Angels & Demons, Pt. 3 - “Battle Ready”

Sunday, July 26, 2009

II Cor. 10:3-5 - For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”

John Eldredge said, “There is something in human nature that just doesn’t want to face the reality that we live in two worlds.  We live in the physical, material world where we have jobs, read books, and go about our business. As we live in a spiritual world- and that is a world at war.”

We are warned about demonic activity in the last days in I Tim. 4 - “The Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits & doctrines of demons”

We often hear people say, “The Devil really hit me today, or “The Devil made me do it.” Well, it probably wasn’t Satan himself, but some of the foul, demonic spirits that are in his employ since their fall from grace back in eternity past.

These demonic forces are most often invisible. This is a spiritual warfare, not against flesh and blood. Remember Frank Peritti’s books! Demons are continuously at work knowing their time is short (Jesus is coming soon) they operate from “unseen world” and I believe are assigned to specific locations, nations, churches, families, and individuals. They serve Satan.

Well, what do we do to be “battle ready” for this warfare? That is the focus of this message. How do we dress for war? What are these might spiritual weapons every believer can muster?

Listen, Paul warns us to get God’s weapons and armor before we do battle with the Devil and his demonic forces.  II Cor. 10:3-5 -”For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses (Satanic strongholds). We are destroying speculations (wrong reasoning, warped philosophies) and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, (barriers erected against the truth of God) and we are taking every thought (emotion and impulse) captive to the obedience of Christ (into a life-structure shaped by Christ)

Let’s go to our text, Ephesians 6:10-18 (1173) (MES) - “God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from & forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters.

Vs. 10-11 “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”

Let’s go to God’s dressing room today and get “battle ready” –>

-Truth - that which is true in every circumstance; not existential, objective truth; reality; fact; opposing corrupt precepts (ochuroma, logismos); truth as personal experience. “You shall know the truth, & the truth will set you free.” Eph 4:25- “Stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth.”

-Righteousness, the condition of soul and body acceptable to God; integrity, virtue, purity of life, thinking, feelings, actions.

-Peace - quietness; rest; leading to peace =salvation; spreading

the Gospel of peace; fearing nothing-eternally secure in Christ

-Faith - (pistis) conviction, belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, strong believe that Jesus is Messiah through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the Kingdom of God. Shield of faith to block doubt/darts of Satan

-Salvation - Minds guarded by the hope of salvation, and the blessed hope of Christ’s return and heaven.

-Word of God - utterance, message, things spoken from God.

This Bible is our “war manual” in this battle against the forces of hell. Read it, study it, know it….most of all…live it out in your daily life, marriage, family, business, ministry.  (Daily devotions, Small Groups, weekly church attendance/ministry, etc.).

-Prayer - talking to God; listening to God; petition, supplication, crying out to God.

(Let me suggest you read Bill Gothard’s book, “The Power of Crying Out to God.” It may change the way you pray in a crisis.)

Do you get it yet?  I just listed what some call basic, practical Christianity-101. Make dressing spiritually a daily spiritual discipline of humility.

James 4:6-8 (MES) - “It’s common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.” So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time.

Prof. Robby George: “Campaigns of intimidation succeed only if the victims of such campaigns permit themselves to be intimidated.  The fizzle when people refuse to alter their behavior our of fear. As anyone who has ever confronted a school-yard bully knows, bullies are really cowards.”

I Peter 5:9-10 “Resist the Devil, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while….Christ will perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”

The Bible tells us in the first book about Satan’s defeat and and the last book about his defeat. Our victory began in the Garden when God promised that the “seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent.”   Satan is a defeated foe!

Let me close with Rom. 8:39 (NLT)“I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. AMEN!

Yes, there will be many battles.  Who wins will depends on our walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. I don’t know about you, but I like to win, and win we will because, “Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world…the flesh, and the devil!” (I John 4:4)

I believe that the most strategic question to answer for this demonic warfare is simply, “Does Jesus live IN, me by the power of the Holy Spirit?” If not, invite Him into your heart and life today!

If you are going to be “Battle Ready,” Ephesians 5:18 is your password to victory….”Be (being) filled (controlled) with the Holy Spirit… (guided and controlled by Him).

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