“Spiritual Warfare – 6”Ephesians 6:11-17

12/13/2009Dane Boyles

“Spiritual Warfare – 6”

Introduction

• How do we prepare for and deal with Satan’s attacks?

• How can we, made of flesh and blood, fight against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

“Spiritual Warfare – 6”

• God is interested in what men and women do by faith in the middle of circumstances.

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (Eph. 6:10-11)

“Spiritual Warfare – 6”

• Focus on 2 things in vv. 10-11:

1. We are to be strong in the Lord and mighty in his power.

2. Strongholds are “entrenched patterns of thought,” which enslave us at the level of our spirits.

“Spiritual Warfare – 6”

47 “the battle is the Lord’s and he will give all of you into our hands.” (1 Sam. 17:47)

“Spiritual Warfare – 6”

• We can’t enter spiritual warfare with protection of our own making.

• We can win in spiritual warfare because we wear God’s armor.

• The focus on spiritual warfare is not to be on the devil.

“Spiritual Warfare – 6”

What Is the Armor So Important?• It is important because of who the

enemy is.9 …the devil … leads the whole world astray. (Rev. 12:17)

“Spiritual Warfare – 6”

17 [he has gone] off to make war against…those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus. (Rev. 12:17)

“Spiritual Warfare – 6”

• It is important because Satan masquerades as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14) and all the while looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).

Ephesians 6:13

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.

Ephesians 6:14-15

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.

Ephesians 6:16-17

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.

“Spiritual Warfare – 6”

• This text is the Christian’s locus classicus on The Holy War.

• Christians have to get up each day and decide to put on “the full armor of God.”

• Putting on the armor involves knowing, believing and living God’s Word every day!

“Spiritual Warfare – 6”

What Is the Armor?• The belt of truth (v. 14):

Some lead their spiritual lives by instinct instead of truth.

“Spiritual Warfare – 6”

– The problem arises when error comes peddling at your door, you’re not able to think critically in the areas of truth and error.

“Spiritual Warfare – 6”

3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. (2 Cor. 11:3)

“Spiritual Warfare – 6”

• What is the belt of truth?

• It is the believer’s foundational understanding of God.

“Spiritual Warfare – 6”

What binds to God and to one another is not our experience.

The basis of my relationship with God is that I have put my faith in Jesus Christ!

“Spiritual Warfare – 6”

• The breastplate of righteousness (v. 14):Righteousness is a Christian’s

commitment to a lifestyle that’s right that concurs with the nature of God.

“Spiritual Warfare – 6”

6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did (1 John 2:6).1 be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children (Eph. 5:1)

You and I are called not just to be saved but to live like it.

“Spiritual Warfare – 6”

• War boots (v. 15):These boots served for marching,

especially in battle. It is “the gospel of peace” – the peace

that comes to us in and through the gospel that makes us immovable in battle.

“Spiritual Warfare – 6”

• The shield of faith (v. 16):The Shield of Faith is PERSONAL

confidence in God.

“Spiritual Warfare – 6”

• The helmet of salvation (v. 17):This is the knowledge that someday

God will take all of His promises, purposes, and prophesies and will finish his work by seating us forever and ever in heaven.

“Spiritual Warfare – 6”

• The sword of the Spirit (v. 17):The Word of God is a weapon.

• What do we do to encourage ourselves to get up every morning and put on the full armor of God?

• What could help?

“Spiritual Warfare – 6”

1. The Word of God.

2. You obey what you know.

3. You pray.

4. You attend worship.

5. You share your faith with others.

6. You find an empowerment group.

“Spiritual Warfare – 6”Ephesians 6:11-17

12/13/2009Dr. Dane Boyles