CHRISTIANITY IS SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Ephesians 6:12 – “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (NIV)

1 Timothy 6:12 [Paul to Timothy] – “Fight the good fight of the faith.” (NIV)

[ADD PICTURE: “Deviled Ham”] See attachment.

Three things about the devil: [1] He’s opposed to everything I stand for; [2] He hates everybody in this room; [3] He will do anything he can to defeat you.

SIX PRINCIPLES FOR FIGHTING OUR SPIRITUAL BATTLE

STEP #1 – ACKNOWLEDGE THE ADVERSARY

1 Peter 5:8-9 – “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (NIV)

How do I resist sin and evil? [1] You acknowledge the adversary; [2] Stand firm in the faith; [3] Remember I am not alone!

Ephesians 6:16 – “Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

What are some of the flaming arrows Satan throws against us?

*Discouragement *Failure *Opposition *Low self-esteem *Doubt – Is God really in the world? Is the Bible really true?

STEP #2 – REMEMBER YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH GOD

Ephesians 2:6 – “God raised us up from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with -1- Christ Jesus.” (New Living)

Colossians 3:3 – “Your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (NIV)

Ephesians 1:13 – “...You were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.” (KJV)

Galatians 5:16 – “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” (NIV)

STEP #3 – WEAR THE SPIRITUAL ARMOR

Ephesians 6:11, 14-17 – [11]“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ...[14] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, [15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. [16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (NIV)

Two statements about this armor:

[1] Every piece of this armor is mental warfare. [2] The armor is a picture of Jesus.

Key: To put on spiritual armor simply means to live by the principles given us in Scripture.

STEP #4 – FIRE THE ARTILLERY

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 – [4] “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.[5] We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (NIV)

Key: Spiritual warfare is primarily fought in my thought life

2 Corinthians 4:4 – “He blinds peoples minds.” (NIV)

2 Corinthians 11:3 – “He corrupts people’s minds.” (NIV)

Four weapons of mass destruction...

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Weapon 1 – The Truth

John 8:32 – “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Ephesians 6:17 – “...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Weapon 2 – Humility

James 4:6-7 – “He gives us more and more strength to stand against such evil desires... So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.” (New Living)

Song: “Humble Yourself.”

“Don’t worry or fret to get what you need. The flower He sows the sparrow He feeds. And you will receive a greater reward, By putting your faith and trust in the Lord.”

Weapon 3 – Faith

Ephesians 6:16 – “Take up the shield of faith.” (NIV)

1 John 5:4 – “This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”

Bruce’s basic definition of biblical faith: The belief that God exists; the assurance of His control of my future; the confidence that His plan for me is eternally good because of His love; the trust to believe His promises to forgive my sins; the inner strength to obey when I don’t fully understand His principles; the commitment to God demonstrated by my actions; and, the hope of heaven after my earthly life is over

Weapon 4 – Obedience to biblical teaching

1 Timothy 4:16 – “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” (NKJV)

STEP #5 – RECOGNIZE THE HOLY SPIRIT IN YOU

-3- 1 John 4:4 – “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

STEP #6 – AVOID OBVIOUS DISTRACTIONS

2 Timothy 2:3-4 – “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer.” (NIV)

Quote: “You can get involved in doing so many ‘good’ things that the ‘good’ becomes the enemy of the ‘best.’” [Source: possibly French philosopher Voltaire (1694-1778)]

Final thought: Satan has an interest only in those who are trying to live the Christian life and be a spiritual influence to those around them (the salt of the earth and the light of the world).

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