Aug 23, 2020. Ephesians 6:10-13

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SPIRITUAL WARFARE. Ephesians 6:10-13. 08/23/20. #33.

Ephesians 6:10-13 [New King James Version]

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 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. 13 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.

  • The nature of spiritual warfare
    • We speak of spiritual warfare too loosely or ill-informed
      • Spiritual Warfare is not equal to frustration over things that irritate us in life
      • Spiritual Warfare should not make us panic
      • Spiritual Warfare is not searchable by humans
    • Facts about spiritual warfare:
      • IT IS REAL! – there are demonic forces at work
      • IT IS INFLUENTIAL – men are influenced to do great evil by demonic forces
      • IT IS COOPERATIVE – men are responsible if they cooperate with evil (not puppets of Satan)
        • Genesis 3 Eve was not forced by Satan to sin
        • John 3:19 men do evil because they love it
      • SATAN IS LIMITED BY GOD – he does have free reign (Job 1; I Corinthians 10:13)
      • THE FORCES OF DARKNESS ARE TOO STRONG FOR MAN TO RESIST ON HIS OWN – Matthew 16:23
      • GOD EMPOWERS BELIEVERS TO RESIST EVIL
        • Romans 7 the law of Christ battles sin
        • II Corinthians 10:3-6 we have mighty weapons
  • Preparing for battle
    • Paul commands us to be strong in the Lord
      • Strong (endunamos) = empowered (we have no excuse to be weak when he provides us power)
        • If we are spiritually weak we choose it
        • John 16:33 warfare is hard, but winnable
        • No room for self-pitying or lazy believers
      • The Lord gives might and strength
    • We are to put on the entire armor of God (he provides it)
      • God provides all we need to be victorious
      • If we fall, we do so on our own (Jam. 1:12-15)
    • Our battle is against the trickery (crafty schemes) of Satan
      • Satan’s 2 major weapons: counterfeiting truth (2 Corinthians 11:14-15) and deception (Genesis 3)
      • We are often tricked openly: we know narcotics are a destructive sham, adultery is a momentary pleasure, greedy gain does not satisfy…
      • Satan convinces men that he provides lasting joy
  • The battle is for a lifetime
    • Wrestling with great evil does not end in this life
      • The moment we stop wrestling, we lose (David and Bathsheba, Paul going to Jerusalem, Peter in Galatia, Demus loving the world, Uzziah and offering)
      • Demonic forces (evil of every rank) never stop
  • Spiritual armor is a daily suit
    • “Take up” the entire armor of God
      • It’s provided, but we must put it on
      • Ephesians. 4:22-24 put off old man and put on new
    • It takes the entire armor of God to stand against the devil
    • We are tempted daily and must battle daily
      • Armor must always be ready for an attack
      • “The evil day” = all the days on earth are evil days with evil men and demons growing increasingly worse (2 Timothy 3:13)
    • If we always use our armor, we will stand and be victors
    • Galatians 6:9 our greatest enemy is spiritual fatigue (takes grit)
    • Pleasure and pride are defaults of sin nature causing falls