Embracing Spiritual Warfare: Strength in Dependence and Mission

Summary

The reality of spiritual warfare is not just a distant theological concept, but a present and personal battle that every believer faces. This conflict is not random or meaningless; rather, it is a purposeful part of God’s plan to shape us, mature us, and advance His kingdom. The struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil, and God has equipped us with everything we need to stand firm and be victorious.

God uses spiritual warfare to deepen our dependence on Him. Like the drills we experienced in school, the battles we face are not arbitrary—they are designed to prepare us for what lies ahead and to draw us closer to God. Through hardship and opposition, God exposes our self-sufficiency and invites us to lean wholly on His strength. The story of Job reminds us that even the most faithful can be sifted, not as punishment, but as a means to know God more intimately. True victory is not found in our independence, but in our intimacy with God, moving from merely hearing about Him to truly seeing and savoring Him.

Standing firm in Christ is another key purpose of spiritual warfare. We are called to hold our ground, not just in doctrine, but in our relationship with Jesus. The repeated call to “stand” in Ephesians 6 emphasizes that we are to resist the schemes of the enemy, anchored in the victory Christ has already won. This is not a passive stance, but an active, persevering faith that refuses to retreat, even when the world, our flesh, or Satan himself presses in. Our confidence is not in our own grip on Christ, but in His unbreakable hold on us.

Finally, spiritual warfare is about advancing the gospel. The armor of God is not just for defense, but for pressing forward with the message of Jesus. Paul’s request for boldness in proclaiming the gospel, even while in chains, shows that the real battle is for the souls of people. The gates of hell will not prevail against the church as it moves forward in mission. If we are not experiencing resistance, it may be because we are not a threat to the enemy. Faithful, gospel-proclaiming Christians are on the front lines, and the opposition we face is a sign that we are advancing Christ’s kingdom.

Key Takeaways

- Spiritual warfare is God’s means of deepening our dependence on Him. The battles we face are not random acts of chaos, but purposeful opportunities for us to relinquish self-reliance and trust wholly in God’s sovereignty and goodness. Like Job, we move from knowing about God to truly knowing Him through our trials, discovering that intimacy with Him is the true outcome of every battle. [53:36]

- Standing firm in Christ is not merely about holding doctrinal ground, but about clinging to Jesus Himself. The repeated call to “stand” is a summons to active, persevering faith that resists the world’s philosophies, our own sinful tendencies, and the attacks of the enemy. Our ability to stand is rooted not in our own strength, but in the victory and presence of Christ, who stands with us in every trial. [01:06:43]

- The absence of spiritual conflict may be a sign of disengagement from God’s mission. If our lives are marked by comfort and ease, it may be because we are not pressing forward with the gospel. True spiritual warfare intensifies as we become more faithful in proclaiming Christ, making us a threat to the enemy and a force for the advancement of God’s kingdom. [01:19:49]

- God’s purpose in spiritual warfare is not just our survival, but our transformation. Every hardship, temptation, and opposition is an invitation to be shaped more into the likeness of Christ. The war is not in the way of God’s plan for us—it is God’s plan, designed to mature us, strengthen our faith, and prepare us for greater usefulness in His kingdom. [46:47]

- The mission of the church is inherently spiritual and confrontational. We are not called to retreat or merely defend, but to advance with the gospel, knowing that the gates of hell cannot withstand the church on the move. Boldness in sharing Christ, even in the midst of suffering, is both the front line of the battle and the means by which God’s victory is made manifest in the world. [01:15:54]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[39:26] - Introduction to Spiritual Warfare
[40:44] - Reading Ephesians 6:10-20
[43:20] - The Purpose of Spiritual Warfare
[44:42] - Spiritual Warfare Prepares Us
[48:06] - Growing Dependence on God
[50:55] - The Story of Job and Dependence
[56:06] - Johnny Erickson Tada’s Testimony
[59:21] - Don’t Waste Your War
[01:00:02] - Standing Firm in Jesus
[01:03:21] - No Armor for Retreat
[01:06:43] - Standing Together in Faith
[01:10:00] - The Power of the Gospel
[01:13:16] - Advancing the Gospel Message
[01:17:14] - The Gates of Hell Will Not Prevail
[01:21:41] - Living as a Threat to the Enemy
[01:25:00] - The Kingdom Will Not Fail
[01:26:25] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Purpose of Spiritual Warfare

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### Bible Reading

- Ephesians 6:10-20
(The Armor of God and the call to stand firm in spiritual battle)

- Job 42:1-6
(Job’s response to God after his suffering: “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you…”)

- Matthew 16:18-19
(“…on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it…”)

