Realize the Enemy's Strength

Ephesians 6:12 KJV 1900

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Like a general preparing his troops for the big battle, Paul stirs up the field-soldiers of faith with a vision of the larger picture.

This is what the real battle is about, the true enemy.

Key please elaborate - So often Christians struggle against the wrong thing or we stand firmly against the lesser things.

Not that they are bad things, but we need to see clearly who or what is trying to destroy our faith.

Putting on the full armor of God begins with understanding what is really going on.

Nothing worse than putting on your sports equipment before asking which game we are going to play.

That hockey equipment is not much help if you are entering a swimming contest. We need to understand the nature of the ultimate enemy, and let that knowledge determine the kind of defenses we need.

For Christians the enemy is the devil, a real, personal entity.

He goes by many names: Lucifer, Satan, the father of lies, the accuser of the brethren, Beelzebub.

The enemy is not a neighbor who plays loud music, or the member of the board who always wants his own way. It is not cancer, or diabetes, or MS, or a congenital abnormality. It is not the drunk driver who takes your child’s life, the boss who fires you, or the Christian who opposes you.

Your sworn enemy is Satan and the forces at his disposal, and he has declared war on the people of God.

His armies are not physical like an earthly army.

These are formidable foes and we cannot afford to treat their existence lightly.

As any general would know, the more you know about your enemy and his ways, the more you are able to counter-act his offensives. However, we must remember verse 10, to be strong in the might of the Lord. We must stand firm and not shrink back. Fears must be overcome, the fear of failure, criticism, doubts, weakness, insignificance. We need to train ourselves to understand the darts and shots of our enemy.

I Put on the Armour

Ephesians 6:11 KJV 1900

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

As Paul wrote this he was chained to a Roman soldier. He had been in the company of soldiers, centurions, and tribunes for years, so he knew all about armor.

No doubt his familiarity with Roman armor gave him the idea of using the imagery of Christian armor.

Roman armor was designed to protect the soldier’s body from the enemy’s weapons.

Christian armor is designed to protect the soul.

God does not throw us unprotected into the battle against Satan’s empire. God has provided all that we need for complete protection of mind, heart, soul, spirit, conscience, and will.

But we must put that armor on piece by piece—deliberately, thoughtfully, and intelligently.

The key is to stands against the schemes of the devil.

What are his schemes?

deception

discouragement

incremental slow burning sin

The sight life

We must stand firm and not be moved.

Illustration

Christians are not to attack Satan, or advance against him; they are only to “stand” or hold the territory Christ and His body, the church, have conquered. Without God’s armor believers will be defeated by the “schemes” of the devil which have been effective for thousands of years[1]

You must believe it will work

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You must also put on the right armour

You must not advance but stand

Without the Armour you will be defeated

Illustration - ski ing

Binding for boots, coat, helmet,

Deception: (It’s number one for a reason.) It’s Satan’s most successful tool. It has devastating results.

Doubt: Makes us question God’s word, His love and His goodness. (See: Eve)

Discouragement: Keeping us disheartened or in paralyzing despair.

Diversion: Makes the wrong things seem attractive and harmless. You may want them more than the right things.

Defeat: By using shame, guilt or self-doubt, you feel like a failure, so you don’t even try.

II Ponder the Enemy

Ephesians 6:12 KJV 1900

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

eph 6.12

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 6:11b–12

The struggle is not physical (against flesh and blood); it is a spiritual conflict against the spiritual “Mafia.” Though the ranks of satanic forces cannot be fully categorized, the first two (rulers and authorities) have already been mentioned in 1:21 and 3:10. Paul added the powers of this dark world (cf. 2:2; 4:18; 5:8) and the spiritual forces of evil. Their sphere of activity is in the heavenly realms, the fifth occurrence of this phrase, which is mentioned in the New Testament only in 1:3, 20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12. Satan, who is in the heavens (2:2) until he will be cast out in the middle of the Tribulation (Rev. 12:9–10), is trying to rob believers of the spiritual blessings God has given them (Eph. 1:3).

The struggle is not physical (against flesh and blood); it is a spiritual conflict against the spiritual “Mafia.”

Though the ranks of satanic forces cannot be fully categorized, the first two (rulers and authorities) have already been mentioned in 1:21 and 3:10. Paul added the powers of this dark world (cf. 2:2; 4:18; 5:8) and the spiritual forces of evil.

