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Msg #587             Wed, December 16, 2009

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Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness 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. (Ephesians 6:11-13)

There is a war going on all around you – a spiritual war.  It is a real war where Angels and Demons are actively involved.  It is a real war that effects mankind and men are involved in.  Much could be said here…but the simple fact is that the Bible clearly describes that we are involved in a Spiritual War.

…against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places

Are you aware of the Spiritual War taking place all around you?  If you answer honestly, you might not be.  There are several reasons you might be unaware of the battle that is taking place.

• One – you might not be saved, blinded by satan against all that is around you, in hopes of keeping you from seeing the great Spiritual realities of life. (Mat 12:30; 1Jn 3:10; Eph 2:2).   If this is you, I call you today to the winning side of this battle, with Christ – for the outcome is not in doubt.
• Two – you might be a new Christian and God is graciously protecting you from facing the battle too soon in your walk.  Much like He did for the children of Israel coming out of Egypt (Ex 13:17)
• Three – you might be AWOL from the battle.  You might be living so poorly that satan’s forces are leaving you alone for in your present state, because you are far from the front lines of the battle.  Your life is no threat to anything the enemy is doing that he is leaving you alone.  Yikes. 
• Four - you might be in the midst of the battle, bewildered by it, yet not understanding all that is really going on.  Imagine it with me, walking around on a literal battlefield, guns firing, bombs going off, jets flying overhead.  If you were somehow unaware that you were in the midst of a battlefield, all is going on would be shocking, confusing and disorienting.  I am convinced that this is exactly what is happening to many – the don’t see or understand the battle.

Yet God is very clear– there is a spiritual battle and we are involved.  There is a lot that could be said about this, but let me simply give you a few quick observations about what is said in Eph 6 – and may God draw you to so much more that is mentioned there for us.

One – you are in a Definite War! 

“we do not wrestle against…but against”

There is no maybe in this.  It doesn’t say “you might wrestle” but “we wrestle.” This is definite, we are in a spiritual war!  

Two – this war is a Personal War. 

“we…wrestle against….”

God pictures it as “wrestling”.  Simply put, wrestling is close contact, “hand to hand” combat.  There is no lobbing grenades or missiles to keep the frontlines of this war back from you.  This battle is one you must and will face… personally.

Three – this war is an Organized War. 

… to stand against the wiles of the devil.

satan has and is making “wiles” against you.  The word “wiles” refers to plans, strategies against your soul.   Just be aware, that satan studies how to “bring you down” – don’t be surprised at how accurate his temptations and troubles are.

Four – this is a Spiritual War. 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

This is so key…and hard to quickly communicate.  But the danger is that you would see “people as your problem” – it is not so.  Often satan will fire his “fiery darts” at you through people, but the key is to recognize it as satan.  I think of Jesus on the Mount of Temptation, when Peter encouraged him not to go to the cross.  Jesus recognized the source of that temptation and said so by telling Peter “get behind me satan”. (Mat 16:23) It was Peter’s words, but satan had fed the thought.  It is so important to realize that some of the cutting things that people say to you, that are so “perfect” in their accuracy to hinder you…are actually from satan.

Fifth – it is a Winnable War.  You can stand! 

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand…”

Perhaps this is the most important piece of information.  To see the war, to see our enemy…can almost sound like the odds against you are impossible…but that is not true – God is greater!  (1 Jn 4:4) You can stand against everything satan can throw against you…but simply, you must stand in Christ, you must stand in God’s provision. 

God pictures our defenses as armor.  Eph 6 is not a mantra or incantation that we have to repeat in order to be effective.  If you look through this list, it is all a description, put in picture form, of the wonderful provisions that God has for us in Christ.  

So can I say it simply, flee to Him, stand in Christ, in all that He is, in all that He is doing…and you will stand against satan’s attack in the spiritual war today! 

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. (Eph 6:13)

Jim

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