Spiritual Warfare Part Two The Christian’s defences

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. [Ephesians 6:12]

Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God… [Revelation 12] He is filled with fury because he knows his time is short

1 Peter 5 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Be alert!... Resist him…

Defenses - fortress I love you LORD, my strength The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield…my stronghold. I called on the LORD who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies. [Psalm 18]

David – Psalm 62 How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down - this leaning wall, this tottering fence? Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

The name of the LORD is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and they are safe. (Proverbs 18:10)

Armour of God Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. [Ephesians 6:10-13]

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God

Ephesians 6 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The armour - the belt of truth Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbour, for we are all members of one body… do not give the devil a foothold.

Armour – the breastplate of righteousness Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven - if there was anything to forgive - I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

The armour – feet of peace Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. [Matthew 5:9] Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. [2 Timothy 2:26] The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…

The armour – the shield of faith I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. 2 Timothy 1:12

The armour – helmet of salvation No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 37-39

Armour - the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

“On many occasions I have seen that reading verses and passages about the cross have been powerful in spiritual warfare, especially in the most severe expressions of it.” David Watson, Discipleship

The defence of prayer Our Father in heaven…lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. Be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Declaration: To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and for evermore! Amen. Jude 24-25