Ephesians 6:10-12 (2)

Introduction

This past week I had a very tough talk with someone. In that talk there were things shared that were very hard for me to hear.

I felt a great sense of frustration that caused me to wrestle with what the person shared.

I wanted to be defensive and I wanted to push back what they were sharing and saying.

I was struggling with anger, frustration and a great sense of being misunderstood.

Afterwards I went home and I was struggling with being encouraged.

I was wrestling with doubt and a great weight of heaviness and frustration was on me.

It felt like a great fight began in my soul. This fight caused some grief that had me troubled and questioning my very call.

Do you remember being at a place like this yourself? Where you were wrestling with hurt, frustration and anger? Over what somebody said or did to you?

What usually happens after when offended and hurt?

What follows is anger.

What follows are thoughts of saying things you know you shouldn’t say. There can be thoughts of retaliation and payback.

You play scenarios in your mind on how to refute the person. You strategize on how to win an argument. How to get back at the perceived negative in what they said.

We are tempted to find ways of hurting in return for being hurt ourselves. As we used to say, hurting people hurt people.

Friends, this is exactly where the enemy (the Devil) plays and presents reasons to sin.

When we are hurt, wounded or offended its afterward where most of the battle is lost.

The mind is the devil’s playground. Especially when wounded or offended.

Much of what happens is self afflicted because at the end of the day, its not about what people have done to me but it’s about what I do with what people have done to me.

Do I pray? Do I go to God with what I am going through? Do I actually see the true enemy at work for my destruction? Or do I go to where I am most comfortable? Namely, self control. Self righteousness and self autonomy.

We know what God has written and commanded when dealing with offense but instead we attempt to take matters into our own hands.

The devil is an expert at presenting to us things that are designed to lure us aways from God’s commands. He is always presenting temptation to God’s people.

• The temptation to do things on our own strength.

• The temptation to control instead of trusting.

• The temptation to see others as the problem forgetting that we are our greatest problem.

The temptation to do what God says not to do will come. And they come most when we are hurt the most. Especially when our pride is at stake. While the Devil is behind the scenes deceiving and luring us away from the truth.

What’s difficult is exposing the lies that seek to deceive you at that moment. To make you believe that it is the person who offended you that is your core problem. But that is not the case. That is not true.

Our passage today gives us the means to see what we should see so that we do not fall victim to the lies that come when facing opposition.

The wound I felt was real. But the lies that followed the wound cannot be taken as truth. Lies comes most after an offense but we must keep in mind the actual struggle.

The struggle of the truth and the devil’s deception is the fight of the Christian life. But what is also present in this struggle is freedom.

Freedom from lies and deceit. And for the Christian who is in a wrestling match against the spiritual forces of evil, we must remember what God has done in Jesus Christ.

What many forget or don’t know at all, is that the spiritual realm is real and that God has already given us what to do with those who hurt us or do us wrong and what to do with the devil’s schemes.

In order to wrestle with the right opponent, we must know where our strength comes from, what has God given us in order to fight and who our enemy is.

But what is most important is to remember that Jesus Christ has accomplished absolute victory at the cross.

I had to remember this myself this past week. After our time together I’ll conclude with how my situation this past week ended.

Ephesians 6:10–12 ESV

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.

Be strong in the Lord, put on His armor and stand.

Ephesians 6:10 ESV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

In verse 10 Paul tells believers to be strong in the Lord.

In verse 10 Paul tells believers to be strong in the Lord.

1: We see that this is a command.

Paul says to be strong.

Notice what He doesn’t say.

He doesn’t say feel strong.

He doesn’t say feel strong in the Lord.

He doesn’t say be strong in yourself.

He says be strong which can also be read as “be strengthened.”

This is a command. Which means that we can choose to find our strength in the Lord. There is a choice that can be made. That choice is called faith.

Believing in who the Lord is.

But its important to note that this choice to be strong in the Lord is an act of faith and trust. We must trust and believe that we can be strong in the Lord.

2: How can one be strong in the Lord?

By believing in the strength of His might.

What does His strength and might mean?

The NRSV reads verse 10 this way.

Ephesians 6:10 NRSV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.

NRSV Ephesians 6:10

Strength deals with His power to direct and govern. And power deals with the reality of God being able to accomplish what He desires.

So God governs and accomplishes what He wills whenever He wills. In short, God is sovereign and in control!

