Masterpiece of Spiritual Warfare

All of life is war, from the cradle to the grave we are at war. Your soul, your mind, your family, your career are fields of conflict. Until Satan is finally thrown into the lake of fire, our peace with God will have to be a vigilant peace. Because Satan will certainly give us no peace if we are at peace with God.

Ephesians 6:10–17 (ESV)

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil 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 firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

John 16:33 ESV

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Make no mistake the war we are in is against supernatural evil powers of the kind we cannot even fully understand or comprehend.

Modern readers come to this text in three ways.

1. Some love the whole idea and picture there favorite movies like: Brave-heart, Gladiator, 300, Black hawk Down, and Saving Private Ryan. Some of them love UFC. Some love the camouflage with gun racks picture. They get excited about gun ranges, paintball guns, and face paint.

2. Others find this text antiquated and ridiculous because of the description of ancient weaponry and warfare. A person dressed up in a tin suit does not communicate strength, vitality and security to us in the 21st century!

3. Another group might find this militaristic language fanatical and unenlightened. Have we not had enough of religious holy war talk? Is not all Paul’s talk about the spirit and evil simply the product of an uninformed superstitious writer? Are not the real problems in the world simply psychological, physiological, relational, economical, and/or political?

This text is not antiquated or outdated, because our society has not changed since this letter was first penned on paper. Our spiritual needs have not changed, and the evil one is still active. He is just as active now as he was in the garden. Believers in Ephesus, and believers in every city in the world have the same need for Christ and His mighty power.

1. The What of our Spiritual Warfare

(What are we to do?)

*We are called to Be Strong in the Lord

Note: We need to be careful that we are not looking in the wrong places for strength. Our strength is not in our resources and ability, in how long we have been Christians, in how much we know about the Bible, or in how long we have been in ministry. Our strength is in our union with Jesus Christ and His supernatural power that flows through our life.

Ephesians 1:19 ESV

19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might

The Lord is a warrior; and Yaweh is His name. Exodus 15:3

Exodus 15:3 ESV

3 The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is his name.

Our Lord is a fighter and champion of His people Psalm 35:1-3

Psalm 35:1–3 ESV

1 Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! 2 Take hold of shield and buckler and rise for my help! 3 Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers! Say to my soul, “I am your salvation!”

Our Lord moves like a warrior and His enemies hear Him coming. Isaiah 42:13

Isaiah 42:13 ESV

13 The Lord goes out like a mighty man, like a man of war he stirs up his zeal; he cries out, he shouts aloud, he shows himself mighty against his foes.

How are we the strongest in the Lord? - When we put on the Whole Armor of God.

(identifies the necessity for a complete suite of protection)

Note: Put on requires an action to take place that is not a question of whether we should take up the armor of God. This also, does not give us a statement of ever taking the armor off. When do we first get this armor of protection that God has for us. It comes through the Holy Spirit who provides the armor necessary to be protected against Satan’s schemes.

There is a very real Danger of Falling in This Battle

Three times Paul tells us to take every precaution necessary for us to stand.

The armor of God does not come out of nowhere.

*Power in the Divine giver of Power:

The call to be strengthened…by His vast strength.” Draws on our minds back to the earlier prayers in scripture. Remember when Sampson had lost his strength, had his eyes put out and was at a dinner party for his captors amusement. Samson calls on the Lord for one last rush of his mighty power to destroy his enemies.

*Power in the Already but not Yet:

We are reminded that Christ has already triumphed over the powers of darkness where he is now seated at the right hand of the Father, now giving us new life and freeing us from the fear of the powers of sin and death. But we have not yet fully experienced the full fruits of Christ’s victory, for their powers still exist (though they are defeated).

SATAN’S LEASH - AND IMPENDING DOOM: God is sovereign over Satan. The devil does not have a free hand in this world. he is on a short leash, so that he can do no more than God permits. In effect he must get permission - as in the case of Simon Peter, where Jesus discloses, “Simon, Simon, behold Satan has asked to have you, that he might sift you like wheat” (Luke 22:31). And case of Job: “The Lord said to Satan “Behold, Job is in our hand; only spare his life” (Job 2:6).

*Power in Christlike Virtues

The virtues are connected with the armor: truth, righteousness, peace, the gospel, the word of God, salvation, and faith.

