THE WARFARE OF THE CHRISTIAN BELIEVER

INTRO: As you very well know, when we were saved we entered into a spiritual war, one were gonna win, because Jesus already secured the victory. we have a very effective plan

PRAY!!!!

Eph 6:10-20 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. 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. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

God gives us the armor, but it doesn't say He “dresses” us. We Have to put it on, it’s a choice we have to make

Spiritual Warfare

We are told to do 4 Things:

Be Strong in the Lord(v.10)

In the Lord’s power and in His might

2. Put on the whole armour (v.11)

3. Stand firm (v.14)

4. Pray always (v.18)

God will supply:

The power of His might (v.10)

The critical point here is: that your strength is not human, it’s found in the Lord

You have to be strong before you put on the full armour. No amount of armour will be sufficient if you don't have the heart to fight

I call these flex pose promises:

Luke 1:37 “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Eph 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,”

2 Tim 1:7 “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Paul makes it Chrystal clear who are enemy is, it’s not people. it’s against malevolent spirits

Eph 6:12 “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.”

Satan and his minions are who we are fighting.

We are told to stand firm against the wiles of the devil (v.11)

methodeia= Trickery

Satan very often uses death disguised as a gift.

SHOW THE PRESENT!

Often it’s lust of the flesh or pride

Some attractive person

Some possession

Some position (authority/power)

You have to remember : Satan is a liar!

John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Another strategy of Satan is to send a false teacher.

Be very careful who you take advice from.

In verse 13 Paul say’s “so you can withstand the evil day.”

Those are the days you feel like all of hell itself is after you

Remember Paul was in a roman prison, so he watched these Roman soldiers they were guarding him day and night. Lets look at pieces of our armored suit

The Belt Of Truth

Every other piece of the armor of God, is built upon the belt of truth

The only truth there is God’s truth! God’s word is the truth! and remember who the word is

John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Jesus is absolute truth!

John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

But that’s not very popular in today's 2023 world

A sign you are missing “The belt of truth:

= You are swayed by wordly opinions

2. The Breastplate Of Righteousness

“To live rightly”

The breastplate protects your heart

Righteousness = “one who is right” the polar opposite of evil/sin

1 Thess 5:8 “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.”

There’s that one word again:

LOVE!!!

We are charged to live righteously in this world.

A sign you are missing “The breastplate of righteousness.”

= You compromise with sin.

3. The Shoes Of The Gospel

These shoes had cleats, these weren’t dancing slippers. They were meant for war

Another point is: You don’t need shoes unless you’re gonna be marching

Mark 16:15 “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”

A sign you don't have your shoes on

= You’re witness is weak

4. The Shield Of Faith

This was crucial for Roman soldiers in that day (shield wall.) It’s crucial for our protection too. 2 types of shields were used by the Romans

Satan's fiery darts, the ones that get you to question your:

Salvation

God’s Call On Your Life

Worthiness To Serve

Anything To Discourage You Or Get You To Doubt

To Get You Depressed And Feeling Defeated

Psalm 3:3–4 “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill.”

Interestingly enough, Paul says that “Above all” put on the shield of faith. Why? Because he knows without it, it’s impossible to please God.

Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

“THE GIFT”

A sign you don’t have your “Shield of faith”

= You chase after “The gift” without question

5. The Helmet Of Salvation

The helmet guards the mind

1 Thessalonians 5:8 “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.”

Take every thought captive!

2 Corinthians 10:5 “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”

Isaiah 26:3 “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

A sign you don't have your “Helmet” on

= You question your salvation.

6. The Sword Of The Spirit, Which Is The Word Of God

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Psalm 119:11 “Thy word I have hid in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

The Secret Sauce:

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

Philippians 4:6 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Colossians 4:2 “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”

A sign you’ve dropped your sword:

= You don’t fight the enemy with “God’s word.”

JESUS FOUGHT SATAN WITH GOD’S WORD!!

CALL UP WORSHIP TEAM

IN CLOSING: The spiritual war has already been won by the shed blood of Jesus, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be a casualty of this war. What will decide if you will make it or not, will depend on if you wear the armor or not.

PRAY!!!!