Our Real Battle-Spiritual Warfare Who are we really fighting Ephesians 6:10-13

Our Real Battle-Spiritual Warfare Eternal Truth: Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might is not an option, but a command.

Our Real Battle-Spiritual Warfare Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might… Ephesians 6:10 A. Be strong in the Lord and not in your own wisdom, not in what you think is right, not in how much education you have.

Our Real Battle-Spiritual Warfare As a child of God, we were never meant to fight this battle alone. Proverbs 3:7 - Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

Our Real Battle-Spiritual Warfare Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Our Real Battle-Spiritual Warfare Genesis 1:22 - And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” Usually when we see the word “BE” it is not an option but a command and we are responsible.

Our Real Battle-Spiritual Warfare 1 Samuel 17:31-37 31 Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him. 32 Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” 33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”

Our Real Battle-Spiritual Warfare 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37 Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.

Our Real Battle-Spiritual Warfare David and Saul had two different perspectives in this situation. Never tell a young person that they are too young to serve. Always tell young people that God can do above and beyond what we ask or think if they are obedient to His Word.

Our Real Battle-Spiritual Warfare 2. Put on the whole armor of God… Ephesians 6:11 1 Samuel 17:38-44 38 So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. 39 David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off.

Our Real Battle-Spiritual Warfare 40 Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine. 41 So the Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him. 42 And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking. 43 So the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”

Our Real Battle-Spiritual Warfare The Philistine tried to intimidate David with his words Goliath tried to make David think twice about who he is going up against. He threatened to give David’s flesh to the birds. Goliath tried to break David down mentally and emotionally.

Our Real Battle-Spiritual Warfare 3. Who are we really fighting… Ephesians 6:12 We do not wrestle against flesh and blood – People are not the enemy. You and I have to continually be a student of people. Romans 7:17-25, 2 Cor 10:3-6 Principality – State ruled by a Prince.

Our Real Battle-Spiritual Warfare Satan is the Prince and the power of the air 2 Cor 4:4, Acts 26:18 Satan has a kingdom Matt 12:26

Our Real Battle-Spiritual Warfare Against the rulers of the darkness of this age The promotion of false religions and cult practices. These rulers promote that God does not exist and believe that there is no absolute truth.

Our Real Battle-Spiritual Warfare 1 Samuel 17:45-51 David and Goliath Battle

Our Real Battle-Spiritual Warfare 4. Take up the whole armor of God… Ephesians 6:13 As a believer in Christ we are responsible for taking up the whole armor of God. B. Having done all to stand – God will take care of what we cannot.

Our Real Battle-Spiritual Warfare Satan hurls fiery darts of fear, doubt, worry and discouragement our way. The only they can hit us is when we let our shield of faith down.

Our Real Battle-Spiritual Warfare the Greek word for “fiery” is Strong’s 4448 and it’s a Greek word “puroo” (poo-ro’-o). t means to literally be on fire.