When The Enemy
Attacks
What God Says…
Reading of God’s Word
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. 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. 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, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having
put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having
put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up
the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the
evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which
is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and
supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication
for all the saints, 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. Eph
6:10-20
Let’s Pray
Father on days like today, your
message to us, can seem out of touch to where we are in everday life. Would you
bring it straight into the living rooms of our hearts and mind. Spiritual
realities that your word touches are realities that touch us. Help us to
identify spiritual realities and when the enemy of our soul attacks us and
strengthen us by your word today, in jesus
Name, Amen
Warm up
You may be seated. If you need a bible please raise your hand
and we’ll get one to you. I have some notes for you to use if you want to
follow along.
Introduction
In Ephesians chapter 6 we come
across the apostle Paul’s final encouragement to the people of Ephesus. From chapter 4 on he urged them to “walk in a
manner worthy of the calling to which they have been called.” That is they are
to live their life… to conduct their behavior in a manner worthy of their
calling. The saints of Ephesians were
called by God’s good pleasure to himself through the gospel’s power and
invitation. Dead in their sins he made them alive through faith in Christ. He
offered them the gift of grace, salvation of their sins and the judgment wrath
of God. With that gift of grace came adoption into the family of God with its
privileges and protection and blessings from the Father. Through chapter 4 and 5 he’s telling them to not walk like
unbelieving Gentiles and to be imitators of God. He’s telling them to be
careful how to walk and he give specific instructions to wives husbands, slave
and masters and children.\
Coming
into this paragraph Apostle Paul pens the Words of God “Finally be strong in
the Lord and the power of his might.” (v 10 )
and then he goes into a major
section of Scripture that is the foundation of the teaching of Spiritual
Warfare. This passage coupled with
“Submit yourselves therefore to
God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
And
Be sober-minded; be watchful.
Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to
devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of
suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 1
Peter 5:8-9
These three passages are the call
to arms and the cornerstone of the teaching of spiritual warfare.
Many Christians who have heard of
topic of Spiritual Warfare may feel that only certain Christian circles are
“into that” aspect of the Christian life. This
Shouldn’t be.
Some may feel that spiritual warfare sound to much like Science
Fiction. It’s out there, too fantasy
orientated to be true I want to expose 3 barriers to believing in spiritual
warfare.
1. The Naturalistic Worldview-
“the only reality is that which can be seen, touched or heard”
·
This barrier denies the existence of a spiritual
or invisible realm.
·
Ex. Rudolf Bultman a German New Testament
scholar, “argues that angels and demons are myths and that the New Testament
message had to be demythologized by removing such mythological elements so that
the gospel could be received by modern scientific people.
·
This viewpoint points to modern medical and
pyschological discoveries as explanations for what used to be paranormal
2.
The Technology Advances
For
as wonderful as technology is, as mankind advances in its imagination and
ingenuity, it takes us further away from the invisible aspects of our known
world.
3.
The Biblical Illiterate
·
This barrier basically exists because many
people don’t read their entire Bible.
·
Some people read the Bible alacarte mode a little Psalms, Maybe a Proverbs. A strong
helping of Paul’s letter which we’re so familiar with we don’t pay attention to
what he says any more.
·
The Biblical Illiterate also is one who reads
the Bible but doesn’t study it properly and gets lost in understanding how to
interpret certain passages of Scripture.
So when they get to the parts that
use figurative language, they don’t know if it’s a symbol or a spiritual
reality.
These are the
main barriers people have, there are several more we could consider but I don’t
wish to address everyone of them in this time.
What I rather do is explain why spiritual warfare is a spiritual
reality. Within your notes…
I. Spiritual
Warfare is a Spiritual Reality
1. Because it’s based on Scriptural Accounts
The Bible
gives us a true account of the world as
it really is.
·
History accounts in the bible are true.
·
The description of mankind behavior is accurate.
