Engaging in Spiritual Warfare: Strength Through Active Faith

 

Summary

In this message, we explore the profound truth that as Christians, we are engaged in a mighty spiritual warfare against the devil and his forces. The Apostle Paul emphasizes two essential actions: being strong in the Lord and putting on the whole armor of God. This strength is not passive; it requires active participation and empowerment by God. We are not to sit back and let God do everything for us. Instead, we are to be active, realizing that our strength comes from God as we engage in the battle.

The Christian life is likened to physical life, where inherent power is present but needs to be developed. Just as physical strength requires nourishment and exercise, spiritual strength requires spiritual nourishment and active engagement. We are called to take nourishment from God's Word and exercise our faith through action. This involves living out our faith, not just in theory but in practice, by applying the principles of godliness, self-control, patience, and love.

The Apostle Peter's exhortation to "add to your faith" highlights the importance of personal discipline and growth. We are to supplement our faith with virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. These qualities are not added to us passively; we must actively cultivate them. This active engagement in our faith journey leads to spiritual growth and strength.

In the heat of spiritual battle, we find strength in the name of the Lord. The name of the Lord is a strong tower, a source of power and confidence. By invoking His name, we are reminded of His strength and victory, enabling us to stand firm against the enemy. Just as David faced Goliath in the name of the Lord, we too can face our spiritual battles with confidence, knowing that we are not alone.

Key Takeaways:

- Active Participation in Faith: Our spiritual strength is not a passive gift but requires active participation. We must engage in spiritual exercises, such as prayer, study, and service, to develop the strength that God has placed within us. This active engagement is essential for standing firm in spiritual battles. [01:50]

- Personal Discipline and Growth: The Christian life demands personal discipline. We are called to add to our faith virtues like self-control, patience, and love. These qualities are cultivated through intentional effort and lead to spiritual maturity and strength. [09:52]

- The Power of God's Name: In spiritual warfare, the name of the Lord is a powerful weapon. By invoking His name, we draw on His strength and victory, enabling us to stand firm against the enemy. This reliance on God's name is a source of confidence and power. [36:27]

- Brotherly Kindness and Love: Loving our brethren and showing kindness strengthens us spiritually. Negative thoughts and actions drain our energy, while love and kindness invigorate us, making us more effective in our spiritual journey. [32:32]

- Endurance and Persistence: Spiritual growth requires patient endurance. We must continue in our faith journey, even when faced with obstacles and challenges. This persistence leads to spiritual strength and victory over the enemy. [27:03]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
- [00:43] - Being Strong in the Lord
- [01:36] - Active Participation in Faith
- [02:40] - Spiritual Nourishment and Exercise
- [03:23] - Developing Spiritual Strength
- [04:48] - Practical Application of Faith
- [05:25] - The Importance of Work and Activity
- [06:12] - Dangers of Idleness
- [07:19] - Living the Christian Life
- [08:01] - Adding to Your Faith
- [09:19] - The Role of Diligence
- [10:26] - Assurance and Spiritual Growth
- [12:21] - The Abundant Entrance
- [13:25] - Personal Discipline and Virtue
- [19:57] - The Meaning of Temperance
- [26:11] - Patience and Endurance
- [29:09] - Godliness and Walking with God
- [32:32] - Brotherly Kindness and Love
- [36:27] - The Power of God's Name
- [41:08] - Examples of Faith and Victory
- [44:51] - Threatening the Enemy with God's Name

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 6:10-11 - "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes."
2. 2 Peter 1:5-7 - "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love."
3. Proverbs 18:10 - "The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 6:10-11, what are the two actions Paul instructs believers to take in spiritual warfare?
2. In 2 Peter 1:5-7, what qualities does Peter encourage believers to add to their faith, and why might these be important for spiritual growth?
3. How does the sermon describe the role of "active participation" in developing spiritual strength? [01:50]
4. What is the significance of the "name of the Lord" as described in Proverbs 18:10 and the sermon? [36:27]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the analogy of physical exercise relate to spiritual growth according to the sermon? What might this suggest about the nature of spiritual discipline? [03:36]
2. Why does the sermon emphasize the importance of personal discipline and growth in the Christian life? How does this relate to the concept of "adding to your faith"? [09:19]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that invoking the name of the Lord provides strength and confidence in spiritual battles? [36:27]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the dangers of idleness in the Christian life, and what examples are given to support this point? [06:12]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are there areas where you can be more actively engaged in your faith, such as through prayer, study, or service? What steps can you take this week to strengthen these areas? [01:50]
2. Consider the qualities listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7. Which of these do you find most challenging to cultivate in your life, and why? What practical steps can you take to develop this quality further?
3. The sermon highlights the power of God's name in spiritual warfare. How can you incorporate the practice of invoking God's name into your daily life to find strength and confidence? [36:27]
4. Think about a time when you felt spiritually idle or stagnant. What changes can you make to ensure you remain active and engaged in your faith journey? [06:12]
5. How can you practice brotherly kindness and love in your interactions with others this week? Identify one specific action you can take to show kindness to someone in your community. [32:32]
6. Reflect on a recent challenge or obstacle in your life. How can the principle of patient endurance help you navigate this situation? What is one practical way you can apply this principle in the coming days? [27:03]
7. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to exercise more self-control. What strategies can you implement to improve your self-discipline in this area? [20:39]

Devotional

Day 1: Active Engagement in Spiritual Warfare
Our spiritual strength is not a passive gift but requires active participation. We must engage in spiritual exercises, such as prayer, study, and service, to develop the strength that God has placed within us. This active engagement is essential for standing firm in spiritual battles. [01:50]

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV): "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."

