• When it comes to our Faith, we must think triadic. In the same way our Faith is influenced by a triune God, there’s also three influences that comes against us. The world, the flesh, and the devil.

Ephesians 2:1-10 (ESV)

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Three Dark Influences Competing For Your Headship:

#1) THE WORLD

Ephesians 2:2a… “following the course of this world”

Romans 12:2 (ESV)

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

#2) THE FLESH

Ephesians 2:3 (ESV)… among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

1 John 2:16 (ESV)

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

The World will try to tempt you with these three things:

1. DESIRES OF THE FLESH (Body)
2. DESIRES OF THE EYES (Soul)
3. PRIDE OF LIFE (Spirit)

#3) THE DEVIL

Ephesians 2:2b (ESV) … following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

John 10:10 (ESV)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

A) THE DEVIL DISTORTS (Genesis 3:1-5)

Genesis 3:1-5 (ESV)

1 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’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

1) Sowing Doubt

• It’s so important to know the Word of God. If not, the enemy will create doubt that will lead you to destruction.

2) Spreading Lies

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.

1 Timothy 4:1-3 (ESV)

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

2 Thessalonians 2:9–10 (ESV)

The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

Your pursuit of happiness will at times lead you to sacrifice the truth, while your pursuit of truth will at times lead you to sacrifice your happiness.

B) THE DEVIL DISTRACTS (Matthew 4:1-11)

• Satan tries to distract us with earthly things by tempting us with immediate results or selfish ambitions.

1) Tempts the Body: Lust of the Flesh

Matthew 4:3-4 (NLT)

3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,

‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

2) Tempts the Soul: Lust of the Eyes

Luke 11:34-36 NLT

“Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is bad, your body is filled with darkness. Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.”

Matthew 4:8-11 (NLT)

8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,

‘You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.’ ”

11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

3) Tempts the Spirit: Pride of Life

Matthew 4:5-7 (NLT)

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple,6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,

‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’ ”

7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God.’ ”

C) THE DEVIL DIVIDES

1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV)

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

Strategic tactics the enemy uses to devour is to divide people through:

1) Fear

Proverbs 29:25 (ESV)

The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

2) Unresolved Hurt

2 Corinthians 2:10–11 (ESV)

Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

Ephesians 4:26-27 (ESV)

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

3) Discord

Proverbs 6:12-15 NKJV

A worthless person, a wicked man, Walks with a perverse mouth;

He winks with his eyes, He shuffles his feet, He points with his fingers; Perversity is in his heart,

He devises evil continually, He sows discord. Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.

• Calamity = an event which results in a great loss and misfortune. A disaster, a great disgrace or misfortune that causes great pain and/or affects many people.
• A person who sows discord is a person who causes problems and does not try to resolve.

4) Slander

• Slander = a false and malicious report about a person.

Psalm 140:11 NKJV

Let not a slanderer be established in the earth; Let evil hunt the violent man to overthrow him.”

Exodus 20:16 (ESV)

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Proverbs 19:5 (ESV)

A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.

Exodus 23:1 (ESV)

“You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.

Proverbs 25:18 (ESV)

A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.

• We must remember the importance of unity in the body of Christ and standing firm in faith, resisting Satan’s attempts to create division.

D) BUT GOD DEFENDS (Ephesians 6:10-18)

• God has provided us with a Holy Divine Armor. Believers are called to be equipped with the full armor of God to resist Satan’s strategies effectively. Each piece of armor represents an aspect of faith that protects against different attacks.

Ephesians 6:10-18 (ESV)

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 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. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

• When we wear the whole armor we will be able to discern and keep alert.

A) BELT OF TRUTH

B) BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

C) SHOES OF PEACE

D) SHIELD OF FAITH

E) HELMET OF SALVATION

F) SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

CONCLUSION

Ephesians 2:1,4-10 (ESV)

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins…

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

James 4:7 (ESV)

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

• Submit yourselves to God and obey Him by putting on the whole armor of God. This is the only way we can be saved from these three influences.