2026-09-20 Spiritual Warfare (1) – Recognise the devil’s schemes

 (Eph 6:10-11)

We’ve moved from Ephesians 1, where Paul tells us who we are in Christ—we are loved, chosen, adopted, forgiven, and sealed by the Holy Spirit, to Ephesians 2, where we are raised with Christ and seated with Him in the heavenly realms. Then Ephesians 3 reveals God’s eternal purpose through His Church, and Ephesians 4 and 5 show us how to live out our new identity in Christ. And now we come to Ephesians 6, How do we stand firm in Spiritual warfare and continue to grow into the image of Christ?

Why is standing in spiritual warfare so important? To answer this, we must ask: Why Jesus did come to save sinners, heal the sick, and set people free? The answer is: The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work (1John 3:8). In Gen 1 God made people in His image, and gave them identity, power, and authority to have dominion over the Creation. But the battle started from the beginning. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve listened to the devil, they lost what God had given them and they stopped growing in the image of God. Sin and death entered the world. 1 John 5:19 says, The whole world is under the control of the evil one.  That’s why we see so much problems in the world. But Jesus came to take back what humanity had lost.

Through Christ’s death and resurrection, he defeated sin, death, and Satan. Jesus didn’t come to change political systems. He came to restore what was lost, establish His Kingdom in people’s hearts, and prepare us for His Kingdom reign on earth at His second coming. How do we prepare? By standing firm in spiritual warfare and grow in the victory of Christ! Spiritual warfare is real. As Satan tempted Jesus, he will tempt us. But don’t become fearful or suspicious: “Where is the devil? I’m weak. I can’t win.” You’re not called to fight for victory. You’re called to stand in Christ’s victory. Today, we’ll look at vv.10-11, Be strong in the Lord—not in yourself.  Recognise the enemy's schemes. Next Sunday, Raymond will share v.12, Remember who the real enemy is, along with his own testimony.

1, Be strong in the Lord, not yourself. (v.10)

The Greek “Be strong” means to “be strengthened” or “be empowered.” It doesn’t mean, “Make yourself strong.” It means let the Lord strengthen you for the spiritual battle. We see this in 1 Samuel 30. David came back to Ziklag and found the city burned, their wives and children had taken captive. They wept loudly, David’s own men became bitter and wanted to stone him. David had every reason to complain, “God, I’ve been faithful to You, why didn’t you protect my family?” But David didn’t allow bitterness, resentment or disappointment to control him. 1 Samuel 30:6 says, “But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” He found his strength in the Lord. And God gave him strength to defeat the enemy. Their families were recovered, and they even took plunder from the enemy. What looked like a disaster, God turned into victory and blessing. This is what God wants us to learn when we face our battles: not to be defeated by our circumstances, but to be strengthened in the Lord.

In this life, no one can escape spiritual warfare. The battle has been there since the garden. But Jesus Christ has won the battle. Col 2:15 says, And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Here, “powers and authorities” refers to spiritual powers opposed to God. At the cross, what looked like Satan’s victory actually became his defeat. The cross became Christ’s victory parade. That’s why Paul tells us, “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” We’re not fighting for victory. We’re called to stand in the victory Christ has already won. Jesus is the King of kings. Satan is a defeated enemy, even though he is still active.

2. Recognise the enemy's schemes (v.11)

v.11 tells us, we must put on the full armour of God. Why do we need it? “so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.”  The devil has schemes, he wants to outwit you (2 Cor 2:11). Remember what Jesus said to Peter? “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. (Luke 22:32)” Did Satan only want to sift Peter? No. He wants to sift every believer, including you and me. Peter trusted himself and stumbled. The enemy wants to use the battle to destroy our faith, “God doesn’t love you, He hasn’t protected you...” but God uses the same battle to expose our self-reliance, give us chance to repent, and train us to rely on Him, and cause we to grow. Throughout the Bible we see the enemy’s schemes. He deceives: “Did God really say?” (Gen. 3:1–5). He tempts (Matt. 4:1–11). He accuses (Rev. 12:10). He condemns (Zech. 3:1–4). He blinds people’s minds (2 Cor. 4:4). He brings fear and discouragement (1 Sam. 17:10–11). He creates division (Rom. 16:17–20). He uses offence and unforgiveness (2 Cor. 2:10–11). He distorts God’s Word (Matt. 4:5–6). He attacks our identity (Matt. 4:3, 6). He disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14). He tries to move us into self-reliance and control (1 Chron. 21:1–2).  We’ll cover this in our third message. Now if we really wanna grow in Christ, we must learn to recognise the devil’s schemes, push back, and stand firm in Christ. Today, I want to expose one subtle scheme that I’ve seen cause many believers to stumble: transactional faith. It says, “God, I’ve done this for You, You must do that for me. Otherwise, I’m disappointed with You. I’m overwhelmed by frustration. I’m done.”

 Prosperity gospel can become transactional: “If I give, serve, pray, God will give me health, wealth, and success.” Here is the formula: My faith + my giving + my serving = God owes me the outcome I want. Do you see the scheme? Transactional faith turns a loving relationship with God into a trade. Imagine saying in a marriage, “If I marry you, what can you give me?” That’s not love; that’s a transaction. When our relationship with someone becomes centred on getting what we want, we can easily become angry and frustrated, because we become slaves to our own desires. But Jesus came to set us free, so that we can freely love, trust, and follow Him.