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### Observation Questions

1. In Ephesians 6:10-20, what are the different pieces of the armor of God, and what is their purpose?
2. According to the sermon, what is the main reason God allows spiritual warfare in the lives of believers? [[46:47]]
3. In Job 42:5, Job says, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.” What changed for Job after his suffering?
4. In Matthew 16:18, what does Jesus say about the church and the gates of hell? What does this imply about the church’s mission?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that spiritual warfare is not random, but purposeful. How does this change the way a believer might view their struggles and hardships? [[46:47]]
2. Why is dependence on God, rather than self-sufficiency, so important in the context of spiritual warfare? [[49:29]]
3. The call to “stand firm” is repeated several times in Ephesians 6. What does it mean to stand firm in Christ, and how is this different from just holding correct beliefs? [[01:00:47]]
4. The sermon suggests that a lack of spiritual conflict might mean disengagement from God’s mission. How can someone discern if their comfort is a sign of disengagement? [[01:19:49]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon says that God uses spiritual warfare to expose our self-sufficiency and deepen our dependence on Him. Can you think of a recent struggle where you tried to handle things on your own? What would it look like to depend on God in that situation? [[49:29]]
2. Job moved from “hearing about God” to “seeing” Him through his trials. Is there a hardship in your life right now that could be an invitation to know God more personally? How might you respond differently in light of this? [[53:36]]
3. The call to “stand firm” is not just about doctrine, but about clinging to Jesus. Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to retreat or compromise? What would it look like to stand firm in those areas this week? [[01:00:47]]
4. The sermon says there is “no armor for retreat.” When you face opposition or temptation, do you tend to retreat, freeze, or press forward? What is one practical step you can take to stand your ground in Christ? [[01:03:21]]
5. Paul asks for boldness to proclaim the gospel even while in chains. When was the last time you shared your faith with someone? What holds you back, and how can you ask God for boldness this week? [[01:14:35]]
6. The sermon warns that a comfortable, conflict-free Christian life might mean we are not a threat to the enemy. Are there ways you have chosen comfort over mission? What is one way you can step out in faith to advance the gospel? [[01:19:49]]
7. The pastor said, “Don’t waste your war.” Is there a current struggle or opposition you are facing that you have been wishing away? How could you invite God to use it for your growth and for His kingdom? [[59:21]]

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Close in prayer, asking God to help the group depend on Him, stand firm in Christ, and boldly advance the gospel, even in the midst of spiritual battles.

Devotional

Day 1: Spiritual warfare grows our dependence on God
God allows spiritual battles not to punish us, but to draw us closer to Him, exposing our weakness and teaching us to rely on His strength rather than our own. Like Job, who endured unimaginable loss yet came to know God more intimately, we are shaped through hardship to trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, even when we do not understand our circumstances. In every trial, God is calling us to deeper faith, inviting us to let go of self-sufficiency and cling to Him as our only hope and strength. [50:55]

Job 42:1-6 (CSB)
Then Job replied to the Lord:
I know that you can do anything and no plan of yours can be thwarted.
You asked, “Who is this who conceals my counsel with ignorance?”
Surely I spoke about things I did not understand,
things too wondrous for me to know.
You said, “Listen now, and I will speak.
When I question you, you will inform me.”
I had heard reports about you,
but now my eyes have seen you.
Therefore, I reject my words and am sorry for them;
I am dust and ashes.

Reflection: In what area of your life are you struggling to let go of self-reliance and trust God fully? How can you intentionally surrender that area to Him today?


Day 2: Stand firm in Christ amid spiritual warfare
Standing firm in spiritual warfare means holding fast to Jesus, anchored in relationship with Him, and refusing to retreat even when the world, our flesh, or the enemy pressures us to give up. We are called to stand our ground, not just in belief but in faithful living, knowing that our victory is secure in Christ and that He is with us in every battle. When we stand together with other believers, we are strengthened to resist temptation and remain faithful, no matter the opposition. [01:02:41]

Ephesians 6:10-14 (CSB)
Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.
Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.
For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.
Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest.

Reflection: Where are you tempted to compromise or retreat in your faith? What would it look like to stand firm for Christ in that specific situation this week?


Day 3: Press forward with the gospel message
The purpose of spiritual warfare is not just survival, but advancing the kingdom of God by boldly proclaiming the gospel, even in the face of resistance and hardship. Like Paul, who asked for prayer not for his own comfort but for boldness to speak the gospel, we are called to see every battle as an opportunity to share Christ with those in darkness. Our faithfulness in sharing the good news makes us a threat to the enemy and brings light to those who need salvation. [01:15:15]

Ephesians 6:18-20 (CSB)
Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.
Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.
For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.

Reflection: Who is one person in your life who needs to hear the gospel? How can you take a step of boldness to share Christ with them this week, even if it feels uncomfortable?


Day 4: God’s sovereignty and goodness in spiritual warfare
Even when spiritual battles feel chaotic or painful, God remains absolutely sovereign and perfectly good, working all things for our ultimate blessing and His glory. Trusting in His control means believing that nothing is random or wasted, and that He permits what He hates to accomplish what He loves in our lives. When we rest in His wisdom and care, we can find peace and purpose even in the midst of suffering. [58:43]

Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Reflection: Recall a recent hardship or spiritual struggle—how might God be using it for your good and His glory? What step can you take to trust His sovereignty in that situation?


Day 5: Spiritual warfare is purposeful, not random
The battles we face are not meaningless; God uses them to shape us, mature us, and equip us for His kingdom purposes. Every trial is an opportunity to grow in faith, strengthen our stand, and become more like Christ, knowing that God’s glory is ultimately for our good. Rather than wasting our struggles, we are invited to seek God’s purpose in them and allow Him to use us for something greater than ourselves. [01:25:38]

James 1:2-4 (ESV)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Reflection: How can you shift your perspective to see your current challenges as opportunities for growth and maturity in Christ? What is one way you can actively seek God’s purpose in your struggle today?

Quotes