Spiritual Warfare: Caught in the Crossfire, or Leading the Charge?
Ephesians 6:10-12
January 18, 2009
AM Service
INTRODUCTION July 20, 1861 – The First Battle of Bull Run. Civilian elite from Washington DC traveled the 25 miles west to watch what was expected to be an easy victory for the union soldiers. However, the confederates out fought the union soldiers and forced a retreat. During the retreat, the civilians found themselves caught in the crossfire.
Many Christians think are safe on the sidelines and are content to watch the Spiritual battles that take place in life only to find they get caught in the crossfire of the retreating enemy.
Ephesians 6:10-12 10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength.
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics[10] Or schemes, or tricks of the Devil.
12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.[11] Eph 1:3,20; 2:6; 3:10
I. The United Enemy
Identified as many different names in Ephesians 6:
Devil
Rulers, Authorities, & World Powers of Darkness
The Spiritual Forces of Evil
Identified as Lucifer in Isaiah 14 – meaning light-bearer
Jesus called him the ruler of the world – opposite of Christ – in John 14:30
In 2 Cor. 4:4, Paul called him the god of this age
Revelation 12:7-9 7 Then war broke out in heaven: Michael[12] Dn 10:13,21; 12:1 and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels also fought,
8 but he could not prevail, and there was no place for them in heaven any longer.
9 So the great dragon was thrown out—the ancient serpent,[13] Gn 3:1 who is called the Devil[14] Gk diabolos, meaning slanderer and Satan,[15] Hb word meaning adversary [16] Lk 10:18; Rm 16:20; Rv 2:9; 3:9; 20:2,7 the one who deceives the whole world.[17] 1 Tm 5:15 He was thrown to earth, and his angels with him.
Dragon – apocalyptic beast
Ancient Serpant – garden deceiver, Gen 3
Devil – diabolos - slanderer
Satan - Adversary
"The church's enemies, however, are not simply human agents which oppress Christians. Behind them he [The apostle Paul] sees the malign forces of evil." Ralph Martin
II. His Diverse Attack
"In demonic oppression or subjection, we observe the continual struggle between the Lordship of Christ and the powers of darkness. Yet, in spite of all these horrific assaults of evil, Satan has been vanquished. He can only engage in the harassing and sniping endeavors of spiritual guerilla warfare." - Jimmy Draper
Spiritual Battles takes place in three main arenas
A. Body – The realm of the physical
Job 2:7
7 So Satan left the Lord's presence and infected Job with incurable boils from the sole of his foot to the top of his head.[3] Dt 28:27,35
Matthew 4:23-24; 23 Jesus was going all over Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every[11] Or every kind of disease and sickness among the people.
24 Then the news about Him spread throughout Syria. So they brought to Him all those who were afflicted, those suffering from various diseases and intense pains, the demon-possessed, the epileptics, and the paralytics. And He healed them.
Acts 5:15-16
15 As a result, they would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on beds and pallets so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them.
16 In addition, a multitude came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
Matthew 9:32-33 32 Just as they were going out, a demon-possessed man who was unable to speak was brought to Him.
33 When the demon had been driven out, the man[16] Lit the man who was unable to speak spoke. And the crowds were amazed, saying, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!"
Luke 13:11 10 As He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath,
11 a woman was there who had been disabled by a spirit[3] Lit had a spirit of disability for over 18 years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all.[4] Or straighten up completely
12 When Jesus saw her, He called out to her,[5] Or He summoned her"Woman, you are free of your disability."
B. Mind – the Realm of the Mental
a. Pride
Genesis 3:4-5 4 "No! You will not die," the serpent said to the woman.[3] Jn 8:44
5 "In fact, God knows that when[4] Lit on the day you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God,[5] Or gods, or divine beings knowing good and evil."
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3 For although we are walking in the flesh, we do not wage war in a fleshly way,[2] Lit war according to flesh
4 since the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments
5 and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
b. Priorities
Romans 8:6
6 For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace.
c. Doubt
2 Corinthians 11:3
3 But I fear that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds may be corrupted from a complete and pure[2] Other mss omit and pure devotion to Christ.
Ephesians 4:17-24 17 Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their thoughts.
18 They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts [but]
22 you took off[9] Or Jesus. This means: take off (as a command) your former way of life, the old man that is corrupted by deceitful desires;
23 you are being renewed[10] Or desires; renew (as a command) in the spirit of your minds;
24 you put on[11] Or minds; and put on (as a command) the new man, the one created according to God's [likeness]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. [12] Col 3:10 in righteousness and purity of the truth.
Revelation 12:10 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: The salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Messiah have now come, because the accuser[18] Jb 1:9–11; Zch 3:1 of our brothers has been thrown out: the one who accuses them before our God day and night.
C. Heart – The Realm of the Will
Matthew 4:1 1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil.
1 Timothy 4:1 1 Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,
2 through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared.
John 13:2 2 Now by the time of supper, the Devil had already put it into the heart of Judas, Simon Iscariot's son, to betray Him.
2 Timothy 2:24-26
24 The Lord's slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach,[7] Or everyone, skillful in teaching and patient,
25 instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance to know the truth.
26 Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil's trap, having been captured by him to do his will.
2 Corinthians 2:10-1110 Now to whom you forgive anything, I do too. For what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, it is for you in the presence of Christ,
11 so that we may not be taken advantage of by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his intentions.[5]
Modern theologian John P. Newport – "It should be remembered that the New Testament teaches that Satan and his demonic allies are not coequal with God. He is a created being who has rebelled and can tempt—but not force."
III. Our Ultimate Victory
Is done!
Luke 10:17-2017 The Seventy[4] Other mss read The Seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name."
18 He said to them, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like a lightning flash.
19 Look, I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions[5] Gn 3:15; Dt 8:15; Ps 91:13 and over all the power of the enemy; nothing will ever harm you.
20 However, don't rejoice that[6] Lit don't rejoice in this, thatthe spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
They know it,
Mark 1:21-28 21 Then they went into Capernaum, and right away He entered the ″ synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach.
22 They were astonished at His teaching because, unlike the scribes, He was teaching them as one having authority.
23 Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. He cried out,[15] Other mss add to the beginning of v. 24: "Leave us alone.
24 "What do You have to do with us,[16] Lit What to us and to You Jesus—Nazarene? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!"
25 But Jesus rebuked him and said, "Be quiet,[17] Or Be muzzledand come out of him!"
26 And the unclean spirit convulsed him, shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him.
27 Then they were all amazed, so they began to argue with one another, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority![18] Other mss read What is this? What is this new teaching? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him."
28 His fame then spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee.
But do we?
1Ti 1:18 18 Timothy, my child, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies previously made about you, so that by them you may strongly engage in battle,
19 having faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and have suffered the shipwreck of their faith.
1Ti 6:12 11 Now you, man of God, run from these things; but pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.
12 Fight the good fight for the faith; take hold of eternal life, to which you were called and have made a good confession before many witnesses.
For we have won!
1 John 4:4 4 You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
CONCLUSION
A Mighty Fortress is Our God
Words & Music: Martin Luther, 1529
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God's truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
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