·
The Bible touches on all the Other Sciences in
the world- those Sciences that are observable, demonstratable and repeatable.
And it is correct.
Since this is true we must take
seriously the biblical accounts of demonic and angelic involvement in human
society. Theologian Wayne Grudem says:
“Our failure to perceive that involvement with our five senses simply tells us
we have deficiencies in our ability to understand the world, not that demons do
not exist.”
The Bible
has many Scriptural Accounts of Spiritual activity and involvement. Let’s look
at a few
a. The Fall of Man
“Now the serpent was more crafty
than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman,
"Did God really say, `You must not eat from any tree in the
garden'?"” (Gen 3:1)
·
Satan was in the form of a serpent here.
b. The
Trial of Job
“So Satan went out from the
presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his
feet to the top of his head.” (Job 2:7)
c. During the Ministry of Jesus.
“Then
Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.” (Matt
4:1)
“The people were all so amazed
that they asked each other… He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey
him."” (Mark 1:27)
d.
During the Early Church
“Crowds gathered also from the
towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil
spirits, and all of them were healed.” (Acts 5:16)
e.
Other accounts include
·
Eliphaz encounter with a spirit (Job 4:12-15)
·
King Saul tormented by an evil spirit (1 Sam.
6:23)
·
Pagan worship accounted for worship to demons
(Psalm106:35-37)
·
Angelic ministers and messengers (Heb 1:14; 2
Kings 6:14-17)
So we see Scriptural Accounts of
activity in the invisible realm from spirits that harass, tempt and even
minister(as in the case of angels from the Lord.)
So SW is a SR because of Scriptural accounts. #2 SW is a SR
2. Because it’s based on Satan’s Actions
When we consider the origin of
Satan, we recall that Satan wanted to be like God.
Look at the 5 I will’s: in Isa 14:12-15
"How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of
Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground,
you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, 'I
will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God
I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of
assembly in the far reaches of the north;
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make
myself like the Most High.' But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far
reaches of the pit. Isa 14:12-15
·
I will ascend to heaven;
·
I will raise my throne above the stars of God;
·
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.
·
I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
·
I will
make myself like the Most High."
Satan tempted Jesus to worship Him.
It is so important for a believer to live His life for the
glory of God and not the self. If Satan can get us to live a life of mediocrity
that we don’t reflect the glory of God, than he has accomplished his purpose.
If we are
preoccupied with self rights… self wants… self desires their no room for God.
Life is not
about you, It’s about God and His Glory!
As a believer in Christ think about it for a second We are special objects of Satan’s attacks
for
Because we are God’s Children
“The Spirit himself testifies with
our spirit that we are God's children.” Rom. 8:16
·
He attacks the child to get to the parent
·
Part of being a child is Being made in God’s
image with the potential of sharing in God’s glory!
“And those he predestined, he also
called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also
glorified.” Rom 8:30
·
That is the destiny of a believer.
·
Satan COVETED such a position and now his
jealousy over our having it is directed at us!
Preach:
So be aware of a conspiracy to
sabatoge your QT- Satan doesn’t want you to pray! Satan doesn’t want us to pray
as a Church either. Be aware of the consistent barrage of temptation that zone
in on your weaknesses Satan doesn’t want you to have victory, He doesn’t want
you to grow. He wants you to get hung up on the same theological arguments and
to sit in stagnant waters and to struggle.
Be aware of complacency in our
evangelism and out reach- Satan doesn’t want our church to grow. He is moving
around like a roaring lion. Look at
Satan’s actions, he is still fighting, and that is a spiritual reality in
itself!
But #3
Why is Spiritual Warfare a spiritual reality…
3. Because it’s based on the Savior’s Affirmation
As noted before, All throughout
Jesus time on earth, spiritual conflicts with demonic forces were a regular
part of Jesus’ ministry.
