Spiritual Warfare 103
Ephesians 6:10-12 New King James Version
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [a]wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [b]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
I. What is Spiritual Warfare
a. Conflict between the kingdom of Heaven and the powers of darkness over territory and influence on Earth
Colossians 1:13 New King James Version
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and [a]conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
i. Spiritual Warfare 101 – origins and the battle against the flesh
ii. Spiritual Warfare 102 – the battle against the world
iii. Today we will begin a discussion about the battle against the devil and his demonic forces
b. A powerful truth about the battle with the devil/demonic
i. We may face battles, but the war has already been won
Colossians 2:15 New King James Version
15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
II. Finally, My Brethren
a. The book of Ephesians is a letter that the apostle Paul wrote to a church of Jewish and Gentile believers in Ephesus (Acts 19)
i. Ephesus was a large city marked by the occult and idol worship (Acts 19:19&24)
ii. Paul traveling from Corinth meets 12 disciples in the city, water baptizes them in the name of Jesus, lays hands on them and baptizes them in the Holy Spirit – Acts 19:1-7
iii. Paul spends two years in Ephesus preaching the gospel of the kingdom, teaching kingdom principles and paradigms, and releasing the power of the kingdom, confirming the gospel with miracles, signs and wonders – Acts 19:10-12
iv. Paul leaves the city after a large riot (Acts 19:21-41) and later writes this letter to the Church encouraging them to continue in their faith, new identity and lives in Christ.
b. Paul ends his letter final instruction: Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might
i. Paul was reminding the Ephesians to remain in the power that first healed them and set them free
Acts 19:11-19 New King James Version
11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, [a]“We [b]exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” 16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, [c]overpowered them, and prevailed against [d]them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. 19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.
ii. The Ephesians were healed and set free by the power of God, not the ability of men
c. The Ephesians were to remain STRONG in the Lord by putting on the WHOLE armor of God
i. Truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the word (rhema) of God
1. Not re-preaching Raquel’s message, you can watch that here and access her notes here
ii. You have to put on ALL of it if you want the strength and power to stand against the devil
d. Wiles, methodeia (G3180), of the devil
i. Cunning arts, deceit, craft, trickery
1. To follow up or investigate by method and settled plan
2. To follow craftily framed devices, deceive
ii. Slow, intentional, methodical, carefully crafted plans the devil employs in order to discourage, compromise, or reverse our kingdom expansion
iii. The devil’s wiles are why so many of us are unable to maintain our breakthrough, let alone aggressively expand the kingdom
III. The Wiles of the Devil
a. The devil will do everything he can to sear (destroy) your conscience (sensitivity to sin)
1 Timothy 4:1-2 New King James Version
4 Now the Spirit [a]expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
i. If you lack a sensitivity to sin, you are susceptible to following demonic and deceiving spirits right back into the devil’s arms
1. Jiminy Cricket vs the wolf and fox
2. It’s hard enough not to be deceived with a healthy conscience
2 Corinthians 11:14-15 New King James Version
14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
ii. Are you more sensitive to your sin now than when you were first saved?
1. Activities, entertainment, relationships, etc.
iii. When was the last time you confessed your sins to someone?
iv. When was the last time you processed your sins with someone?
b. The devil will tempt you with a false identity
i. If your identity isn’t in Christ you cannot be strong in the Lord and the power of His might
ii. Begins when you entertain sources of validation outside of God
Luke 6:26 New King James Version
26 Woe [a]to you when [b]all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets.
1. You work hardest for the sources that validate your sense of identity
2. Your identity informs and forms your activity
3. Your sense of identity determines what you do and why
iii. Are you simply satisfied being a son or daughter of God, or do you need a title/influence?
iv. Ministry, work, titles, salary or influence must never become our source of identity
1. We must be incredibly careful when we begin to excel in these arenas
2. If these areas are more successful than your home life, you are on the verge of a slow collapse
3. Your family starts to get your left-overs
v. If you remove the ministry, profession, titles, etc., would you be satisfied with your life?
c. The devil will tempt you to sin, then attempt to shame you into concealing your sin
1 John 1:8-10 New King James Version
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
i. The scariest sins are the ones we keep hidden
ii. You can do everything and anything to run from your sin, but apart from confession, you will never be free
James 5:16 New King James Version
16 [a]Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, [b]fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
iii. There is an often-unspoken shame and lie that the devil puts on us:
1. You cannot expose or disclose what you are going through
2. If you partner with this lie, you will only be taken further into sin
iv. Bringing sin into the light, wisely, brings freedom
Ephesians 5:13-17 New King James Version
13 But all things that are [a]exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” 15 See then that you walk [b]circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
v. If you are honest with the seemingly small or insignificant things, they will not become big things
d. The devil will tempt you to leave him open doors through which he can steal, kill, and destroy
Ephesians 4:25-32 New King James Version
25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give [a]place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary [b]edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, [c]clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
i. What is an open door?
1. Any access to your heart that you grant, whether intentionally or unintentionally, to the demonic
ii. The devil hates you deeply and studies you carefully so that he can steal, kill, and destroy the abundant life Jesus died to give you, but he needs your permission to do so
John 10:10 New King James Version
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
iii. Access is granted when we partner with, conceal, or refuse to confront the sin in our life
Proverbs 28:13 New King James Version
13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
2 Chronicles 7:14 New King James Version
14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
iv. We must confess and forsake (abandon) our sin
1. This looks like moment by moment confession to trusted brothers and sisters in Christ that are willing to provide genuine accountability
2. Spouses, parents, leaders, AND small groups
3. A note on accountability from your pastor – it’s your job to give account, not someone else’s job to take account
v. Most open doors exist because of disobedience
IV. Don’t be Deceived, Deal with Your Sin
a. The threat that the enemy is using to keep you from confessing your sin is the very wile he is working in your life.
i. “I will lose my marriage/family if I confess” – You are already losing your marriage/family because you refuse to confess
ii. “I will lose the ministry/profession/title/influence if I confess” – You are already losing the ministry because you refuse to confess
b. The shame is a LIE.
i. God will open up heaven over us and the ministries we steward the moment we are willing to confess, repent and forsake our sins
