Teaching Notes

  • July 5, 2026

    Why is it that the moment you _______________, all hell seems to break loose?

     

    • You are in a SPIRITUAL BATTLE.

     

    For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

    Ephesians 6:12

     

    There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.

    – C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

     

    For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

    2 Corinthians 10:3-5 

     

    Spiritual WARFARE requires spiritual WEAPONS.

    The battle begins in your THOUGHT LIFE. 

     

    • You have a REAL ENEMY.

     

    Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

    Ephesians 6:11 

     

    Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

    1 Peter 5:8

     

    The Schemes of the Enemy:

    • DISCOURAGEMENT
    • DERAILMENT
    • DISTRACTION
    • DIVISION

     

    • You have VICTORY in CHRIST JESUS.

     

    Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

    Ephesians 6:10

     

    You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

    1 John 4:4

    In Jesus, you do not fight FOR victory but FROM victory.

     

    I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

    Ephesians 1:18-23