*Power in the Prayer

The summons for us to pray at all times reflects a reminder of where our ultimate power comes from and the boldness that he gives us to complete the task, Paul reminds us at the end of his life in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 that he has fought the good fight, he has finished the race, he has kept the faith and therefore laid up for himself a crown of righteousness for the day of his appearing. Paul drew on great strength during his time in prison before his head was removed from his body.

*Power in Putting On

“Earlier Paul tells us that we should put on the new self, created according to God’s likeness” Ephesians 4:24

Ephesians 4:24 ESV

24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

An “be imitators of God” as beloved children Ephesians 5:1

Ephesians 5:1 ESV

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

To now put on the full armor is to be identified as God’s warrior dressed in his armor. The armor give to us is to put on the Messiah Himself. It means to be identified with Him and to fight with His strength, displaying His character.

2. The Why of Spiritual warfare.

(Why are we to put on the whole armor of God)

*We are called to stand against Satan’s Schemes.

(Paul implores us 3 times to take pains to stand, that is, not to fall.)

Part of our Sanctification

God intends that part of our preparation for heaven be a life of warfare with hell. He calls it a “good warfare” (1 Timothy 1:18) and a “good fight” ( 1 Timothy 6:12). It is good, not because we might be killed, which we might, but because these fire-fights refine the gold of our faith in life and death.

He see’s behind the enemy lines, and knows exactly what the strategies are that we must deploy in our cosmic battle, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan. 2 Corinthians 2:11

2 Corinthians 2:11 ESV

11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

ILLUSTRATION

Here is the problem, Hollywood and other entertainment media appears to dramatize sensationalism and lure of evil in the spirit world such that it successfully captivates the interest of many.

This reminds me of the Romans who packed the Coliseum in the first century to witness the slaughter of humans by gladiators and ferocious animals.

Passive spectators seem to participate in the dramatizations and real life news of Satan’s evil acts. Such passive and consistent participation in the portrayal of evil cannot have any positive yield.

This also links the root cause of personal and cultural disorders are seemingly and consistently denied. The Coliseum of our present culture today is the right for human life. Where we call babies fetuses and killing of millions of children as mercy killings.

The forces arrayed against us have three main characteristics.

1) His schemes are powerful

They are principalities and powers the rulers o this present darkness. The word kosmokratores was used in astrology of the planets which were thought to control the fate of mankind, in the Orphic Hymns of Zeus, in rabbinical writings of Nebuchadnezzar and other pagan monarchs, and in various ancient inscriptions of the Roman emperors.

John describes him in John 12:31 as the ruler of this world.

Dr. Chuck Lawless 8 ways the enemy attacks the Church

Congregational Division

False Teaching - Everything from the songs being sung, to poorly exegetic scripture, to out and out distortion of God’s word.

Family Breakdown - Many churches hardly pause when another home falls apart, and the enemy is in the corner of the room pleased with his work.

Hidden Sin - Satan is lurking behind the pulpit of all of Churches and taking down even the greatest of our spiritual leaders.

Transfer Growth Diversion - Satan and his demons are seldom threatened when churches “grow” by “swapping the sheep” of other churches. Many churches brag about their growth, but never ask whether they are seeing non-believers turn to Christ or how many people are becoming mature disciples of Christ.

Self Dependence - Some churches operate as a well oiled machine and never recognize that God’s presence withdrew from the church. Often there is enough size and attendance it is almost goes unnoticed. Even though these Churches will speak passionately about the “power of God,” some, seem to rely more on their own power and charisms.

Discipleship Distraction - Satan and his demons delight in churches that have no strategic, effective discipleship strategy and have no plan to teach believers how to wear the full armor of God.

Hopelessness - All too often, church leaders give all they have to give, yet harvest few results. Their church may be dying but they are unwilling to change.

2) His schemes are are wicked

They hate the light and shrink from it.

Darkness is their natural habitat, the darkness of falsehood and sin. They are also described as the spiritual hosts of wickedness, which operates in heavenly places, that is, in the sphere of invisible reality. They are spiritual agents from the very headquarters of hell.

The Humanizing of Evil and Wickedness in this world

Satan has worked hard at deconstructing our cultures view of things that are inherently evil and demonic. He knows that is he can turn the wicked and evil things into not so wicked and evil he can use them against us.

There is good witchcraft and evil witchcraft. There is good magic and evil magic.

Satan has his fallen angel’s and demonic influences Christians and others through his primary tools of deceit and deception.