Their sphere of activity is in the heavenly realms, the fifth occurrence of this phrase, which is mentioned in the New Testament only in 1:3, 20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12. Satan, who is in the heavens (2:2) until he will be cast out in the middle of the Tribulation (), is trying to rob believers of the spiritual blessings God has given them ().

This warfare is not a matter of contending against godless philosophers, crafty priests, Christ-denying cultists, or infidel rulers.

The battle is against demonic forces, against battalions of fallen angels, against evil spirits who wield tremendous power.

Though we cannot see them, we are constantly surrounded by wicked spirit-beings. While it is true that they cannot indwell a true believer, they can oppress and harass him.

The Christian should not be morbidly occupied with the subject of demonism; neither should he live in fear of demons.

In the armor of God, he has all he needs to hold his ground against their onslaughts.

This famous verse describes the spiritual battle that exists in the lives of believers. It does so perhaps better than any other words in Scripture.

First, Paul affirms our battle is indeed spiritual, not physical. The enemies we face, ultimately, are not people or objects. The Devil may use those as part of his attack, but our true opponent is not other people: it is sin.

Second, Paul identifies our spiritual enemies. This list is commonly interpreted as a vague listing of the "ranks" within the demonic armies. "Rulers" seem to indicate a top level of evil spiritual forces. "Authorities" refer to general forces of evil attacking believers. "Cosmic powers" seems to refer to the worldwide nature of this spiritual battle. "Evil in the heavenly places" again emphasizes a battle beyond this world.

Here are four ways that the enemy will try to use your weakness against you and how to counter by standing on God's original design.

Fear Over Faith

Where there is limitation, Satan will often try to lure us into fear when facing uncertainty. Many times when the early disciples would allow fear to take the better of them, Jesus would correct them lovingly by pointing out their "little faith."

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."

Failure Over Freedom

Weakness will very often lead to a mistake or even a failure. In my personal life, I have always seen my inabilities to cause mishaps at work or even in my family. But in the midst of failure, I am assured that God can and will turn situations around.

But sometimes, we are tricked into thinking that God cannot conquer our failures. This causes us to live in bondage instead of freedom. tells us, "For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity."

Regret Over Redemption

One of the enemy's favourite toys is our regret. He plays with it and wants us to do the same. But God has one desire for our regrets: He wants them laid at the foot of the cross because Christ paid the price for your redemption from any past mistake or failing.

You are already redeemed by the blood of Christ from any sin or weakness. God's power is made evident in our inabilities. We can now walk free and sanctified not by our own strengths, but by God's infinite strength.

Works Over Will

When we fail and it's clear that there's no conceivable way to make things right on our own, God intervenes. But sometimes the devil whispers into our ears that God is too far away or too busy to help us out.

But God promises in , "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."

Our courage and confidence lies on God's pleasing and perfect will, not our good works. We can trust God even in the midst of our weakness because He is working for our good.

III Persevere By Standing

Ephesians 6:13 KJV 1900

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

eph 6.13

The armour will keep you standing!

I quit -

I can’t go on

What ever it takes for you to quit Satan will serve it up

Exploring Ephesians & Philippians: An Expository Commentary (1) A Demand (6:13)

The least we can do is stand. We can take our stand for God, as Martin Luther did when he announced that he was going to the fateful confrontation with Rome at Worms. When facing all the power of earth and Hell, he said: “On this I take my stand. I can do no other. God help me.”

We are living in “the evil day.” Paul had already reminded the Ephesians that “the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). The days were evil then; they are evil today. We are to withstand this evil and, having done all that is possible, we are still to stand. We are to give no ground to Satan.

The least we can do is stand. We can take our stand for God, as Martin Luther did when he announced that he was going to the fateful confrontation with Rome at Worms.

When facing all the power of earth and Hell, he said: “On this I take my stand. I can do no other. God help me.”

We are living in “the evil day.” Paul had already reminded the Ephesians that “the days are evil” (). The days were evil then; they are evil today. We are to withstand this evil and, having done all that is possible, we are still to stand. We are to give no ground to Satan.[1]

So when the battle is at its fiercest, the soldiers of Christ will still be able to hold their line even against the most determined attack. “The day of evil” is neither a particular juncture like approaching death or the last great satanic outbreak at the end of the age nor the whole of the present age (5:16). It is “when things are at their worst” (NEB)—because of “the devil’s schemes” (v. 11).[1]

When the spouse leaves - stand

When you are terminated - stand

When you have cancer stand

When you friends stab you in the back stand

God ia still there are will remember you and will not forget you in the middle of the battle.