Transactional faith is found in every culture. When I arrived in Christchurch about fourteen years ago, the city had just suffered two devastating earthquakes. People had died, buildings were destroyed, and parts of the city were still in ruins. I was told something that shocked me: nearly all the pastors from different denominations across the city had resigned, with only two remaining. Many people were deeply disappointed with God, asking, “Why didn’t God protect us?” It was a very sad time. But Jesus clearly tells us that there will be wars, famines, earthquakes, and pestilences. Trials also test and refine our faith. So our faith must be built on who God is, and what He has promised—not, “I’ve served or given, therefore, God must bless me and protect me in the way I want.” Or that is where transactional faith begins.

We see exactly this battle in the book of Job. Satan said to God: ‘Does Job fear God for nothing?’ (Job 1:9)” In other words, “Job only worships You because You bless him. Take away the blessing, and he’ll stop worshipping You.” That's spiritual warfare! Satan thinks transactionally. “Take away the earthly blessings, and they’ll stop worshipping God.” So here’s the battle: “Will I still trust God when I don’t understand His ways? Or will I turn to my own ways?” Job lost almost everything, yet he said, “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” (Job 1:21) That’s faith! “I don’t understand what’s happening, I still trust Him because He is good. I seek His Word, and push back bitterness and disappointment, and I’ll still praise Him. Daniel’s three friends face the same test: “God can deliver us, “but even if He does not,” we still won’t bow down to the idols.” True faith defeats transactional scheme.

In the Bible, we see two gardens, but two responses. In one garden, Adam and Eve chose their own desire above God’s will. But in another garden, Jesus prayed, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) Jesus expressed His desire. Surrender doesn’t mean we have no desires. You can tell God what You want. But Jesus was saying, “Father, Your Will above my desires, Your will is best.”  He lay down his life on the cross. The Cross destroys Satan’s transactional scheme. Jesus loved us and He has given us something infinitely greater than any earthly comfort - Himself. Transactional faith says, “I’ve done this, You must give me what I want.” But Paul says in Philippians 3:8, “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…” Paul’s greatest gain wasn’t comfort, pleasure, money, or success. His greatest gain was Christ Himself. Compared with Christ, everything else was rubbish.” This is the opposite of transactional faith. Transactional faith says, “Jesus, give me what I want.” True discipleship says, “Jesus, You are my treasure, my reward. To whom I shall I go? You have the words of eternal life. You’re worthy. You’re enough for me. I trust You.  I want to know You more, love You more, and become more like You. And I wanna find freedom, joy, and authority in You to trample on the devil’s schemes!” Is this your desire in following Jesus? Then be strong in the Lord. Recognise the scheme. Reject the transaction. Surrender your desires. Trust His goodness. And gain Christ.

Prayer:

Yes, Lord, I trust in You, my Saviour, the One who will never fail. You’re a good Father to us. You’re compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in love. You are faithful, and Your goodness never changes.

Thank You, Jesus, for Your sacrificial love for us. Who would love sinners to the point of death—even death on the Cross? Thank You for pouring out Your own blood to forgive our sins, break the power of sin, death and Satan, and bring us out of darkness into Your Kingdom.

You have already given us Yourself. What more could we ask for? Father, today we choose to trust You for who You are. You’re good, and Your character never changes.

Now, if you want to make this prayer personal, you can repeat after me:

“Father, forgive me for the times I doubted Your goodness because I didn’t get what I wanted. I treated my relationships with my spouse, my family, other people, and even with You like a transaction, thinking, ‘I’ve given you this, so what will you give me back? I’ve served, I’ve tithed, I’ve done this for You, why don’t You give me what I want?’ Then I became suspicious, angry, frustrated, or disappointed when things didn’t go my way.”

Today, I confess that this transactional mindset doesn’t belong in my relationship with Jesus. Jesus showed me at the Cross what true surrender looks like. The Son of God put the Father’s will above His own desire because He trusted that the Father’s will is good and perfect.

Jesus, I look again at the Cross. You loved me and gave Yourself for me. You have given me Your eternal life, Your Spirit, Your power and authority, and Your Kingdom. You held nothing back from me. You don’t owe me anything; I owe You everything.  Today, I renounce this transactional way of thinking as evil. I refuse the enemy’s lie that Your goodness depends on whether I get what I want. That’s deception, not faith.

Lord, whatever inner vows I made when my desires were not met, like: ‘I’ll never trust again. I’ll get what I want anyway. I’ll protect myself.’ Today, I bring them to the Cross. I renounce those vows and the self-reliance behind them.

I receive Your grace to forgive myself and those who didn’t meet my desires. And Lord, I repent for holding disappointment or offence against You.

Holy Spirit, release the resurrection power of Christ in me. Break every chain and set me free from self-reliance and the control of my own desires. What is truly good for me in this life? The good is not that all my desires are met; the good is that my mind is renewed to freely love, trust and follow You, so that I can stand firm in spiritual warfare and grow into Your image. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Questions for Discussion:

1, What does it mean to “be strong in the Lord”?

2, What is transactional faith? Can you give an example?

3, How do you normally respond when God doesn’t give you what you want?

4, What can we learn from Job when he lost almost everything?

5, Is there an area of your life where you need to trust God and surrender the outcome to Him?