Put on the Full Armor of God - Know Thy Enemy Allen Lo (Feb 12, 2017)

Ephesian 6:10-18 Eph 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

Ephesian 6:10-18 Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  Eph 6:15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  Eph 6:18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 

The Full Armor of God Belt of Truth Breastplate of Righteousness Feet prepared with the Gospel of Peace Shield of Faith Helmet of Salvation Sword of the Spirit

Review There is a spiritual warfare going on Christian is always in the midst of this spiritual warfare Warfare above Warfare within Warfare Outside Warfare everywhere

Spiritual Warfare is Real John Piper "Until you know that life is war, you cannot know what prayer is for "

Who is your enemy?

Know Thy Enemy “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Where did Satan Come From? When did this warfare start? In the eternal past in the spiritual realm Isaiah 14:12-15 Rev 12:3-4 Key Points Satan (Lucifer) was the arch angel Due to his pride, he became the fallen angel Satan was kick out of heaven to the earth

Background Info (Isa 14:12-15) Isa 14:12  How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!  Isa 14:13  For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:  Isa 14:14  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.  Isa 14:15  Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. 

More Info (Rev 12:3-4) Rev 12:3  And another sign was seen in the heavens. And behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads!  Rev 12:4  And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and cast them onto the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman being about to bear, so that when she bears he might devour her child. 

Where did Satan Come From? When did this warfare start? In the eternal past in the spiritual realm Isaiah 14:12-15 Rev 12:3-4 Key Points Satan (Lucifer) was the arch angel (spiritual being) Due to his pride, he was kick out of heaven Satan was cast to the earth with 1/3 of the ‘fallen angels’

What did he do to man? The Fall of Man In the garden of Eden on earth Gen 3

The Fall (Genesis 3) Gen 3:1  Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which Jehovah God had made. And he said to the woman, Is it so that God has said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?  Gen 3:4  And the serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die,  … Gen 3:14  And Jehovah God said to the serpent, Because you have done this you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every animal of the field. You shall go upon your belly, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.  Gen 3:15  And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He will bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel. 

What did he do to man? The Fall of Man Key Points: In the garden of Eden on earth - Gen 3 Key Points: Man is at war with Satan after the Fall Everybody is involved in this spiritual war - every man, woman and child Usually when we become very aware that we are involved in a war is when we are saved

What is Satan doing today? Satan’s goals – Draw us away from God Satan's forces - the "fallen angels" (demons) Satan's tools - Human beings Satan’s tactics Deceive you Destroy you Demonize you Deny you …

Warfare Briefing When will the spiritual warfare end? Key Points: Bad news : It is a never ending battle on earth Good news : The war has been won Key Points: Spiritual warfare is not something to be afraid of - it's a normal part of our Christian life

How to win the Spiritual Warfare? Eph 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might We must fight this war in God's strength It is a war between God and Satan We are just a soldier of God Christ our commander is far superior to the devil Christ proved He was superior by defeating Satan on the cross Christ proved He was superior to the devil when He rose from the grave

How to win the Spiritual Warfare? JOHN STOTT: "They were defeated at the cross and are now under Christ's feet and ours. So the invisible world in which they attack us and we defend ourselves is the very world in which Christ reigns over them and we reign with him."

How to win the Spiritual Warfare? Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  Put on the whole armour of God It is God's battle but we are the Christian soldiers fighting the battle Rely on God's power "Put on" = to put on once and for all Always be ready to fight

Conclusion Knowing who Satan is and what is his game plan will help us fight against him The war has been won but we need to fight the battle on earth in this life We can win by Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might Put on the whole armour of God

Reflection Can you recognize Satan and his tactics? Are we winning or are we losing the battle? Are you wearing the whole armor of God?