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Truth Wars

Executive Pastor

PART ONE ARMOR UP!

Ephesians 6:10-20 (Johns) Finally, be continually strengthened in the Lord and in the manifest power of the capable might that is inherent in Him. 11 Clothe yourselves with the full, complete armor of God to the end that you will be able to stand against the deceptive strategies of the devil. 12 Because our wrestling is not against blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world-rulers of this present darkness, against spirit-forces of wickedness in the earth’s heavenly places. 13 On this account, take to yourself at once and once for all, the complete armor of God in order that you may be able to resist in the day, the wicked one, and having accomplished all things, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened the belt of truth around your waste, and having clothed yourself with the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having sandalled your feet with a firm foundation of the good news of peace; 16 in addition to all these, taking to yourselves the shield of faith by means of which you will be able to quench all the fiery arrows of the wicked 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 supplication, praying at all times in the Spirit, and maintaining a continual alertness with perseverance and supplication for all the saints. 19 And for me, in order that there might be given me words in the opening of my mouth, in all boldness and confident freedom of speaking, to make known the mystery of the good news, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

The Essential Command: “be continually strengthened in the Lord and in the manifest power of the capable might that is inherent in Him.” (v. 10)

As committed believers in Christ, we should and can at least know that it’s not about our ability to muster up our own strength.

The only way to win this war is to be continually strengthened in the Lord.

This essential command to be continually strengthened in the manifest power of the Lord, His might applies to every believer at all times.

What Paul writes to the Ephesians is not optional for any Christian.

“Allow yourselves to be continually strengthened by the power already available to you in your new position and relationship with Christ.”

The Application of the Essential Command: ““Clothe yourselves with the full, complete armor of God” (v. 11)

The second command tells us how to apply and thus fulfill the first one.

This lifestyle of putting on the armor of God is just that, a lifestyle requiring consistent and multiple efforts.

These satanic schemes affect every Christian.

The Necessity for the Commands: “Our wrestling is not against blood and flesh” (v. 12)

The question for them—and for us, if we embrace the biblical worldview—was not whether evil entities were real but what to do about them.

Our modern cultural worldview can actually hinder us in the situations we confront.

Behind many of the things we see on the surface is an archenemy who wants to destroy our lives.

C. S. Lewis said, the danger is to put either way too much emphasis on Satan and demons or way too little. For most people today, it’s way too little.

The fact is, you are going to be spiritually attacked.

  • Biblical Truth #1: There Is an Invisible World

  • Biblical Truth #2: We Are Involved in an Invisible War

We are involved in an invisible war, a cosmic battle that has eternal implications

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 “Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”

Our minds, our belief systems, our worldviews—this is where the enemy aims.

2 Corinthians 4:4: “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God”

The battle is for the spiritual comprehension of truth that takes place in the mind.

  • Biblical Truth #3: Our Enemy Is Intimidatingly Wicked

1 Peter 5:8 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour”

We are not more formidable than Satan, but God is.

  • Biblical Truth #4: We Must Respect Our Enemy but Not Fear Him

Satanic schemes are designed to get a foothold in our lives, through unforgiveness or some other attitude not based in God’s character or plan.

Satan is “adversarial”.

Satan is a “slanderer”

Satan often appears angelic, appearing beautiful and attractive.

Satan is “the being of filth,”

Satan is absolutely corrupt.

Satan is The tempter

Satan is a master of false systems.

1 John 5:19 “The whole world lies in the power of the evil one”.

Satan is The accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10)

Satan Attacks the Church and its ministries.

Satan Attacks God’s People.

Satan’s Power Is Limited and therefore we do not need to fear our enemy.

  • Biblical Truth #5: We Do Not Fight for Victory; We Fight from Victory

In Christ’s power, we are invincible.

Jesus has already won this battle.

1 John 4:4—“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”

1 John 5:4–5—“Whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

Revelation 12:11—“They overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and that they did not love their life even when faced with death.”

James 4:7—“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

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