CHRISTIAN GROWTH LESSON 15 B

Ephesians 6:10–12

Ephesians 6:10–12 KJV 1900

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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.

Introduction:

Opening Your Eyes

In this central New Testament passage about spiritual warfare, Paul tells his readers the nature of the battle and how they are to fight it.

This this section—

Spiritual Warfare —

will cover Paul’s general command in v. 10, his specific command in v. 11, and the reason he gives in v. 12 for both commands.

Ephesians 6:10–12 KJV 1900

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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.

As we move on through the passage, we will discover five basic truths to ground us in the reality of the invisible war and to guide us in our thinking.

The General Command—

Eph 6:10

Ephesians 6:10 KJV 1900

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

The full meaning of this command is captured in this expanded translation:

“Allow yourself to be continually strengthened by the power already made available to you in your new position and relationship with Christ.”

It is the power that raised Jesus from the dead and now dwells in you.

The Specific Command—

Ephesians 6:11 (KJV 1900)

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

How do you allow yourself to be strong in the Lord?

By continually and repeatedly putting on the spiritual protection God has provided for you at specific points in time, for the express purpose of holding on to your position in Christ as you are bombarded by satanic strategies designed to destroy you or render you ineffective in kingdom pursuits.

The Reason for the Commands—

Eph 6:12

Ephesians 6:12 (KJV 1900)

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.

Our real struggle—our battle, our wrestling match to the death—

is not against physical or material adversaries like people, circumstances, and organizations.

It is against a hierarchy of demonic forces doing battle in the spiritual realm.

Five Basic Truths about Spiritual Warfare

1. There is an invisible world.

The invisible world is just as real as the visible world, and both Old and New Testaments refer to it often.

a. 2 Kings 6:15–19: Elisha, surrounded by a hostile army, tells his servant that invisible hosts are protecting them.

b. Daniel 10: An angel reveals to Daniel the battle he has been waging.

c. Ephesians 6:12: One of many references by Paul to a conflict that is not of the flesh.

2. We are involved in an invisible war.

This cosmic conflict has eternal implications; lives are at stake.

The enemy’s strategies affect us every day. When was the last time you honestly considered that some struggle or relational conflict was rooted in satanic opposition?

a. 2 Corinthians 10:3–5:

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 (KJV 1900)

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

b. 2 Corinthians 4:4:

2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV 1900)

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

3. Our foe is formidable.

The goal of Satan is to destroy God’s people and discredit the cause of Christ.

He is not to be taken lightly.

He is real.

He was an angel, the highest of all created beings, who rebelled against God out of pride.

a. 1 Peter 5:8:

1 Peter 5:8 (KJV 1900)

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

b. Jude 9:

Jude 9 KJV 1900

9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

c. Is Satan for real?

the authority of the Bible: Genesis 3:1; 1 Chronicles 21:1; Revelation 12:9.

Genesis 3:1 KJV 1900

1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

1 Chronicles 21:1 KJV 1900

1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.

Revelation 12:9 KJV 1900

9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

the testimony of Christ: Matthew 4:1–11;

Matthew 4:1–11 KJV 1900

1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

also Christ refers to Satan twenty-five times.

the reality of demons: Satan is their “prince” (Luke 11:15).

Luke 11:15 KJV 1900

15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.

d. Who is Satan?

a created spirit: Job 1:6; Colossians 1:16.

Job 1:6 KJV 1900

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.

Colossians 1:16 KJV 1900

16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

an angel: Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:7.

Matthew 25:41 KJV 1900

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Revelation 12:7 KJV 1900

7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

a cherub: Ezekiel 28:14.

Ezekiel 28:14 KJV 1900

14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

the highest of all created beings: Ezekiel 28:14.

Ezekiel 28:14 KJV 1900

14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

e. Where did he come from?

created perfect: Ezekiel 28:12–13.

Ezekiel 28:12–13 KJV 1900

12 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. 13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

had a heavenly estate: Jude 6.

Jude 6 KJV 1900

6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

a guardian of God’s glory: Ezekiel 28:14.

Ezekiel 28:14 KJV 1900

14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

the occasion of his sin = power and beauty: Ezekiel 28.

Ezekiel 28 KJV 1900

1 The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord God; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God: 3 Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee: 4 With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures: 5 By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches: 6 Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Because thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God; 7 Behold, therefore I will bring strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations: and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall defile thy brightness. 8 They shall bring thee down to the pit, and thou shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the midst of the seas. 9 Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee, I am God? but thou shalt be a man, and no God, in the hand of him that slayeth thee. 10 Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord God. 11 Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 12 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. 13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. 14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. 16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. 18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. 19 All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more. 20 Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 21 Son of man, set thy face against Zidon, and prophesy against it, 22 And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Zidon; and I will be glorified in the midst of thee: and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall have executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her. 23 For I will send into her pestilence, and blood into her streets; and the wounded shall be judged in the midst of her by the sword upon her on every side; and they shall know that I am the Lord. 24 And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor any grieving thorn of all that are round about them, that despised them; and they shall know that I am the Lord God. 25 Thus saith the Lord God; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob. 26 And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the Lord their God.

the nature of his sin = pride: Isaiah 14:13; 1 Timothy 3:6.

