Spiritual Warfare 2

The Invisible War Spiritual Warfare

How to Prepare Yourself for Spiritual Battle Ephesians 6:13-15

Introduction: The South Pacific after World War II Was Won

• Pockets of guerilla warfare continued on hundreds of islands.

• The victory had been won, but battles continued and lives were lost; the bullets were real.

• The same is true spiritually:

1. Satan was defeated at the Cross.

2. Sin’s penalty was paid for all people for all time.

3. Sin’s power was broken.

4. Yet, Satan and his host of fallen angels engage in guerilla warfare to discourage, deceive, divide, and destroy God’s people and God’s program.

5. Believers are commanded to equip and prepare themselves in the strength of the Lord and in His mighty power to stand firm against the enemy’s schemes, repel his multi-faceted attacks, and engage and defeat him in specific battles. Ephesians 6:10-12

The Question: How Does This Work?

The Answer: Four Keys to Spiritual Victory

1. We must become aware of the Invisible War.

2. We must learn to appropriate God’s protection for daily living.

3. We must learn to engage the enemy with supernatural weapons.

4. We must utilize God’s means of deliverance when spiritually attacked.

How Can You Prepare Yourself for Satanic Attack?

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace . . . “ Ephesians 6:13-15

Ephesians 6:13

· Our commander (Jesus Christ) “urgently” commands us to “pick up” our spiritual armor and put it on.

Why? = For the purpose of being fully prepared and enabled to withstand the grave and difficult “dark times” when the enemy attacks. Ephesians 6:14a

· After picking up our armor in preparation for battle, we are then commanded to consciously and vigorously make a decisive act (or succession of acts) to stand our ground firmly and fearlessly against the enemy’s assaults as he seeks to deceive, accuse, and discourage us. Ephesians 6:14b-15

· Using the metaphor of a Roman soldier’s armor (which protected him in battle), we are given three specific pieces of spiritual armor that must be “put on” by us as believers as a prerequisite to standing firmly and fearlessly against demonic attack.

1. “Having girded your loins with truth”

· Metaphor Explained
· “Truth” = Candor, sincerity, truthfulness rooted in the objective reality of the truth of God’s Word, but here refers to the subjective practical application of openness and honesty in all things with God and men.
· Satan’s first attack on mankind was deception, which was followed by man’s hiding, denial, and blame-shifting.
· The best of truth is the man or woman whose “mind will practice no deceit and attempt no disguises” in their walk with God. – Kenneth S. Wuest

** Application: "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Psalm 139:23-24

2. “Having put on the breastplate of righteousness”

· Metaphor Explained
· “Righteousness” = Uprightness, right living, integrity in one’s lifestyle and character – conforming of our will with God’s will. Although rooted in the object righteousness that we already possess in our standing before God through the work of Christ, this breastplate of righteousness (that guards and protects our heart) is the practical application of the truth to our lives – i.e. Lordship of Christ.
· Satan’s attacks are not merely deception, but accusation (resulting in guilt and condemnation) of the believer. When we willfully turn away from what we know is God’s will, we open ourselves to demonic influence in our lives.

~ Old Testament = Saul
~ New Testament = Peter

** Application: “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin..” James 4:17

Personal area to address = ___________________________________________

3. “Having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace”

· Metaphor Explained
· “Preparation” = Establishment – the means of a firm foundation; also conveys the idea of readiness to share the Gospel which brings peace between man and God.
· Satan not only uses deception and condemnation to neutralize believers, but also specializes in casting doubt on the very basis of God’s goodness and the means by which we have received it – the Gospel.

Attacks Grace – How? “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11:3-4

** Application:

1. Know and understand the content of the Gospel.
a. 1Corinthians 15:1–5;
b. Ephesians 2:1–9
2. Know the basis for your eternal security and the assurance of your salvation.
a. Security – Romans 8:38–39; Ephesians 1:13–14.
b. Assurance – 1 John 5:11-13
3. Faith is based on facts, not feelings.
4. Sharing your faith is one of the most powerful faith-builders available – Often “the best defense is a good offense.”

Conclusion:
God has objectively defeated Satan and his agenda. He has delivered us from sin’s penalty and power and ultimately will deliver us from sin’s very presence. In the interim, we are involved in guerilla warfare with demonic forces.

As believers, we have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of light with all the rights, privileges, and position that being a child of God entails.
The spiritual battle we fight involves a responsibility on our part to “put on” the spiritual protection that God has provided for us. We can and will resist the enemy’s attempts to “deceive”, “accuse”, and “cast doubt” when we stand firm against him by:

1. Being honest with God, ourselves and others as a prerequisite to all spiritual battle.

2. Responding to the truth that God shows us about His will for our lives – righteous living.

3. A clear understanding of “the Gospel” and the habitual sharing of this message of grace.

The great majority of spiritual warfare need never go beyond the regular practice of living out our position in Christ by faith. Our practice of Paul’s metaphor of the spiritual armor protects us from Satan’s ongoing attempts to break our fellowship with Jesus and, as a result, greatly minimizes any impact by the enemy.

There are times however, when we must move beyond “standing firm” and engage the enemy in actual combat. This will be the topic of our next study, Ephesians 6:16–20.

Spiritual Warfare - 1

Spiritual Warfare:

What is the Invisible War?

