Spiritual Warfare

Our Real Enemy

⊕ Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

⊕ 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
[3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: [4] (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places. Our warfare is not carnal but spiritual. We must recognize our true enemy is Satan and his demonic forces.

The Armor of God

⊕ Ephesians 6:13-18
[13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. [14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; [15] And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; [16] Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. [17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: [18] Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

God provides spiritual armor for battle: the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit. We must take up the full armor to stand against the devil's schemes.

The Enemy's Schemes

⊕ 1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

⊕ 2 Corinthians 11:14
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

⊕ John 8:44
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Our adversary the devil prowls like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He masquerades as an angel of light. He is a liar and the father of lies, seeking to deceive and destroy God's people.

Weapons of Our Warfare

⊕ 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
[4] (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) [5] Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

⊕ Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

⊕ Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Our weapons are divinely powerful for pulling down strongholds. We demolish arguments and pretensions raised against God's knowledge. The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, our primary offensive weapon.

Resisting the Devil

⊕ James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

⊕ 1 Peter 5:9
Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

⊕ Luke 4:8
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Submit to God and resist the devil, and he will flee. Stand firm against him, solid in your faith. Jesus modeled resistance by quoting Scripture when tempted. The Word of God is our defense against Satan's attacks.

Victory in Christ

⊕ 1 John 4:4
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

⊕ Romans 8:37
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

⊕ Revelation 12:11
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. We are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us. They overcame Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. Victory is assured in Christ.

Authority Over Evil

⊕ Luke 10:19
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

⊕ Mark 16:17
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

⊕ James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Jesus gave us authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy. In His name, we cast out demons. When we resist the devil in Jesus' name, he must flee. We operate in Christ's delegated authority.

Prayer: Our Primary Weapon

⊕ Ephesians 6:18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

⊕ Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

⊕ 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing.

We are to pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. Watch and pray lest you enter into temptation. Pray without ceasing. Prayer is essential in spiritual warfare—it's our communication with our Commander.