The Reality Of Spiritual Warfare

Craig Brian Larson once said that “National Geographic ran an article about the Alaskan bull moose. The males of the species battle for dominance during the fall breeding season, literally going head-to-head with antlers crunching together as they collide. Often the antlers, their only weapon are broken. That ensures defeat. The heftiest moose, with the largest and strongest antlers, triumphs. Therefore, the battle fought in the fall is really won during the summer, when the moose eat continually. The one that consumes the best diet for growing antlers and gaining weight will be the heavyweight in the fight. Those that eat inadequately sport weaker antlers and less bulk. There is a lesson here for us. Spiritual battles await. Satan will choose a season to attack. Will we be victorious, or will we fall? Much depends on what we do now--before the wars begin. The bull-moose principle: Enduring faith, strength, and wisdom for trials are best developed before they're needed.”

Historical/Cultural Context -

This book was written in the late 50s AD or early 60s AD. It was a letter that was to be shared amongst churches in the area. It was written by Paul the Apostle who wrote 2/3 of the New Testament.

Biblical Text -

Ephesians 6:10–24 NKJV

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. 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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts. Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

-[Prayer]-

Life Principle - The Devil Hates You, But God Gave You The Way To Withstand Him.

Life Point- Satan & Demons Are Real & Really Hate The Gospel

Exegetical -

Ephesians 6:10–13 NLT

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 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. 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.

Homiletical -

The reality of true spiritual warfare has been lost on most people in Christendom. Some take it to the extreme with a demon behind every rock.

However, the reality is that much of what we experience is influenced on a daily basis by things that are in the Spiritual World.

2 Kings 6:12–18 NLT

“It’s not us, my lord the king,” one of the officers replied. “Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel even the words you speak in the privacy of your bedroom!” “Go and find out where he is,” the king commanded, “so I can send troops to seize him.” And the report came back: “Elisha is at Dothan.” So one night the king of Aram sent a great army with many chariots and horses to surround the city. When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha. “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. As the Aramean army advanced toward him, Elisha prayed, “O Lord, please make them blind.” So the Lord struck them with blindness as Elisha had asked.

Daniel 10:10–14 NLT

Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling. 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. 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. Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.”

This messenger of God was held up by a servant of Satan that was in charge of the kingdom of Persia for 21 days. He was not permitted to pass until Michael the Archangel showed up to help him.

Satan and his army have been around a long time. A lot longer than you and I. Have you noticed over the time I have been here that when this church starts to make inroads and starts to grow, God’s people are attacked.

How are we attacked?

Our enemy can make things happen. He can make people who were solid and strong and through the manipulation of people and the causing of events he can cause us to have significant spiritual, emotional, and physical troubles.

He can put people in our paths that mix correct doctrine with error. There are a lot of so-called psychics, spiritists, witches and the like that can do rituals that summon demonic forces against us.

I heard of one church where a couple of Wicans came in the back and was sitting there cursing the church under their breathes. This went on for a few weeks and during that time it was as though all hell broke loose on the people in the church.

They started praying against them. They didn’t ask them to stop coming, but they stopped coming and things quieted down.

I know it sounds ridiculous to our modern minds, but it is real and it really does happen.

The armor of God is not:

• Some mystical solution to our fight in the heavenlies

• Something intangible that we pray on everyday

The armor is:

• A way of life in Christ

• Paul does not simply talk about relationships in chapter 5 and then suddenly change speed and go to some mystical battle armor.

• He admits there is a spiritual battle going on and if we want to win this battle, then we need to live in a certain way.

• He uses the armor as an illustration of how our lives and relationships should look.

• Twice Paul says to stand

• He is showing emphasis

• You can stand against our enemy

• This is a promise, You can do it

• You cannot live the armored life without the power of God.

• Without the grace, mercy, and submission to God

• Without the Holy Spirit

• The Holy Spirit is the paraclete, the one who stands besides. He has dynamite power.

• The Greek word is dynamos where we get the term dynamite.

Life Point - Walk in God’s Armor

Exegetical -

Ephesians 6:14–19 ESV

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,

Homiletical -

These characteristics of our lives and the power of the Word of God and the Christian life will be attacked.

