Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV) 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 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. 13 Therefore put on the full armor 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. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

 

There is more going on behind the scenes of your life than you think.

 

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) 12 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.

 

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (NIV) 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

 

Stronghold: A prisoner locked by deception. Living life by something that is not true.

 

Stronghold: Anything in our minds that is “pretending” to be stronger than our God.

 

Anticipate the battle

 

Ephesians 6:11 (NIV) 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

 

The biggest breakthroughs are on the other side of your biggest battles.

 

2 Chronicles 20:24-26 (NLT) 24 So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped. 25 King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder. They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing, and other valuables—more than they could carry. There was so much plunder that it took them three days just to collect it all! 26 On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing, which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the Lord there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today.

 

Acknowledge the battle

 

Signs you are in a fight:

  • Intense confusion
  • No peace
  • Desire to quit
  • Severe temptation
  • Going backwards
 
 
Fight to win the battle
 
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NIV) 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
 
Philippians 3:14 (NIV) 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
 
We win by using the:
 
The Name of Jesus
 
Luke 10:17-19 (NIV) 17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
 
Acts 4:12 (NIV) 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
 
The Worship of Jesus
 
James 4:7 (NIV) 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
 
The Word of Jesus
 
John 8:31-32 (NIV) 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
 
John 17:17 (NIV) 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
 
The Word of Your Story
 
Revelation 12:11 (KJV) 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
 
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