A couple weeks ago, Pastor Kyle preached on Ephesians 6:10-20, one of the foremost passages in all of the Bible that unpacks how Christians should defend themselves from spiritual warfare. The Apostle Paul built a whole teaching around the symbolic llustration of a Roman soldier and their armor to discuss the spiritual armor that believers need to put on daily. Spiritual warfare 101 – What it is? When I might be more susceptible to it? And what should I do about it? The reality of spiritual warfare is that there is an enemy that Christian need to be mindful of and constantly on alert as to when attacks might come and stand firm together.
Ephesians 6:10-20 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making
supplication for all the saints and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”
The Apostle Paul explains that we need to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. We put on the armor that God provides us in order to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. There are very real spiritual forces of evil that attack us. So, it is important that the Christian stand firm.
We hold up God’s truth and God’s truth holds us up. As Believers in Jesus Christ, our righteousness doesn’t come from us; it comes from the Lord. Yet, once saved through salvation in Jesus, we can become more righteous through the process of sanctification (growing into the likeness of Christ over the course of our life). The Christian’s obedient life is a spiritually protective factor in life, a benefit for us and a blessing to God. The child of God need to have feet prepared and ready to go where God wants us to go; the readiness given by the gospel of peace. God gives us the peace to go. Our faith, extinguishes all the flaming darts of the evil one – the devil is going to throw flaming arrows. The shield of faith does not guarantee that arrows will not be thrown at us, but will protect us from them. We still will feel the stress from the experience of being under attack – all soldiers do. But, at the same time we will feel the protection of our heavenly Father in the midst of spiritual attacks. The knowledge of our salvation guards our minds throughout our entire life and helps us get through trials and tribulations. The Word of God is our offense to hold and drive back the enemy. Our prayer is the other offensive weapon against the attacks of the devil against us. Pray for those spiritual workers on the frontlines of sharing the Gospel of Jesus to a lost and “dead in sin” world to bring others to Christ. Protect yourself against spiritual warfare.
What actually is spiritual warfare? It is suppression or attack from a demonic and evil forces upon individuals or the Christian church with the end goal of weakening spiritual growth and hinder Gospel advancement. Satan can use demon-possessed individuals or those highly influenced by demonic forces to wreak havoc upon Believer’s lives. Christians are the evil one’s prime target. A “true” Christian, sealed by the indwelling Holy Spirit cannot be possessed inside by a demon, but Believers can be deceived or tempted by things in the demonic realm outside in the fallen world that can negatively influence and affect them. If you mind is “in the gutter” then you’ re going to get filth on you. Who do you associate with, where you go, what you touch, what you allow into your eyes, ears, noses, throat and mind matters, so guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. In Romans 12:2 the Apostle Paul tells us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Earlier in Ephesians 5:3-5, the Apostle Paul instructs us that “among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” Any thought, word, act or practice which contravenes the Divine commands or the social duties. Injustice, dishonesty, fraud, slander, profaneness, gaming, intemperance, lewdness, are immoralities. The more that we walk with God on this journey, walking in the Spirit, the more we learn, recognize and become aware of spiritual warfare happening around us or directly upon us.
Let's continue Pastor Kyle message on "spiritual warfare" in the next opost.
In Christ, Brian
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