That is why Paul calls Him Lord.

So how is the believer strengthened by this?

Lord, which was a title for God and for Christ, spoke of one who exercised and possessed authority. One who commands. Which is what strength and might refers to.

I want to highlight who the Lord Jesus Christ is, because Paul is pointing to Him as the source of our strength.

Ephesians 1:16–23 ESV

16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 1:16

The Lord Jesus:

was raised from the dead

was seated at the right hand of the Father in the heavenly places

is far above all rule and authority and power and dominion

has a name above every name that is named

was given all things and all things are under his feet

is head over all things in the church, which is his body

In a nutshell says

It is by

Colossians 2:15 ESV

15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

The strength of His power has been fully revealed already in Jesus Christ.

The way one becomes strong in the Lord is believing in Christ as Lord.

Can you imagine what our lives would look like if we actually embraced this as truth?

When one finds their strength in Jesus Christ as Lord they can be strong in prayer.

When one finds their strength in Jesus Christ as Lord they can be strong in suffering.

When one finds their strength in Jesus Christ as Lord they can be strong in when facing loss.

When one finds their strength in Jesus Christ as Lord they can be strong when faced with sickness.

When one finds their strength in Jesus Christ as Lord they can be strong when facing temptation.

Our ability to overcome does not come from our own strength. It comes from the Lord. This is where our help comes from.

Psalm 119 ESV

1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! 2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, 3 who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! 4 You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. 5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! 6 Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. 8 I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me! 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! 13 With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. 14 In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. 17 Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. 18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. 19 I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me! 20 My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times. 21 You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments. 22 Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies. 23 Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes. 24 Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors. 25 My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word! 26 When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes! 27 Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works. 28 My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! 29 Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law! 30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. 31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame! 32 I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! 33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. 34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. 35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. 36 Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! 37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. 38 Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared. 39 Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. 40 Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life! 41 Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise; 42 then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word. 43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules. 44 I will keep your law continually, forever and ever, 45 and I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts. 46 I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame, 47 for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love. 48 I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes. 49 Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. 50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. 51 The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law. 52 When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O Lord. 53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law. 54 Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning. 55 I remember your name in the night, O Lord, and keep your law. 56 This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept your precepts. 57 The Lord is my portion; I promise to keep your words. 58 I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. 59 When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; 60 I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments. 61 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law. 62 At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules. 63 I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts. 64 The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes! 65 You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according to your word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. 68 You are good and do good; teach me your statutes. 69 The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; 70 their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law. 71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. 72 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. 73 Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. 74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word. 75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. 76 Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant. 77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight. 78 Let the insolent be put to shame, because they have wronged me with falsehood; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts. 79 Let those who fear you turn to me, that they may know your testimonies. 80 May my heart be blameless in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame! 81 My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word. 82 My eyes long for your promise; I ask, “When will you comfort me?” 83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes. 84 How long must your servant endure? When will you judge those who persecute me? 85 The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your law. 86 All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me! 87 They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. 88 In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth. 89 Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. 90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. 91 By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants. 92 If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life. 94 I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts. 95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies. 96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad. 97 Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. 101 I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. 102 I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. 103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules. 107 I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word! 108 Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your rules. 109 I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law. 110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts. 111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. 112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end. 113 I hate the double-minded, but I love your law. 114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. 115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God. 116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope! 117 Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually! 118 You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain. 119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies. 120 My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments. 121 I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors. 122 Give your servant a pledge of good; let not the insolent oppress me. 123 My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise. 124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes. 125 I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies! 126 It is time for the Lord to act, for your law has been broken. 127 Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. 128 Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way. 129 Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. 131 I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments. 132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name. 133 Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. 134 Redeem me from man’s oppression, that I may keep your precepts. 135 Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes. 136 My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law. 137 Righteous are you, O Lord, and right are your rules. 138 You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness. 139 My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget your words. 140 Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it. 141 I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts. 142 Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true. 143 Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight. 144 Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live. 145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord! I will keep your statutes. 146 I call to you; save me, that I may observe your testimonies. 147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. 148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise. 149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O Lord, according to your justice give me life. 150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; they are far from your law. 151 But you are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are true. 152 Long have I known from your testimonies that you have founded them forever. 153 Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget your law. 154 Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise! 155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes. 156 Great is your mercy, O Lord; give me life according to your rules. 157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, but I do not swerve from your testimonies. 158 I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep your commands. 159 Consider how I love your precepts! Give me life according to your steadfast love. 160 The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. 161 Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words. 162 I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil. 163 I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law. 164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules. 165 Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. 166 I hope for your salvation, O Lord, and I do your commandments. 167 My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly. 168 I keep your precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before you. 169 Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word! 170 Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word. 171 My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. 172 My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. 173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. 174 I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. 175 Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me. 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.

