THE INTERCESSOR AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Ephesians 6:10-11

            Anyone who persists in prayer knows that Satan hates it when a Christian is on his knees.  Satan trembles when the Christian falls on his knees, for it is spiritual warfare.  The reason Satan fears when we pray is because believing prayer is an encroachment upon the desires of Satan to expand his kingdom.

Illustration:  1 Chr. 14:8-17

v. 10- David inquired of God about what to do.  We need to develop a sensitivity to hear the voice of God who tells us what to do.

v. 11 – David named the place “breaking through.”  Prayer advances against our enemy and penetrates the front lines!

v. 14 –David inquired of God again and God told him a different plan.

v. 15 – “Go out to battle when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees.” = the sound of horses hooves.  In those days it would be the sound of a mighty arm on horseback.

v. 16 – “Gibeon to Gezer” – a 20 mile swath cut out by foot soldiers because of intercessory prayer!

            The one concern of Satan is to keep Christians from praying.  He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless worship.  When we neglect to pray, he laughs at our Christian service, and he mocks our self-made wisdom.  But he trembles when we pray, pouring our hearts out to God!

            Therefore, to do spiritual battle with our enemy, we must know our enemy.

1.      Satan is a real being
Job 1:6-7; Lk. 22:31-32; Matt. 4:1-3; Zech. 3:1-2

2.      Satan has real objectives
Schemer - Eph. 6:11
Deceiver/accuser – Rev. 12:9-13; 20:8,10
Doubt/unbelief – Gen. 3:4-5
Temptation – 1 Cor. 7:5; 1 Thess 3:5
Pseudo-spirituality – 2 Cor. 11:13-15
Road-blocks in Christian service – 1 Thess. 2:17-18
Blocks spiritual understanding/fathers lies – John 8:43-44; Matt. 13:19
Leads others into disobedience – Eph. 2:1-3
Weakens the nations – Isa. 14:12
Instigates betrayal of Christians – John 13:1-2, 27
Makes crooked the straight ways of the Lord – Acts 13:9-10
Blinds our mind – 2 Cor. 4:4
Causes spiritual weakness in places of authority – Eph. 6:11-12
Condemns us – 1 Tim. 3:6-7
Brings death – Heb. 2:14
Devours – 1 Pet. 5:8
Makes people sin – 1 John 3:8
Imprisons us – Rev. 2:10

3.      Satan heads a real army
Eph. 6:10-12; 2:2; 2 Thess. 2:3-10

Conclusion

            Too much attention to Satan is not good, but not enough attention leaves you a victim!

            Satan may offer appealing offers now, but we dare not be sucked into it for we know the end, the destiny of those who side with him.  Rev. 20:7-15