INTRODUCTION: There
once was a high school student who was traveling with his youth
pastor to a nearby town with some other teens. During the trip
the youth pastor began talking with one of the other adult
leaders about the battles taking place in the spiritual realm.
The teen's attention was peaked when the youth pastor said that
there could literally be hundreds of angels warring against
hundreds of demons who could be attempting to pull the van in
which they were traveling off the road. The teen thought to
himself, "I just hope the angels win."
As believers in Christ we are
engaged in spiritual warfare, whether we want to be or not.
How to defeat the enemy:
1) Remember where the true
battle is.
2) Put on the whole armor of God.
3) Engage in the battle through
prayer.
I. REMEMBER WHERE THE
TRUE BATTLE IS
(Eph 6:10-12 NKJV)
Finally, my
brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against
flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual
hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
A. If we are
going to truly give the devil hell and defeat him and his
strategies against us, we better make sure that we are fighting
the battle where the battle truly lies.
1. In the
previous verses of Ephesians chapter 6 and the latter part of
chapter 5, Paul deals with relationships between people.
a. These
are flesh and blood relationships.
b. In
these verses there is wisdom shared concerning how to get
along with one another.
2. But
then when we get to verses 10-12 there's a different attitude
we are to take on now. It's not one of submission, love and
getting along, but it's one of fighting and war.
a. The
reason for the difference? The Word is now talking about
how to deal with the devil.
b. We
are to hate and reject and war against and desire to
destroy the devil.
3. When we
really begin to understand what Satan endeavors to do against
us, our families, and our church, then we will understand the
importance of warring against him.
a. Understand
that the devil literally wants to destroy you. He's not
wanting to cause you little problems.
b. The
devil isn't trying to tempt you just so that you'll sin.
No, he's trying to drag you to the place where you will
forsake and turn your back on Almighty God.
c. The
devil knows his destiny and he wants to take as many
people with him as he can.
d. Part
of his strategy is to keep the church from plundering his
domain and rescuing people from his clutches.
B. As
Christians it is imperative that we avoid wrestling against flesh
and blood.
1. Our
battle is not against people.
a. Our
fight is not against others in the church.
b. However,
many Christians have spent more time fighting with others
in the church than they ever have with the devil. And the
devil likes that.
c. Everytime
you engage in flesh and blood conflicts you score points
for the enemy.
2. Our
battle is not against the government and special interest
groups.
a. When
people stand outside abortion clinics and pray, they're
fighting the battle in the right place.
b. But
when they shoot abortion clinic doctors, they are then
warring against flesh and blood and the devil scores
points.
3. This
does not mean that as Christians we are to stand idlely by
and watch our society go to hell in a hand basket.
a. There
are times when we're lead by the Spirit to take a very
visible stand against sin and immorailty.
b. There
are times when we are to loudly voice our God-given
convictions, always refusing to be moved from them.
c. But
may we always understand where the true battle lies and
that the battle is in the spiritual realm.
C. When we
avoid warring against flesh and blood, and we focus on warring
against principalities, against powers, against rulers of
darkness of this age, and against spiritual hosts of wickedness
in the heavenly places, then we will experience true victory.
1. We are
victorious in battle because we are children of God and joint
heirs with Jesus. Jesus is on our side.
(Eph 1:20-21 NKJV) which He worked in Christ when
He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand
in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power
and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not
only in this age but also in that which is to come.
a. Jesus
is far above all.
b. Guess
where we are? We're seated with Jesus!
(Eph 2:6 NKJV) and raised us up together,
and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ
Jesus,
2. Therefore,
let us walk onto the battlefield with a victorious attitude.
a.
It's amazing how many Christians will whine about defeat
before they even enter the battle.
b. That
attitude doesn't come from God.
3. Professional sports teams which have a consistent
winning record are usually filled with players who have an
expectation to win.
II. PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD
(Eph 6:10-17 NKJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in
the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the
whole
armor of God,
that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For
we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the
darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in
the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand
in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded
your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate
of righteousness, and having shod
your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
above all, taking the shield of faith
with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the
wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God;
A. Twice in
this passage of scripture we are exhorted by the Word to put on
the whole armor of God.
1. First
of all, it must be emphasized how important it is to put on
the whole armor.
a. If
we fail to put on just one piece of the armor we leave
ourselves vunerable to the enemy's attack.
b. Satan's
not a nice guy. He won't hesitate to kick you when you're
down. He will always look for weaknesses in you and will
do his best to exploit them.
c. For
example: If a person has a problem with demonstrating
self control in the handling of their finances, Satan
will try to show you all the products you've got to buy
and you've got to have it now!
d.
When you put on the whole armor, you'll be ready to
handle any and every attack of the enemy.
2. The
second thing which needs to be emphasized is the fact that
this armor is not our armor, but it's God's armor.
a. We
get to use it. God has made it available to us.
b. It
is not something which we have fabricated ourselves, but
it is something which is supplied to us from the very
throne room of God.
c. A
person may own a cheap fishing pole and a rubber raft,
but it would be nicer if someone let you use their nice
fishing pole and custom made bass boat.
d. In
the same manner, it's better to use God's weapons because
they will be much more effective.
3. The
reason we've been supplied with the armor of God is so that
we may stand no matter what.
a. It
doesn't matter what the devil may throw at you, God's
desire for you is that you'll continue to stand.
b. Look
at how many times the word "stand" is used in
verses 11, 13, and 14.
c. The
only time you will suffer defeat is when you fail to put
on the whole armor of God.
B. Let's take
a look at the various pieces of the armor, understanding that we
put it on through prayer and commitment to God to daily take hold
of the things which He has supplied us.
1. Belt of
truth.
a. The
belt is the foundational piece of the armor.
b. As
Christians, our belt must be one of truth.
c. It
is a preparedness to live our lives free from hypocrisy.
It is being honest with ourselves and others.
2. Breastplate
of righteousness.
a. The
breastplate is the part of the armor which protects vital
organs in the body.
b. The
breastplate is made of God's righteousness.
c. The
enemy laughs at man's self-righteousness, but he trembles
at the thought of God's righteousness.
3. Shoes
of the preparation of the gospel of peace.
a. The
shoes would ensure the soldier of good footing in the
time of battle.
b. Jesus
is our firm foundation. Therefore, we walk with Him and
take Him wherever we go.
c. Therefore,
Satan won't be able to knock us off balance.
4. Shield
of faith.
a. The
shield is the piece of armor which is used to combat an
attack.
b. It
is our God-given faith which enables us to stamp out the
fiery darts of doubt which Satan may throw at us.
c.
Faith is not just something we have, it's something we
do.
5. Helmet
of salvation.
a. The
helmet is what protects the brain: the place where
thoughts occur, memories reside, ideas are conceived and
problems solved.
b. As
we put on the helmet of salvation, we begin to think and
look at situations the way Jesus does.
c. This
means we daily renew our minds with the Word.
d. The
enemy loves to attack our thought life.
6. Sword
of the Spirit.
a. The
purpose of the soldiers' sword was to kill the enemy.
b. The
Word of God is the effective weapon which must be used in
order to defeat the strategies of the enemy.
c. A
soldier practiced with his sword before going into
battle. We too must become familiar with our sword.
d. Jesus
combatted the temptation of Satan with the Word.
C. Understand
that the reason for taking up the armor of God is not for
defensive purposes, but it is for offensive purposes against the
enemy.
1. We used
to hear very little about detroying the works of the devil in
years past.
a.
Testimony services used to be filled with complaints
concerning how the devil was destroying some poor
Christian's life.
b. Many
Christians have this idea that all they can do is hide in
a corner while the devil beats up on them.
c. Whe
we begin to realize who we are in Jesus and begin to
utilize our armor and our weapons, the devil begins to
hide from us.
2. We've
been given mighty weapons from the Lord.