I could have
easily said that Spiritual Warfare is based on the Savior’s Action. Over and over again, Jesus won. But what we as New Covenant Believer’s need
to look at in dealing with the warfare around us, is not at what Jesus did, but
what Jesus said. Here are some examples
a. The Savior affirms the spiritual struggle.
·
the struggle in evangelism
“Those along the path are the ones
who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts,
so that they may not believe and be saved.” Luke 8:12
·
the struggle for truth
that sets people free
“You
belong to your father, the devil, and you want to
carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not
holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his
native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” Matt. 8:44
So
we see that Jesus affirms there is a battle
No. 4 Why is S. W. a S reality?
4. Because It’s Based on The Saints Acknowledgments.
There are three acknowledgments that the New Testament Apostles saw about Spiritual activity.
a. They acknowledged the fight
They saw their enemy
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but
against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark
world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Eph
6:12
b. They acknowledged their authority
The authority of a believer not only is found
in the phrase In Jesus Name, but it is also found in our position in Christ. Notice
this:
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened
in order that you may know… his incomparably great power for us who believe.
That power is like the working of his mighty strength… far above all rule
and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given,
not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” Eph
1:18,19,21
·
Your position in
Christ is everything. It is because of this position in Christ we see Peter and
James say resist the devil. We see Paul
encouraging other believers to fight the good fight of faith.
c. They acknowledged their victory.
“This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our
faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he
who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” 1 John 5:4,5
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them,
because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” 1
John 4:4
“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a
public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Col 2:15
Stool example: So
here stand the foundation that Spiritual warfare is a spiritual reality : four
things to stand on, Scriptures account of it, Satans action toward us, The
Savior’s affirmation and Saints acknowledgement.
Now
So we need to realize that Spiritual Warfare is a Spiritual
Reality. So in talking about when the enemy attacks we need to be aware of how
he attacks let’s look into that, within your notes…
II. How the Enemy Attacks
1. Mental Deceptions
Our Enemy the Devil, is unable to
read our minds. He can however try to deceive our minds. He can plant ideas
that are deceptive and can destroy our faith.
When the devil attacks through mental deceptions, he wants us to believe
in something that is untrue. He wants to deceive us. He wants to argue the truth we hold to be
true. Paul says in 2 Corinthians:
“For though we
walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the
weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy
strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the
knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to
punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.” 2 Corinthians
10:3-6 (ESV)
The enemy wants to destroy our faith and
he starts with our minds.
He will attack us mentally in three ways:
1. He’ll bring up
doubts.
To doubt means to not believe what is true. You may know the truth! But doubts come up:
It’s not unchristian like to
have doubts. The truth is God is so big,
he can handle your questions and doubts and still prove His goodness, love and
everpresent sovereignity in your life.
2. He’ll bring up fears.
While there is a healthy fear we have in this life, the
enemy uses fear to attack us. He wants to prevent us from living life
delighting in God and His holiness. Fear mesmerizes our ability to move forward
causing us to not take any action because of risks
3. He’ll condemn you.
Satan himself is called in the Bible “the accuser of the
brethren” One of Satan’s favorite lies are about you! You see, the reason, the enemy attacks is
because it’s personal! He HATES you. He
hates me. God made mankind very different than every other created being,
angels included. He made us in God’s image.
So what he does is try to get us to live under a cloud of condemnation
and accusation. He will render you useless by accusing and getting you on guilt
trips and the like.
As a point of Application I have a question for you to answer:
Which one of these do you struggle with?
2.
Moral Temptations
“For the world offers only lust for
physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see and pride in our possessions.
These are not from our Father they are from the evil world.” 1 John 2:16
There are three basic
temptations that are mentioned here. The enemy attacks us through:
Lust for
physical pleasure: Deadly Desires
The world appeals to the natural desires of people and
invites us to satisfy them in sinful ways. Ways to F.E.E.L. good like:
Forbidden sexual passions. Eating disorders. Extreme gorging to fill up empty
spots in life. Lazy lifestyles. We are friends with the world when we look to
it instead of depending on God, to satisfy our needs and desires.
