Spiritual Warfare | Essential Christianity 201

Essential Christianity
Spiritual Warfare

Ephesians 6:10-18 (ESV) 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 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 firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…

Romans 1:29-31 (NIV) 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.

Galatians 5:19-21 (NLT) 19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Colossians 3:5-10 (ESV) 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Paul knew this truth: You can’t fight what you refuse to face.

SOUL TATTOO: We cannot fight what we refuse to face.

Mark 7:14-20 (NASB-1995) 14 After He called the crowd to Him again, He began saying to them, “Listen to Me, all of you, and understand: 15 there is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man. 16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 17 When he had left the crowd and entered the house, His disciples questioned Him about the parable. 18 And He *said to them, “Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, 19 because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?” (Thus, He declared all foods clean.) 20 And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22 deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. 23 All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”

Paul’s message is clear:

Ephesians 6:10 (ESV) 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 

When you put on the armor of God, you’re declaring, I belong to Christ. I’m not a prisoner of sin, I’m a soldier of righteousness.

The greatest battles aren’t just fought on battlefields, they’re fought in our hearts.

SOUL TATTOO: We cannot fight what we refuse to face.

1.) Recognize the real battle.

Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

You can’t win a spiritual war with earthly weapons.

SOUL TATTOO: We cannot fight what we refuse to face.

2.) Remove what weakens you.

Colossians 3:5 (ESV) 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

You can’t defeat what you’re willing to tolerate.

Repentance is not punishment, it’s preparation.

SOUL TATTOO: We cannot fight what we refuse to face.

3.) Replace sin with the Armor of God.

Ephesians 6:13-17 (ESV) 13 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 firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…

You can’t just remove darkness, you have to replace it with light.

Every piece of armor is a defense against specific sins:

SOUL TATTOO: We cannot fight what we refuse to face.

4.) Rely on the Holy Spirit’s power.

Ephesians 6:18 (NLT) 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Victory in spiritual warfare isn’t just won by might, it’s sustained by prayer.

Fully Armored & Fully Surrendered

Father, thank You that You haven’t left us defenseless. You’ve given us Your armor, Your truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the sword of Your Spirit. Today, we take off the old, every sin that’s kept us bound, and we put on the new, clothed in Your power and grace. Teach us to fight the right battles, to recognize the enemy’s lies, and to stand firm in the victory Jesus already won at the cross. May every heart here leave this place not just forgiven, but fortified. In Jesus’ name… Amen.

Sin disarms you, but surrender rearms you.

SOUL TATTOO: We cannot fight what we refuse to face.