The Christian Conflict

TEXT: Ephesians 6:10-13

TOPIC: The Christian Conflict

Pastor Bobby Earls, Northgate Baptist Church, Florence, SC

Sunday morning, October 24, 2021

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Ephesians 6:10-13, NKJV

The Apostle Paul was a lot like Baptist preachers of our day. When he used the word “Finally,” it didn’t mean he was finished with what he had to say! The expression means “what you still have to do in addition to what has already been shared.”

In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul reveals the mysteries of God’s marvelous grace found in Jesus Christ. He writes about the intricacies of the Church and of those who should be called its leaders. And in this final chapter, the Apostle provides the most vivid warning in the New Testament concerning Satan and his assaults against the church and believers.

We have all experienced the struggle of the Christian conflict against the devil and his cohorts. You need to know about this critical strategy the Apostle offers that will help you deal with the spiritual attacks we experience at the hands of the devil!

He begins in verse 10 with the strength that is demanded.

I. THE STRENGTH DEMANDED, Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. For this conflict there is demanded a strength that is personal in its appropriation.

A. Personal in its Appropriation, Eph. 6:10, my brethren (and the you is understood)

Paul not only speaks on a personal level to the believers at Ephesus but he seeks to convey his own personal experiences of struggle and success in the Christian conflict.

Paul had known this strength initially at conversion, But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ, Acts 9:22.

He enjoyed it perpetually in Christian living, Philippians 4:13 (NKJV), I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

He confessed it finally in his last correspondence to Timothy; 1 Timothy 1:12 (NKJV),

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.

Such strength is also…..

B. Supernatural in its Origination, Eph. 6:10, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

The strength we need is not found in ourselves but in the Lord! “in the Lord and in the power of His might!” Paul reminds us that our conflict is with no human foe. We face a supernatural enemy and so we need supernatural strength from above.

1 John 4:4 (NKJV), He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

T/S—So in this Christian conflict, the strength demanded is found in the Lord. Second,

II. THE ENEMY CONFRONTED, Ephesians 6:11b-12 that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Our enemy stands….

A. Close in His Proximity, Eph. 6:12a, we wrestle

The word wrestle implies hand to hand combat or battle at close quarters. The bible reminds us that the devil is always close by and ready to pounce.

1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV), Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

T/S—So our enemy is close in his proximity, but he is also….

B. Supernatural in His Personality, Eph. 6:12b, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,

Our conflict is not with man. It is sad when we war and fight with one another. Although Satan does use the fallen nature of unredeemed men and wayward Christians to create conflict with one another, we must always remember who the true enemy is.

T/S--Our enemy is supernatural in personality and he is extremely…

C. Organized in His Hierarchy, Eph. 6:12c, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness

C.S. Lewis preferred to call the satanic organization a “lowerarchy.” “Rulers of the darkness of this age” or this world represent princes and those of first rank among the demonic contingency.

Some would add that these are also influencers or demonically controlled individuals who rule or possess authority in this world in opposition against God, His word and the church. “Powers” refers to those powers of lesser authority but of no less authority. The point is, Satan is well-organized in his effort to disrupt and derail your commitment to Jesus Christ!

T/S--Our enemy is highly organized in his hierarchy and he is,

D. Superterrestrial in His Territory, Ephesians 6:12d, in the heavenly places.

The heavenly places refers to a place above the earth but beneath the heavens. Satan is called “the prince of the power of air,” in Ephesians 2:2. His presence and power is as pervasive as the very air itself. T/S—So our enemy is close in his proximity, supernatural in his personality, extremely organized in his hierarchy, supernatural in his territory and finally, our enemy is….

E. Strategic in His Methodology, Ephesians 6:11, the wiles of the devil

His wiles represent his planned, analytical and crafty schemes or strategies he has designed for each of us. He knows ultimately the crack in the armor of each of us. Our Achilles heel is his familiar territory. He attacks each of us in our weakest areas.

T/S--The final verse, verse 13 summarizes what we can do in response to our enemy’s attacks.

III. THE CONFLICT ANTICIPATED, Ephesians 6:13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. We are to take up a comprehensive defense by putting on the whole armor of God! This……

A. Demands a Comprehensive Defense, Ephesians 6:13a, the whole armor of God

This describes the source, the extent and the nature of our defense. Just as our physical bodies are vulnerable to attack and injury so too are our spirits. Our spiritual life is just as vulnerable and needs the protection that only God’s full armor can provide! We must also be able to……

B. Discern an Intensive Attack, Ephesians 6:13b, the evil day,

Not every day and not every moment is equally open to satanic attack. We must be on guard for those malicious moments of extraordinary attack. These days can be heightened in their intensivity because of illness, fatigue, depression, or any number of difficult or troubling reasons.

Finally, we must….

C. Demonstrate our Conclusive Stance, Ephesians 6:13c, and having done all, to stand.

In the end, we are told to stand. The Christian’s goal should be to hold our position. We must hold our ground. We must be resolved to stand strong as one united force.

Every military strategist knows there can be no advancement until first we have secured our base.

To live victoriously over the devil’s attacks, we therefore must be fully equipped for the battle. Dressed in the Lord’s battle uniform. We must be constantly on guard for Satan’s immiment attacks, and we must dig in, fortifying our commitment to hold fast to our faith in Christ alone!