How many of you have read Frank Peretti’s books like "This Present Darkness?" Peretti changed the Christian idea of spiritual warfare forever by his descriptions of sliming slithering demons plotting to tempt and attack Christians and keep pre-Christians from giving their lives to Jesus Christ.
I believe Peretti’s descriptions are more real than fiction - but as we study the subject of spiritual warfare I think we need to broaden our definition. Clinton Arnold (Baker 1997) defines spiritual warfare this way:
"Spiritual warfare is all-encompassing. It touches every area of our lives-our families, our relationships, our church, our neighborhoods, our communities, our places of employment. There is virtually no part of our existence over which the Evil One does not want to maintain or reassert his unhealthy and perverse influence. Conversely, Jesus longs to reign as Lord over every area of our lives."
So the battle is over who will be Lord - and it rages every minute of every day. Sometimes you are closer to the "action" than others - but you are always a soldier and should be ready at any time. It involves temptations to do evil, accusing thoughts planted in your mind by the Devil, facing others who are being used by Satan, or even direct battles against demons (though that probably won’t happen often to the garden variety Christian).
So today we’re going to talk about how to be prepared for that battle - because God has supplied us with armor and weaponry designed to make us victorious.
Romans 8:37 says "We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." The war is already won - but we must still stay on our feet during the final skirmishes.
What is the primary objective in battle - I suppose you could say that it is to take the high ground or capture the city or drive back the enemy into its own territory. But I want you to think back to a time when battle was mainly fought in open fields with two opposing armies going at each other wielding swords and spears. What’s the objective? To have more of your side left standing at the end of the day than your enemy.
In the battle that we Christians face - from a world opposed to Christ and an enemy opposed to Christ - that’s what we should strive for to. Yes - as an army we are to rescue those that are captive by the enemy - through the gospel. But when it comes to attacks that come at us - the object is to be the last man standing.
That’s why Paul uses the word "stand" four times. Sometimes we Christians get baited into going on the offensive - but I believe our battle with Satan is of a defensive nature. What we really should be about is our Christ-given search and rescue mission for lost souls. The battle the enemy wages is to distract us from that objective so that we forget our real mission.
But the battles do come to us - we don’t have to go looking for them. And to keep standing, to keep ready, God prepares us, like outfitting a soldier for battle.
Christians make another mistake - they don’t realize they are in a war. They ignore or don’t care about the enemy and are then vulnerable to his schemes. So today let’s learn both sides - the defensive battle against Satan and the reality of the spiritual war raging around us.
There is a new kind of armor for Humvies - makes them almost invulnerable to roadside bombs. The armor God provides the Christian makes us invulnerable to Satan’s attacks.
There are six activities that we as Christians need to do in our battle against the enemy:
Be strong - put on - stand firm - take up - pray - be alert.
Some things are done for us: truth, righteousness, the gospel, salvation. Some things we take up in order to actively do things: the shield of faith to quench, the sword of God’s Word, prayer, being alert.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
We’re to be strong not in our own power. When we fight the enemy we lose (sons of Sceva in Acts 19:14.
The Greek means "build up your strength" or, as Arnold might say "pump you up!" The means for building up our strength is by joining forces with the Lord - not pumping up our own enthusiasm.
The imperative is to become stronger - the source is by drawing on God’s power - the means is detailed in the next 8 verses:
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 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. 13 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. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 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 saints.
The devil’s activity:
2. Schemes (tactics) the way the enemy plots - always trying to flank us. (vs 11)
3. Day of evil - it’s the time of attack (vs 13) it comes when we least expect it.
4. Flaming Arrows - the nature of the attack itself (vs 16)
Verses 11 - 13
Verse 11:
"Put on" means to put on clothing - like Eph 4:12 "Put on the new self" If you don’t put on God’s armor then you won’t be effective in battle. Some people won’t even admit there is a war or that they should be prepared.
The "full armor" meant head to toe protection - it was not for looks, but for protection. Sometimes we as Christians have the shiniest armor around, but avoid struggle at any cost - to the detriment of ourselves and those the Lord would have us rescue.
To "take your stand" has two parts: a defensive posture of not giving ground, and an offensive posture of actively opposing.
So we see three things here - first realize there is a battle and your in it. Second put on God’s protection and 3) don’t just stand there getting buffeted - take a stand - don’t let the enemy push you around and actually push back - "no you can’t tempt me or make me stop loving or serving God - take that!"
Verse 12:
"Struggle" means "wrestling" - like hand to hand combat. This is a close up battle - no lobbing bombs from a distance.
Our fight is not against people (flesh and blood) though that is who we usually attack
Greek literal: "but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the evil spiritual beings in the heavenly world" - I like that better - the emphasis here is that we are fighting spiritual wickedness in demons - not temporal wickedness in humans (though people can be greatly influenced by demons)
Verse 13
"Put on" should really be rendered "take up" - appropriate what God has given you to defend and fight against the enemy.
"Stand firm" is really "hold your ground" - don’t give way even though the attack is strong.
What Paul is saying is: "Use the weapons God’s given you - when the battle comes your way don’t give ground but resist - and you’ll still be standing when the battle is over."
Verses 14 - 18
So now we get into the particulars of the armor.
