Ephesians 6:11-12, 16 (NKJV) Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places….above all, take the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
As Christians, we need to know that we are not fighting against flesh and blood but unseen spiritual forces. These spiritual forces are one-third of the angels who had fallen with Lucifer when he rebelled against God. This passage reveals that there is a hierarchy in the demonic kingdom. Nonetheless, we don’t need to fear because Jesus is seated far above all principalities, dominions, and might, and we are seated in Him. The devil, by amplifying his greatness, will try to deceive our minds that he can only be overcome with much effort based on our own strength. However, if we know Jesus’ victory and our position in Christ, we can engage in warfare differently— simply by enforcing the victory by standing on the truth.
Do you realise that there are specific values and practices of today that are demonic? We live in this world. Therefore, we will be exposed to and be influenced by them. Some attacks that come upon us are like fiery darts shot by the wicked, intended to harm, steal, kill, and destroy us and our families.
John 8:44 (ESV) You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
The last frontier is in the mind. Even though the devil has been defeated, disarmed, and awaits judgement when he and his demons will be thrown into the lake of fire, they can still speak and influence through people and circumstances. He manipulates people by instigating them to act on his behalf, especially those under the dominion of darkness. Because we live in a fallen and broken world, there is no lack of people or resources for them to transmit their values and influences. Therefore, we need to be vigilant and watchful and ensure that we stand our ground.
Finally, we need to take authority over the demonic influences over our children through prayer by interceding for them, especially since we cannot control or monitor what they are exposed to, such as through social media, liberal thoughts and ideologies advocated by the education system and their peers. We also need to pray that God will minister to their hearts and that the Word of God will minister to them when they go to kids or youth ministries.
Sermon Series： STAND!
保持警醒
以弗所书6:11-12,16 要穿戴神所赐的全副军装，就能抵挡魔鬼的诡计。因我们并不是与属血气的争战（原文作摔跤；下同），乃是与那些执政的、掌权的、管辖这幽暗世界的，以及天空属灵气的恶魔争战 。此外，又拿着信德当作藤牌，可以灭尽那恶者一切的火箭。
作为基督徒，我们需要明白，我们争战的对象不是肉体血气，而是看不见的邪灵。这些邪灵是与路西法一同悖逆上帝而堕落的三分之一天使。这段经文揭示了邪灵之国中所存在着等级制度。尽管如此，我们无需胆怯，因为耶稣远高于一切执政的、统治的和有权势的，而我们也在祂里面。魔鬼通过夸大自己的力量，试图欺骗我们去相信唯有依靠自己的努力才能战胜牠。然而，如果我们认识耶稣的得胜和我们在基督里的地位，我们就可以以不同的方式参与争战——只需通过坚守真理来宣告这场得胜。
您是否意识到当今的某些价值观和行为方式是从魔鬼而来的？我们就生活世俗世界里。因此，我们会受到世俗观念的影响。一些攻击就像恶者射出的火箭，意图伤害、窃取、杀害和毁灭我们及我们的家庭。
约翰福音 8:44 你们是出于你们的父魔鬼，你们父的私欲你们想要行。他从起初是杀人的，不讲真理，心里没有真理。他说谎是出于自己的本性，因为他是说谎的，也是谎言之父。
最后的防线是我们的思想。尽管魔鬼已经被击败、解除武装，并等待审判时将与牠和牠的恶魔一起被扔进火湖，但牠们仍然可以通过人和环境发声并施加影响。牠们操控人们为牠们行事，尤其是那些被邪灵权势制伏的人。由于我们生活在一个堕落和破碎的世界中，有许多人或资源可以传播他们的价值观和影响力。因此，我们需要保持警惕，确保我们站稳脚跟。
最后，我们需要藉着祷告，对影响孩子们的邪灵行使我们的权柄，为他们代求，特别是因为我们无法控制或监测他们所接触的内容，如社交媒体、教育体系以及同龄人倡导的自由思想和意识形态。我们也要祈求神感动他们的心，使神的话语能够在他们参加儿童或青少年事工时真正触动他们。
讲章系列：立定心志，站稳脚跟
Image Source：pixabay.com