UNSEEN WORLD

Warfare
July 2, 2023

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2 Corinthians 10:3 - 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.

Ephesians 6:10-12 - 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.

WHAT YOU SEE IS NOT ALL THERE IS

1. YOU ARE NOT FIGHTING ALONE IN YOUR BATTLES.

2 Kings 6:15-17 - When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked. ¹⁶ “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” ¹⁷ And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

2. YOU HAVE MORE POWER IN YOUR PRAYER THAN YOU KNOW.

Daniel 10:12-14 -Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. ¹³ But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. ¹⁴ Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”

WHAT DOES THE DEVIL DO?

1. HE TRYS TO GET BELIEVERS TO BELIEVE HIS LIES

2 Corinthians 11:3 - But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

2. HE BLINDS THE MINDS OF UNBELIEVERS.

2 Corinthians 4:4 - The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers…

3. HE STEALS GOD’S WORD FROM YOU.

Matthew 13:19 - “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.”

4. HE SETS TRAPS TO ENSNARE YOU.

2 Timothy 2:26 - …and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

5. HE FIGHTS TO STOP YOU.

1 Thessalonians 2:18 - For we wanted to come to you-certainly I, Paul, did, again and again-but Satan stopped us.

6. HE PLANS TO DESTROY YOU.

1 Peter 5:8 - Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE

Ephesians 6:13 - 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,…

1. INTEGRITY: Knowing the truth and living it out.

Ephesians 6:14 - … with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

2. PURITY: Keeping my mind and motives pure.

Ephesians 6:15 - and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

3. SERENITY: Living and speaking the gospel of peace.

Ephesians 6:16 - In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

4. CERTAINTY: Trusting in the promise of God.

Ephesians 6:16 - …all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

5. SANITY: Protect my mind from evil thoughts.

Ephesians 6:17 - Take the helmet of salvation…

6. MATURITY: Ability to use the Bible as a weapon.

Ephesians 6:17 - …and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.