Spiritual Warfare | Armor Up
ARMOR UP
Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual Warfare: The ongoing battle between Christians and the spiritual forces of evil, rooted in the struggle against sin, temptation, and the influence of Satan and his forces. It involves standing firm in faith, using God’s power and spiritual armor to resist the devil’s schemes, and relying on prayer, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit for strength.
Faith helps shield us from the enemy’s attacks, but our salvation gives us the confidence and joy to keep pressing on in the battle.
3 Thought Processes of Spiritual Warfare…
1.) A demon under every bush/rock.
2.) Satan causes everything to go wrong in my life.
3.) Not worried about it.
“A Christian who clearly sees the principle of spiritual warfare becomes a clear and present danger to the enemy.” – Larry Stockstill
Ephesians 6:12 (NLT) 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Soul Tattoo: Faith secures salvation, and salvation fuels the fight.
Proverbs 25:21-22 (NLT) 21 If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. 22 You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.
Ephesians 6:13-17 (NIV) 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. 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. 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.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) 22The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control.
What fruit am I producing?
The Armor of God and the fruit of the Spirit:
1.) The Helmet of Salvation and the Fruit of Joy.
- Helmet of Salvation.
Ephesians 6:17a (NIV) 17 Take the helmet of salvation…
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV) 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
- Salvation Protects the Mind.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 (ESV) 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
- Joy in Our Salvation.
The fruit of joy stems from knowing we are saved, even in the midst of hardship.
Psalm 51:12 (ESV) 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
How can you remind yourself of the joy of your salvation, especially when the battle feels overwhelming?
- Sword of the Spirit.
Ephesians 6:17b (NIV) 17… and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Soul Tattoo: Faith secures salvation, and salvation fuels the fight.
2.) The Shield of Faith and the Fruit of Faithfulness:
- Shield of Faith.
Ephesians 6:16 (NIV) 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.
What is faith?
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) 7 For we live by faith, not by sight.
- Faith has the ability to block the enemy’s darts.
- Faith helps us extinguish the fiery darts of the enemy, like doubt, fear, and temptation.
1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV) 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
- Faithfulness is an action word.
- Faithfulness as a fruit is the steady commitment to God’s Word and promises, even when battles rage.
Hebrews 11:1 (NLT) 1Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.
- What fiery darts of the enemy are you facing, and how can you strengthen your shield of faith?
Pray and use the ACROSTIC ASK:
1. “Ask”
2. “Seek”
- In Scripture.
- In devotions.
- In fasting.
3. “Knock”
Soul Tattoo: Faith secures salvation, and salvation fuels the fight.