Janet Corley (2)

Macedonia-Hodges

August 2, 2026

Prayer

Scripture: Ephesian 6:12-13

New International Version 12 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. 13 Therefore put on the full armour 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.

Subject: SUITED FOR BATTLE: RECOGNIZING OUR ENEMY

BACKGROUND INTRODUCTION: The Apostle Paul offers a detailed explanation of the spiritual struggle that believers face. He encourages Christians to find their strength in the Lord and depend on His power. Paul illustrates this concept by describing the armor of God, with each piece representing essential spiritual tools needed to withstand internal temptations and external spiritual assaults.

ON LAST WEEK WE DISCUSS THAT The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Ephesians while imprisoned in Rome, AND chained to Roman soldiers, and everyday he watches these soldiers dress themselves with armor before taking their post. AND HE BEGIN TO FORM A SPIRITUAL REVELATION CONCERNING BELIEVERS AND THE ARMOR OF GOD. I ALSO TOLD YOU THAT THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS WAS KNOWN FOR IDOL WORSHIP, SORCERY, AND OCCULT PRACTICES.

In my message on last Sunday PAUL TOLD US TO STAND STRONG IN THE LORD, NO MATTER WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, STAND STRONG BECAUSE GOD IS A GOD WHO KEEPS HIS PROMISES.

IN OUR TEXT TODAY PAUL begins to tells about our warfare. Paul wants US TO UNDERSTAND AND RECOGNIZE WHO OUR ENEMY IS.

IN THESES VERSES OF SCRIPTURE TEACHES ON the central nature of spiritual warfare. If we fail to understand who is behind our spiritual warfare we risk engaging in conflicts with the wrong opponent, using useless weapons, and therefore suffering losses in battles that God never intended us to face.

In verse 10 Paul instructs us to "Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power" Then in verse 11 He says "Put on the full armor of God" now in verse 12 he tells us, why we need to put on the full armor of GOD.

Look at what Paul says, for we do not fight against flesh and blood. Our fight is not with human beings, so why are we going around mad, not speaking and storing up hate in our heart for each our. instead of walking around mad with each other let’s target that energy towards the real enemy. Paul says our fight is not against each other but is against rulers, against authorities, against the power of this dark world, and spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms.

Can I break this down for you Paul says we fight against rulers,  a person who exercises (administrative) control over others. A person in highest-ranking forces of evil that seek to influence the direction of cultures, nations, and societies. Now understand me everybody in these position are not evil but this is were evil resides.

Where we see ongoing efforts to go against God's truth. People are normalizing actions that God calls sin; we see the attack on biblical marriage and the undermining of family values. There is an increasing hatred for the Gospel. We also witness systems that take advantage of the poor and powerless, along with organized injustice and oppression. Furthermore, false religions and ideologies that deny Jesus Christ. I want you to stop looking at the Donald Trump for a minute and see the forces of evil. You know it amazes me how we can see all the wrong of our president and never see the wrong we do. How many times we normalize action that God calls sin. Before you speak let me say this, instead of being a husband you are a dictator, instead of being the wife you are the knife, instead of training our children we become their friend and buddy and they don’t respect you are nobody else. how can you rule God’s house and not rule your own house.

The struggle we face is not merely about opposing specific rulers; it involves a more comprehensive fight against the concept of authority itself. Authorities are defined as individuals or organizations that possess significant political or administrative power, allowing them to control various aspects of public life.

This category includes elected officials responsible for creating and implementing laws, bureaucratic agencies that regulate industries and enforce compliance, and institutions that can influence public policy and societal norms.

Each of these authorities plays a critical role in the governance of a community, often determining the everyday experiences and rights of individuals. Understanding the implications of their power and influence is essential as we navigate the complexities of hierarchical structures within our society.

These influences often operate quietly in society, using trickery and control that can trap even a wise person. A clear example is the spread of false teachings that distort the true meaning of Scripture. This can lead believers away from the intended message and principles, creating a broken understanding of faith. People may start to depend on shallow ideas instead of finding real spirituality.

Cults and misleading religious groups take this manipulation further by targeting vulnerable and isolated individuals. They attract people with promises of belonging and enlightenment but then trap them in a system that demands total loyalty. Often, they ask members to cut ties with family and friends. This isolation deepens their reliance on the group and warps how they see reality.

The wider problems of addiction, greed, and corruption make this situation even worse. People may struggle with addiction, which weakens their independence and leads to a cycle of despair. Greed can create a society that values money over human dignity, widening the gap between the rich and the poor. This mindset also encourages corruption, as people and organizations prioritize profit and power over ethics, damaging trust within communities.

Manipulation is common in everyday interactions, especially by those in power. This type of psychological pressure can range from subtle hints to outright threats, pushing people to compromise their values. Fear becomes a powerful tool against those who speak up; it can shake faith, create doubt, and stifle the desire for growth and truth.

In such chaotic situations, authority figures use this fear to convince followers that actions and beliefs once seen as wrong can be viewed as acceptable. This creates a confusing mix of morals that makes it harder to seek real understanding and what is right. Issues like deceptive religious movements, addictions, greed that prioritizes money over people, and corruption all stem from manipulation and fear that weakens faith.

If rulers establish strategy, Authorities carry it out,

against the power of this dark world, and spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms.

No matter how much you may want to believe that this world is naturally good, we cannot ignore the reality that sin has tainted it since its beginning with Adam and Eve.

This original sin ushered in a variety of wrongdoing that persists to this day. Jesus came to provide us with a path toward forgiveness and redemption for our sins, offering hope and a way to overcome our shortcomings.

