Like it or not, believe it or not, we are in a battle!

In Ephesians 6:10-13 (NKJV) Paul’s concluding instructions were:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 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.

Notice this scripture talks about the hierarchy of evil: unseen, dark, strong, evil…

Our battle is between two kingdoms (God/Light vs. devil/dark). They are always opposite, but remember: light always overcomes darkness!

Caution: be aware of extremes. We do not want to over emphasize, but we also do not want to underemphasize. Do not make everything in your life about spiritual warfare and wind up stuck in a ditch.

Our lives are not centered on spiritual warfare, but on a joyful life of obedience to a wonderful King and Master of our life!

When we were born, we entered a battlefield. When we were born again, we enlisted in a winning army! When we position ourselves and follow God properly, we will be able to stand!
We have opposition from the enemy, but we have the ability to protect, overcome and win!

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Eph. 6:11 NKJV)

Life is made up of a continuous cycle of crisis and process.

This battle is spiritual and it is strategic (wiles, schemes, trickery, deceit and strategies of the devil). Understand that the devil is not the creator and he is not creative! Over a course of time, the devil has learned what works best on you! How does he know? Show and tell. He has a limited arsenal! So, do not be vulnerable to his attacks.

Not everything is a battle and not everything is the enemy. But you should look closely at any opposition, setbacks, resistance, depression, heaviness, fear, etc. If something is not working in your life, you need to look at it. Don’t accept or ignore it. Anything that does not line up with what you would perceive as abundant life (peace, favor, blessing, help, strength, etc.), you need to pay attention to it and see what that is. Is it part of the enemy’s strategy against you?

Do not be ignorant of the devil’s devices, or he can take advantage of you: “…lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Corinthians 2:11 NKJV)

If we are not ignorant of his devices, then he will not be able to take advantage of us!

Ephesians 6:10-11, 13 (NKJV) tell us that we are able to stand: “

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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.

The devil is able to hinder us: “Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.” (1 Thess. 2:18 NKJV)

The devil is looking for someone to devour: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV)

The devil likes to blind your mind: “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” (2 Cor. 4:4 NLT)

The devil likes to snatch the Word (seed) that has been sown into your heart: “The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.” (Matt. 13:19 NLT)

In these scriptures, the seed was sown, it went into their hearts, but they did not understand what they had heard.

Ephesians 2:2 (AMP) says,

In which at one time you walked [habitually]. You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God].”

The word “sway” means “to be under the control and the dominion” of darkness. When you are not a believer, if you are not living in the Kingdom of Light, then you are under the “sway.”

As believers, we have been delivered from the dominion and control of darkness, but any one of us could come under the “sway” of the Kingdom of Darkness when we are 1) careless, 2) rebellious or 3) unbelieving. These three things will make you vulnerable and susceptible.

It all comes down to proximity (who or what you are near) and participation (who or what you are involved with). When you open yourself up to these things, you will have “sway” and “sway” will cause you to be careless, rebellious, and unbelieving, which means you are cooperating with the enemy of your soul and making yourself easy to devour!

Here’s your remedy:

1. CLOSE ANY OPENINGS. “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8b NKJV)
2. STAY ALERT. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV))
3. RESIST. Two ways to resist the devil: 1) talk back to him and 2) ignore him. “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 NKJV)
4. DROP IT! FORGIVE PEOPLE. LET IT/THEM GO. “Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” (Eph. 4:26-27 NKJV)
5. PRAY! “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (Matt. 6:13 NKJV)
6. GET DRESSED—PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD. (Eph. 6:10-20 NKJV). Also, refer to Pastor Tim’s two series: “Armor” and “Traps and Tricks.”
7. OBEY/REPENT. Live a joyful life of obedience and repentance. Keep short accounts with God. “We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.” (1 John 5:18 NKJV)
8. KEEP THE WORD OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE. “I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.” (1 John 2:14 NKJV)

Acronym:  AAA—Awareness…Armor…Authority
The Authority is in Jesus’ Name. He is above every principality and power! It’s in the power of Jesus’ name that we overcome!

Remedy: get by yourself and declare: “In the Authority of Jesus’ name, leave me now!”

Do not center your life on spiritual warfare. Center your life on a joyful life of obedience. Get fixed under the Kingdom of Light. Be aware, wear the armor, and walk in the authority of Jesus’ Name.