Living
Beyond
Yourself
This Means
War
Spiritual
Warfare
"Sooner or later every believer
discovers that the Christian life
is a battleground, not a playground, and that he faces an
enemy who is much stronger
than he is—apart from the
Lord."
Warren Wiersbe
Background on
book of Ephesians
Ephesians 2:1-3
As for you, you were dead in your
transgressions and sins, 2 in which
you used to live when you followed
the ways of this world and of the
ruler of the kingdom of the air, the
spirit who is now at work in those
who are disobedient.
3 All of us also lived among them
at one time, gratifying the cravings
of our sinful nature and following
its desires and thoughts.
Acts 19:17 – 20
When this became known to the
Jews and Greeks living in
Ephesus, they were all seized
with fear, and the name of the
Lord Jesus was held in high
honor. 18 Many of those who
believed now came and openly
confessed their evil deeds.
19 A
number who
had practiced
sorcery brought
their scrolls
together and
burned them
publicly. When they calculated
the value of the scrolls, the total
came to fifty thousand drachmas.
20
In this way the word of the
Lord spread widely and grew in
power.
Ephesians 5:8-11
For you were once darkness, but
now you are light in the Lord. Live
as children of light 9 (for the fruit of
the light consists in all goodness,
righteousness and truth) 10 and
find out what pleases the Lord. 11
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather
expose them.
Three Things Needed
For Battle
• know your own strengths or
resources needed to fight the battle
• know your enemy as best you
can
• get into battle position.
Spiritual Warfare
Ephesians 6:10-13 – 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.
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.
1. Know Your Own Strengths
10
Finally, be strong in the Lord
and in his mighty power. 11 Put
on the full armor of God.
There is an enemy without
(evil forces)
who tempts
the enemy within
(the sinful nature)
Awareness of our Great Future
Ephesians 1:18-22 – I pray also
that the eyes of your heart may be
enlightened in order that you may
know the hope to which he has
called you, the riches of his
glorious inheritance in the saints,
Apprehension of
God’s Great Power!
19 and his incomparably great
power for us who believe.
Philippians 4:11-13
I have learned to be content
whatever the circumstances. 12 I
know what it is to be in need, and I
know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being
content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether
living in plenty or in want.
13
I can do everything through
Christ who gives me strength.
2 Timothy 4:16-17
At my first defense, no one came
to my support, but everyone
deserted me... 17 But the Lord
stood at my side and gave me
strength
Assurance of God’s Love
Ephesians 3:17-19 – And I pray that
you, being rooted and established
in love, 18 may have power, together
with all the saints, to grasp how
wide and long and high and deep is
the love of Christ, 19 and to know
this love that surpasses knowledge
— that you may be filled to the
measure of all the fullness of God.
2 Timothy 2:1
You then, my son, be strong
in the grace that is in Christ
Jesus.
A Supernatural Battle
must be fought . . .
with Supernatural
Weapons
Put on the
full armor of
God
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
And he must win the battle!
2. Know your enemy
…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.
11
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal
and kill and destroy; I have
come that they may have life,
and have it to the full.
Satan’s Names Reveal
His Tactics
* Satan (adversary)
* Devil (slanderer)
* Beelzebub (prince of demons)
* Evil one
* Tempter
* Accuser of the Brethren
His Power
* A fallen angel
* Power over kingdoms of the world
* Power to afflict people with sickness
* Able to sift the saints
* Limited power – not equal with God,
a created being
His Work
* Tempts
* Perverts the truth
* Opposes God’s purposes
* Assumes many disguises
* Hinders the Gospel
* Creates doubt, denial and confusion
* Blinds multitudes to the truth
His Work
* Seeks to destroy faith
* Seeks to discredit Christ
* Seeks to discredit the Church
* Makes sin attractive
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.
His Doom
At some future date, God will cast
him into the lake of fire, never to
return again.
3. Get into battle position!
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.
How to be Battle Ready
• Take a stand
• Take sin seriously
• Be bold in prayer
• Renew your mind