PRAYER AND FASTING GUIDELINES: DAY FIVE--ARM YOURSELF FOR BATTLE: PART O1

Step 5... Arm Yourself For Spiritual Warfare  
Ephesians 6:10-18 / Isaiah 59:16-17

Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV  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,

I.  BE STRONG!...In the Lord and power of His might!  (verse.10)

A. Know Your Position in Christ:

1. Eph. 1:18-22  He is seated in heavenly places

Ephesians 1:18-22 ESV  having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,  (19)  and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might  (20)  that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,  (21)  far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.  (22)  And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,

2.  Eph. 2:5-6 We are seated with him in heavenlies

Ephesians 2:5-6 ESV  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,

3.  Eph. 3:10-12 To the intent to show princes & powers in heavenly places what His purpose for the church

Ephesians 3:10-12 ESV  so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.  (11)  This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,  (12)  in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

B.  Use the Name of Jesus: Luke 10:17-20 / Acts 16:18

Luke 10:17-20 ESV  The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!"  (18)  And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. (19)  Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. (20)  Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Acts 16:16-18 ESV  As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling.  (17)  She followed Paul and us, crying out, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation."  (18)  And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour.

C.  Stand on the Blood of Christ - Rev. 12:11

Revelation 12:11 ESV  And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

D.  Rod of Christ - Matthew 28:18 / Luke 9:1-2/ Luke 10:19-20

Matthew 28:18 ESV  And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Luke 9:1-2 ESV  And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,  (2)  and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.

Luke 10:19-20 ESV  Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. (20)  Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

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