Ephesians 6:10-13 - Spiritual Enemies
BIG IDEA: HOSTILE SPIRITS ARE REAL. YOU’RE IN A WAR. DENYING THAT IS DESTRUCTIVE.
… they are CAREFREE not CAREFUL
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” —Ephesians 6:10–13
GOD’S ENEMIES CAN’T DESTROY GOD, SO THEY ATTEMPT TO DESTROY THOSE HE SEEKS TO SAVE.
“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. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” —1 Peter 5:8–11
YOUR SPIRITUAL ENEMIES’ GOAL IS FOR YOU TO DIE IN EITHER IGNORANCE OR REBELLION
“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” —2 Corinthians 4:3–4
WHAT TACTICS & STRATEGIES DO HOSTILE SPIRITS DEPLOY THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE?
In-your-face Tactics (stuff in movies, 3rd world villages, and that friend’s house whose mom is into crystals and New Age)
• Directly deny God’s clear teaching (Genesis 3:4)
• Offer secret knowledge via illegitimate channels (Genesis 3:5; Revelation 2:24)
• Empower counterfeit miracles (Exodus 7:11–12)
• Attempt to recruit into treason against God (Matthew 4:1)
• Seduce through legitimate appetites (Matthew 4:2–4)
• Tempt you to test God (Matthew 4:5–7)
• Offer temporary & worldly benefits (Matthew 4:8–10)
• Empower witchcraft, fortune-telling, sorcery, and divination (Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Acts 16:16)
• Cause physical & mental harm (Matthew 17:14-18; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 13:11–16)
• Hinder ministry (1 Thessalonians 2:18)
• Harass genuine disciples (2 Corinthians 12:7)
Behind-the-scenes Tactics (stuff in politics, boardrooms, classrooms, and churches)
• Inform & influence destructive false prophets (1 Kings 22:23)
• Blind the mind of unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4)
• Prevent understanding God’s message (Matthew 13:19)
• Establish conventional wisdom (James 3:15)
• Speak truth through shady/unreliable messengers (Acts 16:16-17)
• Insert false converts to confuse and misinform (Matthew 13:38–39)
• “Fill the heart” of two-faced church-goers (Acts 5:1–10)
• Indwell those who reject allegiance to Jesus Christ (Matthew 12:43–45; Luke 22:3-4; John 13:2; John 13:26-27)
HOW DO I OVERCOME HOSTILE SPIRITS?
Next steps: put on the whole armor of God (next week)
First steps: Believe, Repent, and PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE through water baptism.
“and this [flood] water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge [ἐπερώτημα – eperōtēma] of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.” —1 Peter 3:21–22 (NIV)
How do I give to 1MSO?
The people of One Missoula Church give tangible resources back to God in order to suffocate greed in our own lives and amplify the impact of the Gospel in the lives of others. We’ve removed every barrier and inconvenience to make this sacrificial act as accessible and simple as possible. At present, here are the avenues for this act of devotion:
- Sunday Morning – offering boxes on the communion tables at the back
- Snail Mail – postage-paid envelopes available
- Text “1MSO” to 406-631-3323
- Online at https://onemissoulachurch.com/give
- Via the One Missoula App under the “Giving” tab
