Stand Firm!

In 3,400 years of recorded human history the earth there has only been 268 years of peace. In other words, only 92% of our history there has been war, and over 150m dead by combat and over 1billion dead by results of war. War being defined as a conflict that takes over 1000 lives. Military war, biological war, political war, civil war, but the war that has taken more lives than all wars put together, spiritual warfare.

1. Strength is in God’s Power

Finally. Paul is read to close out his letter, but before he does he needs to make sure they are equipped to fight. And the first thing he wants them to know is that you cannot win a battle in your own strength. It’s foolish to thing that you can do battle with spiritual being but can’t even punch your way out of a paper bag. You must get aid outside of yourself. And the strength is made available only in proximity by relationship. The text says, be strong in the Lord, strong by the Lord. Your strength comes by your relationship to God, if you are to have God’s strength you must first be in Him. If you don’t know him are not in him you will get jacked up, don’t believe me as the Seven Sons of Sceva (Elaborate).

2. Struggle is against Principalities

The truth is that there is another reality outside of what we see that we war against.

· Rulers

· Authorities

· Powers, Principalities against powers in heavenly places.

3. Spiritual Protection

Belt of Truth

Breastplate of Righteousness

This piece of armor is what is visibly seen as to define the appearance of the soldier. The breastplate was used to cover and protect the vital organs in the body.

Gospel Shoes

Shield of Faith

Helmet of Salvation

1 Thessalonians 5:8

Sword of the Spirit

3.Strategy of Prayer