Reflection: What specific spiritual exercise can you commit to this week to actively engage in your faith and strengthen your spiritual armor?


Day 2: Cultivating Personal Discipline and Growth
The Christian life demands personal discipline. We are called to add to our faith virtues like self-control, patience, and love. These qualities are cultivated through intentional effort and lead to spiritual maturity and strength. [09:52]

2 Peter 1:5-7 (ESV): "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love."

Reflection: Identify one virtue from 2 Peter 1:5-7 that you feel called to develop further. What practical steps can you take today to begin cultivating this virtue?


Day 3: Invoking the Power of God's Name
In spiritual warfare, the name of the Lord is a powerful weapon. By invoking His name, we draw on His strength and victory, enabling us to stand firm against the enemy. This reliance on God's name is a source of confidence and power. [36:27]

Proverbs 18:10 (ESV): "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe."

Reflection: When faced with a challenge today, how can you intentionally invoke the name of the Lord to draw strength and confidence?


Day 4: Strengthening Through Brotherly Kindness and Love
Loving our brethren and showing kindness strengthens us spiritually. Negative thoughts and actions drain our energy, while love and kindness invigorate us, making us more effective in our spiritual journey. [32:32]

1 John 4:20-21 (ESV): "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs an act of kindness today. How can you show them love in a tangible way?


Day 5: Endurance and Persistence in Faith
Spiritual growth requires patient endurance. We must continue in our faith journey, even when faced with obstacles and challenges. This persistence leads to spiritual strength and victory over the enemy. [27:03]

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: What is one challenge you are currently facing that requires endurance? How can you view this challenge as an opportunity for growth in your faith?

Quotes


The Christian life is likened to physical life, where inherent power is present but needs to be developed. Just as physical strength requires nourishment and exercise, spiritual strength requires spiritual nourishment and active engagement. We are called to take nourishment from God's Word and exercise our faith through action. [00:02:40]

The Apostle Peter's exhortation to "add to your faith" highlights the importance of personal discipline and growth. We are to supplement our faith with virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. These qualities are not added to us passively; we must actively cultivate them. [00:08:01]

The name of the Lord is a strong tower, a source of power and confidence. By invoking His name, we are reminded of His strength and victory, enabling us to stand firm against the enemy. Just as David faced Goliath in the name of the Lord, we too can face our spiritual battles with confidence. [00:36:27]

Loving our brethren and showing kindness strengthens us spiritually. Negative thoughts and actions drain our energy, while love and kindness invigorate us, making us more effective in our spiritual journey. Brotherly kindness and love are essential for spiritual strength and growth. [00:32:32]

Spiritual growth requires patient endurance. We must continue in our faith journey, even when faced with obstacles and challenges. This persistence leads to spiritual strength and victory over the enemy. Endurance and persistence are key to developing spiritual maturity. [00:27:03]

We are to be as active as we can be, but we must realize that we can only be active in that way as we are empowered by and of the Lord. He doesn't do it for us; He enables us to do it. It is we who are conscious of His power and the power of His might as we proceed to action. [00:01:36]

The best form of exercise in the last analysis is to be doing the work, to be engaged, to be active. This is particularly true in this whole matter of fighting the devil, withstanding the devil, and all these principalities and Powers. We are never in a more dangerous position and condition than when we're idle. [00:06:12]

The Apostle Paul emphasizes two essential actions: being strong in the Lord and putting on the whole armor of God. This strength is not passive; it requires active participation and empowerment by God. We are not to sit back and let God do everything for us. Instead, we are to be active, realizing that our strength comes from God as we engage in the battle. [00:00:43]

The more we use our faculties, the more they will be developed. In other words, the best form of exercise in the last analysis, the best way of keeping up our strength, is to be doing our work. That's the difference, isn't it, between a man who has to do his work and a wealthy man who just does exercises to keep up his strength. [00:05:25]

Self-control is absolutely essential. We must know this in every walk and department of life. If you are in a business, if you're the head of a number of men, well, if you really want to get the best out of them, if you want to get the best result, you control your temper. [00:25:51]

The Apostle Paul is never tired of telling us this very thing. He says at the end of the second chapter of his Second Epistle to the Corinthians, for we are not as many which corrupt the word of God, but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. [00:30:00]

The use of His name, the using of the name of the Lord, is a tremendous source of strength. Here again, we've got it in the Book of Proverbs 18:10: the name of the Lord is a strong tower. Only His name, remember, the name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it and is safe. [00:36:27]

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Transcript
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