Spiritual Warfare Ephesians 6 brief/short

A lot of this is a battle for your mind

            If the devil can control your thoughts he will control your actions-

Like we read last week with Joseph and Potifers wife- as soon as you recognize sin, a sinful thought- turn from it- flee like Joseph fled

            You cannot let these thoughts stay there, you cannot let them harbor

            They will take root, and then at some point they will produce

            You have to approach this like Epehsians 6 says- approach it like war

            There is an enemy and he is seeking to devour whoever he can

            As you continue your Christian walk the target on your back gets bigger

            Because as you grow in Christ you are a threat to the devil

            A person who is lukewarm- no threat to the devil

            A person on fire for God- reading the Bible, prayer, fasting, telling others- drawing near

            The devil sees this, he knows you are becoming a stronger soldier for Christ

            And there is no neutral ground here- if you are a Christian,

like it or not

            You are in the middle of an intense spiritual war

            You cannot chose not to fight- it would be like when I was overseas and a guy goes outside the wire and just says yeah I’m not taking any weapons, I got a book- I’m going to read because I don’t want to fight

            No- that Marine would be thrown out- dishonorable discharge

            You can’t claim the title Marine and refuse to fight

            In the same way you can’t claim to be a Christian and refuse to fight

            You can’t just give in to every temptation without a fight- you are called to be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might

            And one thing to keep in mind- I think many get this wrong- I often get this wrong-

Here is the hard truth

We are no match for the devil and his workers

            We can not take on the schemes of the devil and withstand on our own

            We need the whole armor of God to go to battle with the devils schemes

            He is the Father of lies, a deceiver, a murder from the beginning Jesus said in the Gospels

            If we ever think we can stand against the schemes of the devil we are foolish and we will lose

            One thing- and I ask this question carefully and humbly and gently

            If we pray- can we get into a lot of sin?

            That is- Like while we are actively praying- if it’s a temptation to look at something on the computer that we know we shouldn’t look at

            If we just pray through it- and just say I will just keep praying

            If it’s night- im just going to lay down

            Because as long as I’m talking to God I’m not going to give in

            I can’t talk to God and at the same time be looking at this thing on the computer

            And even with the praying like this- if you have to keep praying you will quickly get past the “please help me fight this”

            If you have to keep praying to God in order to avoid that sinful activity then 5, 10, 15 minutes in, and hour later your going to just be talking to God- thinking about things like His creation-

            Thanking Him for the cross, for creation- praising Him for His majesty, power and might-

            And I also say this carefully, because I don’t think we should ever approach God in prayer in a flippant manner-

            But if there are nights that we just need to pray and keep talking to God until we fall asleep, and we just pray until that moment of sleep

            Wouldn’t God rather have us do that and not end the prayer in a proper fashion then to end the prayer and then fall into that temptation

            So just wanted to share those thoughts

            Another thing I find helpful, especially dealing with pride or needing to respond-

            Just walking away and getting on my knees in another room or downstairs and just telling God honestly

            I can’t do this, everything in me wants to respond, I cant hold my toungue-

            I need your help- I see my sinful pride- please have mercy on me

            Please help me to be patient and kind

            God answers

            He gives the power to be patient and to not have to respond when you feel like you been wronged

            I think prayer is a hugely important weapon we have against the adversary

Chosen Video

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. 13 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. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 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, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Offensive and Defensive weapons

Defensive weapons:

belt of truth-

            The first piece of the armor is the belt of truth.

Truth, by its very definition, is exclusive.

It means something is true and other things are lies.

The evil one is the father of lies- Every lie finds its origin in the devil

How to apply it:

1. Pursue the truth on a specific topic, but don’t forget to grab hold of the whole of Scripture. Don’t just study the parts that come easy for devotional reading. Press into the whole counsel of God’s word.

2. Pray God’s word. Use the word of Truth as a template to guide your prayers.

3. Memorize the truth for quicker access when you need it

breastplate of righteousness

            Righteousness means being made right.

