V. 12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
The combat that we have to prepare is not against ordinary men, it's not against your brother, sister, mother, father, friend, neighbor, co-worker, etc. It is not against a person made out of flesh and blood nor against our own corrupt nature, but against the devil who has a government that exercises in this world. He is like a serpent because of his subtlety, an old serpent, experienced in the art of tempting. He is a powerful enemy - principalities and powers and rulers. They are numerous and vigorous. The dark parts of the world are the seat of Satan's empire. The devil is a spirit, an wicked spirit; and our danger is greater because our enemies deprive us of our heavenly blessings and obstruct our communion with heaven. What is our duty? To take and put on the whole armor of God, and then to stand our ground, and withstand our enemies!
I. Characteristic of Spiritual Conflict:
1. An inward battle Romans 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law in my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
2. Spiritual weapons 2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.
3. Invisible Foes Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
We are called to fight 1 Timothy 1:18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well. Not to just fight, but fight with faith. 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In order to fight this fight and do well in it you have to be consecrated or dedicated to the service and worship of God. In 2 Timothy 2:4 says No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.
II. Satan's Power:
1. Permitted to afflict the righteous Job 1:12 The Lord said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your power but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
2. Claims authority over the world Luke 4:6 And he said to him, "I will give you all authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to."
3. Sinners under the dominion of Satan's power Acts 26:18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
4. Blinds the minds of all unbelievers 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light to the gospel that displays the glory of Christ who is the image of God.
5. Contends (fights) with the saints Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
III. Evil Spirits:
::
1. Matthew 12:45 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself , and they enter and they dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So it shall be with this wicked generation.
2. Mark 5:9 Then he asked him, What is your name? And he answered, saying, my name is Legion, for we are many.
3. Mark 1:26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.
4. Mark 7:30 And when she had came to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying in the bed.
5. Mark 16:9 Now He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast out seven demons.
Note: I have many more bible verses in regards to evil spirits and how Jesus set so many free. As I am speaking about the Armor of God, please note that you must have a personal relationship with God and the anointing of God upon you to do His work. You cannot use someone else's experiences, etc. The bible clearly states this in a. Acts 19:13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed, they would say, in the name of Jesus, who Paul preaches, I commando you to come out.
IV. Spiritual Darkness (Spiritual blindness or dullness)
1. Micah 3:6 Therefore night will come over you, without visions, and darkness, without divination. The sun will set for the prophets, and the day will go dark for them
2. Matthew 6:23 “But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
3. John 1:5 “And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend.”
4. John 3:19 “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
5. Romans 13:12 “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.”
6. Ephesians 5:8 “For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”
7. 1 Thessalonians 5:4 “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.”
V. 12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
Are you ready for combat? Have you been able to identify your real enemy? Do you understand why we have to have a relationship with God?
Coming up next Part 3: V. 13-17 the Soldier's Equipment...don't miss it!
II. Satan's Power:
1. Permitted to afflict the righteous Job 1:12 The Lord said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your power but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
2. Claims authority over the world Luke 4:6 And he said to him, "I will give you all authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to."
3. Sinners under the dominion of Satan's power Acts 26:18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
4. Blinds the minds of all unbelievers 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light to the gospel that displays the glory of Christ who is the image of God.
5. Contends (fights) with the saints Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
III. Evil Spirits:
::
1. Matthew 12:45 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself , and they enter and they dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So it shall be with this wicked generation.
2. Mark 5:9 Then he asked him, What is your name? And he answered, saying, my name is Legion, for we are many.
3. Mark 1:26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.
4. Mark 7:30 And when she had came to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying in the bed.
5. Mark 16:9 Now He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast out seven demons.
Note: I have many more bible verses in regards to evil spirits and how Jesus set so many free. As I am speaking about the Armor of God, please note that you must have a personal relationship with God and the anointing of God upon you to do His work. You cannot use someone else's experiences, etc. The bible clearly states this in a. Acts 19:13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed, they would say, in the name of Jesus, who Paul preaches, I commando you to come out.
IV. Spiritual Darkness (Spiritual blindness or dullness)
1. Micah 3:6 Therefore night will come over you, without visions, and darkness, without divination. The sun will set for the prophets, and the day will go dark for them
2. Matthew 6:23 “But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
3. John 1:5 “And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend.”
4. John 3:19 “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
5. Romans 13:12 “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.”
6. Ephesians 5:8 “For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”
7. 1 Thessalonians 5:4 “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.”
V. 12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
Are you ready for combat? Have you been able to identify your real enemy? Do you understand why we have to have a relationship with God?
Coming up next Part 3: V. 13-17 the Soldier's Equipment...don't miss it!
