Stand & Fight - 8/16/26

Eph 6: 10-18 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. (Are you? Are you fighting?)

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

You put on the armor and it never says anything about taking it off. 

2 Cor 10: 3-5 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. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

C.S. Lewis in the Screwtape Letters: “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence.

The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.”

3 Realities you need to believe:

The Devil is real

Col 2:13-15 NIV 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross 

The gospel of salvation

I can be forgiven

I can be reconciled to God

I can receive eternal life

I am rescued from darkness

I can a new identity

the gospel of the Kingdom

Jesus is King

Christ rules heaven and earth

The Kingdom has arrived

The powers have been defeated

Christ has triumphed 

Matthew 10:7-8niv As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. 

The devil’s goal is to destroy us (John 10:10) 

Claim, Portion, Right 

Neh 2:20 ESV Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.” 

John 1:12 But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name. He gave the RIGHT to become children of God. 

John 14:30 ESV I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 

 1) The God of heaven will make us prosper (my help comes from God, He is my source) 

2) And we his servants will arise and build (stand up and fight. Move forward in faith)

3)  But you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem. 

Claim- a lie, you’re always going to be alone.

No portion. No right. No claim. 

The devil responds to a higher authority 

Matthew 12:29 Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house. 

1 John4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 

3 Weapons You Can Use:

The name of Jesus - Phil 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow

The Blood of Jesus - They overcame him by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony.

The Word of Jesus - Get a verse for your situation.

Practical Application

Commit myself to God -  James 4:7-8 

Close any open doors -

Confront the enemy -

Prayer is both communion with God and confronting the enemy.

Daily Covering Prayer

Jesus is Lord.

I crucify the flesh, it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.

Lord, cut off every demonic assignment, agreement, and attachment.

Destroy every scheme and snare of the enemy.

Cover me in the blood of Jesus. Hide me in the shadow of His presence. 

I ask for clarity to see you and faith to follow you.

In Jesus name, AMEN