INTRODUCTION:
As believers in Christ we are engaged In spiritual warfare, whether we want to be or not. We must learn how to equip ourselves to go into battle. Today we will not only learn what we need but we will learn how to defeat the enemy:
1) Remember where the true battle is.
2) Put on the whole armor of God.
3) Engage in the battle through prayer.
Our topic for today is "Giving the Devil Hell"
As Christians it is our responsibility no it is our duty to "Give the Devil Hell."
I. REMEMBER WHERE THE TRUE BATTLE IS
(Eph 6:10-12 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.
A. If we are going to truly give the devil hell and defeat him and his strategies against us, we better make sure that we are fighting the battle where the battle truly lies.
1. In the previous verses of Ephesians chapter 6 and the latter part of chapter 5, Paul deals with relationships between people.
a. These are flesh and blood relationships.
b. In these verses there is wisdom shared concerning how to get along with one another.
2. But then when we get to verses 10-12 there’s a different attitude we are to take on now. It’s not one of submission, love and getting along, but it’s one of fighting and war.
a. The reason for the difference? The Word is now talking about how to deal with the devil.
b. We are to hate and reject and war against and desire to destroy the devil.
3. When we really begin to understand what Satan endeavors to do against us, our families, and our church, then we will understand the importance of warring against him.
a. Understand that the devil literally wants to destroy you. He’s not wanting to cause you little problems.
b. The devil isn’t trying to tempt you just so that you’ll sin. No, he’s trying to drag you to the place where you will forsake and turn your back on Almighty God.
The perfect example of this would be found in Genesis 3:13
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.
As we see in this scripture Satan used deceit to trick Eve into
disobeying God. And just as he used Eve he’ll use one of your
loved ones as well.
c. The devil knows his destiny and he wants to take as many people with him as he can.
d. Part of his strategy is to keep the church from bringing in new members and rescuing people from his grasp.
B. As Christians it is imperative that we avoid wrestling against flesh and blood.
1. Our battle is not against people.
a. Our fight is not against others in the church.
b. However, many Christians have spent more time fighting with others in the church than they ever have with the devil. And the devil likes that.
c. Everytime you engage in flesh and blood conflicts you score points for the enemy.
2. Our battle is not against the government and special interest groups.
c. We must always understand where the true battle lies and that the battle is not hear on earth but in the spiritual realm.
C. When we avoid warring against flesh and blood, and we focus on warring against principalities, against powers, against rulers of darkness of this age, and against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places, then we will experience true victory.
1. We are victorious in battle because we are children of God and joint heirs with Jesus. Jesus is on our side.
(Eph 1:20-21 NKJV) which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
a. Jesus is far above all.
b. Guess where we are? We’re seated with Jesus!
(Eph 2:6 NKJV) and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
2. Therefore, let us walk onto the battlefield with a victorious attitude.
a. It’s amazing how many Christians will whine about defeat before they even enter the battle.
b. That attitude doesn’t come from God.
3. Professional sports teams which have a consistent winning record are usually filled with players who have an expectation to win.
Now that we understand where the battle is we must then prepare ourselves to do battle. We must now "PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD."
(Eph 6:10-17 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;
A. Twice in this passage of scripture we are exhorted by the Word to put on the whole armor of God.
1. First of all, it must be emphasized how important it is to put on the whole armor.
a. If we fail to put on just one piece of the armor we leave ourselves vunerable to the enemy’s attack.
b. Satan’s not a nice guy. He won’t hesitate to kick you when you’re down. He will always look for weaknesses in you and will do his best to exploit them.
c. For example: If a person has a problem with demonstrating self control in the handling of their finances, Satan will try to show you all the products you’ve got to buy and you’ve got to have it now!
d. When you put on the whole armor, you’ll be ready to handle any and every attack of the enemy.
2. The second thing which needs to be emphasized is the fact that this armor is not our armor, but it’s God’s armor.
a. We get to use it. God has made it available to us.
b. It is not something which we have fabricated ourselves, but it is something which is supplied to us from the very throne room of God.
c. A person may own a cheap fishing pole and a rubber raft, but it would be nicer if someone let you use their nice fishing pole and custom made bass boat.
d. In the same manner, it’s better to use God’s weapons because they will be much more effective.
3. The reason we’ve been supplied with the armor of God is so that we may stand no matter what.
a. It doesn’t matter what the devil may throw at you, God’s desire for you is that you’ll continue to stand.
b. Look at how many times the word "stand" is used in verses 11, 13, and 14. I heard Rev. Marshal say on Wednesday night that God Armor protects everything but your back and the reason for this is because he wants you to stand and fight not run and hide. You must trust that God will deliver you. If you don’t believe me think about David when he fought Golieth. David was wearing the Whole Armor of God. The scripture says that man’s armor didn’t fit him but you see God’s Armor did. Because God’s Armor is on size fits all.
c. The only time you will suffer defeat is when you fail to put on the whole armor of God.
B. Let’s take a look at the various pieces of the armor, understanding that we put it on through prayer and commitment to God to daily take hold of the things which He has supplied us.
1. Belt of truth.
a. The belt is the foundational piece of the armor.
b. As Christians, our belt must be one of truth.
c. It is a preparedness to live our lives free from hypocrisy. It is being honest with ourselves and others.
