Week 1…

Know that you are in a spiritual battle

Week 2…

Walk in the light because the dark creates monsters

Week 3…

Wear the “uniform/armor” of the Christ Believer

Week 4:

Pray to know God and advance His kingdom

Ephesians 6:10-18

11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.

How do we stand? How do we fight for our life?

With a plan for Battle!

How do you stand when things aren’t going well/your way?
When life is unusually difficult

A plan for battle…

Step 1: Recognizing the season you’re in

Ecclesiastes 3

1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

Your season dictates your capacity

Recognize your season so you can fight the enemy properly
Some seasons are inward

Distraction
Weakness
Fear
Weariness
Unbelief
Denial
Frustration
Grief/hurt

Some seasons are Outward

Season of life
Work time/stress
Kids
Physical issues

Your season can make it seem like you are drowning

Your enemy will use this to his advantage

A plan for battle…

Step 2: Address Continual Sin

Sin Separates

People from God
People from People
People from the Spirit’s power in their life

James 1:14-15

14 Each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.

Be killing sin or it will be killing you. ~ John Owen (1600’s)

Don’t be convinced that your sin is “neutral”

**SOME Examples of Sneaky Sin**

What we think
What we see
How we respond

John Owen’s “The Mortification of Sin”

Diagnose sin’s severity
Grasp sin’s serious consequences
Be convinced of your guilt
Earnestly desire deliverance
Consider the relationship between your sins and your natural temperament
Avoid occasions that incite sin
Address sin’s first signs
Meditate on God’s glory
Don’t rush to comfort yourself

Romans 8

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
Be Killing Sin of it will be killing you…

A plan for battle…

Step 3: Know Who You Are

Romans 8

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
You are Sons and Daughters of God

“MY DAD CAN BEAT UP YOUR DAD…”

MY DAD CAN BEAT UP MY DEVIL”

Children expect good things

Children trust their father

Some of you did not have healthy relationships with you fathers, but God is not that kind of father, He is a GOOD FATHER

A plan for battle…

Step 4: Grab a Hand and Lend a Hand

Genesis 2:18

18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper corresponding to him.”
No solo fighters

Strength in numbers
Alone and vulnerable
Your faith as a shield protects me, those next to me, and those wounded around me
Mentor/training

Hebrews 10

24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

Romans 8

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Take Courage

Fight the good fight!