(2 Cor 10:4-6 NKJV) For the weapons of our warfare
are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down
strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that
exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every
thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being
ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is
fulfilled.
a.
These weapons are for the destruction of the devil's
strategies.
b. In
the Old Testament, a stronghold was a hiding place or
fortress.
c. The
Word is telling us that our weapons are to be used in the
tearing down of these hiding places.
3. It is
an incredible thought to know that the devil will hide from
you.
a. When
you have on the whole armor of God, and you're walking
with your sword in hand, the devil doesn't want to mess
with you.
b. For
too many years the church has run from the devil, but in
these days people are beginning to realize that they've
been given the authority to run the devil off.
c. We
should not allow him to establish any fortresses in our
community.
III. ENGAGE IN THE
BATTLE THROUGH PRAYER
(Eph 6:18 NKJV) praying always with all prayer and
supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all
perseverance and supplication for all the saints;
A. The only
way to become involved in the spiritual battle is by doing so
through prayer.
1. There
are many things people do which they think meets the criteria
for winning spiritual battles.
a. Some
people start coming to church, but continue seeing
defeats in their personal life so they quit coming,
saying, "Going to church didn't help."
b. Some
people think that living a "good" life will
keep them from experiencing defeats.
2. The
only thing that will transport you into the spiritual realm
as a participating warrior is prayer.
a. If
you're not praying, you're nothing but prey for the
devil.
b. If
you are praying, you become transformed from the role of
victim into the role of victor.
B. We are to
be praying on all occasions.
1. The
three Greek words which are put together to mean
"always", literally means "at all
seasons".
a. There
is never a season in which we stop praying.
b. It
would be ridiculous for any Christian to ever say, "Right
now, bless God, I'm in a spiritual season of
prayerlessness."
2. A "season" is
always a period of time which significantly sets itself apart
from a previous and following season.
a. Seasons can be
major seasons such as the seasons of the year, or even
eras in history: the Reagan years, the dark ages, the
renaissance and so on.
b. Seasons can also be
smaller, even within a day of our life: season of
preparing for work, season of working, season of relaxing
in the evening.
c. At every season we
should step into it with prayer.
3. Jesus was an example of
praying as He entered into the various seasons of His life.
(He prayed daily.)
a. Before His public
ministry we see Him engaged in spiritual warfare. (Matt.
4)
b. The disciples asked
Him to teach them to pray because He was obviously
accomplishing much through His prayers.
c. Christ prayed
before facing the cross.
C. The final point from this
verse to be emphasized has to do with praying in the Spirit. How
do we do it?
1. Fight the spiritual
battle as one without sin.
(James 5:16 NKJV) Confess your trespasses to one
another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
a. If
you have sin in your life, confess it before God and
others.
b. Don't
dare step onto the battle field full of sin.
2. Be
filled with the Spirit.
(Acts 1:8 NKJV) "But you shall receive power
when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be
witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the end of the earth."
a. Our
power in battle comes from being filled with the Spirit.
b. Jesus
was effective because of the presence of the Holy Spirit
in His life.
3. Pray in
other tongues.
(1 Cor 14:14-15 NKJV) For if I pray in a tongue, my
spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.What is the
conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also
pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and
I will also sing with the understanding.
a.
Praying in other tongues allows the Holy Spirit to pray
specific things which goes beyond our understanding.
However, it helps bring about spiritual victory.
b. This
should be a daily part of our lives.
4. Pray
the Word.
a.
Jesus confessed the Word to Satan.
(Mat 4:10-11 NKJV) Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan!
For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God,
and Him only you shall serve.'" Then the devil left Him, and
behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
b. This
is an example we definitely need to be following.
5. Pray as
the Lord leads you.
a. You're
not always to pray in tongues. There are times to pray
with the understanding.
b. Remember
that God doesn't show you something so that you'll worry
about it, but so that you'll pray about it.
CONCLUSION:
1) Remember where the true
battle is.
2) Put on the whole armor of God.
3) Engage in the battle through
prayer.
Email: Tim Scarbrough