Spiritual Warfare
Eph 6:10-20
I want to talk with you about a very serious matter
- I know we are all striving to find our place
- In God’s community
- We are all looking to follow Christ as best we can
- But the very fact that we, this community of believers
- Has caught a glimpse
- Of what God is doing in our midst
- And are developing a hunger to know Him
- And serve Him better
- Means we have to be aware
- That Satan will not sit by and let it happen
- He will throw obstacles in our way
- Attempt to stir up trouble for individuals and the body
- He will try to cause us to pull back
- And become dull, compliant people
- Content with the status quo
- He will do his best to sidetrack us
- And to discourage us
Now maybe you didn’t realize it when you came to Christ
- But you enlisted in an army
- The Army of God
- And have been called to the front lines
- Of a continuing struggle against principalities and powers of darkness
- Who control the world system we live in
- We are caught up in spiritual warfare
Unlike the soldiers who are fighting in Afghanistan
- We don’t hear bombs bursting in the distance
- Or hear bullets zinging past us
- We don’t see bayonets of our enemy flashing in the sun
- But still we are on a battlefield
- Every day of our lives
- Satan takes aim at us
- As a body of believers and as individuals
- He knows where we are weak
- And he uses his knowledge to his advantage
- He sets traps and snares for us
- To trip up and to destroy us
The problem we have though is we forget all too often the dangerous business we are about
- No one knocks on our doors to arrest us for our faith
- No one threatens our jobs or families
- Just because we are Christians
- That day may be coming
- But Satan has determined to destroy us and the church
- He knows his end is at hand
- And he wants to take us down with him
What are we to do?
- Even as we experience the attacks of the devil
- We can stand firm
- We can find refuge and strength to resist
- But we cannot do it on our own
- We need to attend God’s basic training
- To learn how to be a good soldier
- And how to use the armor and weapons God has given us
- To see His victory won
Turn with me to Eph 6:10-20
Ephesians 6:10-20
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,
15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;
16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
NASU
God would have us know who our commander is
- And where our strength comes from
- Paul tells us to be strong
- This implies that there is a source of strength available to us
- So we will be able to stand and fight
- This ongoing spiritual battle
- Satan is no little imp whispering naughty things in you ear
- He is no devil with a pitchfork and pointed tail
- He is the destroyer- Abaddon or Apollyon of Revelation
- He is the fallen morning star
- We are no match on our own for him or his demons
- Only when we rely on Christ’s strength can we hope to defeat such a devious and powerful foe
Where is that strength we need?
Look to Ephesians 6:19-21
-
19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you.
NASU
- Paul tells us that we know
- The surpassing greatness of Christ’s power
- And the strength of His might
- Our enemy is strong
- And his attacks are relentless
- But we have this hope
- The same power that raised Christ from the dead
- Is available to us today
- It is not based on our knowledge
- It is not based on our longing to please God
- If we attempt to do it ourselves
- We will fall flat on our faces
- Satan lies in wait to trip us up at every turn
- Yet the victory is available
- Already won for us
Paul instructs us how to employ God’s strength
- Look at Eph 6:11-13
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
NASU
- We fight a spiritual battle
- And only spiritual armor can protect us
- If we were fighting in Afghanistan
- Our defense would include rifles, night vision devices
- Flak jackets, mortars and helicopters
- But when the enemy is the devil
- Our only defense is what God provides
- The armor of God
The armor enables us to stand firm
- We have a fearsome enemy
- But with the protection of God’s armor
- We have no need or reason to be afraid
- We do not need to run and hide
- Or cringe in fear
- Christ has already won the war
- We need only stand firm to win the battle
- Even though our adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Pet 5:8)
- He will flee from us
- When we resist him protected by the armor of God
When we have obeyed all the instructions implicit in the full armor of God
- We can resist Satan’s attempts to deceive and destroy us
- Every day is another opportunity
- To stand firm and see the devil thwarted in his attempt to dislodge us from God’s frontlines
- The clear teaching here is
- That if we have all our armor on
- We have the ability to stand firm against Satan
- There will be times
- When the spiritual warfare raging around us
- Will be frightening
- But the only thing we have to fear is fear itself
- John wrote in 1 John 4:4 “The one who is in you (Jesus) is greater than the one (Satan) who is in the world.”
- Peter wrote (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.”
