28 Days 2020: Day 26

SPIRITUAL BATTLE

 

As we go about fulfilling God’s mission here on earth we find ourselves engaged in a battle.  We have become soldiers in the army of God contending for the lives of people.  There is an unseen spiritual world where a guerilla warfare is going on as the moment and that warfare spills out into the physical world in which we live.  The spiritual battle determines the outcome of the physical world.  Our ability to really reap the harvest (see people come to know Christ and live in His fullness) hinges on our ability to fight a spiritual battle.

• Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

We talked about the fact that we have been authorized and empowered – given exousia and dunamis.  We have authority over the authorities and the power of the Holy Spirit against the powers and spiritual forces of evil. 

One of the descriptions of a believer in the NT is that of a soldier. 

Read the following verses and write down what are some of the responsibilities of a soldier.

• Ephesians 5:11 (NIV)  Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
• Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. (Read verses 10-18)
• 1 John 2:12-14 (NIV) ¹²  I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. ¹³  I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father. ¹⁴  I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

So we are in a battle and should be prepared for it. 

 

Read Ephesians 6:10-18 and write down the different parts of the armor we need to put on and how you think it helps us to overcome the evil one.