Introduction

Good morning, church family! Today, we're going to dive into a topic that is absolutely essential for every believer: spiritual warfare. We often hear about this, but do we truly understand the gravity of it? Are we prepared to face the battles that are waged in the unseen realm?

C.S. Lewis once said, "There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan." We are in a constant battle against the principalities and powers of darkness.

Our focus today will be on Ephesians 6:11-18, which reads:

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 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."

Let us pray as we dive into this passage.

The Reality of Spiritual Warfare

The reality of spiritual warfare is a concept that many Christians have heard of, but few truly grasp the depth and significance of this ongoing battle. Spiritual warfare is not a mere metaphor or an abstract idea; it is a very real struggle that takes place in the unseen realm, affecting our daily lives, our relationships, and our walk with God.

It is a battle between the forces of good, led by God and His angels, and the forces of evil, led by Satan and his demons. As believers, we are not passive bystanders in this cosmic conflict; we are active participants, called to engage in the fight and stand firm against the schemes of the enemy.

One aspect of this reality is the existence of a spiritual realm that is just as real as the physical world we inhabit. This realm is inhabited by spiritual beings, both good and evil, who are engaged in a constant struggle for influence and control over the hearts and minds of humanity. The Bible is clear that there is more to reality than what we can see with our physical eyes.

In 2 Corinthians 4:18, the Apostle Paul writes, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." As believers, we must recognize that our battle is not merely against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil that seek to deceive, oppress, and destroy.

Another aspect is the active involvement of Satan and his demonic forces in our world. The Bible describes Satan as a cunning and powerful adversary who is constantly seeking to deceive, tempt, and destroy those who follow Christ. In 1 Peter 5:8, we are warned to "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

Satan's tactics are varied and deceptive, ranging from outright lies and temptations to more subtle forms of doubt, fear, and discouragement. As believers, we must be aware of his schemes and be prepared to resist his attacks.

The reality of spiritual warfare is also evident in the ongoing battle for the hearts and minds of people. The enemy seeks to blind the minds of unbelievers to the truth of the gospel, while at the same time working to sow doubt, confusion, and division among believers. In 2 Corinthians 11:3, Paul writes, "But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ." As Christians, we must be vigilant in guarding our hearts and minds against the lies and deceptions of the enemy, and be diligent in seeking the truth of God's Word.

Furthermore, the reality of spiritual warfare is demonstrated in the various struggles and trials that believers face in their walk with Christ. While not every difficulty or challenge we face is a direct result of spiritual warfare, many times the enemy will use these situations to try to discourage, distract, or derail our faith. In Ephesians 6:12, Paul reminds us that "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." As believers, we must recognize that our ultimate battle is not against the circumstances or people around us, but against the spiritual forces that seek to undermine our faith and hinder our relationship with God.

As Christians, we are called to be ambassadors for Christ, representing His love, truth, and grace to a world that is often hostile to the gospel. In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul writes, "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." In this role, we must be prepared to face opposition, persecution, and spiritual attacks from the enemy, who seeks to hinder our witness and effectiveness for the kingdom of God.

The Necessity of Preparation

The necessity of preparation is rooted in the understanding that we are not only fighting against the visible challenges and temptations of this world, but also against the unseen forces of darkness that seek to undermine our faith and hinder our relationship with God ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO