Defense Against A Devil Of An Enemy

 

INTRO: Ever wonder how you can stay ahead of the devil? Ever wonder how the Holy Spirit intends for us to be a winner against Satan? Well, the answer is in God's Word. We can tell what He wants us to do to withstand his attacks.

Fighting the devil is not easy, not something to do on our own, not something to take lightly. It is however, something we must do and we must do it well.

So what does the Bible tell us about fighting this old devil? What are we to do to prepare? How can we get ready to win against him?

Let's see…

First I want to read from…

Ephesians 6:10 - 20 10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

 

So what does He want? For us to…

Be strong in the Lord and all He is - 10

2 Timothy 2:1 tells us to be strong in His Grace

 

We need to…

Use all that He offers us - 11

Don't half try

Don't half do

Don’t half be

Don't let Satan into our lives

Ephesians 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.

Remember…

He is our leader, our helper, our example

1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

 

We must not fail to…

Recognize the enemy is real - 12

He is very much real, rough and ready

Romans 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

 

And as a soldier for the Lord, we must…

Get dressed for the battle - 13

Then we can be…

Truthful at all times - 14

2 Corinthians 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

Righteous (in the Lord) - 14

2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

 

Shod with His message - 15

1 Timothy 1:18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

Protected by faith in Him - 16

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Remembering what salvation has done for you - 17a

Paul called it the hope of salvation in 1 Thessalonians 5:8

Filled with His Word - 17b

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Prayer warriors - 18a

Prayer is part of the fight, defensive and offensive in scope

There is a saying that the best defense is a good offense - we need to use prayer to its best advantage and use it against the devil and his plans!

Vigilant for each other - 18b - 20

2 Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Summation:

Be strong in the Lord and all He is - 10

We need to…

Use all that He offers us - 11

We must not fail to…

Recognize the enemy is real - 12

And as a soldier for the Lord, we must…

Get dressed for the battle - 13

You can win with the Lord's help!

Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 082006am