Note: We have much that we would all agree is evil and demonic in overt acts of horrific acts done that most of our society and culture would see as inherently evil. But, what about those things we do not recognize as evil.

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

2 Corinthians 11:13–15 ESV

13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. In other words, Satan has servants who profess enough truth to join the church, and from inside teach what Paul calls “doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). Jesus tells us that they will be wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15).

3) His schemes are cunning

The schemes that are at work in the devil are all a part of his masterful plan to discredit God and his elect children.

The Message of Ephesians (1. The Enemy We Face (Verses 10–12))

He is a dangerous wolf, but enters Christ’s flock in the disguise of a sheep. Sometimes he roars like a lion, but more often is as subtle as a serpent. We must not imagine, therefore, that open persecution and open temptation to sin are his only or even his commonest weapons; he prefers to seduce us into compromise and deceive us into error

Paul describes these subtle deceptions in Ephesians 4:14

Ephesians 4:14 ESV

14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

The illusion of our Enemy

We like to think we live in a safe place, but it is not. The world is a tremendously dangerous place. We like to imagine that evil is distant but, as the headlines reveal, evil is always lurking near. Even when we do not see any enemies, invisible threats are all around us everyday.

C.S. Lewis observed the same phenomenon in his classic work The Screwtape Letters. As Lewis explained, humanity is prone to two extremes when it comes to thinking about demonic forces:

"There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils.”

One is to disbelieve in their existence.

The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.

They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight."

We are in a Wresting match

When I was in football coach made us wrestle during the off season, why? This is a close intense battle of manipulation and strategy. Our coach wanted us to struggle with the exercise and use our skills and abilities to out maneuver and outwit our opponent.

The Devil is not firing laser guided missiles from a distance; he is upon us. Jesus told Peter, “Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.”

Exalting Jesus in Ephesians We Need to Know Our Enemy (6:11–13)

One might have wondered, “What do you mean we don’t wrestle with flesh and blood, Paul? You have been beaten with rods, imprisoned, left for dead, shipwrecked, endangered countless times, and more. What do you mean your battle isn’t physical?” We know from the apostle that behind these battles is another battle. There is an unseen, cosmic, and spiritual battle in which we are engaged.

Some think these “authorities” and “world powers” are political entities. They think Paul is speaking about cultural and societal systems. Even though Satan surely can and does work through such systems, I do not think Paul is referring to that here. He seems to be speaking of the powers that work with the evil one in general.

Satan plucks the word of God out of people’s hearts and chokes faith out.

Remember Jesus told in his parable of the slower and the seed that when the word is sown some falls on the path and birds quickly take it away. He goes on to explain that “Satan immediately comes and takes away the word which was sown in them.” Satan snatches the word because he hates faith which the word produces.

Satan accuses Christians before God

Remember in the story of Job. Satan says to God about us, They do not really love you; they love your benefits. “Stretch out your hand and touch all that they have, and they will curse you to your face. Their faith is not real. But, the good news is that we have an advocate before God who “always lives to make intercession for us.” Hebrews 7:25

Hebrews 7:25 ESV

25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

We must not forget that the Devil is a defeated foe

When Jesus proclaimed from the Cross “It is Finished” the victory was won. Jesus had once and for all defeated the power of Satan and his hold over creation.

Satan and his demons know that there end is near. Remember how those possessed by demons responded when Jesus came into the room. The cowered in fear knowing that their time is limited.

We fight with great confidence knowing that all things will eventually be put under his feet!

This is why Paul tells us in 5:16 “We need to make the best use of time because the days are evil.”

What is the difference between wresting against flesh and blood and against the present darkness?

Flesh and blood may be our spouse, or our boss, or our earthly situations. What Paul is suggesting is that all of these conflicts and problems are spiritual battles.

We must name our battle and call it what it really is a direct attack from Satan and his army.

Battles We Continue To Fight

Romans 6:8-14 captures the central tension of the Christian life on earth: we have died to sin, but we still sin. Why do we still sin if we have “died with Christ” and “also live with him” (v. 8)?

Imagine a small country that has been ruled by a foreign power for many years. When the rightful rulers return and take over, the central identity of the country is restored. The invaders have no ultimate claim over the nation. But that doesn’t mean that every one of the invaders has physically left the country. They might remain, working to reinstate their illegitimate reign. The country’s identity remains its rightful one, but there are still battles being fought over specific areas of land and power

3. The How of our Spiritual Warfare.

(How are we to wage war on our enemy)

Note: We are given the rules for engagement and the weapons to be successful.)

