“As for you, you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world, and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is at work in those who are disobedient.” Ephesians 2:1-2 Every believer needs to be conscious of the fact that we are in a battle with spiritual forces as we seek to live for Christ and to advance His kingdom. There is always more than meets the eye. And there is only one power that can overcome this enemy and it is the One who has already defeated him at the cross – the Lord Jesus Christ. I. Don't Misunderstand the Nature of the Battle. Acts 13.4-8 "But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.” Acts 13:8 The spread of the gospel is always an advance of the kingdom of Christ driving out the dominion of Satan. “For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or power or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. His before all things and in him all things hold together." Colossians 1:15-17 **Every evangelism opportunity is a clash of the kingdom of God with the strongholds of the enemy. ** “We fight an incredible force that we can’t see, touch, or outwit. This enemy is deceptive, powerful and supernatural. That’s where the battle lies. The sooner you realize that, the better off you will be. If you don’t know there’s a battle going on, you’ve probably lost a few.” John MacArthur “Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing.” - Martin Luther, A Mighty Fortress “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18 II. Don’t Be Ignorant of Satan’s Schemes. Acts 13.9-11 “But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, ‘You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? " Acts 13:9-10 **Satan’s scheme is to turn people from trusting in Christ alone for their righteousness. “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." John 8:44 “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” Genesis 3:1 “But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’” Genesis 3:4-5 “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe." Romans 3:21-22 “For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.” Romans 3:23-24 Satan always attacks God’s goodness and God’s trustworthiness in order to turn people to false gods and false hopes. How Does Satan Keep People From the Righteousness of Christ: He Lies/Deceives He Tempts He Accuses He Destroys III. Be Completely Confident in Christ's Authority Over His Enemies. Acts 13.12 “And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord." Acts 13:11-12 “And Elisha prayed, ‘O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha. As the enemy came down towards him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, ‘Strike these people with blindness.’ So he struck them with blindness as Elisha asked.” 2 Kings 6:17-18 "I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.” Isaiah 42:6-7 "Jesus said, ‘For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.’” John 9:39 “We are not doomed to an ultimate conflict with no hope of resolution. The message of the Scripture is one of victory - full, final and ultimate victory. It is not our doom that is certain, but Satan's. His head has been crushed by the heel of Christ, who is the Alpha and Omega.” RC Sproul Study Questions: Section I – Don’t Misunderstand the Nature of the Battle (Acts 13:4–8) What was Elymas the magician trying to do, and why is his opposition significant? How does the spread of the gospel challenge the dominion of Satan? According to Colossians 1:13–17, what does it mean that Christ has authority over all things—visible and invisible? Why is every act of evangelism a spiritual conflict? How do quotes from John MacArthur and Martin Luther help us understand the spiritual reality behind the opposition to the gospel? What does Matthew 16:18 promise about Christ’s church in the face of spiritual opposition? Section II – Don’t Be Ignorant of Satan’s Schemes (Acts 13:9–11) What does Paul’s rebuke of Elymas reveal about Satan’s influence and tactics? What are some of the primary ways Satan tries to keep people from trusting in Christ for righteousness? How does John 8:44 describe the nature and methods of the devil? What strategies does Satan use in Genesis 3 to deceive Adam and Eve, and how are these strategies still seen today? How do Romans 3:21–24 clarify the true way to be made right with God? Which of Satan’s tactics (lying, tempting, accusing, destroying) have you seen most at work in the world or your life? How can these be resisted? Section III – Be Completely Confident in Christ’s Authority Over His Enemies (Acts 13:12) What happened to Elymas after Paul confronted him, and what effect did this have on the proconsul? Why is the concept of spiritual blindness a powerful metaphor for unbelief? How does 2 Kings 6:17–18 parallel the events in Acts 13:12? What does this show about God’s power over enemies? How does Isaiah 42:6–7 relate to the mission of Christ? According to John 9:39, what is one of the purposes of Jesus' coming into the world? What hope does R.C. Sproul’s quote offer believers in the midst of spiritual battles? Personal Reflection / Application Questions Are you aware of the spiritual battle going on in your life or around you? How are you responding to it? Who in your life might be spiritually “blind” right now, and how can you pray or act to help them see the truth of Christ?