Jay Grant’s message on Ephesians 6:10-18
The World
The Flesh
The Devil
The World – 1 John 2:15-17
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world, If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life is not from the Father but is from the world, and the world is passing away and also its lusts but the one who does the will of God abides forever.”
The FLESH – Galatians 5:16-21
“Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the desires, the cravings of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desires against the Spirit, what God wants, for these oppose each other, so you do not do the things your sinful nature desires. Live by the Spirit and not the law. Now the deeds of the flesh are clear – adultery, fornication, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, hate, jealousy, anger, selfish ambition, drunkenness, revelries. Know this, that those who practice these things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
The DEVIL – Ephesians 6:10-18
The Warning
6:10-12 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God that you may withstand the schemes, the plans, and the tricks of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood (other people) but against the rulers of evil, the powers of darkness, and the spiritual forces of wickedness in the unseen world.”
Our Defense
6:13-17a “Therefore, take up the FULL armor of God in order to resist the enemy, so that in the day of battle you will stand firm. Be steadfast, girding your waist with truth, putting on the breastplate of righteousness, shodding your feet with the peace that comes from the gospel. Take the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles (arrows, darts) of the evil one, and put on the helmet of salvation.”
Our Offense
6:17b-18 “Take the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God and PRAY, petitioning God at ALL times in the Spirit, with this in view – stay ALERT, WATCHFUL, and PERSEVERING in PRAYER for believers everywhere.”
HOW TO DEAL WITH SPIRITUAL WARFARE
- Be ready for spiritual combat every single day, realizing the enemy may have a scheme to mess up your life.
- Remember, we do not wrestle primarily against other people. Our main battle comes from an unseen enemy.
- Consciously put on the FULL armor of God every morning as you pray. Do not wait until a few arrows find their mark.
- Develop a lifestyle of prayer; start talking to God all day long, letting Him know how you feel, asking for wisdom and direction, and let the Lord know all the time that you love Him.
- Stay alert, watchful and sober, persevering in prayer in the midst of all trouble, in the challenges of this culture, and in the weakness of our flesh.
- Do not lose heart ever; and do not believe the lies of the enemy
- When you fail, keep short accounts with God; immediately confess and turn (1 John 1:9); and if you know you are in sin today, in disobedience to God, end it and put God first in your life again. Obedience to God saves us from a lot of trouble.