12- Spiritual Formation

Under Attack

Intro [Context of Ephesians 6]

The great plan of God for us in Christ

The victory of Christ by the power of God raising Him and saving us

In light of all that - We are told to put on the character of God, imitate him in areas of life and behavior, in our families and relationships. We are exhorted to righteous living, reflecting the very character of God, exemplifying a transformed life.

We are told to live wisely, putting on the new man (our new identity), give no place to the devil

Then we come to the end of the letter and realize this isn’t accomplished without a fight.

Ephesians 6:10–20 (NIV)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

The reality of an enemy and a battle.

It is imperative in our spiritual warfare that we are protected against all areas of temptation and attack - thus the metaphor of armor that protects us.

There is no cease-fire or temporary truce in this life till we die or Jesus comes back. No Peace-time

The period between Jesus’ two appearances is one that is marked by conflict.

The Big Picture of This Conflict

Christ and His Kingdom are the ultimate target, not us individually (The enemy comes for the Word’s sake).

Mark 4:14–19“The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.”

It is the battle of two kingdoms and the warfare being described here against us is regarding the advancement of the Gospel and our participation in God’s mission

One may ask, hasn’t satan been defeated? Yes, but they have not conceded their defeat but are working tirelessly to delay the inevitable.

How are they delaying the inevitable? By keeping people in his kingdom and out of God’s kingdom. 2 Peter 3:8–10“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.”

Romans 11:25 “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in,”

Matthew 24:12–14“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

The enemy fears their own destruction and therefore, they fear the success of the Great Commission.

In Warfare - Underestimating our enemy leads to defeat.

“For our battle is not with flesh and blood” - this is a Spiritual war with spiritual weapons.

Which can be Satan’s tactical advantage that he is in and operates in the unseen realm and our vision is earth-bound.

Yet we, as believers in God’s Word, are not disadvantaged because we have been granted perspective, source of life, and power that are supreme in the same unseen realm.

Whatever spiritual forces may be in the unseen realm, we can be confident and comforted that Christ has already gained victory over them and so may we… This, however, does not diminish the spiritual force they have and the intense battles we face, thus the armor.

The Enemy

Powerful

1 John 5:19 “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.”

He wields power over people and nations.

This does not imply that they were not decisively beaten by our Lord’s conquest but that indicate that as usurpers (using manipulation and force for what isn’t theirs) they have not conceded defeat or been destroyed. So they continue to exercise power.

Wicked/Evil

Use their power for destruction, they live in darkness, fear the light, they live in falsehood and sin.

They are unscrupulous - having no principles, no honor, no higher feelings, no Geneva Convention to civilize their weaponry, and ruthless in their pursuit of their ill wills, they are bad.

Cunning

He attacks from the dark instead of the light, and transforms into an angel of light - to catch us unsuspecting.

Enters the sheepfold as a wolf in disguise as a sheep.

Sometimes roars like a lion and at others as subtle as a serpent.

Therefore the enemies work is not only in the open persecution and temptation to sin as his common weapons but a seductive attempt to get us to compromise and deceive us into error. (this word is also used by Paul to describe the false teachers and their crafty tricks).

The enemy uses force and fraud, bully and trickster, intimidation and persuade with lies.

His greatest work is to convince people that he doesn’t even exist.

Dr Lloyd-Jones expresses his conviction on this matter in the following terms: ‘I am certain that one of the main causes of the ill state of the Church today is the fact that the devil is being forgotten. All is attributed to us; we have all become so psychological in our attitude and thinking. We are ignorant of this great objective fact, the being, the existence of the devil, the adversary, the accuser, and his “fiery darts”.

Evil rarely looks evil until it accomplishes its goal; it gains entrance into our lives by appearing attractive, desirable, and perfectly legitimate… Often looks like a good thing but it isn’t a God thing (Eve and the apple). It is a baited and camouflaged trap.

What To Do - 2 Exhortations (God’s divine empowering and our co-operation)

Be Strong in the Lord “ Find Strength in God” (our focus today)

Put on the Armor

Acknowledge you are in a battle

It’s not just a psychological issue or feelings issue or common depression. Of course, I am not ignoring the reality of life and things we face...

And the enemy attacks with lies.

John 8:42–44“Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Reminder - the devil does not know your future.

Why are we so set on believing the negative that doesn’t exist instead of seeing the positive of God’s Word and His promises in our life.

The enemy is trying to get you to doubt God, doubt His Word, remind you of your sin and your past so that you will run from God and disobey Him.

Tell Someone

2 Corinthians 1:8–11“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.”

2 Corinthians 7:5–7“For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.”

Who knows you are in a battle? Who is praying for you?

Married couples - tell your spouse you’re under attack, the enemy will do everything he can to drive a wedge between the two of you. Give him no space!

Encourage yourself in the Lord

Stop listening and start praising.

Put on Worship music

It’s not about positive thinking, it’s about turning your gaze to God and remembering who He is. Regardless of the evidence around us, with the enemy using people, “where is your God?”

We don’t need our circumstances to change, we need our gaze to change.

Psalm 34:4–7“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”

2 Corinthians 4:16–18“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Fix my eyes on Him who is beautiful, and to see him is to be changed, to be fulfilled, to be delighted and full of joy.

Win someone to Christ

From Philippi, to Thessalonica, to Berea, to Athens, To Corinth, persecution everywhere, difficulties intense attacks against him, Jesus appears to him, Acts 18:9–10“One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.””

Ephesians 19:11-20

God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, sick were healed and evil spirits left.

Seven sons of Sceva tried to exorcise a demon possessed man, saying, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” The evil spirit answered, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about but who are you?” The man beat them all up

The name of Jesus was held in high honor

Revival broke out, people were confessing their sins, those who practiced sorcery publicly burned their scrolls.

The Word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.