The Way of War: Spiritual Warfare – Three Fronts

Stonegate Church - September 12, 2010

September 12, 2010
Ephesians 6: The Ways of War: Three Fronts
Rodney Hobbs
Ephesians 6:10-20
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

We are fighting a war on three fronts.

Front 1: The Flesh

The flesh defined: It’s your inner desires that have been deformed and distorted by sin. The inner part of you that is at war with God.
The flesh dethroned.
The flesh is not yet destroyed. It no longer reigns, but it remains.

Ephesians 2:1-3
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience- 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
“Conversion is the creation of new desires, not just new duties; new delights, not just new deeds; new treasures, not just new tasks.” – John Piper
Galatians 5:17
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
James 4:1
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?
Front 2: The World

The world defined: the prevailing world views and values of a culture that promote a pattern of life that is contrary to God’s will.

Worldliness: us adopting these patterns and world views.
The World defiled.
The World wages a war.

Front 3: The Devil

The Flesh = the hook.
The World = the bait.
The Devil = skillfully baits your hook for a bite.

Three applications / implications:

Be desperate in dealing with sin.
Be diligent in the disciplines. Soak our minds in the things of God.
Be determined to put on the armor.