Wrestling or Resting
Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 12/29/2024
Foundation Scriptures:
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12 KJV
A. KNOW THE BATTLE.
1. Know Your Enemy.
a. Our fight, our warfare, is not against other people but against demonic spiritual forces.
b. We do not wrestle against flesh and blood.
c. “Flesh and blood” refer to man, any man, any human being; or the nature of man (Mt. 16:17; 1 Cor. 15:50; Gal. 1:16).
d. Colossians 1:16 KJV — For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or
powers: all things were created by him, and for him.
e. God created all things—the spiritual and the material worlds—and they are subject to Him.
f. God is the one who set the hierarchy and levels of authority in place.
g. Satan and evil spirits are created beings who rebelled against God (Dan. 10:13-21; Eph. 6:12; 1:21; Col. 2:10).
h. We wrestle against:
- Principalities (Gr. archē) - chief rulers; of the highest rank and order in Satan’s kingdom.
- Powers (Gr. exousia) - authorities, who derive their power from and execute the will of the chief rulers.
- Rulers of the darkness of this world (Gr. kosmokratōr) - spirit rulers of the darkness of this age; the devil and his demons.
- Spiritual wickedness (Gr. pneumatikos and ponēria) - spiritual depravity; iniquity; wickedness; malice; evil purposes and desires.
- In high places (Gr. epouranios) - the heavenlies.
2. The Battleground.
a. The battleground is spiritual—our hearts and minds.
b. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 KJV — For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.
c. Satan deceives, tempts, and accuses.
d. If we do not want Satan to get an advantage over us, we must understand how he operates and not be ignorant of his devices (2 Cor. 2:1).
e. The attack is spiritual, and our weapons are spiritual.
f. Ephesians 1:3 KJV — Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
3. Defeated Foe.
a. Jesus Christ has stripped Satan and his demons of any power or authority they ever had.
b. Colossians 2:15 KJV — And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
c. Ephesians 1:19-23
d. The Father’s exceeding great and mighty power raised Christ from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.
e. Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.
f. All things are under Jesus’ feet; He is the head of the Church, the Body of Christ; therefore, we can stand against the enemy and defeat him in Jesus’ Name.
g. Our enemy is a defeated foe, but we must enforce his defeat personally, for ourselves.
B. ARM YOURSELF.
1. Put on the Whole Armor of God.
a. Ephesians 6:11-17
b. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, and to withstand his attacks.
c. And having put on your armor and done all to stand, keep standing firmly in your place.
d. Defensive armor for protection:
- The helmet of salvation
- The breastplate of righteousness
- The belt of truth
- The armor and shoes of the gospel of peace
- The shield of faith
e. Offensive armor for conquest:
- The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
2. Pull Down Strongholds.
a. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 KJV — (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every
high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
b. The strongholds we must pull down are not in the heavens, but in our hearts and minds.
c. The only way to win this battle is through the Word of God.
g. Jesus showed us the way, when He resisted Satan’s temptations in the wilderness using the weapon of the Word of God (Matt. 4:1-11).
h. We must fill our hearts and minds with the truth of God’s Word.
i. Then we will be equipped to pull down every thought and imagination and attitude that is rebellious against God and holding us in bondage.
j. The Truth makes you free (John 8:32).
k. Victory or defeat in this spiritual battle has eternal repercussions.
3. Prayer As Your Weapon.
a. Ephesians 6:18 KJV — Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
b. Pray with all manner—all kinds—of prayer.
C. RECOGNIZE GOD’S STRENGTH.
1. You Cannot Win Alone.
a. The Lord is the source of our strength.
b. Philippians 4:13 NKJV — I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
c. Isaiah 40:31 KJV — But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength.
d. James 4:7 KJV — Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
2. Rest in God’s Victory.
a. The battle is the Lord’s and He will give us the victory (1 Sam. 17:47).
b. The war is already won.
c. John 16:33 KJV — In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
d. 1 Corinthians 15:57 KJV — But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
e. For whatever (or whosoever) is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—even our faith (1 John 5:4).