The Fight We Must Win!

Notes: The Fight We Must Win!

Ephesians 6

Pastor Greg Laurie

SERIES: Live, Love, Fight

Thursday, July 23, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

Have you ever been going through life with God and then all of a sudden, you are attacked with a barrage of crazy problems? That is how spiritual warfare can work.

You don't need to be a sitting duck for the devil. Victory is not won by evacuation.

How do we take back what is ours? Its in Ephesians 6

Sometimes we can say the devil is doing this, and the devil is doing that, when we should be saying what God is doing in our lives.

We need to know the devil's strategies so we know how to defeat him. The battle will never stop, in some ways the battle will intensify for those serving God.

Ephesians 6:10-17 NLT

[10] A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. [12] For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. [14] Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. [15] For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. [16] In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. [17] Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

There are six pieces of armor there to keep on at all times and three for attack and utility purposes.

1. The utility belt of truth.

The fact that as followers of Jesus Christ we need to live truthfully before the Lord.

2. The breastplate of righteousness.

This protects the vital organs of a soldier.

We need to stand in a position of righteous before God. Giving us the want to live righteously before God.

3. Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

Giving you a good foothold in the Bible, and the Gospel of peace.

Romans 10:14-15 NLT

[14] But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? [15] And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"

Are you using your life to bring others to Christ?

4. The shield of faith

Ephesians 6:16 NLT

[16] In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.

These fiery darts are what we should protect ourselves from. Flaming arrows from satan are aimed in our direction.

These arrows can be an impure thought, it could be anxiety, and it could be a bad thought against God.

That is not you, that is an attack. You need to be protected in the word.

1 Peter 5:9 NLT

[9] Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

The word of God is ours to use.

We have partners and fellow soldiers in the Bible that we can join together with. We can pray with and lean on to fight off these attacks.

We are stronger together then we are alone. It is hard to be a single Christian alone in this battle.

1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT

[8] Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. [9] Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

5. The helmet of salvation

Ephesians 6:17 NLT

[17] Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

We need to protect our minds.

Don't feed yourself bad thoughts. Nip those bad thoughts at the bud.

Thoughts feed ideas and that may lead you to think you can just get away with it sometimes. If you think you can get away with it, then you might just do it.

If you acknowledge you are standing in front of God then you probably won't do it.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NLT

[4] We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. [5] We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

You can't think two thoughts at the same time. You can't have an impure thought if your mind has a pure thought in it right now.

Tomorrow will be 7 years that Greg lost his son Christopher in a car accident. Pastor Greg says this kind of pain can bring many bad thoughts. So the Bible is so important to keep you pure.

Philippians 4:8 NLT

[8] And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

The word of God is the best thing to go back to in a time of pain.

Train your mind to think properly.

Natural reflex is like pulling your hand away from a burn. Conditioned reflex is taught, like typing or driving.

As a Christian we need to have the pure conditioned reflex.

6. The sword of the Spirit

This is the only offensive weapon in his armor.

Ephesians 6:17 NLT

[17] Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Sin will keep you from the Bible and the Bible will keep you from sin.

The word of God needs to be how you start everyday. Don't let the devil keep you from it.

The Holy Spirit will bring scripture to your mind.

God will apply the word to specific times and places in your life.

When Jesus Christ was in the desert and the devil is tempting Him, Jesus Christ refuted the devil with scripture.

Is your sword polished with daily use or is it rusty or dulled with disobedience?

The Bible is a great place to carry the word, but your heart is even a better place to carry the word of God.

Ephesians 6:17-18 NLT

[17] Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [18] Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Pray always, the word of God and prayer are inseparable.

One of the secrets of answered prayer is knowing the word of God.

The word of God enlightens us while prayer enables us.

You are a sitting duck for the devil if you are not a follower of Christ.

We all need Jesus Christ. He has a plan and purpose for our lives.