We Wrestle Not

“WE WRESTLE NOT” – Spiritual Warfare – Introduction WE WRESTLE NOT

TEXT: Ephesians 6:12

INTRODUCTION:

Through out the Scriptures, we find God’s instruction to His church concerning the spiritual war in which we are called to engage.

Many have warned against tampering in this area.

But if it is Biblical, then we must not ignore it.

If it is so clearly addressed by God’s Word, then we must give it our utmost attention.

Are there clear instructions on how to engage in an understandable plan of attack against the forces of darkness using steps that will be effective against this powerful foe?

The answer to that question is, “Yes”.

They are in God’s Word and we must at least take a look and consider them.

You Can’t Judge a Book By its Cover

On the outside of so many people’s lives, there doesn’t appear to be anything wrong. We Wrestle Not – Introduction

People walking into churches are dressed neatly; greet one another with a “Good Morning” and seem to have it all together.

As we witness people walking down the street, driving their cars, eating at restaurants, just going though every day routines, there appears to be no real battle or evidence of war.

Yet there is a war raging for their soul just under the surface.

Most tend to think that what they are experiencing is normal and that no one is affected by what they are going through.

But if we would allow God to open our spiritual eyes, we could see a war that is greater than any that has ever been physically waged.

!!We would witness a war that is so fierce and intensely raging that we would shutter and tremble down into the depths of our souls!! (Example –  II Kings 6:17)

 The Enemy’s Aim

God’s People – To keep them ineffective for Christ

The Lost – To keep them from coming to the knowledge of the grace of God and His wonderful plan of salvation

 John 12:37 – 41; II Corinthians 4:4; I John 2:11; II Timothy 2:26

2 We Wrestle Not – Introduction

The Evidence

The evidence of this intense and spiritually bloody warfare is found in the increase of anger, insecurity, fears, lusts, perversions, depression, bitterness, unforgiveness, hatred, thoughts of suicide, abuse, violence, anxiety, discontentment and more.

This is found in the best of families and churches.

The Targets

Are the real men of God who are standing in the gap, giving the spiritual leadership that is needed, and are active and not passive.

Look again at -

Ephesians 6:12 – “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.”

We can use the first four words of this verse to describe the average Christian today - “For we wrestle not…”

The average Christian today does not know what it means to engage in spiritual warfare.

3 We Wrestle Not – Introduction Most are at ease in Zion, believing because we serve a Sovereign God, that there is nothing for us to do.

Most are thinking that everything is going to work together for good to them that love God and are the called according to His purpose.

Nothing could be farther from the truth!

I agree that we serve a sovereign God, and that everything is going to work out in His divine plan.

We are on the winning side, I know because I’ve read the last chapter of the Book.

But we must not ignore the other side of the coin.

Our position as believers should be that of becoming engaged soldiers, valiant warriors and fierce fighters who are willing to appropriate right now what God has given us in His Word to help set the captives free.

Let me warn you though, that the battles that we will be engaged in will be greater then any conflict that as ever been entered into.

II Timothy 2:3-4 – “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”

Philippians 2:25 – “Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier,”

CONCLUSION

Many in this modern church era have ignored the subject of spiritual warfare.

But our Enemy hasn’t ignored the subject.

These lessons (messages) are not just another set of messages but a tool, an instruction guide to help us to engage properly in spiritual warfare.

To help us to be set free and to set others free also.

These are not charismatic; but truths and principles that are presented in the Word of God.

Isaiah 41:28-29 – “For I beheld, and there was no man; even among them, and there was no counsellor, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word.” 29 “Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion.”

Notice that those who were considered counselors could not answer a word … they did not have the answers.

How many times did you or I have an opportunity to help someone and did not have the answers we needed?

There is nothing more rewarding then to be able to help someone with Godly, Bible based wisdom.

Many times physical struggles can be lifted and emotional wounds healed.

You do not have to agree with me on every detail, but do not ignore the fact that there is an overwhelming increase in demonic activity taking place in the live of people today.

Many people, including God’s people are being influenced by powers that are destroying their lives.

May we heed the clear commands of God’s Word to go forth -

“as a good soldier of Jesus Christ… that we (he) may please Him who hath chosen us (him) to be a soldier.”