Spiritual Warfare 101

II Kings 6:8-24, Ephesians 6:10-20

I. We are in a Spiritual War

A. It's invisible

1. II Kings 6:8-24

a) Elisha and his servant were in real, physical danger

b) They were surrounded by a real, physical army

c) But their battle was not merely physical

2. They were also in a real, spiritual war

a) Everyone but Elisha was oblivious to it

b) Had God not opened his eyes, Elisha's servant may never have known the spiritual component of the battle he was fighting

c) There were four groups present in this battle: Elisha and his servant, the army of Syria, God's army, and Satan's army

B. It's Real, and it's spiritual

1. This spiritual battle had a physical opponent to it.

2. The Syrian army even suffered physical harm at the hand of God's army

II. We must understand Satan's strategy in order to live victoriously.

A. Ephesians 6:11--"...the schemes/wiles/strategies..."

1. God has a plan for your life...and so does Satan

2. He can't have your soul, but he can keep you preoccupied with other stuff or render your testimony useless and discredit the gospel through your actions.

3. Just like any good sports team or military force, Saran and his army have developed a time tested strategy for rendering you useless for the Kingdom of God.

B. Satan's primary strategy lies in deception

1. John 8:44—“…has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

2. Find the lie, and you uproot Satan’s plot.

3. Satan lies about:

a) Who God is—Genesis 3:5

b) Who You are—Job 4:12-19

c) The Consequences of sin—Genesis 3:3

d) Who He is—II Cor. 11:12-15

4. Satan’s strategies:

a) Keep you preoccupied with the world so you live as if he doesn’t exist (Matt. 6:19-24, II Tim. 2:4)

b) Keep you living in fear--often the strategy used in eastern regions where mysticism and animism are prevalent (If time and setting permit, use story from And the Word Came with Power, by Joanne Shetler.

III. We cannot win a spiritual war using physical weapons

A. Belt of Truth--Fight Satan's lies with the truth

1. Finances--God is the source of true and lasting joy, not stuff. Money is temporary, God is eternal. "Do not be anxious..."

2. Sex--Is best enjoyed within the boundaries God has set for it. There are serious consequences when we abuse it. 1 Corinthians 6:9-20 ESV

B. Breastplate of Righteousness--Fight Satan's attempts to discredit your testimony with a righteous life

1. Don't give Satan ammo!

2. Not sinless perfection or legalism, but a life lived in Christ's righteousness

C. Shoes of the Readiness/Preparation of the Gospel of Peace

1. Live in light of the Gospel—be a peacemaker, don’t seek conflict and learn to forgive

2. Be ready to share the gospel! The gospel is one of our primary weapons in driving back the enemy.

D. Shield of Faith

1. Heb. 11:6

2. If we have a strong, unmovable faith in God, we will not fall for Satan’s pathetic attempts to lure us with lesser pleasures.

E. Helmet of Salvation

1. Helmet protects the most vital organs

2. Without salvation, you are hopelessly doomed in the fight

F. Sword of the Spirit

1. The Word of God’s is the primary weapon the Holy Spirit uses

2. The Holy Spirit can give you a weapon that you don’t have, so memorize and internalize scripture!

G. Prayer

1. What did Jesus do when tempted?

2. What did Elisha do when facing a battle?

3. What ought we to do when under attack?

4. James 4:7, 5:13-18

IV. Conclusion

We see in a spiritual war that is as real as any physical war, and its consequences are far more important. In order to win the battles, we must realize that we have already won the war and fight from victory using the weapons God has already given us.