Being Strong in the Fight

How do evil spiritual forces work against us?

How does the world think Satan work against us?

When the world thinks of Satan and his demons working in the world what is the first thing that they are going to think of? Possession. Paranormal Activity. Weird voices. Unexplainable phenomenon.

Or in the church. He makes your car break down. You have a hard week at work. You overslept and now you’re rushing to church.

How does Satan usually work against us?

In Genesis 3 did Satan possess Adam or Eve? Did he make the tree move weird? Did he use crafty magic tricks to scare them?

No! He lied to them.

“Satan doesn’t leave fang marks on your skin; he leaves lies in your heart.” - Timothy Keller

Ephesians 6:14–18 “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,”

“Having fastened…having put on…having put on…” completed actions. Even the “take” actions are completed actions in the original language.

What does that mean?

The time to get dressed for the fight is before the fight, not during the fight.

You can’t go running around looking for armor in the middle of a fight. You’re going to be in trouble if you do.

You can’t let your guard down. In the book of Judges, God tells a man named Gideon to assemble an army to face off against the Midianites.

He comes up with 32,000 men. Great, except the Midianites are 135,000 strong.

God says that’s too many. So Gideon tells all the ones who are scared to go home. 22,000 run home and he’s left with 10,000. Thanks God.

Still too many. So they go to a stream to drink and all the ones who bend down and lap up water like a dog are sent home. The ones who kneel while remaining alert and bring the water up to their mouths, those are the ones that God says he can keep.

Being ready to fight has always been important to God.

He warned Cain that sin was at the door of his heart and he needed to rule over it. But he didn’t listen.

You’re training daily in little skirmishes.

Every time someone irks you the wrong way and your heart stirs, be careful that you don’t let your anger run away with you. It will harden you. It will lead you down the wrong path.

Gossip, lies, this movie here, this song there, this glance while scrolling social media, etc…

Evil is always looking for a way in. And the spiritual forces assigned specifically to you are studying you and they are learning where they can find a way in.

Even in the world today, while there isn’t a full scale war going on, there’s all these little side battles, there’s little meetings, threats, tarrifs, right?

The same is true for you spiritually.

And if you’re not preparing by spending time with God in His Word, in prayer, fellowship with other believers, guarding your heart, then when then big fights come, tragedy strikes, it will be too late.

It’s funny how people will show up at church as soon as bad things happen. That’s great, but to be honest it’s a little late. You’re playing catchup at that point.

Truth is your foundation.

If lies are the main tactics that Satan uses, then truth is your first line of defense.

Fun fact, the belt isn’t necessarily a belt like we think of. It goes underneath all of the armor. It’s a thick leather girdle. It goes underneath everything else.

Paul is telling them to put on something they already have meaning he is telling them to use and take advantage of what God has already given them.

Righteousness guards your heart.

Out of all the places you want protection passively, your heart and your head are the most important. Paul puts righteousness as the one covering your heart as a warning.

Check your heart. You need to listen to what is going on in your heart constantly.

The Gospel of Peace gives you strong footing.

No matter what you face, you will be prepared by the peace that comes from the Gospel. You fall, the Gospel lifts you up. You struggle, the Gospel reminds you that Jesus is with you.

Faith as your Shield.

It’s not so much a question of your faith but Who your faith is in. You hold up Jesus as you face the struggles of your life.

Remember the storm that the disciples faced with Jesus in the boat.

“Where is your faith?” Not you don’t have enough. You know ME, get your faith out.

Salvation as protection and a representation of who you are.

Helmets reflect your army with a symbol. Your head is the thoughts behind who you are. Are you saved by Christ? Remember that.

God’s Word is your defense and your offense.

You stand against the devil’s attacks and you fight back rescuing the perishing with the Word of God.

Prayer is your constant line of communication with your Commander!