Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 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. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.”
Ephesians 6:10-14a
1. Our battle is not against one another.
a. What the enemy can do.
“We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” 1 John 5:19
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” 1 Timothy 4:1
“For we wanted to come to you--certainly I, Paul, did, again and again--but Satan blocked our way.” 1 Thessalonians 2:18
b. What the enemy can’t do.
“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” John 17:15
“We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them.” 1 John 5:18
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.” Colossians 1:13
2. Our weapons are not of this world.
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
“Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger, and do not give the devil a foothold.” Ephesians 4:26-27
a. Truth proclaimed.
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free…. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:32,36
“The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” 1 John 3:8
b. Thoughts captive.
“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:3
“Forgive” ‘in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. ‘” 2 Corinthians 2:11
“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:30-32
