Enemies On Every Side

Message number 2 in the series on spiritual warfare

Enemies on Every Side

Ephesians 6:10 – 13

Ephesians 6:10–13 NLT

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

INTRODUCTION:

A. The war is not imagined – it is real.

B. The war is between two opposing forces:

1. God and his spiritual forces

a. It is important to note that Jesus is Lord ultimately over all things, including malicious spiritual beings! (Ephesians 1:21)

Ephesians 1:21 NLT

21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.

2. Satan and his spiritual forces

a. Spiritual forces = angelic and human

C. The war began in heaven and continues on earth.

1. There are some facts that you and I need to know in regard to this conflict.

I- THERE ARE ENEMIES ON EVERY SIDE (Ephesians 6:12)

Ephesians 6:12 NLT

12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

(ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἡμῖν ἡ πάλη πρὸς αἷμα καὶ σάρκα, ἀλλὰ πρὸς τὰς ἀρχάς, πρὸς τὰς ἐξουσίας, πρὸς τοὺς κοσμοκράτορας τοῦ σκότους τούτου, πρὸς τὰ πνευματικὰ τῆς πονηρίας ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις.)

(Ephesians 2:2)

Ephesians 2:2 NLT

2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

A. Principalities

(Gk: ἀρχάς ) = refers to primary government rulers. This actually refers to spiritual beings who are behind political and governmental rebellion against the will of God

1. Governmental rulers under satanic control.

a. Saddam Hussein was not the problem in the Mideast – the spiritual government controlled by demons was. Hussein was simply following orders… Manifesting the conflict in the spiritual realm.

b. Military force, embargoes, blockades, etc. cannot handle this situation. These spiritual forces can only be combated instant the spiritual realm.

2. Domestic democratic rebellion against God’s rule.

a. Homosexuals and witches in San Francisco, California wage protest against Christian prayer meeting. (October 31, 1990 – Halloween).

· Burned paper with “God" written on it

· Ungodly chance chants

· Incantations by witches (CNN – source)

· Again,These people were the physical manifestation of spiritual warfare.

· Wickedness and governmental rebellion must be dealt with on our knees.

B. Powers

(gk: ἐξουσίας) one whose will and command must be obeyed. Spiritual beings who wield power over individuals.

1. They use subtle but powerful tools to destroy us:

a. Discouragement

· Moses

b. Depression

· Elijah

c. Anxiety

· Disciples when Jesus fed 5000 (John 6:6-7)

John 6:6–7 NLT

6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!”

d. Critical spirit

· Peter toward John (John 21:21 – 22)

John 21:21–22 NLT

21 Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” 22 Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”

e. Rebellious spirit

· Jonah

C. Rulers of darkness

(gk.: κοσμοκράτορας) malicious spirit powers who exercise control to antagonize and blind the world. (2 Corinthians 4:3 – 4)

1. These focus on blinding the minds of the lost (concerning their need of salvation) and the saved) causing us to miss vital spiritual truths that will transform our lives). How?

a. Plant thoughts to make our minds wander.

b. Cause distractions to keep us from hearing God’s word.

c. Create a cynical attitude to cause unbelief.

D. Spiritual wicked beings in the air

(gk: τὰ πνευματικὰ τῆς πονηρίας ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις ) maliciously evil beings who resist God and his will.

1. These spiritual beings try to hinder God’s will, his messengers, etc. in the world and especially in the lives of believers.

a. The angel of God was hindered by the “ruler of Persia” and evil satanic prints (demon) from bringing a message from God to Daniel. (Daniel 10:12 – 14)

Daniel 10:12–14 NLT

12 Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. 13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. 14 Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.”

b. There are enemies on every side seeking to fight against God and his people.

II-THERE IS A COMMAND CONCERNING THESE ENEMIES. (Ephesians 6:11-12, 14)

Ephesians 6:11–12 NLT

11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:14 NLT

14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.

A. Engage in the conflict.

1. The conflict is severe.

a. It is hand to hand, toe to toe warfare… Intense.

2. There is no way to remain passive. You will either engage the enemy or be overrun.

a. Elton Trueblood:

”Where there is no advance there is decline. There is no such thing as a holding pattern.”

b. Those nations who refused to fight Hitler and World War II were overrun by him.

B. Stand firm in the battle.

1. There is no room to retreat.

a. There is no armor for the backside.

b. To turn to run is to expose yourself to greater danger!

2. There is no room for double agents.

a. You cannot serve 2 masters. (Matthew 6:24)

Matthew 6:24 NLT

24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.

Which master will you serve?

Whose side are you on?

III- THERE IS AVAILABLE POWER TO USE AGAINST THE ENEMY. (Ephesians 6:10)

Ephesians 6:10 NLT

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

A. The strength comes from God.

1. We are admonished to be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.

a. The strength we are to have does not come from within. It is not natural. It comes from without… It is supernatural.

· When you think ”I can handle this." Watch out – the fall is just around the corner.

b. The strength comes through being a disciplined soldier.

· Prayer

· Bible study

· Holy Spirit filling

· Obedience in carrying out the mission of Christ

CONCLUSION:

You and I are in a war – one that is ever growing in intensity. How can we fight?

Identify the enemy clearly. What we see is a physical manifestation of a spiritual war.

Seek God for power over the enemy.

· Confession and prayer are key.

Plead the blood of Christ. Seek cleansing.

Surrender the enemy to the Lord and seek the Holy Spirit filling.