Pastor Randy Bezet

Realm: Our Enemy

Ephesians 6:10–18 (NLT): 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. 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.

Our Enemy

Created

Colossians 1:15–16 (NLT): Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.

Devil

John 8:44 (NIV): “[The devil] was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Tempter

Matthew 4:1–3 (NIV): Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted  by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Luke 4:14 (NIV): Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit…

Influencer

2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT): Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe.

John 12:31–32 (NLT): “The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. 32 And when I [Christ] am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”

Has Allies

Ephesians 6:12 (NLT): 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.

His Strategies

Deceives

Genesis 3:1 (NIV): Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

Genesis 3:5 (NIV): For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Tempts

1 John 2:16 (ESV): For all that is in the world—the [lust] of the flesh and the [lust] of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

James 1:13–15 (NLT): And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

Accuses

Revelation 12:10 (NLT): For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night.

Our Position

We already have what we need

Ephesians 1:3 (NIV): Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Christ position of authority

Ephesians 1:18–23 (NIV): I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Romans 8:34 (The Living Bible): 34Who then will condemn us? Will Christ? No! For he is the one who died for us and came back to life again for us and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, [praying] for us there in heaven.

Our position of authority

Ephesians 2:4–6 (NIV): But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus

1 John 3:8 (ESV): The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

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