2. Breastplate of righteousness.
a. The breastplate is the part of the armor which protects vital organs in the body.
b. The breastplate is made of God’s righteousness.
c. The enemy laughs at man’s self-righteousness, but he trembles at the thought of God’s righteousness.
3. Shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace.
a. The shoes would ensure the soldier of good footing in the time of battle.
b. Jesus is our firm foundation. Therefore, we walk with Him and take Him wherever we go.
c. Therefore, Satan won’t be able to knock us off balance.
4. Shield of faith.
a. The shield is the piece of armor which is used to combat an attack.
b. It is our God-given faith which enables us to stamp out the fiery darts of doubt which Satan may throw at us.
c. Faith is not just something we have, it’s something we do.
5. Helmet of salvation.
a. The helmet is what protects the brain: the place where thoughts occur, memories reside, ideas are conceived and problems solved.
b. As we put on the helmet of salvation, we begin to think and look at situations the way Jesus does.
c. This means we daily renew our minds with the Word.
d. The enemy loves to attack our thought life.
6. Sword of the Spirit.
a. The purpose of the soldiers’ sword was to kill the enemy.
b. The Word of God is the effective weapon which must be used in order to defeat the strategies of the enemy.
c. A soldier practiced with his sword before going into battle. We too must become familiar with our sword.
d. Jesus combatted the temptation of Satan with the Word.
C. Understand that the reason for taking up the armor of God is not for defensive purposes, but it is for offensive purposes against the enemy.
1. We used to hear very little about detroying the works of the devil in years past.
a. Testimony services used to be filled with complaints concerning how the devil was destroying some poor Christian’s life.
b. Many Christians have this idea that all they can do is hide in a corner while the devil beats up on them.
c. Whe we begin to realize who we are in Jesus and begin to utilize our armor and our weapons, the devil begins to hide from us.
2. We’ve been given mighty weapons from the Lord.
(2 Cor 10:4-6 NKJV) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
a. These weapons are for the destruction of the devil’s strategies.
b. In the Old Testament, a stronghold was a hiding place or fortress.
c. The Word is telling us that our weapons are to be used in the tearing down of these hiding places.
3. It is an incredible thought to know that the devil will hide from you.
a. When you have on the whole armor of God, and you’re walking with your sword in hand, the devil doesn’t want to mess with you.
b. For too many years the church has run from the devil, but in these days people must begin to realize that they’ve been given the authority to run the devil off.
c. We should not allow him to establish any fortresses in our community. Now once we have on the "WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD" we are ready to "ENGAGE IN THE BATTLE THROUGH PRAYER."
(Eph 6:18 NKJV) praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints;
A. The only way to become involved in the spiritual battle is by doing so through prayer.
1. There are many things people do which they think meets the criteria for winning spiritual battles.
a. Some people start coming to church, but continue seeing defeats in their personal life so they quit coming, saying, "Going to church didn’t help."
b. Some people think that living a "good" life will keep them from experiencing defeats.
2. The only thing that will transport you into the spiritual realm as a participating warrior is prayer.
a. If you’re not praying, you’re nothing but prey for the devil.
b. If you are praying, you become transformed from the role of victim into the role of victor.
B. We are to be praying on all occasions.
1. The three Greek words which are put together to mean "always", literally means "at all seasons".
a. There is never a season in which we are to stop praying.
2. A "season" is always a period of time which significantly sets itself apart from a previous and following season.
a. Seasons can be major seasons such as the seasons of the year, or even eras in history: the Reagan years, the dark ages, the renaissance and so on.
b. Seasons can also be smaller, even within a day of our life: season of preparing for work, season of working, season of relaxing in the evening.
c. At every season we should step into it with prayer.
3. Jesus was an example of praying as He entered into the various seasons of His life. (He prayed daily.)
a. Before His public ministry we see Him engaged in spiritual warfare. (Matt. 4)
b. The disciples asked Him to teach them to pray because He was obviously accomplishing much through His prayers.
c. Christ prayed before facing the cross.
C. The final point from this verse to be emphasized has to do with praying in the Spirit. How do we do it?
1. Fight the spiritual battle as one without sin.
(James 5:16 NKJV) Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
a. If you have sin in your life, confess it before God and others.
b. Don’t dare step onto the battle field full of sin.
2. Be filled with the Spirit.
(Acts 1:8 NKJV) "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
a. Our power in battle comes from being filled with the Spirit.
b. Jesus was effective because of the presence of the Holy Spirit in His life.
3. Pray in other tongues.
(1 Cor 14:14-15 NKJV) For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
a. Praying in other tongues allows the Holy Spirit to pray specific things which goes beyond our understanding. However, it helps bring about spiritual victory.
b. This should be a daily part of our lives.
4. Pray the Word.
a. Jesus confessed the Word to Satan.
(Mat 4:10-11 NKJV) Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ’You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’" Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
b. This is an example we definitely need to be following.
5. Pray as the Lord leads you.
a. You’re not always to pray in tongues. There are times to pray with the understanding.
b. Remember that God doesn’t show you something so that you’ll worry about it, but so that you’ll pray about it.
CONCLUSION:
1) Remember where the true battle is.
2) Put on the whole armor of God.
3) Engage in the battle through prayer.