 Yet, as we navigate through this life, we confront many challenges. Sin manifests itself in various forms: the darkness of ignorance, the spread of lies, moral confusion that clouds our understanding of right and wrong, and spiritual blindness that keeps us from seeing the truth. Furthermore, we witness the impact of violence, hatred, racism, and abuse in our communities, reminding us of the work yet to be done in our hearts and society.

The Apostle Paul gives a clear overview of the spiritual struggles that believers face in their Christian lives. He points out that these challenges come from unseen spiritual forces that actively work against God’s plans and purposes.

 I told you satan is very strategic he don’t just attack he plan and plot first he attacks the Individual. by saying God doesn't love you. This lie seeks to separate individuals from God, fostering feelings of isolation.

But You need to quote John 3:16 “16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

You'll never change. This statement instills hopelessness, convincing a person that growth and change are impossible.

But i dare you quote 2 Corinthians 5:17 “17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!”

Give up.

This encourages individuals to surrender and completely abandon their faith and purpose.

but if you look at Isaiah 40:31 “31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Your past defines you. This deception keeps individuals in a cycle of regret and shame, hindering their ability to embrace God’s forgiveness.

Quote 1 John 1:9 “9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

After the attack don’t work on you do he stop Goodness no, he goes to family. Don’t you know that within the family unit their are spiritual forces working to produce conflict and dysfunction. He starts by bringing discord and resentment that leads to breakdown in marriages, then here comes abuse, physically, mentally, and emotional then bitterness that poison family dynamics, then we have single parents, abuse children, disobedient children, and a broken and unforgiven relationship between parents and children.

After that he comes to the church: He create conflict among members, causing splits and a lack of unity. And because nobody wants to put their pride aside then we have a high opinion of self that leads to arrogance. then comes the gossip the he say she say they say I heard. or jealous we become so competitive that instead of fulling God’s mission we doing our mission. Or we become spiritual complacence until we lose interest and the church ability to reach out to others suffer.

Even if a church seems lively with engaging worship and active programs, it can still struggle if pride and division take hold. These negative attitudes can undermine the community's spirit.

4. Attacks on our communities

 Many spiritual forces has influenced our communities, we have lower of moral standards by justifying wrong behavior, we have become a people focus on ourselves and our own happiness, instead of helping others. This self-centered attitude in our communities shows our communities that we care less about those around us. As a result, acts of kindness and community service decline, causing people to feel disconnected and indifferent to each other’s needs.

In our communities we see more hatred instead of love in our communities. where public discussions create angry and conflict that leads to violence and harm in our communities. So we stop having constructive conversations, because it makes it difficult to understand each other’s viewpoints.

Instead of having a community of hope we have a community of despair. When we are constantly exposed to discouraging news it can leave people feeling powerless and unsure about the future. As hope fades, despair takes over, preventing individuals from envisioning a better tomorrow or making positive changes in their lives and communities

Then our communities see death as a answer instead of life. Look in our communities isn’t it troubling that every time you look at the news we see every channel glorifying violence and not valuing life. This attitude shows up in crime, a lack of compassion for those who suffer, and policies that undermine the value of human life. When we don’t appreciate and protect life, we risk living in a poor communities where violence is accepted, and kindness is rare.

Church have you recognize the enemy yet. if not let me help you out

In John 8:44, Jesus provides a good description of Satan portrait of Satan:

He is a liar.

He is the father of lies.

He is a deceiver.

He is a murderer.

It's important to understand that Satan usually doesn't act in recognizable ways. Instead, he often starts with cunning deception.

1. Changing Thought Patterns: He changes how people view the truth, leading them away from God's Word.

2. Changing Lifestyles: When our thoughts become twisted, our actions often change as well. This can lead to behaviors that go against what God wants.

Macedonia it Time to get suited for battle, it’s time to stop fighting each other and recognize who the enemy is and call it out. Stop dancing with the enemy, stop allowing him to make you look like a fool. stop being ignore to his deception. we have the power and authority to say get the behind me Satan, i am a new person in Christ the old me is gone. i have confessed my sins and I intend to lead a new life in Christ, my sins have been forgiven, and I am working to make Heaven my home.

Our weapons are not hatred, revenge, or manipulation but instead our weapons is Truth to confronts deception. Righteousness that overcomes corruption. The gospel of peace that stops division. Faith which destroys fear. Salvation guarantees our identity. The Word of God uncovers lies. Prayer that keeps us connected to God's power Altar Call

The Word has gone forth. Now I have one question: Who have you been fighting?

Have you been fighting family, friends, or fellow believers when the real battle is against the enemy? The Bible reminds us that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12).

Today, God is calling us to stop fighting one another and start standing together. Lay down your bitterness, unforgiveness, pride, fear, anger, and every burden the enemy has used against you. The devil has been exposed, and today his hold can be broken.

If you've been wounded, discouraged, deceived, or spiritually weary, Jesus is calling you. If you've never accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, today is your day of salvation. If you need to recommit your life, renew your strength, or receive prayer, this altar is for you.

Don't worry about who's watching. The enemy has watched you struggle long enough. Now let Heaven see you surrender.

Come—not because you're weak, but because you're ready to stand in God's strength.

Church, would you stand?

The altar is open. Come and let God clothe you with His truth, cover you with His righteousness, fill you with His peace, strengthen your faith, arm you with His Word, and empower you through prayer.

It's time to recognize the enemy, put on the whole armor of God, and walk in the victory that Christ has already won.