Ephesians # 31 Eph 6-11 thru 6-13

We’re going to continue on the book of Ephesians. Last week we started on the ARMOR of GOD so let’s pick up from there.

   I. Look at EPH 6:11

       A. The word “WILES” literally means “Trickery.”

          1. The NIV says, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

          2. According to the Greek, this is a command that we put on the Armor of God, not just a request.

       B. At this time in Paul’s life, he was in bonds, in chains. (Ephesians 6:20) Says, “For which I am an ambassador in bonds.”

          1. Paul wrote this epistle while he was chained to a Roman soldier.

              a. As he looked at the soldier, God gave him a revelation how we are to put on our spiritual armor.

       C. Why are we to put on the ARMOR OF GOD?

          1. “So that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

          2. The word “ABLE” here means 2 different things that the KJV does not bring out.

              a. 1st it means able to stand CONTINUOUSLY.

              b. We can’t take off our Armor. We have to be ready for battle at all times.

          3. The 2nd meaning for the word “ABLE” is that it also means “POWER.”

              a. It’s root word comes from the Greek word “Dunamis”

                 i. “Dunamis” is God’s miracle working power.

              b. The Greek word that we have here means that “We might be able or have the strength and Power to stand against the enemy.”

          4. Now when he says, “Stand against the wiles of the devil.”

              a. “Stand” means “Hold you ground.”

                 i. Don’t give in to the attacks of the enemy, don’t give in to his deception.

                 ii. Don’t give up, your victory is coming.

              b. (James 4:7) Says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” KJV

                 i. The word “Resist” also means “To withstand or stand against.”

                 ii. When you hold you ground, the enemy will flee from you, If you’re doing what God say to do 1st, “Submit yourselves therefore to God.”

                 iii. Paul even adds in (EPH 6:13) “Having done all, to stand. Stand therefore.” (And we’ll get into that a little more in a minute.)

                 iv. Don’t back down to the attacks of the enemy. Stay strong in the Lord and in the Power of His might.

   II. EPH 6:12 (Ephesians 6:12) “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.” KJV

       A. Why are we to put on the Armor of God?

          1. Because we wrestle against the principalities and power of the world, namely Satan and his demonic forces.

              a. Let me give you just a little side thought about the word “Wrestle.” In Paul’s day wrestling was a little different then it is now.

                 i. In today’s wrestling in order to win, you have to have your opponent flat on their back with their shoulders pinned to the ground.

                 ii. In Paul’s day, in order to win you had to have your opponent on their back unable to get up, with your hands around their neck.

                 iii. That’s where we want to have Satan, under our feet.

       B. Paul mentions here in this V that WE DO NOT WRESTLE (or do combat) against FLESH and BLOOD.

          1. We don’t fight against 1 another, and we should not. Fighting against 1 another just makes things worse.

              a. But Paul is saying the we do battle against Satan and his demonic forces.

                 i. Many times these demon forces are the force behind men or women that are causing us problems.

                 ii. We don’t fight against them, but we need to do battle in the spirit against the spirits that are motivating them or working in the situation.

          2. 2COR 10:3-4

              a. Our warfare is not a natural warfare, it is a spiritual warfare and our weapons are mighty through God to pull down those strongholds.

       C. When we are in prayer, we are coming against the demons that are influencing people and we pray for God to begin to move in the lives of people.

          1. We can also come against the demonic forces that are operating in different situations, and pray for the power of God to be in operation.

              a. 1 thing that we need to be careful in our prayer is to pray the answer, and not the problem.

                 i. Pray how you feel the Holy Spirit wants things to be.

                 ii. All too often, we pray the problem.

                     a. “Lord, things are so bad. I can’t pay the bills, I have no money. They’re going to turn off the lights. I going to get kicked out of my house. I have no money for food.” And so on.

                     b. Then they add, “Lord please help.”

              b. But we should be praying the Word of God.

                 i. Something like this, “Father you said in your Word that you would supply all me needs, you said that I was the head and not the tail, you said, that you would open the windows of heaven and pour out your blessings, you said that I would not lack or have to borrow, but that I would have plenty so that I could even lend, you said that I would eat the good of the land.”

                 ii. “So I believe that your word is true and I stand on your promises by faith, they belong to me.”

              c. Why are we to pray the answer instead of the problem?

                 i. 1st God says in (Isaiah 43:26) “Put me in remembrance: let us plead together.” KJV Put God in remembrance of His Word.

                 ii. And 2nd, if you’re praying the problem, you’re probably not in faith, but more in doubt and unbelief.

                     a. There is nothing wrong with telling the Lord you need help, but what is the majority of your prayer. (The answer or the problem?)

          2. JAMES 1:6-8

              a. If we’re moaning and complaining how bad things are, that’s not faith. It wavering.

              b. James says, “Ask in faith nothing wavering.”

   III. (TURN BACK TO) In the last ½ of (EPH 5:12) Paul list the different ranks (or position) of demonic forces.

       A. It’s not clearly revealed in the Word which group is the higher in rank and it doesn’t really matter.

          1. There is some indication that there is an order to Satan’s kingdom, some rulers over many, and some rulers over less.

              a. “Principalities” has the meaning “The first place or Rule.”

              b. “Powers” refers to “One who possesses authority or influence.”

              c. “Rulers of the darkness of this world” “RULERS means “LORD” which would led you to believe that they are the head, but it’s not so sure when you put it together with the rest of the phrase. “Rulers of the darkness of this world.”

                 i. The word “Darkness” in this group of demons means, “Of darkened eyesight or blindness.”

                 ii. These might be the demons in charge of blinding people’s eyes to the truth of the God’s Word.

          2. “Spiritual wickedness in high places” is another demonic force.

              a. “HIGH PLACES” means “The heavenly regions.”

                 i. These might be demons or even fallen angels that are the head spiritual force in the atmosphere over cities and nations.

              b. The believe that the point that Paul is trying to make here is not who is the highest in rank or power, but giving us a glimpse of there activities.

          B. EPH 6:13

                 1. Again, Paul makes it so clear, “Because of these demonic forces we need to take whole armour of God.”

                        a. WHY?

                        b. So that we can WITHSTAND.

                               i. The word “WITHSTAND.” Means “RESIST AND OPPOSE.”

                 2. “And having done all, to stand. Stand therefore.”

WOLCC Thurs. 11/14/96