Lust for everything we see: Worldly Wants
The
world attracts us to values and wants that are contrary to God's Word.
W.A.N.T.S. like: Wine and alcohol drunkenness. Applause and awards. Narcissism
and self trust. Temporal and material pursuits. Sensual and erotic desires. We
are friends with the world when we focus our life's purpose on these temporal
wants instead of God's eternal purposes.
Pride of Possessions: Seeking Self
The world announces its
independence and seeks to be idolized. It seeks S.E.L.F. in the following ways:
Success and security without God. Exaltation and promotion of self. Live for
nothing greater than self. Forsake any help or close friendships. We are
friends with the world when we are more concerned with our greatness and
acknowledgment than the Lord's.
Application
Question
What is your
habitual sin? [which of these do you struggle with?]
3. Momentary
Distractions
“Beloved, do not
be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though
something strange were happening to you.”
1 Peter 4:12-13
The enemy will attack us with
Momentary Distractions that will is designed to take our perception about life
and focus it on the here and now. The
three most common ones are
Financial
worries
This is one of the most used dart of the enemy in
attacking us. Nothing will distract us
more than financial upheaval. Finances in this life, represent our security and
peace of mind. It can also represent a
blessing. The bottom line is, the devil
doesn’t want you to use your money on
kingdom advancement so he gets you trapped into the cycle of either getting you
worried or buried in your financial issues.
Friendship Divisions.
When friendships go south, this
distraction not only hinders our growth as a person, because of a relationship
hurt, but can also hinder our spiritual growth.
When friendships become
strained and stressed long term bitterness can begin to set in. Any time the
enemy can get unforgiveness, bitterness and hurt to preside over your heart,
they know that long term weakness sets in and in the future will use this
weakness to gain footholds in people’s life.
Divisions disrupt the work of God in churches and when
such individual attacks spread like wild fire, the enemy’s effective attack
multiples.
Fight in Life
We all
have aspects of our life that is part of the “Human Misery and Suffering”
benefits of the world we live in. These
are the trials and problems that occur in our life. The enemy will over emphasize
the problems to get us to be ineffective. God helps us overcome the problems so
that we might give glory to Him.
Application Question
What distracts
you from delighting in God and enjoying Him?
4. Mortal Limitations
We see such an
account of Satan being allowed to attacking Job physically. Turn to Job.
Job 2:3-8
And the Lord said to Satan, "Have you
considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a
blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds
fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without
reason." Then Satan answered the Lord and said, "Skin for skin! All
that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out your hand and touch
his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face." And the Lord
said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life."
So Satan went out from the presence of the
Lord and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown
of his head. And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself
while he sat in the ashes. Job
2:3-8
I want to
identify three ways the enemy may come against us physically.
Physical Disabilities
Realize I have a lot of experience
with this. The enemy will seek to
discourage us and cause us to live the life of a victim instead of an
overcomer. Many people will define their
day based on their pain and how they feel. Many of our prayer requests come
from the physical condition of our life and it is to be a proper prayer
request. But the driving force in our
lives shouldn’t be our comfort or pain.
The enemy is all too aware of our mortal limitations and will seek
magnify them in our lives. As a result,
many people magnify their disabilities instead of the grace of God that he
gives them to handle them.
Genetic Dispositions
Out-of-balance biochemistry can cause panic attacks,
paranoia, severe headaches, confused thoughts, and depression. Often what feels
“oppressive”, can be traced to hormonal imbalance; mineral, vitamin, or amino
acid deficiencies; or allergic reactions. If symptoms persist, and
authoritative prayer doesn’t bring relief, something is out of whack. Many who
suspect a spiritual oppression, might instead suffered from such ailments as manic
depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, and reaction to allergens
There is a
proper place for these genetic dispositions to be treated on a professional
medical and counseling level. With
that, the enemy will seek to expose and
attack our lives by having us think every imbalance is a demon and every
oppression is the devil. While we
need to cover such things with authoritative prayer we need to maintain and
grow a trust in God’s sovereign control in our lives. To trust that God is more
in control of our lives than Satan.