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Ephesians 6:10-12

Ø General Command (Ephesians 6:10) – Allow yourself to be continually strengthened by the power already made available to you in your new position and relationship with Christ. It is the power that raised Christ from the dead and now dwells in you.

Ø Specific Command (Ephesians 6:11) – How? By continually and repeatedly putting on the spiritual protection God has provided for you . . . for the express purpose of holding on to your position in Christ as you are bombarded by Satanic strategies designed to destroy you and/or render you ineffective in Kingdom pursuits.

Ø The Reason for Commands in Verses 10 – 11 (Ephesians 6:12) – It’s because our real struggle (battle, wrestling match to the death) is not against physical/material adversaries (people, circumstances, organizations), but against a hierarchy of demonic forces doing battle in the spiritual realm.

Five Basic Truths about Spiritual Warfare:

1. There is an Invisible World that is Just as Real as the Visible World.

Examples:

• Old Testament 2 Kings 6:15-19

• New Testament 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

2. We are Involved in an Invisible War, a Cosmic Conflict That Has Eternal Implications.

Ephesians 6:12 (The why)

• For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

• . . . in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

2 Corinthians 4:4

• Application – When was the last time you honestly considered that some struggle or relational conflict was rooted in satanic opposition?

3. Our Foe is Formidable and His Goal is to Destroy Us and Discredit the Cause of Christ.

Ephesians 6:12 (The why continued)

• Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

1 Peter 5:8

• Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

Jude 9

o Is Satan for Real?

§ Authority of the Bible - Genesis 3:1; 1 Chronicles 21:1; Revelation 12:9

§ Testimony of Christ 25 References, Matthew 4

§ Reality of Demons – He’s their “prince.” - Luke 11:15

o Who is Satan?

§ A created spirit - Colossians 1:16, Job 1:3

§ An angel - Matthew 25:41, Revelation 12:7

§ A cherub - Ezekiel 28:14

§ Highest of all created beings - Ezekiel 28:14, Jude 9

o Where Did He Come From?

§ Created perfect - Ezekiel 28:12 -13

§ Had heavenly estate - Jude 6

§ Guardian of God’s glory - Ezekiel 28

§ Occasion of his sin = power and beauty - Ezekiel 28

§ Nature of his sin = pride - 1 Timothy 3:6, Isaiah 14:13

§ Cause of his sin = personal free choice - Habakkuk 1:13, James 1:13

4. We Must Respect Our Foe, but Not Fear Him – Become Acutely Aware of His “Methods,” but Not Be Preoccupied by Them.

Ephesians 6:11 (specific Command)

• Paul agrees to forgive a brother along with the Corinthian church . . . “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

2 Corinthians 2:11

• The Vital Question – How can we make sure we are not ignorant of his schemes?

o Satan’s Names Reveal His Tactics

· Satan (adversary) - 1 Peter 5:8

· Lucifer (son of the morning) - Isaiah 14:12

· Beelzebub - Matthew 12:24

· Belial - 2 Corinthians 6:15

· Evil one - 1 John 5:19

· Tempter - 1 Thessalonians 3:5

· Prince of this world - John 12:31

· Accuser of the brethren - Revelation 12:10

· Representations include:

o Serpent - Genesis 3

o Dragon - Revelation 12:3

o Angel of Light - 2 Corinthians 11:14

o Satan Attacks God’s Program, the Church, by . . .

· False philosophies - Colossians 2:8

· False religions - 1 Corinthians 10:19

· False ministers - 2 Corinthians 11:14-15

· False doctrine - 1 John 2:18

· False disciples - Matthew 13

· False morals - 2 Thessalonians 2:7

o Satan Attacks God’s People by . . .

· Directing governments - Daniel 10:13

· Deceiving men - 2 Corinthians 4:4

· Destroying life - Hebrews 2:14

· Persecuting the saints - Revelation 2:10

· Preventing service - 1 Thessalonians 2:18

· Promoting schisms - 2 Corinthians 2:10, 11

· Planting doubt - Genesis 3:1-2

· Provoking sin:

o Anger - Ephesians 4:26-27

o Pride - 1 Timothy 3:6

o Worry - Matthew 13:22

o Self-reliance - 1 Chronicles 21:1

o Discouragement - 1 Peter 5:6-8

o Worldliness - 1 John 2:16

o Lying - Acts 5:3

o Immorality - 1 Corinthians 5:1-2

· Producing sects/cults - 1 Timothy 4:1

o Satan’s Power is Limited

· He is created, therefore not omniscient or infinite

· He can be resisted by the Christian - James 4:7

· God places limitations on him - Job 1:12

o Application – “Balance” and wisdom are crucial in our assessment of spiritual opposition. To assign too much or too little credit to the reality of demonic activity is to error greatly.

5. As Believers in Christ, We Do Not Fight “For” Victory, We Fight “From” Victory. In Christ’s Power We Are Invincible!

Ephesians 6:10 (general command)

Promises from God Concerning Victory Over Satan

• Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1 John 4:4

• For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 John 5:4-5

• And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Revelation12:11

• Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7

Summary:

1. Satan is a defeated foe. John 12:31

2. Jesus destroyed the work of the devil. Colossians 2:14-15

3. We are victors in Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:55-58

4. We have the power and resources to resist Satan and demonic attacks. 1John 4:4

5. We must learn how to put on the “full armor of God” to experience in daily living the victory we already possess. Ephesians 6:13-17