Cornerstone Chapel - "Stand Your Ground against the Enemy"

Date: November 23, 2025
Speaker: Pastor (Cornerstone Chapel)
Text: Ephesians 6:10-20

Episode Overview

This message concludes Cornerstone Chapel’s study in Ephesians and centers on “standing your ground” in spiritual warfare, based on Ephesians 6:10-20. The speaker explains the nature of spiritual warfare, identifies the tactics and dangers posed by Satan and his forces, clarifies common misconceptions, and outlines the biblical “armor” given to Christians to stand firm. The tone is practical, compassionate, and filled with scriptural encouragement for weary believers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Postures of the Christian Life in Ephesians

• Seated in Christ (Chapters 1–3):
  Our new position and identity in Christ.

  “We are seated in Christ. He’s given us a new identity and a new position in Christ.” (05:12)

• Walking Worthy (Chapters 4–5):
  Our lifestyle and conduct.

  “He tells us to walk worthy of the calling. He tells us to walk differently than the world. He tells us to walk in love, to walk in the light, and to walk in wisdom.” (07:40)

• Standing Firm (Chapter 6):
  Standing strong in spiritual conflict.

  “We are to stand in the power of Christ … because whether you like it or not, whether you know it or not, whether you believe it or not, we are all in a battle.” (09:10)

Understanding Spiritual Warfare

• Definition:
  Spiritual warfare refers to unseen spiritual forces of evil, led by Satan, actively working to tempt, deceive, discourage, confuse, and harm (14:55).

• A Real Enemy:
  Satan is portrayed in Scripture as a lion, liar, tempter, murderer, dragon, serpent, and deceiver (16:50):

  “You’d better believe he does not have your best interest at heart. He’s after you.” (19:15)

• Satan’s Target:
  Satan targets believers who are making an impact for Christ (21:20).

  “The ones who are really in the crosshairs are believers who love the Lord and live for the Lord…” (22:10)

• Satan’s Origin and Demons:
  Explains Satan’s rebellion, the fall of a third of the angels (now demons), and why spiritual warfare is inevitable (24:30).

  “If he was unsuccessful in heaven, then he wants to wreck God’s prized possession on earth. What is God’s prized possession? It’s humanity.” (27:44)

Actions of Spiritual Forces

• On Believers:
  Oppression, temptation from the outside. Believers cannot be possessed.

  “A Christian cannot be demon possessed, but can be demon oppressed.” (33:00)

• On Unbelievers:
  Can possess, as shown in the Gospels (32:45).

• Differentiating Attacks:
  Important not to blame every problem on the demonic; some issues may be personal, relational, or physiological (36:00).

• Vulnerability in Denial:
  Ignoring spiritual warfare makes one more vulnerable, while blaming everything on demons can be spiritually unhealthy (36:55):

  “If you just dismiss that the enemy is at work, and possibly what you’re dealing with is actually a spiritual battle, you’re gonna be frustrated trying to resolve a spiritual battle in natural ways.” (38:05)

Four Key Principles from Ephesians 6:10–20

1. Know the Real Enemy [45:15]

• The true enemy is not people but spiritual forces.

• “The enemy when we’re under spiritual attack is Satan or his demonic principalities. … It’s not your husband, it’s not your wife, it’s not your parents … We do not wrestle against flesh and blood.” (46:14)

2. Stand Your Ground [48:30]

• Repeated three times (vv.11, 13, 14): “Stand,” meaning no retreat.

• “Don’t you dare retreat. … You gotta fight for your marriage. You gotta fight for your kids. … Having done all, I just want you to stand there. I’ll fight for you. Just stand there.” (49:50)

• Encouragement for those exhausted by battle, referencing Exodus and James 4:7.

3. Find Strength in the Lord [54:15]

• We cannot fight spiritual battles with our own power.

• “You think you’re going to engage in spiritual warfare in your own might? Satan will eat your lunch.” (55:35)

• Reference to Jude 9: Even the archangel Michael defers to God’s authority in confronting Satan.

