We Who Wrestle - Against the Enemy - Luke Morris

Ephesians 6:10–18 ESV“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,”SectionsOur EnemyOur GameplanOUR ENEMYName - Orchestrator of DeathName - Counterfeiter Isaiah 40:31 ESV,”But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”“Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.” “We want cattle who can finally become food; [the enemy] wants servants who can finally become sons.” - Screwtape Letters; CS Lewis3. Name - Pride Manifest“In God you come up against something which in every respect is immeasurably superior to yourself.” “As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people.” - Screwtape Letters; CS Lewis1 Peter 5:8 ESV,”Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”4. Name - Father of LiesEphesians 2:4-7 ESV,”But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”“It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out.” - Screwtape Letters; CS Lewis - We fight through focus.OUR GAMEPLANFocus on Jesus’ VictoryColossians 2:15 (ESV) “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” Focus on Father God’s loveFocus on the work of the spirit. “Rather, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but godliness is beneficial for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers.”1 Timothy 4:7-10 NASB2020 mission + intentionality “I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we are imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as to avoid hitting air; but I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:23-27 NASB2020“The remembrance of all important things is impossible, but the remembering of the most important thing is essential.”Reflection:Where do you feel you wrestle the most right now? (school, friends, phone, anxiety, lust, pride, anger, loneliness)Which enemy tactic shows up there most?LiePride Counterfeit comfortIsolationEtc.What is one way you will wrestle this week?Talk to God throughout my dayRead one Psalm a dayStart a Bible reading plan with a friendAsk someone to pray with you Remove one distraction (social media, youtube, etc.)