Isaiah 14:13 KJV 1900

13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

1 Timothy 3:6 KJV 1900

6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

the cause of his sin = personal, free choice: Habakkuk 1:13; James 1:13.

Habakkuk 1:13 KJV 1900

13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, And canst not look on iniquity: Wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, And holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?

James 1:13 KJV 1900

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

4. We must respect our foe but not fear him. Our responsibility is to become acutely aware of Satan’s methods but not be preoccupied by them.

We can become educated about his schemes by examining his names in Scripture; all of them reveal something of his tactics.

Scripture is very clear about his agenda and his targets.

But he is limited, and we have no need to fear him if we follow God’s instructions in faith.

a. 2 Corinthians 2:11: Paul agrees to forgive a brother along with the Corinthian church—in order that “no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”

2 Corinthians 2:11 KJV 1900

11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

b. The vital question: how can we make sure we are not ignorant of his schemes?

c. Satan’s names reveal his tactics.

Satan (adversary): Job 1:6–7; 1 Thessalonians 2:18.

Job 1:6–7 KJV 1900

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. 7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

1 Thessalonians 2:18 KJV 1900

18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

Devil (slanderer): 1 Peter 5:8.

1 Peter 5:8 KJV 1900

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Lucifer (son of the morning): Isaiah 14:12.

Isaiah 14:12 KJV 1900

12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

Beelzebub (lord of the flies): Matthew 12:24. Belial (a false god): 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Matthew 12:24 KJV 1900

24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

2 Corinthians 6:15 KJV 1900

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

Evil one: 1 John 5:19.

1 John 5:19 KJV 1900

19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

Tempter: 1 Thessalonians 3:5.

1 Thessalonians 3:5 KJV 1900

5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

Prince of this world: John 12:31 (NIV).

John 12:31 KJV 1900

31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

Accuser of the brethren: Revelation 12:10.

Revelation 12:10 KJV 1900

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Representations include: Serpent: Genesis 3.

Genesis 3 KJV 1900

1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. 9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? 12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13 And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. 14 And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. 16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. 17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. 20 And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. 21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them. 22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: 23 Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Dragon: Revelation 12.

Revelation 12 KJV 1900

1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. 3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. 5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. 13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. 14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. 15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Angel of light: 2 Corinthians 11:14.

2 Corinthians 11:14 KJV 1900

14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

d. Satan attacks God’s program, the church, by:

False philosophies: Colossians 2:8.

Colossians 2:8 KJV 1900

8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

False religions: 1 Corinthians 10:20.

1 Corinthians 10:20 KJV 1900

20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

False ministers: 2 Corinthians 11:14–15.

2 Corinthians 11:14–15 KJV 1900

14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

False doctrine: 1 John 2:18.

1 John 2:18 KJV 1900

18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

False disciples: Matthew 13:24–30.

Matthew 13:24–30 KJV 1900

24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

False morals: 2 Thessalonians 2:7–12.

e. Satan attacks God’s people by:

2 Thessalonians 2:7–12e KJV 1900

7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

Directing governments: Daniel 10:13.

Daniel 10:13 KJV 1900

13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

Deceiving people: 2 Corinthians 4:4.

2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV 1900

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Destroying lives: Hebrews 2:14.

Hebrews 2:14 KJV 1900

14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Persecuting the saints: Revelation 2:10.

Revelation 2:10 KJV 1900

10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Preventing service: 1 Thessalonians 2:18.

1 Thessalonians 2:18 KJV 1900

18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

Promoting schisms: 2 Corinthians 2:10–11.

2 Corinthians 2:10–11 KJV 1900

10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; 11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Planting doubt: Genesis 3:1–5.

Genesis 3:1–5 KJV 1900

1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Producing sects and cults: 1 Timothy 4:1.

1 Timothy 4:1 KJV 1900

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Provoking sin:

Anger: Ephesians 4:26–27.

Ephesians 4:26–27 KJV 1900

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil.

Pride: 1 Timothy 3:6.

1 Timothy 3:6 KJV 1900

6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Worry: Matthew 13:22.

Matthew 13:22 KJV 1900

22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

Self-reliance: 1 Chronicles 21:1. Discouragement: 1 Peter 5:6–8.

1 Chronicles 21:1 KJV 1900

1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.

1 Peter 5:6–8 KJV 1900

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Worldliness: 1 John 2:16.

1 John 2:16 KJV 1900

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Lying: Acts 5:3.

Acts 5:3 KJV 1900

3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

Immorality: 1 Corinthians 5:1–2.

f. Satan’s power is limited.

1 Corinthians 5:1–2f KJV 1900

1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,

Balance and wisdom are crucial in our assessment of spiritual opposition.

To assign too much or too little credit to the reality of demonic activity is to err greatly.

He is created, therefore not omniscient or infinite.

He can be resisted by the Christian: James 4:7.

James 4:7 KJV 1900

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

God places limitations on him: Job 1:12.

Job 1:12 KJV 1900

12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

5. We do not fight for victory; we fight from victory.

As believers in Christ, we are invincible.

The Bible has given us numerous promises of victory over the power of the enemy.

a. 1 John 4:4:

1 John 4:4 KJV 1900

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

b. 1 John 5:4–5:

1 John 5:4–5 KJV 1900

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

c. Revelation 12:11:

Revelation 12:11 KJV 1900

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

d. James 4:7:

James 4:7 KJV 1900

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.