The enemy will attack us about the Truth of God’s Word, just like in the garden of Eden and serpent. “Did God really say?”

The enemy will tell you the Bible isn’t inerrant it isn’t God Word it just contains God’s Word. Not everything in it is for today.

Let me tell you, the Devil is a liar and the father of all lies.

John 8:44 NKJV

You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

The devil will attack you in standing up for righteousness in your life. He will say things like, “One sip won’t hurt you. One snort. One look at that woman or man won’t hurt.

Let me tell you again, the Devil is a liar! Don’t do it, run!

The Devil will attack your mind on the Gospel. He has several heresies going right now in churches in America.

He will say things like, “God wants you to be healthy and wealthy, living the good life.”

and “Homosexuality isn’t a sin. That was during the Biblical times, it’s ok now.”

How about, “It’s OK to cohabitate and not be married and have sex with whomever you like, whenever you like when the fancy overtakes you. God wants you to enjoy life and be merry and happy.”

Matthew 24:36–39 NKJV

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

He has so watered down pastors and their presentation of the Gospel, people don’t know what it is anymore! Don’t fall for it. The changed individual will want to do the will of God, not just say some mystical prayer and go on sinning like they always have.

Romans 6:15–16 NKJV

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

The Devil will attack you on your readiness to share the Gospel.

He will tell you, “You better not share Jesus with that person. They might yell at you.” You don’t have time to talk to others about Jesus, you’re too busy and you don’t want to get into a long drawn out conversation.” Or how about “You don’t want to conflict with what others believe it will cause a fight and they can believe whatever they want.”

Here is the sad truth, if you aren’t ready then that person in from of you may just die and go to Hell because you didn’t share Jesus with them!

The Devil will attack your faith. He will shoot those flaming arrows and if you haven’t been in prayer and the Word of God as much as possible, then they will make it through and will hit you somewhere in your life where you will fall to his temptations and commit sin.

If that dart makes it through, for example, he will hit you in your helmet of salvation, the assurance of your salvation in Christ. He will attack your mind and mess it up. He will cause confusion in your life and you will find yourself in a place you never thought you would be. I have seen many a christian never believe that they would be in a place of unrepentant sin. In a place where their marriages are torn apart and their kids hate them. But that fiery dart came through and messed up their mind because they weren’t in God’s word and prayer.

2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Proverbs 2:6–8 NKJV

For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints.

2 Timothy 1:7 HCSB

For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.

The Devil will try to keep you from walking in faith by separating you from your sword which is the Word of God. Don’t let him do it. He will try to make you doubt it, or he will try to keep you so busy, you just don’t pick it up to read it, much less study it.

Ephesians 6:18 NLT

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Praying in the Spirit according to God’s will and His Word is your last part of the armor. It is our only offensive weapon the can go long distances.

Someone is saying “What are you talking about pastor?”

A lot of Roman soldiers carried a lance. Now a lance could be used up close or be used to through. At the end it had a sharpened tip that could do some real damage.

I call this the lancet of prayer. Though it is not explicitly mentioned look how much emphasis Paul puts on prayer.

Always in Prayer with all fervency. We used to call it grabbing ahold of the altar and not let go until God answers.

This church, this group of people and your leadership team is under heavy spiritual attack lately. A lot of things have gone wrong and it just seems like a struggle to get here some days, much less reaching new converts. We need people in this church to grab ahold of the alter in your personal prayer times and not let go until God does something.

PUSH in your prayer. You know what that stand for?

Prayer Until Something Happens

We are told to walk out our salvation with fear and trembling. Walk in the confidence of your salvation, knowing that you have the truth, and that your righteousness is not your own but belongs to Christ. Choosing to do the right thing every moment of every day. Ready to share the Gospel. Keeping your faith strong by staying in the Word of God, and keeping the faith of God’s goodness and His power.

We don’t pray this armor on, we live it out. So let us grab ahold of that altar and not let go. Let us persevere in our prayer lives and not let the Devil attack us in it. Let us live and share what we believe.

Life Principle– The Devil Hates You, But God Gave You The Way To Withstand Him.

Call to Action – altar call….