7/23/23 - Satan Practices Self Love - Ephesians 6:12; Isaiah 14:12-14; 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 - Pastor Jason Fritz

This Sunday we’ll discover a person and a force that is entirely devoted to keeping people from entering heaven. If you paid attention in World History class you remember that as Hitler’s appetite for power and territory grew, his army began to march across Europe. In some cases, the fight could hardly be called a battle. The German army rapidly advanced, with its tanks and technologically advanced weapons. In some of the underdeveloped nations, their armies made a futile effort to resist the aggression, fighting back with spears and even rocks. It was no contest at all, because these nations were not equipped for the battle.

The same could be said of many Christians. They are totally unprepared or even unaware of the spiritual battle that goes on around them and the eternal consequences of these battles. Our fight is against Satan and the powers of darkness, or other fallen angels, which he controls. Many of Satan’s victims do not even know there is a war going on and because of this, they make easy prey. 

One of my mentors often said, “One of the most disbelieved verses in all of Scripture is found in Ephesians 6:12.” I think he’s right.

“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.” 

These forces have been at work since God created man and woman. In the opening pages of the Bible it is apparent that Satan is the enemy of God, and that he actively seeks to oppose God, his purposes, and his people. However, we have been equipped by God to fight this enemy and win. I’m reminded of William Wallace (Mel Gibson) from the movie Braveheart who stood tall and stoic as the enemy rapidly advanced directly toward him and his men. Calmly, then forcefully he said, “Steady, hold, hold, hold, NOOOOOW!!!!” At that moment the Scotts picked up hidden weapons and immediately began to take down their English opposition. Or perhaps you remember the words of Maximus from the movie Gladiator when he told his General, “On my command, unleash hell.” We have something far more powerful than hell. We have the power of God’s throne in heaven. On God’s command, we unleash heaven!

Three distinct weapons are in your arsenal Christian. Are you using them?

1. Prayer - prayer engages God’s power against Satan.
2. Worship - when we worship we do the exact opposite of what Satan did. He practiced self-love and had thoughts of exaltation fueled by pride. He wanted to be on God’s throne; we bow down before it.
3. God’s Word - The Bible is described as a sword that cuts through the lies and replaces them with truth. Satan is allergic to the truth and this is why he left Jesus alone after He kept breathing the Scriptures into Satan’s face.