Temporary Diseases
From the flu to cancer,
everything we experience this side of eternity is temporary. What ever the
enemy may throw our way, or whatever comes as a result of a fallen world the
fact is that God wants us to rely on him. The enemy will attack to discourage, we need
to embrace the first value of our church
The first
value we have as a church is that The
Triune God is supreme and sovereign over all things, working everything for His
own glory. That value means that we believe, profess, embrace and live
out a trusting lifestyle that God is in control and has all power and ability
to do his holy will and to work in our lives everything for His glory to be
shown and His Being to be worshipped. In
spiritual warfare, we shouldn’t be looking for demonic oppression or be
obsessed with the devil as to glorify his attacks--- or what we think are his
attacks--- to the diminishing of the Sovereignty of God. The enemy wants to
steal the special grace of God you can experience with His presence being
filled with peace, comfort and rest, spiritually, even in the midst of mixed
emotions. And physical weakness Cover
yourselves in prayer within this aspect.
Application question
What physical problems do you
need God’s grace or healing for?
When the enemy attacks we need
to realize that Spiritual Warfare is a Spiritual Reality
When the enemy attacks we need
to know how he attacks, and he attacks through mental deceptions, moral
temptations, momentary distraction, and mortal limitations
In
closing. I want to encourage
you to be alert, and to know when you are being attacked.
III. When the Enemy Attacks
When the enemy attacks your mind, put your faith in God’s truth. (Psalm
119:105)
“Your word is a lamp to my
feet and a light to my path.” Ps 119:105
- Some battles we face are truth encounters,
where we speak the truth or renew the truth of God’s word in our life. It
is these battles where we cling to the promise “you will know the truth
and the truth will set you free” Is
it a doctrine you doubt? Or a teaching you don’t like? Is it a lie from
the enemy about yourself? Put your faith in God’s word.
When the enemy attacks your
character, put your faith in God’s Spirit. (Galatians 5:16)
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of
the flesh.” Gal 5:16-17
- Sometime we have battles to keep our
character pure. We must not walk or play with temptation. We need to avoid
People who lead us to sin, Locations where we are tempted or
shouldn’t be, Activities that
are questionable or tempting, or Your
thoughts that are tempting or wander
When the enemy attacks your attitude, put your faith in God’s sovereignty.
(Romans 8:28)
“And we know that for those
who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according
to his purpose.”
Rom 8:28-29
- Maybe the battle you face is a personal
attitude that has resulted in sowing bad habits into you life. Bad habits
like, neglecting your obedience to God’s instruction or a decision that
wasn’t the wisest. It’s a situation you can reclaim, but it starts with
submitting to God’s control and word in your life.
When the enemy attacks your physical body, put your faith in God’s
strength.
Jesus says: “My grace is
sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Watch this now…
For when we put our trust in
God’s truth, we are renewing our minds.
When we trust in God’s spirit,
we are resisting temptation.
When we trust in God’s
sovereignty we are resetting our perspective.
When we trust in God’s
strength we remember who our healer is!
Praise God that He and his
glory will be victorious. Let’s pray
Victorious Father, You have
secured the battle for us to fight the enemy from the position of victory. Our
position is found to be in freedom and righteousness through Christ. God,
please make us aware of when the devil comes around and harasses us. Help us
not to engage our problems and battles from a worldly naturalistic viewpoint,
rather, let our warfare be of great glory and of great testimony to your
powerful hand, to your eternal purposes and your righteousness. Make us
sensitive to the spiritual realm around us, specifically, not the war around
us, but your prsence and glory, in Jesus Name Amen