Psalm 121 ESV

A Song of Ascents. 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. 8 The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

How can one be strong in the Lord? By believing in the strength of His might. By remembering that God is sovereign over all things!

By believing in the strength of His might.

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

In verse 11 we are given what to do with the reality of God’s strength and power.

Ephesians 6:11 ESV

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

It’s important to note that before a soldier puts on armor for battle they must have the strength first to battle.

Once a believer has found their strength in God’s power they can put on or as the actual putting on means, clothe themselves with God’s armor.

In verses 14 - 17 we see a list of what this armor, what Paul tells us to clothe ourselves with, in detail.

The Armor of God.

the belt of truth

the breastplate of righteousness

shoes for the readiness given by the gospel of peace

the shield of faith

the helmet of salvation

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

I do see a pattern in each part of what Paul points out in the armor of God.

Every part of the armor speaks of what we have in Jesus Christ.

• When the devil lies we have the truth in Jesus Christ.

When the devil lies we have the truth in Jesus Christ.

When the devil lies we have the truth in Jesus Christ.

• When the devil tells us, we are guilty we have righteousness through Jesus Christ.

When the devil tells us, we are guilty we have righteousness through Jesus Christ.

When the devil tells us, God is against us we have the gospel through Jesus Christ.

• When the devil tells us, God is against us we have the gospel through Jesus Christ.

When the devil tells us to doubt we have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

• When the devil tells us to doubt we have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

When the devil tells us, we are hopeless we have salvation from the Lord Jesus Christ.

• When the devil tells us, we are hopeless we have salvation from the Lord Jesus Christ.

And when the devil tries to tempt us we have the word of God. The written word of God and the living word of God, Jesus Christ!

• And when the devil tries to tempt us we have the word of God. The written word of God and the living word of God, Jesus Christ!

Paul is telling believers to clothe themselves with what we have in Christ Jesus.

We find strength in the Lord Jesus Christ and we put on what God has provided in Christ so that we can stand against the schemes of the Devil.

Its the only way we can stand against His lies.

Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God so that we could stand against the schemes of the devil.

be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

• When the devil lies we have the truth in Jesus Christ.

What would be a scheme of the Devil?

A scheme is meant to speak of a crafty deception. A ploy to deceive us.

• When the devil tells us, we are guilty we have righteousness through Jesus Christ.

So what ploy and plan does the Devil have to deceive us?

I believe it would be two things that I see here in our passage today. There are more but I want to point out two things in this passage.

The first is the deception of not finding strength in the Lord.

be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

• When the devil tells us, God is against us we have the gospel through Jesus Christ.

• When the devil tells us to doubt we have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

What is the result in someone who does not find strength in the Lord?

• When the devil tells us, we are hopeless we have salvation from the Lord Jesus Christ.

1: Since God is not the source of their strength, one will look elsewhere for strength.

People will be left without God as their strength when facing opposition and trial.

• And when the devil tries to tempt us we have the word of God. The written word of God and the living word of God, Jesus Christ!

to deceive us in believe that we cannot be strong in the Lord Jesus.

Paul begins our passage today with first finding strength in God first.

It is amazing how we can make the mistake of turning to God last when facing trials and challenges in our lives.

Anything that is prioritized over God for strength is an idol which is a deception.

2: Since God is not the source of their strength, they are left naked and vulnerable to the Devil’s schemes.

People cannot stand against the Devil’s schemes unless they are clothed with God’s provision in the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Adam and Eve fell to the Devil’s scheme and it left them naked. And they clothed themselves to cover their shame.

This is exactly what happens to those who fall into his schemes.

Without God’s strength and His armor, you are left vulnerable to the Devil’s lies and deception. So go to God first for strength.

3: Since God is not the source of their strength, they will not be able to stand.

Not only will you not be able to stand against the schemes of the Devil, you will not be able to stand before God.

There is much pride in someone who refuses God as their strength.