Sometimes Scripture refers to righteousness that Christ gives us – His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Sometimes Scripture refers to righteousness that God carries out through us, like “the righteous acts of the saints” (Revelation 19:8).

In daily spiritual battle, both varieties of righteousness protect the heart.

We need the complete righteousness of Christ, but also the continuing righteousness that comes as a response to God’s gift.

The enemy tempts with all kinds of sinful entanglements, but righteousness protects our hearts.

God’s instructions are often viewed as killjoys or burdens. But obedience to God is a protection for your heart from being wounded by sin.

How to Apply It:

1. Soak in and obey instructions from the Lord.

If there’s an area of life that feels like it gets easily tangled up in sin,

ask a church leader to share some scriptural truths that might help you walk in the Lord’s plan more fully.

2. Ask a trusted person to pray for you if you are struggling with obedience.

All Christians struggle, but none were meant to struggle alone.

We make easy targets for the enemy when we do not obey God.

shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace

Peace is an attribute of the Lord’s very person and character (Galatians 5:22).

In Greek, peace means oneness or wholeness.

The gospel, which means good news, is the forgiveness of sins and access to and oneness with God through faith in Christ. 

This oneness with the Lord produces peace.

Ephesians 6 reminds us to “stand” and “stand firm.”

One of the easiest ways for the enemy to succeed in shaking us loose from standing firm is to tempt us with worry.

When we carry anxiousness and worry with us, we are robbed of peace.

But the gospel of peace keeps our feet anchored and standing firm.

How to Apply It:

1. Daily, ask God to remind you of His gospel work on your behalf.

2. Set your security and identity in God’s work and not yours.

3. Surround yourself with Scripture about the truth of your place with Christ

shield of faith- with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one

            When Paul wrote this passage, Roman soldiers carried shields that were covered with heavy animal hide.

Before a battle, they would dip their shields into the water so that when fiery darts hit them, the wet hide would extinguish the darts.

In a similar way, a Christian’s shield of faith needs to be regularly dipped in the water of God’s word to be replenished and fully functional – because “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

            How to Apply It:

1. Ask God to increase your faith

2. Find verses that feed your faith and fill your world with them.

3. Set your faith on God’s character, not on a circumstance.

helmet of salvation

            Salvation comes the moment we place our trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection as the payment for our sin.

But salvation is also worked out through a lengthy process of sanctification.

The helmet of salvation (like the breastplate of righteousness) rests on the work of Christ to save us,

but also involves us as we journey with the Lord and allow Him to work that salvation into every part of our thoughts.

The battlefield of our mind is the primary place spiritual battle is fought.

God works His freeing truth into our minds while the enemy fights for strongholds to bind us (John 10:10).

How to Apply It:

1. Surrender thoughts that don’t line up with Scripture. As Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

2. Remember the Lord’s character and faithfulness in Scripture as well as in your life experience.

3. Wash your mind with the renewing of God’s Word. As Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

Offensive weapons:

sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

            Through God’s Word, we can distinguish between right and wrong.

As a result, we can strive to live in a way that is free from sin.

His Word is the ultimate truth, and we can find confidence in knowing it is our greatest weapon.

If we are lacking in knowledge of God’s Word, we will struggle to fight against the enemy.

However, those who seek God’s Word and abide by it will be blessed.

John 5:24 says, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”

In addition, the sword of the spirit is unique in that it can be used as both a defensive and offensive tool.

While God’s Word can protect us from the lies of the enemy, it can also counter attack.

For example, Jesus used God’s Word as an offensive weapon in Matthew 4 when Satan tried to test Him in the wilderness.

Sometimes, it is not easy to take up our swords and fight against the enemy.

However, we are not called to do this by our own strength.

When facing trials, we can find peace in knowing that God is on our side. Romans 8:31 says, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Remember that God’s Word is the ultimate truth and that we can stand on His promises.