Examining ourselves with an emphasis on a possible need for spiritual warfare:

1 Cor 11: 23      For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:24    And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.26    For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.27  Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.28    But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.29   For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.30    For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.31    For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.32     But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

     A list follows discussing areas to examine; however, to write ALL possible places in our lives for the enemy to set up a stronghold would be impossible. If you think of more than what is here, war against that as well.

1. Repent of leaving first love (i.e., if you have).Rev 2: 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love  . 5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

Make a mental list of what you did “at first”.  Renounce the barriers (list) hindering your first love (e.g. sin, fear of man, rejection, laziness, worldliness, perfectionism, forgiveness, unbelief, selfishness, independence etc.)

2. False teaching and/or wrongful reception of true teaching (i.e., twisting, selective listening, refusal to apply the truth of the Word to realities of living, etc.).Renunciation of all deceptions (including occult things).Repentance for not being a Berean.Acts 17:10 “ And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”Ask the Lord to bring to your mind false teachings you may be receiving.

Deut 18: 9  When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.10  There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,11     Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.13   Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.14  For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.

Acts 16: 16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:17  The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.18      And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

3. Forgiveness — of self, others. Prayers to bless those who abused us. A release of all anger, bitterness, revenge, etc.

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you;if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.

Rom 12: 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matt 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him,which owed him ten thousand talents.25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him,and forgave him the debt.28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison,till he should pay the debt.31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.32 Then his lord, after that he had called him,said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Phil 3: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings , being made conformable unto his death;

4. Infirmity. Luke 13: 11  And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.12     And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.13      And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

5. Addictions:  E.g.,shopping, substance abuse (alcohol and drugs), inordinate amounts of sleep, TV , gluttony

6. Sexual issues: Past victimization, current thought and/or actions  patterns seemingly impossible to relinquish, pornography, perversions, rape (as either victim or perpetrator), seduction, flirtatiousness, etc.

7. ESCAPE: A withdrawal from life because of disappointment, failure, sickness – hopelessness. E.g.,  too much TV (or computer, or any other media to “get lost into”), vain reading material, games, etc. A need to be amused or else boredom easily sets in. 1 Tim 5: 5           Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.6But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

8. Rejection: From parents, from self, etc. Totally feeling

disconnected with others, seldom “fitting in” . Feeling of rejection from God as a result of “never measuring up”

and/or repeatedly disappointing Him.

9. Distrust of God’s love , His Word, His promises, His provision – along with the corresponding complaining and worry – Pride in thinking that if  we  were God (or in charge of  a given situation) , we could do much better in arranging the circumstances (an “evil heart  of unbelief”)     Heb 3: 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:9          When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.10    Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.11     So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)12    Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.13   But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.14       For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;15           While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.16          For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.17    But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?18            And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?19        So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Num 14:.26  And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,27           How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.28        Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:29            Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me,30       Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.31        But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised.32        But as for you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness.33       And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness. 34     After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.35      I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.36        And the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the land,37        Even those men that did bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the LORD.

10. Refusal to share gifts/talents with the local church  and/or for the Lord. Many things could be at the root of this:  E.g., Selfishness. Laziness. Fear. Perfectionism (“Some day I will be outstanding and I don’t want to share until I am”), unwillingness to be available for more work involving the talents/gifts,  self consciousness, competition,  concern that peers will say “Who do you think you are?” or “You are trying to look good “, stinginess, will only share if paid or if given special attention.

Matt 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gatherwhere I have not strawed:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents .29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant

into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

11. Indecision, mental fog, confusion, procrastination

12. Fear—e.g., of man, of falling away from God, of poverty, of abandonment…. 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out

fear: because fear hath torment . He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Prov 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare,but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

Renounce FEAR as sin – it is the opposite of FAITH

Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Luke 12:4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

 Josh 1:6 “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Phil 4: 13              I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

13. Suicide, murder: Repent of any thoughts of doing suicide or any

past attempts. This is the ultimate act of distrust!  Repent of abortion.  Murderous thoughts and even , perhaps, fantasizing about how to do it

14. Sleep issues: Sleeplessness, attacks during sleep—nightmares, demonic presences, etc. Ps 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep : for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

 Ps 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep .

 15. Depression, sadness, mental illness

Is 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

 16. Uncontrolled tongue: Slander, gossip, profanity, blasphemy, lying

Eph 5:   But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;4                Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.5               For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.6   Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

James 3: 5           Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!6           And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.7              For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.              Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.10         Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.11       Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?12   Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.13         Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.15           This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.17                But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

John 8: 44           Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

17. Hatred      I Jn 4: 20         If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?21        And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

18. Examine the list of the “works of the flesh” to see if any of these have gone out of control and have refused to submit to the work of the cross of Jesus Christ:  Gal 5: 19       Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20      Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21              Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

19.  The god of mammon: Materialism, covetousness, stealing, stinginess, jealousy of what others have, vain ambition, preoccupation with “keeping up with the Joneses”, refusing to give tithes and offerings, nonpayment of taxes, goofing off on the employer’s dime, etc.

Ezek 33: 31          And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.

Mark 7: 21            For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,22                Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:23   All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Luke 12: 15          And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;……..5      For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Col 3: 5  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:6             For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

1 Tim 6: 10           For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.11   But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Mal 3: 8                Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9          Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation10         Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Matt 22: 17          Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?18   But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?19  Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.20             And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?21         They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.

20. Current repetitively, unrepentant behavior with no desire to change.  No conviction or remorse. Cold heart.  (Know that this must be changed before you can KEEP deliverance.)

Matt 12: 43          When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.44                Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.45                Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

Matt 5: 6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.