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Behind Enemy Lines Strategies for Life in satan’s territory. And in Full Armor. Ephesians 6:10-20. What is “spiritual warfare”?. The works of satan and his angels to hinder the plan of God in the lives of believers, the church or the world.
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Behind Enemy LinesStrategies for Life in satan’s territory And in Full Armor. Ephesians 6:10-20
What is “spiritual warfare”? • The works of satan and his angels to hinder the plan of God in the lives of believers, the church or the world. • 1 John 3:8, “…Son of God came for this purpose to destroy the works of the devil.”
Scripture describes the battle as a physical conflict or war. • Against believers. Eph 6:12f; Revelation 12:17, 1 Peter 5:8, Daniel 7:21, Revelation 13:7. • Ephesians 6:12 – • battle translates from Greek word literally, “wrestling match.”
Believers are to have a broad view of satan’s “army.” • Not flesh and blood: • Rulers • Powers • World forces of this darkness • Spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenlies (Daniel 10)
Believe in our position in Christ. Ephesians 1:3-6: • chosen by God • holy and blameless before God • adopted son in Christ. • rescued by Christ. Eph1:13
Believe in Christ's victory and his delegated authority to us • Ephesians 1:18-21; v13 • Colossians 2:13-15 • Revelation 12:11 • Delegated authority to believers: • Luke 10:18-20
Because Christ has won, we are called to resist • To resist his lies and temptations. • Eph 6:13, James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:9 • To stand firm against him, rejecting his voice in my head. • Eph 6:11, 13, 14; 1 Cor 6:13. • All weapons are defensive except the sword which can be both.
Believer’s armor – to resist satan’s lies and accusations 1. Helmet of salvation, v17 1. Shield of faith, v 16 1. Sword of the spirit, the Word v17 1. Belt of truth, v 14 • Demonic attack is normally mental. • 2 Cor 10:3-4, 11:3
Believer’s armor – to resist temptation and apathy • Breastplate of righteousness, v 14 • Preparation for gospel, v 15 • Prayer - the hand of the Holy Spirit. • Unconfessed sin is satan’s open doorway into our minds. Eph 4:26-27
There are two areas that satan will normally attack us • Our minds, our thoughts. • He will tempt us to sin.
How do we resist satan’s lies and his temptations? • Lie: • MD Cyberbullying law. • To resist it: • I reject the lie; I refuse to believe it, hear it or allow it to get in my head. • I chose to believe what God has said to me.
How do we resist satan’s lies and his temptations? • How long have you believed the lie? • Satan condemns, destroys. • The Holy Spirit frees and gives a fresh start. • Luke 22:31-34
How do we resist satan’s lies and his temptations? • Examine ourselves: • 1 Corinthians 11:28 • 2 Corinthians 13:5 • Psalm 26:2 • Lamentations 3:40
How do we resist satan’s lies and his temptations? • Confess our sins to Christ receiving His forgiveness: • Sin opens the door to satan; • Confession closes it.
How do we resist satan’s lies and his temptations? • Rebuke satan in the delegated authority of Christ by replacing his lies/sin with the truth. • Stay in the Word: • Jesus used scripture. Matt 4:1-8
Sin has consequences. • Impacts our family. • Ancestral sins. • Exodus 20, 24:16 • Ezek 18:4