Topic: Winning your battle against the enemy
By Ptr. Arsenio “Jack” Segismundo
Text:
Ephesians 6:12
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.
Introduction
The works of the devil are indisputably evident in the lives of both believers and unbelievers. Apostle Peter writes in his letter, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8). James writes “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). It is imperative that, if we must resist the devil, we need to be aware of his schemes and plots.
I. Satan’s strategy
A. Take away your joy – whatever makes you happy, the devil will try to take it away from you.
B. Load you with anxiety – whatever worries you there is where the devil is working. Are worries about your health, your relationship, your finances, your future?
C. Remind you of your Guilt – The devil will always whisper on your ears your old self with your old sins.
D. Remind you of your downfall – The devil remind you of your previous failure, that you are no good, a misfit
E. Burden you with Doubt – he will remind you of your limitations, your incapabilities, filled you with low self-esteem
F. Distract you away from God – he wants to keep you busy - busy Being Under Satan’s Yolk; no time to devout time to their spiritual life. Life is full of things that we do not have time for God.
II. Learning how Win your battle against the enemy
A. Acknowledge the existence of the devil and his cohorts
B. Acknowledge that you are fighting a spiritual battle in spiritual realm
C. Discern the works of the enemy from the test of faith
D. Use the armor of God
Eph 6:10-17
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with
1. THE BELT OF TRUTH - buckled around your waist, with - know the truth, what is the truth? Jesus is the Truth. Know Jesus
John 14:6
Jesus replied, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
2. THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS - in place, - live in righteousness do what is what is right. Remember your imputed righteousness not your self- righteousness
Romans 9:30
What shall we say then?—that the Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness obtained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith,
3. THE SANDALS FOR YOUR FEET - fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. – be ready to share what the gospel is16 In addition to all this,
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have[b] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have also obtained access[c] into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice[d] in the hope of God’s glory. 3 Not[e] only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance, character, and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God[f] has been poured out[g] in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
4. THE SHIELD OF FAITH - learn to trust the impossible thing to God. Do not doubt, do not waive, do not fear, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Hebrews 11:1-3
11 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see. 2 For by it the people of old[a] received God’s commendation.[b] 3 By faith we understand that the worlds[c] were set in order at God’s command,[d] so that the visible has its origin in the invisible.[e]
5. THE HELMET OF SALVATION – take it to your heart that you are save and no one can snatch you away from the hand of God
John 10:27-29
27 My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give[a] them eternal life, and they will never perish;[b] no one will snatch[c] them from my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,[d] and no one can snatch[e] them from my Father’s hand.
6. THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT- which is the word of God. – Counter the lies of the enemy by the truth of the word of God. Resist the enemy and he would flee from you.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 Every scripture[a] is inspired by God[b] and useful for teaching, for reproof,[c] for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the person dedicated to God[d] may be capable[e] and equipped for every good work.
James 4:7
So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you.
7. The Power of Prayer
Ephesians 6:18
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people."
Conclusion:
Edwin Louis Cole once said, “Knowledge of God’s Word is our safeguard against deception, temptation, accusation, even persecution of the enemy.” Hearken on the word of Paul to Timothy
1 Timothy 1:18
I put this charge before you, Timothy my child, in keeping with the prophecies once spoken about you, in order that with such encouragement you may fight the good fight.