- Scripture is consistent
- If we are firm in our faith
- We may resist the devil
- And he will flee from us
Let’s examine the armor we are to take hold of
- And see what God has provided for us
- It is a great picture of a valiant warrior of God
- You see we are weak as sheep
- And we have to rely on our Shepherd’s strength
- But we are not without a role in this battle
- The verbs in our passage are ones of activity
- “Take up, resist. Stand”
- If we are going to win the battle
- We need to actively participate
- We need to stand firm in the protection
- God has provided
The 1st piece of armor is the belt of truth (vs 14a)
Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with the belt of truth
- The belt on a Roman soldier’s uniform
- Held his tunic in place
- So it did not hamper his movements
- It was made of leather and about 6” wide
- It held the breastplate in place
- And it held the sheath for the sword
- The belt kept him free, protected and ready to defend himself
- It was absolutely necessary when going into battle
- If a Roman soldier walked down the street
- You could see if he was on duty or not
- By the way he wore his belt
- If it hung loose, he was off duty
- When it was loose, it was harder to unsheathe the sword
- And his clothes were loose on him
- If the belt was tight
- He was on duty and ready for action
- The belt was foundational to the armor
- It kept everything in place
Our belt is made of truth
- The truth of God
- Which is revealed in the Bible
- It is revealed as truth of character and integrity as well
- In the heat of battle
- It may be easier to retreat into a lie
- But Jesus wants us to hold fast to what is true
- Because He is truth
- Our breastplate
- Our righteousness is held in place by truth as well
- That’s why Paul exhorted us to keep
- Our belt pulled tight
- Not to loosen our integrity
- As Christ’s representatives
- We are always on duty
- And must be ready in truth
- For that is where our safety is
Next Paul says, “having put on the breastplate of righteousness.” (vs 14b)
- The Roman breastplate was a large piece of leather or bronze
- That covered the front and the back of a soldier
- From his neck to his thigh
- It was molded in the shape of a human torso
- It protected the vital organs
- And was also an essential piece of armor
- No soldier would go into battle without one
Righteousness is our breastplate
- Because it assures us
- That we have been made right with God
- Through the blood of Jesus Christ
- We are saved- forever
- It speaks of the righteous lives we live by the power of the Spirit living in us
Our breastplate is as essential to us
- As the Roman soldier’s was to him
- The enemy- the accuser
- Loves to sling his arrows at the heart of our faith
- Trying to convince us
- That God can’t bridge the gap our sins have created
- And to pull us back into sin’s hopeless grip
- But when we stand firm in the knowledge
- That Christ has declared us righteous
- And empowers us to live holy lives
- In fact Jesus is our righteousness, our breastplate,
- The enemy has to retreat in defeat
Look at Ephesians 6:15
15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;
NASU
- The Roman soldier needed good shoes
- Even the best equipped, most skilled soldier
- Cannot win at war
- If he cannot stand on his feet
- And cross the ground of the battlefield
- The shoes must allow him to stand firm where the enemy attacks
- The Roman shoe was the caliga
- It was an open-toed leather boot
- With nail-studded soles
- And it was tied to the ankles and shines with leather straps
- They were not used for fleeing or pursuing enemy soldiers
- Rather they were designed for use in hand-to-hand combat
- To provide maximum traction
- To prevent sliding
- Giving the Romans the edge on the battlefield
- Our footing against Satan is our peace with God
- Christ has secured this peace for us
- Peace not only with God
- But also with each other and within ourselves
- Because of this peace
- Our Lord will never condemn us
- Satan may push all he wants
- Trying to convince us that God will reject and judge us
- When we mess up
- But if we know we have peace with God
- If we are wearing our boots
- We won’t slip and fall
- We’ll be able to stand firm against the devil’s arguments
- We will be able to bring the good news to others
- As Paul said in Romans “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
- We are to bring the good news of the gospel of peace
- To a troubled world around us
- If we have done everything we can to be at peace with God and others
- Then we will be able to stand the enemy’s accusations
- Without this peace the devil will be able to divide the body
- And weaken our defense against him
Next we are called to take up our shield Ephesians 6:16
16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
NASU
- The shield was a large rectangle
- Of hide-covered wood framed in iron
- The leather was soaked in water
- Prior to battle
- In order to put out the enemy’s dangerous incendiary missiles
- Arrows dipped in pitch and lit
- The soldier was provided good coverage
- Behind which he could stand fast
- The shields could be locked together
- To form a wall in front and a roof overhead
- This was like a turtle shell
- And provided protection to all the soldiers all around and from above
The flaming arrows of the evil one can take many forms
- Temptations, doubt, anger, pride
- Fear, guilt, shame, confusion
- It could be anything
- That attempts to tear apart the unity of Christ’s body
Do you see the importance of the shield of faith?
