Fighting the Unseen Enemy

Introduction

The final exhortation is powerful and pertinent

Paul begins the book by telling us of God’s eternal purpose which we are now made beneficiaries

But by the close of this book, we come face to face with an enemy that hopes to turn us away

We’re fighting an “Unseen Enemy”

Ephesians 6:10–12 NASB95

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Exegesis

Eph 6:10 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.”

“be strengthened IMP. ” - to be made able. Passive voice indicates that someone/something outside of us is doing the strenghthening.

“in” is a preposition of location. The only place to be enabled is “the Lord” - Whatever I’m going to face I can only be enabled “in the Lord

In - fellowship, harmony, connection, union with God. I can’t do it on my own, I need GOD’s “enabling”

“the strength of His might” [Eph 1:19 “and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might” - same power wrought in Christ]

APPL. If the strenghtening is “in” the Lord that’s where I need to be and stay

Eph 6:11 “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”

“Put on the full armour” - the strengthening is further developed in vs. 11. I am strengthened when I “put on the FULL armour”

to dress or what something is made of*

the armour describes both weapons and protection

It’s in the middle voice, acting and being affected by the action

Careful, it’s not your ability to bear it or don it that’s going to matter, but it’s the God that gave it.

Upon examination, all aspects of the armour point back to God and His word.

When you do this, you can “stand”

To Maintain (hope, trust, confidence in God)

Make a stand (this fight often leads you to a crossroad)

Stand in position and remain motionless (I don’t plan on moving)

Withstand - when something is hurled your way, can you hold out

Eph 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

We’re fighting an “Unseen Enemy”

What we stand against are the wiles of the devil! [Camping Spot]

The devil is a schemer

This word comes from the Greek term “methodeia” - a way of doing something, in a systematic way

He’s crafty. He’s not all knowing, He tries in different ways

e.g. When he can’t the Jews to trick you he’ll get Judas to kiss you

He rules the darkness

Eph 5:8 “for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light”

Col 1:13 “For He rescued us from the domain (exousia) of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,”

“powers” vs. 12 same word.

This is where he wants men, but this is what Jesus came to take men from. Jn 1:5 “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

His effects are seen

Notice the conduct of those in darkness Eph 2:2 “in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.”

This is why you need the Holy Spirit and His sword, there’s a spirit that wants to work in you that will turn you away from God.

The enemy is unseen but his effects are not

1 Thess 2:18 “For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us.”

2 Cor 11:12-15 - consider the phrase “his ministers” (vs. 15)

He works by scheming

Consider what he told Jesus “until an opportune time” Luke 4:13. He tried through Herod, temptations, Disciples (zealous and greedy), Jews,. . . APPL. If satan can’t get you from the outside he’s going to try on the inside

He never tells the whole story (Eve) He’s a liar Jn 8:44 ““You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Eph 4:14 “As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;” [do we see the link? Satan works through others] 1 Tim 4:1 “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,”

Look at his schemes

He first tries with Herod (foreign nation) - get rid of Jesus

He then tries with Jesus’ nation - Jews

He tries with the inner three - Mark 10:41 “Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John.” Matt 16:23 “But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.””

He tries with the greedy disciple Jn 13:2 “During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him,”

Satan is making in-roads with

FALSE DOCTRINE,

FALSE IDEOLOGIES - False wisdom James 3:15-16 “This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.”

FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. - He likes to make us think that we reach, we’re there. . .PRIDE is a potent weapon of his.

Faithfulness from performance - as long “as I” pray/study/attend