Ephesians 6:10-12 (NLT) — John 10:10

The devil has strategies on how to destroy you, your family, your business, your reputation, your relationships…and you

Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)—For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies,

Our enemy is not other people:

• Other churches/denominations
• Spouse/kids/parents/roommates
• Boss/co-worker/employee/neighbor/government

v. 12b—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.

As Christians, we have to make sure we are fighting the right fight. We have to make sure we are fighting against the right opponent. Because…if you fight the wrong opponent, you will win the wrong fight

What are some things we do know about the spiritual world?

• The spiritual realm is made up of good and evil. God and Satan. Angels and demons.
• The spiritual realm is just as real as the physical realm even though we don’t see it.
• The spiritual realm is not in and of itself bad. It is the evil forces in the spiritual realm that are bad and it is those evil forces that are attacking us in the other spheres of our lives

Why is there a spiritual realm and where did it come from?

Genesis 1:1-3 (NIV)

In the first couple verses of the Bible we see that there is something happening that is both physical AND spiritual. There is this God that is spirit and also creating something physical.

• We fast forward the story a bit and see that after this God creates the physical world around us, he then creates His most important part of creation…humans.
• But there is something special about humans that sets them apart from all the rest of creation…

Genesis 1:26-27 (NIV)

• How did God make us in His image? What was different about us than all the rest of creation?

Genesis 2:7 (NIV)

• So far, we see this God who is Spirit creating this physical world and giving man a spirit…what about the dark side of this spiritual realm?
• Somewhere in this story (we aren’t told where, but there have been a lot of speculations) there enters in the evil side.
• In the garden, we have this serpent. The serpent isn’t the problem…it is the devil that has possessed the serpent that is the problem. And he is now lying to Adam and Eve and tempting them to do the 1 thing God has told them not to do.

But this begs the question…where did the devil come from?

Verses about Satan and his fall

• Isaiah 14:12-15 — Ezekiel 28:12-15 — Revelation 12:4-9

How does Satan work? What are his weapons? Satan uses:

• Doubt, confusion, deception, temptation, lies

All of this leads to disbelief in who God is and what He has said to do. Satan’s lies, and deceptions are not blatant. His lies are enough to be false, but little enough to be believable.

John 8:44 (NIV)

• Lies are the #1 weapon that Satan will use against you. His lies ultimately attack the character of God and the commands of God.

1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)—Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

• So if this this is how the enemy fights then how are we to fight against it? Ephesians 6:13-18 (NLT)

1) Belt of Truth:

The #1 weapon of the enemy is lies. Satan is the father of lies. Jesus said He is the way the truth and the life.

John 14:6 (NIV ) — 1 John 5:20 (NIV) — John 8:31-32

• What do you need to be set free from? What lie are you believing?
• In order to combat the lies you have to know the truth

John 17:17 (NIV)—Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

• You need to read and study the bible, so when the enemy tells you a lie, you are able to combat it with truth:

2)  Body Armor (Breastplate) of Righteousness and the Body Armor of God’s Righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21)

3)  Shoes of the Gospel of Peace

Ephesians 6:15 (NLT) – Romans 10:14-15

4) Shield of Faith

Ephesians 6:16 (NLT) — 2 Samuel 22:36

5) Helmet of Salvation

Ephesians 6:17 (NLT) — 1 Thessalonians 5:8

6) Sword of the Spirit and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Hebrews 4:12

7) Prayer

Ephesians 6:18 (NLT) — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 — Colossians 1:13 (NIV)

• All of the pieces of God’s armor point us back to an abiding relationship with him.