- The fate of each individual is determine by holding the shield in place
- But the fate of the body of Christ also is determined by every member standing firm in place
- Holding each shield in place
- If one person moves out of place
- Or fails to stand firm
- The whole body is threatened and endangered
- The faith called for here
- Is radical openness to God
- That allows Christ’s full indwelling
- And brings a deeper grasp of his unfathomable love
- Taking up the shield of faith
- Suggests a deliberate and positive holding onto the God
- Revealed in the Gospel
- It is a firm, resolute dependence on the Lord
- Which quenches the fiery attempts of the enemy
- To harm and to spread panic
- It is a call to interdependence
- And standing firm for each other, side by side
Through faith
- We see our circumstances through God’s eyes
- Trust Him to keep us from temptations and doubt
- And stand safely behind the shield of our protection
- Even Christ Himself
Ephesians 6:17. “17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION,
NASU
- The Roman soldier’s helmet was made of leather and brass
- Sometimes of bronze or iron
- They featured a band to protect the forehead
- And plates for the cheeks
- They left little of the head exposed to danger
The Christian’s helmet is salvation
- It covers all the aspects of salvation
- I was saved from the world and sin (justification)
- I am being saved- made into His image (sanctification)
- I will be saved- eternal life with God (glorification)
- The helmet protects the head
- Seat of the mind, will and emotions
- From deception and temptations of Satan
- To take it off is to act
- As if it were not there
- To open ourselves up to all the temptations of the world
Satan would like nothing better than to aim his arrows into our minds
- Convincing us we do not belong to Christ
- He would like to rob us of our hope of heaven
- Of our confidence in Christ’s victory
- Without the assurance of our salvation
- The battle would not be worth fighting
- But when we are assured Jesus is the Victor
- Nothing can defeat us
- We become fearless and dangerous to the kingdom of darkness
Have you noticed all our equipment for spiritual warfare has been defensive so far?
- We are not of any use to the Lord
- Spiritually wounded
- So we must wear our armor well
- To be able to advance the kingdom
- Only then will the only offensive weapon we have
- Will be of any use
- God’s word of truth
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Eph 6:17b
- The sword was both offensive and defensive
- You don’t put on a sword
- You take it up
- The Roman sword was a short straight sword
- Used for hand-to-hand combat
- And it took skill to use it well
- It hung in the sheath from the belt
Our sword is not the entire Bible
- Rather it refers to specific verses or segments of Scripture
- Needed in a particular conflict with the enemy
- Remember when Jesus was tempted by the devil
- He quoted back Scripture to parry Satan’s temptations
- That is why it is important to study God’s Word
- And to memorize it
- The Lord’s words have the power of life in them
- They overcome obstacles and human opinions
- With God’s Word in our hearts and hands
- We have the power to effect change
- As the spirit works these words into our lives
- And to counter Satan’s destructive forces
- The words of God stored up in our hearts
- Become the source of wisdom and grace
- For us in the struggles we face
Finally while preparing for and doing battle
- We are to be on the alert
- Always praying with perseverance and petitions for all the Saints
- We are called to stand firm
- Armed as God has provided
- And petition Him to fight the battle
- We are to be like an Army arrayed in battle line
- Ready to defend
- Shoulder to shoulder
- Engaged in prayer and petition
- At all times and in all situations
- We petition God for our needs
- That we will stand firm
- Holding our place in the line
- And pray for the spiritual victory of the other saints
The enemy studies our weaknesses
- And plots his attacks accordingly
- So we need to be just and precise in our requests
- We take to the Father on behalf of our fellow soldiers
We need the Spirit’s help to know how to pray
- And sometimes to have the strength to continue praying
- We must not limit our prayer time
- To certain times of the day
- Our prayers needs to be constant
- Because our enemy attacks relentlessly
We need to pay attention, to be alert
- To have our spiritual eyes trained to recognize oncoming attacks
- No matter what we have to keep on praying
- Not becoming discouraged
- If victory takes longer
- That we thought it would
We are all targets of Satan’s fiery arrows
- From the most mature to baby believers
- No one outgrows the need for protection
- That a united defense in Christ provides
We each need to reflect on our readiness for spiritual warfare
- Are we prepared to stand strong for His cause?
- Have you put on God’s full armor?
- How skilled are you with the sword of the Word?
- Are you in place in the line
- Supporting and defending the whole of the Body of Christ?
- Or are you going it alone?
- Or are you back in the rear hoping to get by without engaging the enemy?
God does not want us unprepared or unengaged
- He calls us to fall in and stand firm
- Holding our shields together to defend the body
- Prepared to skillfully use His Word to counter Satan
- To be partners in His victory
- To be overcomers
