BEHIND ENEMY LINESSTRATEGIES FOR LIFE IN SATAN’S TERRITORY

And in Full Armor.Ephesians 6:10-20

WHAT IS “SPIRITUAL WARFARE”?

•The works of satan and his angels to hinder the plan of God in the lives of believers, the church or the world. •1 John 3:8, “…Son of God came for this purpose to destroy the works of the devil.”

SCRIPTURE DESCRIBES THE BATTLE AS A PHYSICAL CONFLICT OR WAR.

•Against believers. Eph 6:12f; Revelation 12:17, 1 Peter 5:8, Daniel 7:21, Revelation 13:7. •Ephesians 6:12 – •battle translates from Greek word literally, “wrestling match.”

1. BELIEVERS ARE TO HAVE A BROAD VIEW OF SATAN’S “ARMY.”

•Not flesh and blood:1. Rulers2. Powers3. World forces of this darkness4. Spiritual forces of wickedness in the

heavenlies (Daniel 10)

2. BELIEVE IN OUR POSITION IN CHRIST.

Ephesians 1:3-6:1. chosen by God2. holy and blameless before God3. adopted son in Christ.4. rescued by Christ. Eph1:13

3. BELIEVE IN CHRIST'S VICTORY AND HIS DELEGATED AUTHORITY

TO US•Ephesians 1:18-21; v13•Colossians 2:13-15•Revelation 12:11•Delegated authority to believers:•Luke 10:18-20

4. BECAUSE CHRIST HAS WON, WE ARE CALLED TO RESIST

1. To resist his lies and temptations.•Eph 6:13, James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:9

2. To stand firm against him, rejecting his voice in my head.•Eph 6:11, 13, 14; 1 Cor 6:13.

•All weapons are defensive except the sword which can be both.

BELIEVER’S ARMOR – TO RESIST SATAN’S LIES AND ACCUSATIONS

1. Helmet of salvation, v171. Shield of faith, v 16 1. Sword of the spirit, the Word v171. Belt of truth, v 14•Demonic attack is normally mental.•2 Cor 10:3-4, 11:3

BELIEVER’S ARMOR – TO RESIST TEMPTATION AND APATHY

5. Breastplate of righteousness, v 146. Preparation for gospel, v 15•Prayer - the hand of the Holy Spirit.

•Unconfessed sin is satan’s open doorway into our minds. Eph 4:26-27

THERE ARE TWO AREAS THAT SATAN WILL NORMALLY ATTACK US

1. Our minds, our thoughts. 2. He will tempt us to sin.

HOW DO WE RESIST SATAN’S LIES AND HIS TEMPTATIONS?

•Lie: 1. MD Cyberbullying law.•To resist it:1. I reject the lie; I refuse to believe it,

hear it or allow it to get in my head.2. I chose to believe what God has said

to me.

HOW DO WE RESIST SATAN’S LIES AND HIS TEMPTATIONS?

•How long have you believed the lie? •Satan condemns, destroys.•The Holy Spirit frees and gives a fresh start.•Luke 22:31-34

HOW DO WE RESIST SATAN’S LIES AND HIS TEMPTATIONS?

1. Examine ourselves:•1 Corinthians 11:28•2 Corinthians 13:5•Psalm 26:2•Lamentations 3:40

HOW DO WE RESIST SATAN’S LIES AND HIS TEMPTATIONS?

2. Confess our sins to Christ receiving His forgiveness:•Sin opens the door to satan;•Confession closes it.

HOW DO WE RESIST SATAN’S LIES AND HIS TEMPTATIONS?

3. Rebuke satan in the delegated authority of Christ by replacing his lies/sin with the truth.•Stay in the Word: • Jesus used scripture. Matt 4:1-8

SIN HAS CONSEQUENCES.

3. Impacts our family.•Ancestral sins. •Exodus 20, 24:16•Ezek 18:4