Ephesians 6:10-12 NLT - 10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, 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.

1. My battle is SPIRITUAL.

• It is a rebellious war against God - Revelation 12:7-8 NLT - 7 Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. 8 And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven.
• It is not a single battle; it is a campaign.
• It is a war that has already been won - Luke 10:18-19 NLT - 18 "Yes," he told them, "I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! 19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.
• God will never be defeated, so Satan's objective is to strike at two things:
  • God's purposes
  • God's children

2. My enemy is STRATEGIC.

His strategies are:

• To use people - Bar-Jesus, fortune-teller, Demetrius the silversmith
• To assault the mind - temptation, twisting truth, discouragement
• To assault the heart - bitterness, doubt, unforgiveness
• To assault our focus - family, sickness, possessions
• To assault our confidence - guilt, shame

3.My weapons are MIGHTY in GOD.

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 NLT - 3 We are human, but we don't wage war as humans do. 4 We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

Ephesians 6:13-18 NLT - 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

• We are IN CHRIST.
• We are equipped for ENDURANCE.
  • "After you've done all to stand, stand!"
• We are equipped for OFFENSE.
  • The Word of God
  • The Spirit of God
  • The gospel of peace
  • The praises of God