God has made provision for us to Stand.

*We are called to Take up the Whole Armor of God

Once called to take up the armor we should note that the armor is “God’s” armor. This makes me think of David when king Saul tried to get David to wear his armor.

However, David had the best armor in the world, he had God’s armor guarding him against the enemies schemes.

The same armor that the Messiah wears into battle is the battle gear that we are now given to wear. There is no reason to yield one inch to the enemy, if we have put on the full armor of God. Nevertheless, we must be ready and equipped. We do not wear swimsuits of pajamas; we wear battle gear.

Isaiah 59:17 ESV

17 He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.

Paradigm Shift

“Christianity isn’t something you add. It is an explosion that changes everything you had.”

To follow Jesus as a disciple is a complete paradigm shift, not just an added ornament on an otherwise normal life. It’s a new way of life because it’s a new way of seeing, of thinking, of being. How has following Christ changed the way you live life?

“Stand Firm” (Having recognized your enemy the rules of engagement are to hold the line, do not let any of the flaming darts of the enemy penetrate your defenses)

Fastened the Belt of Truth (I think it’s interesting that the first defense that is deployed is the word of truth and the last part of the armor is the offensive side of word of God. This is the only piece of the armor that is both offensive and defensive. The Belt holds the sword that we wield against the enemy.)

Breast plate of Righteousness (the significance of the breastplate in battle is that it helps protect your vital organs from the enemies blows. It covers the very organ that is mentioned as the seat of our belief, that if we believe in our heart that he is Lord we will be saved.)

Shoes of Readiness (ready shoes are not hid away in the closet somewhere that you have to look for them when you need them. The ready shoes are given by the gospel of peace. Philippians 4:7 tells us that the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ. We enter the battle confident in the one who wages war for us and gives us the weapons to be successful in the battle.)

READY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE GOSPEL

The Shield of Faith (the shield of faith is prefaced by in all circumstances. What was the purpose of a shield in battle. Shields are used to intercept specific attacks, whether from close-ranged weaponry or projectiles such as arrows, by means of active blocks, as well as to provide passive protection by closing one or more lines of engagement during combat. The text implies that the shield is to intercept the flaming darts or arrows that the enemy will be throwing down range.)

The Helmet of Salvation ( Salvation is symbolized by the wearing of the helmet. Salvation means receiving deliverance. For Christians, salvation means receiving deliverance from the penalty of sin and death. What does the helmet have to do with Salvation? A helmet protects a soldier against damaging and deadly blows to the head. Spiritually speaking, the helmet of salvation provides hope and protects the mind against anything that would try to disorient or destroy the Christian, such as discouragement or deceit. Without the helmet we are left exposed to the powerful weapon Satan uses on us all the time of Doubt. (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:8).

The Sword of the Spirit ( The Sword is the only offensive weapon listed in the armor of God. The sword had one distinct purpose for the soldier, to inflict the greatest harm on ones enemy eventually casting a fatal blow. The sword of the spirit is the word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Effectively using the sword is not merely about having a bible present in your possession. It is about opening and feeding on the word of God day and night. Many people own a bible but, very few people know how to use the weapon effectively. It’s like being a gun owner but lacking the skills necessary to line up the sights on your target and effectively pulling the trigger when called to defend yourself or someone else. Jesus accused the Pharisees of being hypocrites in that they knew the law but failed to have the understanding to follow their own law.)

RESIST! James 4:7

James 4:7 ESV

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

James tells us to resist the devil and he will flee from you!

How do you do that? Here is how they did it in Revelation 12:11

Revelation 12:11 ESV

11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

As the Close of this age draws nearer, and Satan rages, Jesus calls us to wartime prayer: “Watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.

CONCLUSION

The question is not whether you want to be in the war. You are in a war whether you like it or not. Everyone is in it. Either we are defeated by the devil and therefore, following, like cattle being led to the slaughter, “the prince of the power of the air” or we are resisting - “resist him, firm in your faith!” (1 Peter 5:9)

There is not neutral or safe zone with the enemy. You either stand triumphant “by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony,” or you will be enslaved by Satan. Therefore, “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3), and “wage the good warfare” (1 Timothy 1:8).

It is time for the army of God to suite up and get ready for Battle.

Psalm 144:1 ESV

1 Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;