4. Put on the Armor of God [58:20]

• Defensive and offensive gear for spiritual battle; analogy of the Roman soldier.

The Armor of God Explained (Ephesians 6:14–18)

Five Defensive Pieces

• Belt of Truth (59:07):
  Discern lies by knowing God’s truth.

  “The only way we’re going to recognize the lies of Satan is if we know the truth of God.” (59:34)

• Breastplate of Righteousness (1:02:25):
  Guarding the heart.

  “We need to keep our hearts right with God.” (1:03:12)

• Feet Fitted with the Gospel of Peace (1:04:00):
  Sharing the good news advances light into darkness.

• Shield of Faith (1:05:25):
  Protects against fear; “Faith over fear.”

  “The enemy loves to shoot arrows of fear our way. … God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (1:06:10)

• Helmet of Salvation (1:07:55):
  Guarding thoughts; the mind is a primary battlefield.

Two Offensive Weapons

• Sword of the Spirit (Word of God) (1:09:40):
  Speak scripture to resist the enemy; modeled by Jesus in the wilderness.

  “Every time we’re quoting scripture … we wield the sword.” (1:10:25)

• Prayer (1:11:15):
  Persistent, Spirit-filled prayer is essential for victory.

  “Most of our battles are going to be won on our knees, praying, asking the Lord…” (1:11:47)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On not blaming everything on the devil (36:55):

  “No, it was you. You made you do it. OK, don’t be blaming it on the devil. … You made that decision. … You just repent and ask God to forgive you.”

• On the dangers of ignoring spiritual warfare (38:05):

  “If you just dismiss that the enemy is at work … you’re gonna be frustrated trying to resolve a spiritual battle in natural ways.”

• On spiritual exhaustion and hope (49:50):

  “Having done all, I just want you to stand there. I’ll fight for you.”

• On the power to defeat the enemy (55:35):

  “You think you’re going to engage in spiritual warfare in your own might? Satan will eat your lunch.”

• On the authority of God in spiritual conflict (56:52):

  “Michael said, ‘The Lord rebuke you.’ Because Michael even knew that he didn’t have the power, even as the archangel, to engage Satan in battle.”

• On applying the Armor of God (1:10:25):

  “Take up the sword of the Spirit, wield it. It is powerful and effective.”

Prayer & Closing (1:12:45)

The episode closes with an invitation for those experiencing spiritual attack to stand for prayer, reminding listeners that:

• God is greater than any enemy or conflict.
• Spiritual battles require spiritual solutions.
• Believers should be encouraged to stand their ground, knowing God fights for them.

“When the enemy comes in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. … I pray that they would leave here able to stand spiritually, to not retreat, to not give up. Because you are fighting our battles for us.” (1:14:30)

Important Timestamps

• [00:00] – Introduction, reading Ephesians 6
• [07:40] – Christian postures: seated, walking, standing
• [14:55] – Definition of spiritual warfare
• [19:15] – Names and tactics of Satan
• [27:44] – Satan’s origin, angels, and humanity as God’s prized possession
• [32:45] – Possession vs oppression; believer security
• [36:55] – Misconceptions and healthy discernment
• [45:15] – Four principles from Ephesians 6
• [48:30] – Stand your ground
• [54:15] – Strength in God, not self
• [58:20] – The Armor of God
• [59:07 to 1:11:47] – Explaining armor pieces & weapons
• [1:12:45] – Call to prayer, closing encouragement

Summary

This episode equips believers with biblical understanding and practical tools to “stand your ground” against spiritual opposition. Through scriptural exposition, stories, and gentle humor, the speaker demystifies spiritual warfare, emphasizes the necessity of God’s strength, and offers the hope and encouragement needed for those feeling weary or discouraged in their spiritual battles. The call to action is clear: be aware, be equipped, find your strength in God, and never retreat.