Battle

What is the battle? Who is against us?
2 Corinthians 10:3-6
walk in the flesh - the physical
but our war isn’t physical - it is spiritual
but we have someone to help us in the battle

the enemy wants you to be rebellious

Revelation 12:7-17
waging war
how is the enemy defeated? the blood of the lamb and a testimony of Jesus

Ephesians 2:
Genesis 3:13

deceptive, accuser, make you feel bad about yourself - the battles are part of a bigger war - the war is won; the battles change based on circumstances and what’s happening in our lives

How does he “get us”?

Do not be ignorant of the enemy and his schemes and traps - wake up!

1 Peter 5:8
be watchful, be alert

not obvious unless we are alert

when we advance the kingdom by serving - we can expect attacks to come

makes us smarter, wiser, we fight differently as we learn how to battle spiritually

any battle has an outward expression but it’s really a war that isn’t physical

we aren’t creating anything new and evil - it has been around since Genesis - but the evil grows as it festers

the enemy can’t have your soul but he can have your mind and keep you from being effective as a believer

**we create a playground in our minds for the enemy - we must be sober minded

**we don’t rely on our own resources to defeat him - he has experience going back to the garden - he is an experienced warrior - he knows how to get you - he is stronger than you but you have the indwelling power of the Lord

he is an accuser but he has been conquered

William Bridge - “he will tell us a hundred true things to get you to listen to the 101st which is the lie by which he traps us”

Romans 8:1
no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus

Accusation vs Conviction
2 different outcomes, 2 different purposes

this is a foothold for the enemy - don’t allow him to condemn you but grow up and move on

Romans 8:37
but we are more than conquerors - in Jesus who loves you

even in the small areas - he’ll take the win and start somewhere and take you further than you intended

The Armor of God
more than the kid version
Ephesians 6:10-20

Shield of Faith
**their shields were the size of a door
protects like a wall when United
put their shields together
not an individual defense - united as believers
opportunity to protect each other
can we be for one another and recognize our responsibility for one another
- exercising faith, belief that God has something more/better for us
faith - refusing to believe the lies

don’t get lost in the metaphor

Belt of Truth:
used to uphold the consistency and integrity of the Word
-is what we uphold changing because of convenience and political correctness
-“the OT doesn’t apply”, it is still important
-we don’t make scripture fit our agenda

Breastplate of Righteousness
-the righteousness Christ provides is irrevocable
-you have been made righteous

Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
-secure foothold, help you stand secure, some of you slip and fall and aren’t practiced in resisting the Devil

be ready...how can we be ready to help someone if we’re unprepared

**panic and guilt can overwhelm us - when we know have confidence in our own salvation we will be able to help others find their place in God’s kingdom

2 Timothy 4:2-4
preach the Word, be ready

Helmet of Salvation
-there is a starting point, minds settled on the hope of salvation, not wavering, look to the things the Lord has done for you and know he will do it again

Sword of the Spirit
offense - Jesus used the Word when tempted and we should to - we need to have prepared for the battle -
Psalm 119:11

Prayer
we recall the Word in prayer - always praying / recognizing the involvement and presence of the Lord - a lifestyle of communication / dialogue with God

do we have a spot for Jesus where we just have to talk to him

demonstrating a reliance - actively submitting our mind, thoughts to Him

Watch and pray in the battle