Truth as a belt - in the Greek means "loyalty to your commanding officer." The best allowed quick movement and was also the foundation of the armor - what held it all together (the purpose of the belt). If you are double-minded - not totally committed to the cause - you won’t be able to react in a moments notice to changing circumstances - especially when the enemy throws half-truths and false accusations your way. God’s Word is true - believe it, settle it in your heart - you are on the side of right. You can believe anything you want - but is it true? Is salvation through Jesus efficacious? YES!
Righteousness as a breastplate - the breastplate was a bronze, leather, or chain mail piece that covered the soldier from neck to thighs - sometimes even in the back. It protected the vital organs - no soldier would go into battle without one. "Righteousness" speaks of integrity - doing what’s right - about being right. As Christians we have Jesus’ righteousness. When the enemy attacks he is going to go for the jugular - "you aren’t really saved - you’re vulnerable!" But our salvation protects us, especially when the blows, or accusations, from the enemy get through our first line of defense.
Feet fitted with the gospel. Most likely this conveys the idea of steadiness, firmness - especially in times of close combat with the enemy. The shoes worn by a Roman soldier were made of soft leather with studded soles. This allowed the soldier to march long distances but also hold his ground in battle and not be pushed back or over or slip up. In all our activities - the places our feet take us - we need to take the gospel with us - it makes us ready to share the good news, no matter how far we travel - and it allows us to stand our ground when questioned - the gospel brings peace to the soul - it rescues the lost.
Shield of Faith - The shield used by the Roman soldier was 2x4 feet - oblong or oval piece of wood, covered in canvas then leather and soaked in water. This way a flaming dart would be extinguished when it hit. Paul says we should "always in all ways and in all circumstances" take up our faith as that shield. Different from hand to hand combat - archers can loft arrows from a distance - hoping to set something on fire. Faith is our reliance on God for everything - it is the ultimate weapon to blunt the enemy’s attacks - no matter what comes at you, trust that God will see you through.
1 John 5:3-5 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
Helmet of Salvation - The helmets were made of leather and brass, or bronze and iron. A blow to the head would mean death to a soldier - but no sword could penetrate a good helmet. Our salvation means we cannot be "killed" or defeated by Satan. The helmet is to be "taken." The helmet was taken (along with the sword) from an armor bearer - so we too "take" salvation given to us from God.
Sword of the Spirit - this phrase can be translated: "receive from the Holy Spirit the Word of God which will be like a sword." This is the only offensive weapon in the arsenal listed. It is the weapon that Jesus used to defeat Satan in the wilderness. The other parts of the armor protect against attack - the sword allows us to go on the attack. Don’t rely on your words - and you can’t just chant the Word as a magic spell either - you’ve to be owned by Jesus in order to speak for Jesus.
Prayer - Prayer is not listed as a weapon per se - but even as we must use the sword of the Spirit, so too we must pray in the Spirit. Actually, one way to translate this is to say "pray as you do all this." All of our fighting and defending must be with prayer - communicating our wishes to God. "All kinds of prayers" - there aren’t any formulas - pray in whatever manner at whatever time for whatever it takes - short, long, grand, simple - it doesn’t matter. And we should "be alert" and pray for "all the saints" - be aware of situations around you and how Christians are doing around you - we are not in this battle alone. It’s kind of like calling down air support on the battlefield.
19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
There was a lot of fear for Paul - sometimes we think that as some kind of superhero that he didn’t have any fear - but he did. Sometimes we face fear too when sharing the gospel - fear of embarrassment, rejection, even persecution. Pray this for yourself and your fellow Christians - that "words may be given" so that we can "declare it fearlessly."
21 Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.
23 Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Tychicus was Paul’s courier - he delivered the letter to the Ephesians as well as Colossians and probably Philemon as well. The folks in Ephesus were no doubt worried about Paul being in prison - but he wanted them to know he was all right.
God’s love will go on forever - it will never die.
Conclusions
How can Satan attack us?
" He can lie
" He can accuse
" He can plant thoughts
" He can plant temptations
" He can alter or influence circumstances by using those he can manipulate
" He can attack
" The enemy fights guerilla style
(like insurgents in Iraq - they don’t follow the rules)
He uses unexpected tactics - unfair tactics.
" He tries to knock you off balance
He comes from an angle you don’t expect, or though a person you don’t expect. Satan can use people - he can use you - be as careful about being used by Satan.
2 Corinthians 11:14-15 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
" How do the attacks come?
People, circumstances, sin - and they will come when you least expect it and will capitalize on your area of weakness.
1 Peter 5:8-9 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
How do we fight?
" Don’t move
" Trust in God
" Use His Word
" Pray
" Lean on your brothers and sisters
How to remain soft and caring yet be hardened and ready for battle
" Recognize (like Jesus - soft to the hurting, hard to the attacking)
" Regroup (if you sense a trap, back away)
" Resist the temptation to harden. Warriors have wounds - that gives us more of the fellowship of His sufferings (Phil 3)
Isaiah 54:17 No weapon forged against you will prevail,
1 John 4:4 greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
KJV
2 Chronicles 20:15 For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
NIV
Psalm 18:16-17 He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters. 17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.
NIV
Psalm 144:1-2 Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. 2 He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.
NIV
For more Bible studies and an audio copy of this message, please visit:
www.CalvaryChapelNewberg.org.
