Ephesians 6:10-20

Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Ephesians 6:12 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.

From Ephesians 6:13-14 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. Stand therefore...

From Ephesians 6:14 having fastened on the belt of truth

From Ephesians 6:14 and having put on the breastplate of righteousness

Paul keeps telling us to “stand.” What do you need to stand firm?

Ephesians 6:15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

Ephesians 6:16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one

From Ephesians 6:17 and take the helmet of salvation

From Ephesians 6:17 and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

From Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

From Ephesians 6:18 To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints...

Ephesians 6:19-20 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Question How did Jesus fight the devil? What weapon did he use?

Matthew 4:1-3 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”

Matthew 4:4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Question If you are spiritual enough, will demons stay away from you?

Mark 5:1-3 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain

Mark 5:6-8 And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!”

Question If you try to cast out a demon in Jesus Name, does it have to listen to you?

John 13:13-14 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. [ . . . ]

Acts 19:13-14 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this.

Acts 19:15-16 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Is our battle against human beings, or against demons Is our battle against human beings, or against demons? Is the fight social and political, or invisible and spiritual?

Ephesians 6:12 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.

How do we win this invisible war?

From Ephesians 6:17-18 [take up] the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and [humble requesting]. To that end keep alert with[out ever giving up] making [humble request to God] for all the saints

Let's pray.