BATTLEFIELD or PLAYGROUND Dr. Eric C Reese

Ephesians 6:10- 13 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against [e]flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

Ephesians 6:14-17 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 [f]in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

In his book, Fuzzy Memories, Jack Handey writes, "There used to be this bully who would demand my lunch money every day. Since I was smaller, I would give it to him. "Then I decided to fight back. I started taking karate lessons, but the instructor wanted $5 a lesson. That was a lot of money. I found that it was cheaper to pay the bully, so I gave up karate.“ Too many Christians believe it’s easier to pay the bully than learn how to defeat him. Might I add that many Christians, don’t realize they are living on a BATTLEFIELD and not a PLAYGROUND!

Do you remember the hymn, ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS? Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before. Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; forward into battle see his banners go! 

We are SOLDIERS in the Army of Christ. The ENEMY? Well, there’s a 3-fold assault going on against us. · The WORLD, the FLESH, and the DEVIL. (Evil) 1. We have the WORLD trying to drag us back. 2. We have our own FLESH wanting our old life back. 3. And we have the DEVIL making sure it all goes according to plan!

Ephesians 6:12 12 For our struggle is not against [e]flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

1. We have the WORLD trying to drag us back. We are fighting against our old nature… and this world. · It’s not the physical globe… but this society, this system that is separated from God. · The world system and all it’s trappings are our enemies. 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.

Lie- If it feels good than do it! This WORLD SYSTEM is one big distracting temptation! We’re bombarded with PICTURES & PRODUCTS, there are ADVERTISEMENTS & ENTICEMENTS, no rules, anything goes, satisfy yourself, and don’t worry about the consequences.

2. We have our own FLESH wanting our old life back.

It’s incredible, but our FLESH, our old nature, FIGHTS against the Spirit of God, against the things of God in our life! Gal. 5.17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. Flesh can be like an anchor dragging us down & away

3. The DEVIL do not want us to obey God! He want Evil for your life! It’s AMAZING but true… Many people DO NOT BELIEVE in Satan. “Oh you don’t believe in that red suited, horn headed, little creature do you?!” According to a 1999 Gallup Poll, more than 86% of Americans believed that there is a God. Some polls have that as high as 95%. But only 63% of American’s believe there is a devil. And he likes it that way!

Watch the news on any given evening… · Count up the number of depraved, horrible, and sickening things that man will do to his fellow man… · When you watch a segment and get sick to your stomach. · There are acts among humans that are SO EVIL that they span beyond the ability of man… Gross things, sick things… EVIL.

Ephesians 6:16 16 [f]in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

As a follower of Jesus, you have fiery darts coming at you all the time. So what kind of fiery darts are coming your way? Satan implants the following thoughts into your mind: Doubt. You start asking yourself, “Did God really say? Can I really trust God? Isn’t that just your interpretation?” Discouragement. Satan tells you, “You’re never going to get any better. Your life won’t change. Don’t even try. Delay. You ask yourself, “Why is this taking so long?” Something you want to happen hasn’t happened by now. Difficulty. You ask yourself, “Why is this so hard? Why is it so hard to make my marriage work? Why is it so hard to get a job?” Depression. You tell yourself, “It’s not worth it.” You don’t even feel like making an effort.

How do you handle these darts. Put on the Shield of Faith How do you handle these darts? Put on the Shield of Faith. It’s the only protection you have against doubt, discouragement, delay, difficulty, and depression. Trust God, no matter what you see, hear, or feel about the world around you. You need the certainty of God when you face the uncertainty of Satan’s fiery darts