The Invisible War 101: Opening Your Eyes

Ephesians 6:10-12

 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.

 

1 John 4:4

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.

C.S. Lewis

 

Five Basic Truths about Spiritual Warfare

(adapted from Chip Ingram, The Invisible War)

 

1. 1.     There is an invisible world.

Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.  But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.  Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.” – Daniel 10:12-14

 

1. 2.     We are involved in an invisible war. (Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14)

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. – 2 Corinthians 4:4

 

1. 3.     Our foe is formidable. – 1 Peter 5:8

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. –

 

1. 4.     We must respect our foe but not fear him.

Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. – 2 Corinthians 2:10

 

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. – James 4:7

 

1. 5.     We do not fight for victory; we fight from victory.

…for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world?  Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. – 1 John 5:4-5

 

Be Aware of the Battle

 

Depend on God’s Strength

 

Use the Protection God has Provided

 

Pray