Ephesians 6:13 (NKJV) “Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
The full armour is meant to bring strength, stability, and encouragement so you can receive all that God has for you. The full armour of God is what protects you when you have doubts, fears, and guilt. Effective spiritual warfare is God-centred. It’s applying the Word of God because of what Jesus has done. Receiving His power and standing in the face of struggle – confident in Christ and being transformed daily more into Christ’s image.
Colossians 2:13-15 (ESV) “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”
The power in spiritual warfare is the cross of Christ and the blood that was shed there.
Know Your Enemy and Win
1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
The author of The Art of War, Sun Tzu, says, “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”
Our enemy is Satan
His strategy is to install fear – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) “God has not given us a spirit of fear.”
Psalm 56:3 (NIV) “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.”
The Enemy Lies – John 8:44 (NIV) “He is a liar and the father of lies.”
The Enemy Tempts us – James 1:13 (NKJV) “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.”
James 4:7-8 (NLT) “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”
The Enemy Stirs Up Pride – Proverbs 13:10 “By pride comes nothing but strife”
1 Peter 5:5b (NLT) “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Romans 8:31 (NIV) What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