Be strong in the Lord but you refuse and what is left is your own strength.

But your own strength will not sustain you before the schemes of the Devil and you cannot stand on your own strength before God.

The only way to stand is to fall on your face before God and in seeking Him you can be made strong.

To stand in the Christian life is to fall before God in submission and humility.

Is God your strength? Your foundation? Is God your provider?

He not only gave us the strength to stand, He has given us the armor to withstand the schemes of the enemy.

The source of our strength is not found in fighting but its found in submission to the Lordship of Christ.

This is how a believers stands. It is only by His strength, His provision. His grace.

The first deception is not finding strength in the Lord.

The second in found in verse 12.

Ephesians 6:12 ESV

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.

The second deception is seeing man as our enemy.

Paul makes it very clear that flesh and blood is not what we wrestle with.

Flesh and blood is a reference to human nature. To human kind.

Paul used this before in 1 Corinthians 15:50.

1 Corinthians 15:50 ESV

50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

1 Corinthians 15:

Flesh and blood here is the perishable. The body. Our flesh which is what man is.

Peter after confessing Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, Jesus said in Matthew 16:17

Matthew 16:17 ESV

17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

In other words, man has not revealed this to you.

So we can be deceived into believing that we are to fight against man and not the spiritual forces of evil.

Man is not our enemy. In fact, even if man persecutes us, even if man hates us and curses us according to Jesus, we are to pray for them. We are to love them and bless them.

We are never to avenge ourselves.

Romans 12:19–21 ESV

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

It is a deception not to love those who hate us.

It is a deception not to pray for our persecute us.

It is a deception not to bless those who curse us.

It is a deception not to feed our enemies when they are hungry.

But how in the world can we do this?

The answer is only by God’s strength. Only by God’s strength can we stand against the deception of not doing good to those who persecute us.

It takes something outside of ourselves to do this.

It takes the Lord Jesus Christ who first loved us who were His enemies.

Man is not our enemy. They need us to stand even if they are the ones trying to make us fall.

We are not called to wrestle with them. The real problem before us is the god of this world.

2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Unbelievers are blind. And yes they are enemies of God but they are not our enemies. They are in need of God’s people to stand. Not against them 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.

How do we fight against the spiritual forces of evil?

1: We fight when we surrender to God.

2: Clothe yourself with what God has provided in Christ Jesus.

James 4:7 ESV

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Binding and loosening are not what we are to do first. That has nothing to do with standing against the demonic.

3: Love people. Even if they are committing evil against you.

Our first response to spiritual wrestling or warfare is submission to God. Going to God for strength.

4: Invade the enemies territory with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our fight begins when we surrender to God. When we submit to Him and believe that He is Lord over all.

2: We fight when we remember what God has provided us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When the devil lies we have the truth in Jesus Christ.

When the devil tells us, we are guilty we have righteousness through Jesus Christ.

When the devil tells us, God is against us we have the gospel through Jesus Christ.

When the devil tells us to doubt we have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

When the devil tells us, we are hopeless we have salvation from the Lord Jesus Christ.

And when the devil tries to tempt us we have the word of God. The written word of God and the living word of God, Jesus Christ!

3: Our fight is not with man.

Jesus has commanded us to love our enemies.

Jesus Himself loved and died for us even while we were yet sinners.

Jesus has already defeated the enemy and we can trust Him as victorious! He won.

Closing

I shared in the beginning how I had a deep struggle with what someone said about me this past week.

I woke up in the middle of the night with deep discouragement and anger.

And then something got a hold of me and it was this passage.

I saw this person in my mind and I said, “they are not my enemy.”

I felt at that point deep conviction because this was the very passage I was studying!

So, I did exactly what the passage taught. I prayed for strength and help from Him!

And He answered. And immediately a peace came on me. The trouble I felt in my soul was gone. And I rejoiced and remembered

ESV

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

I remember His word and it caused me conviction. I called out to God for strength and He answered me. And it was at that time that I was able to stand against the lies of the devil.

The lie being that my brother in Christ was my enemy.

Are you wrestling with deep things in your own heart?

Do you feel like its been a wrestling match with the devil this season?

Friends, go to God. Cry out to God for strength and remember that He is the Lord! Strong and mighty.

Meditate on .

ESV

A Psalm of David. 1 The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, 2 for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. 3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. 5 He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah 7 Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! 9 Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah