Spritual Warfare (6:10,12)

Introduction: (V10) “A final word”

1) As we near the end of Ephesians, Paul has covered many topics, such as; all the spiritual blessings He has bestowed upon us.

Chosen

Adopted into the family of God

You have been given grace and mercy

You were once an enemy of God because of your sin, but 2:8 says, through faith in Christ you have been forgiven and you have recieved eternal life

2) Paul states, because of the blessings God has poured onto you through Christ, God expects us to walk worthy of your calling

You’re calling is to imitate Christ in how you live

Christianity is who you are and it must effect how you live

1.(V10) Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power

Today we will look at the why

-Why do I need to be strong?

Spiritual Battle:

Eph 6:12 “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

A) The Bible clearly teaches that we are in a battle. Not a physical fight, but a spiritual battle

-Not fighting against flesh-and-blood, but against evil rulers of the unseen world

-(V11) Stand firm against all strategies of the devil

1 PET 5:8 “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

B) Satan has been waging war against God since the beginning of time

Satan is a master of deception, tricks, and schemes

Satan hates God and he hates us because we are made in the image of God

C) The goal of Satan is to send people to hell through unbelief

Satan uses many tactics such as,

-Blinding people through unbelief, especially with God’s Word

-Stumbling Christians through habitual sin (Hypocrite Christian)

-Convincing people that there is no devil or that hell doesn’t really exist

2. Biblical examples of Spiritual warfare

Job

Job was blameless, a man of integrity and the Bible states he feared God and stayed away from evil

Satan was watching the people of the earth and God asked Satan if he has noticed his servant Job?

Satan says, the only reason Job loves God is because of all his possessions

God allows Satan to strip Job of everything

Jesus was tempted by Satan is another example of Spiritual warfare

Satan twist the Word of God

Satan promises pleasure but in reality it leads to death

Jesus fought back using the Scripture

APPLICATION: Spiritual Warfare in my life...

A) When I speak out against a controversial subject, I can expect backlash

B) I face distractions when doing something for the Lord

C) Physical illness

Spiritual Warfare in Your Life:

A) You begin to doubt the Word of God or doubt God’s love

B) You get made fun of because of your beliefs or because you won’t partake in sinful acts

C) Tempted to sin or to act like an unbeliever

Collectively, they are all members of spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. They are all part of a spiritual army that is organized and established into ranks and is under the headship of Satan who comes against us.