon against demonic assignments. Through prayer, fresh manna is delivered right from God’s throne room equipping you to stand and prevail.
Part 4 - Praise and Worship Weapons
Another essential component of David’s spiritual arsenal was continual praise worship. David actively established an atmosphere of thanksgiving and praise that enabled the power of God to be released in victory against demonic powers.
For example, in 1 Samuel 16 when Saul was tormented by the evil spirit, only the anointed music of praise from David’s harp would cause that spirit to depart and bring Saul relief.
David knew that praise invites God’s manifest presence which demonic spirits cannot withstand. He wielded worship music and singing psalms as spiritual weapons to dispel oppression and despair.
In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat faced a vast invading army unified against him. Verse 21 reveals Jehoshaphat “appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army.”
As Judah marched into battle led by praisers, God caused the enemy armies to turn on themselves until they were utterly destroyed. No weapon formed against Judah succeeded because praise summoned heavenly forces to secure the victory.
Saints, no matter what you are facing today, make praise your frontline weapon! As you exalt the matchless name of Jesus, His manifested glory scatters the darkness. Surround yourself with worship music and lift your voice in thanksgiving. Watch God move miraculously as you release the sound that heaven invades earth to hear.
Part 5 - The Weapons of Faith and Patience
Two additional powerful weapons David employed were steadfast faith and patience in God’s faithfulness. When assailed by doubts or impatience in prolonged trials, David would take up these weapons to stand unwavering.
For example, in 1 Samuel 30 after returning home from battle, David finds his town Ziklag burned down by raiders who kidnapped all the women and children. His own men turn against him in despair, talking of stoning him. This seemed David’s lowest point after years of warfare.
Verse 6 reveals David’s response - “But David found strength in the Lord his God.” Rather than cave to despair, David wielded steadfast faith in God’s sovereignty and goodness. He inquired of the Lord and pursued the enemy in confident expectation of recovering all that was stolen. And God gave him complete victory!
David repeatedly proclaimed God's proven faithfulness and miraculous deeds to anchor himself in unwavering hope against demonic attacks meant to overwhelm him. He persevered through long waiting seasons through resolute trust in God’s character and covenant loyalty.
We must take up these shields of faith and patience against onslaughts of depression and despair from the enemy. Stand unwavering, fixed on who our good Father is. With David cry out - “Why are you downcast O my soul? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him!”
Part 6 - Repentance and Humility as Weapons
David also wielded the weapons of sincere repentance and humility to dismantle demonic strongholds when he yielded to temptation.
For example, David’s season of sin with Bathsheba provided footholds for the enemy in his life. But when the prophet Nathan confronted him, David responded with godly sorrow and repentance.
In Psalm 51, David cried out, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love, according to your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
As he fully repented, cleansing and restoration were released, closing demonic access points.
Like David, when we humble ourselves in repentance, God’s mercy triumphs over judgment and grace is multiplied against any accusation. Wield sincere repentance to shut hell’s mouth and deactivate curses.
Part 7 - Praying and Decreeing God's Word
A vital aspect of wielding God’s Word against demonic powers is decreeing Scripture through declaration. David continually declared and sang God's Word as prophetically enacted prayers.
For example, in 1 Samuel 17 before facing Goliath, David decreed:
“This day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves, for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you
In closing, the life of David provides a powerful model for how believers today can walk in victory against spiritual forces of darkness seeking to undermine their faith. By filling our hearts with God's living Word, cultivating a lifestyle of Spirit-empowered prayer, releasing praise and thanksgiving, standing unwaveringly on Kingdom principles, and utilizing the full armor of God through faith in Christ's finished work, we can walk in the supernatural authority that is ours as co-heirs with Christ.
As we apply these spiritual warfare secrets revealed through David's example, we can be assured of victory against every demonic assignment coming against our lives and families. No weapon of hell formed against us can prosper as we boldly wield the divine weapons of warfare purposed for breakthrough in this generation. May we all be ignited with fresh passion, courage and tenacity to contend fiercely against the powers of darkness until the fullness of Christ's redemption and triumph is made manifest through our lives for the glory of God alone!
Blessings,
Pastor Timothy Tomlinson
Healing The Brokenhearted
Pastor Tomlinson demonstrates principles in action by engaging volunteers:
Ariana's Testimony:
I reached out to Pastor Timothy during the deliverance service because I have been struggling with bipolar disorder and demonic attacks. About a year ago, I heard a demonic voice tell me to kill my girlfriend while walking up the stairs. This was very frightening and I knew it was a spiritual attack.
Pastor Timothy walked me through inner healing by having me call on Jesus' name and authority over that traumatic memory. He had me forgive my mother, who I had unresolved wounds with from childhood. I asked Jesus to help me forgive her from my heart. Though I did not hear or see Jesus, when I went back to the memory there was peace.
Pastor Timothy then led me through self-deliverance, searching myself by the finger of God from head to toe. I did not hear any demons, but he explained that sometimes you hear one and can cast it out after confirming it has no legal right. Through this process Jesus brought me freedom and I could feel a weight lifted.
I am so grateful Pastor Timothy explained how I can continue doing inner healing and self-deliverance on my own through simply turning to Jesus over and over. He makes it easy to find freedom when you rely on his authority, Word, and guidance of the Holy Spirit. I feel empowered knowing I have weapons tailored to defeat any future attacks if I walk closely with Christ.
Sammy's Testimony:
After 20 years of escalating spiritual attacks, financial ruin, and physical affliction with no diagnosis, I reached out to Pastor Timothy desperate for deliverance. Though I have a strong relationship with Jesus, the witchcraft curses and demons tormenting me only grew worse over the decades no matter what I tried.
Pastor Timothy first led everyone in corporate prayer for me, rebuking the forces coming against me and asking God for restraining orders. I felt an immediate sense of relief and lighter spiritual atmosphere. He explained how in a private session he could help me identify legal rights through operating in the courts of Heaven and inner healing.
By healing my broken places from the past, freedom would come. He shared his own story of needing deliverance even as a pastor. He encouraged me to use the free spiritual warfare tools on his website in the meantime, turning to Jesus whenever attacks resume.
I felt hope for the first time in years through Pastor Timothy's compassion, experience, and assurance that Jesus truly wants me free. He doesn't condemn me for needing help or make big claims - he points me back to reliance on Christ's power and step-by-step pursuit of Him. I'm expecting my chains to break soon as I take up my spiritual weapons of warfare!