Engaging in the Spiritual Battle: Strength in Christ
Summary
In Ephesians 6:10-13, we are called to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, and to put on the whole armor of God. This passage reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil. Understanding the nature of our enemy is crucial, as it highlights our own weaknesses and the necessity of relying on God's strength. We are not alone in this battle; it is God's campaign, and He is our captain, always present to guard, shelter, and protect us. The power of God is not only around us but also within us, working to strengthen us from the inside out.
The exhortation to be strong in the Lord is not a passive call to let go and let God, as some teachings suggest. Instead, it is a call to active participation in our spiritual journey. The idea that we should simply surrender and let God do everything for us is contrary to the teachings of Scripture. The Bible is full of exhortations for us to resist the devil, to be vigilant, and to actively engage in the fight of faith. The Apostle Paul himself exemplified this active engagement, describing his own life as a race and a fight, where he disciplined his body and pressed toward the mark.
The doctrine of the new birth teaches that we are new creatures in Christ, with a new disposition and a new principle of life. This new life is not passive but is meant to grow and develop. The Christian life is not about finding shortcuts or easy solutions; it is about engaging in the struggle, growing in grace, and being conformed to the image of Christ. The ultimate goal is not just happiness but holiness, aligning our lives with the teachings of Scripture and the will of God.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding the nature of our spiritual enemy is crucial for recognizing our own weaknesses and the need for God's strength. We are not fighting alone; God is our captain, and His power is both around us and within us, enabling us to stand firm. [02:24]
- The call to be strong in the Lord is not a passive invitation to let go and let God, but an active exhortation to engage in the spiritual battle. Scripture is full of exhortations for us to resist the devil and to be vigilant, emphasizing our role in the fight of faith. [15:42]
- The doctrine of the new birth teaches that we are new creatures in Christ, with a new principle of life that is meant to grow and develop. This new life is not passive but requires active participation and growth in grace. [32:38]
- The Christian life is not about finding shortcuts or easy solutions; it is about engaging in the struggle, growing in grace, and being conformed to the image of Christ. The ultimate goal is holiness, aligning our lives with the teachings of Scripture and the will of God. [37:22]
- The Apostle Paul exemplified an active engagement in the Christian life, describing it as a race and a fight. He disciplined his body and pressed toward the mark, demonstrating that the Christian journey requires effort, discipline, and perseverance. [24:54]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:10-13
- [00:47] - The Nature of Our Spiritual Battle
- [01:37] - Being Strong in the Lord
- [02:24] - God's Power Within Us
- [03:25] - God's Campaign and Our Role
- [05:22] - Misinterpretations of "Let Go and Let God"
- [06:50] - The Error of Passive Christianity
- [12:47] - The Necessity of Putting on the Armor of God
- [15:42] - Scriptural Exhortations to Resist
- [19:18] - Active Engagement in the Christian Life
- [24:54] - Paul's Example of Active Faith
- [32:38] - The Doctrine of the New Birth
- [37:22] - The Danger of Shortcuts in Spiritual Life
- [42:19] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 6:10-13
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Ephesians 6:10-13 say about the nature of our struggle as Christians? How does this passage describe our enemy? [00:28]
2. According to the sermon, what are the two main actions Christians must take to stand firm in their faith? [01:21]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of God in our spiritual battle? What imagery is used to convey this? [02:53]
4. What common misinterpretation of "being strong in the Lord" is addressed in the sermon? [06:50]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding the nature of our spiritual enemy help us recognize our own weaknesses and the need for God's strength? [02:08]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Christian life is an active engagement rather than a passive experience? [05:22]
3. How does the doctrine of the new birth, as explained in the sermon, challenge the idea of passive Christianity? [31:07]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between holiness and happiness in the Christian life? [42:03]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by spiritual challenges. How can the understanding that God is our captain in this battle change your perspective? [02:53]
2. The sermon emphasizes active participation in our spiritual journey. What is one specific way you can engage more actively in your faith this week? [05:22]
3. Consider the idea that the ultimate goal of the Christian life is holiness, not just happiness. How does this perspective influence your daily decisions and priorities? [42:03]
4. The Apostle Paul is described as actively engaging in his faith journey. What disciplines or practices can you adopt to emulate his example of perseverance and effort? [24:54]
5. How can you better recognize and resist the spiritual forces that oppose you, as described in Ephesians 6:10-13? What practical steps can you take to put on the "armor of God"? [00:28]
6. The sermon challenges the notion of "letting go and letting God" as a passive approach. How can you balance surrendering to God with taking responsibility for your spiritual growth? [06:50]
7. Identify an area in your life where you have been seeking shortcuts or easy solutions. How can you commit to engaging in the struggle and growing in grace instead? [37:22]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing Our Spiritual Enemy
Understanding the nature of our spiritual enemy is crucial for recognizing our own weaknesses and the need for God's strength. The battle we face is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. This realization should lead us to a deeper dependence on God, acknowledging that we cannot fight this battle alone. God is our captain, and His power is both around us and within us, enabling us to stand firm. We are called to rely on His strength, knowing that He is always present to guard, shelter, and protect us. [02:24]
"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a specific area in your life where you feel spiritually attacked. How can you actively rely on God's strength to stand firm in this area today?
Day 2: Active Participation in Spiritual Warfare
The call to be strong in the Lord is not a passive invitation to let go and let God, but an active exhortation to engage in the spiritual battle. Scripture is full of exhortations for us to resist the devil and to be vigilant, emphasizing our role in the fight of faith. This active participation requires us to be alert and intentional in our spiritual journey, resisting the temptation to become complacent. We are encouraged to put on the whole armor of God, actively engaging in the fight against spiritual forces. [15:42]
"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." (1 Peter 5:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to actively resist the devil and stand firm in your faith?
Day 3: Embracing the New Life in Christ
The doctrine of the new birth teaches that we are new creatures in Christ, with a new principle of life that is meant to grow and develop. This new life is not passive but requires active participation and growth in grace. As new creations, we are called to live out this new identity, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out. This transformation is a continuous process, requiring us to engage in spiritual disciplines and seek to be conformed to the image of Christ. [32:38]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you actively nurture your new life in Christ today, allowing it to grow and develop?
Day 4: The Pursuit of Holiness
The Christian life is not about finding shortcuts or easy solutions; it is about engaging in the struggle, growing in grace, and being conformed to the image of Christ. The ultimate goal is holiness, aligning our lives with the teachings of Scripture and the will of God. This pursuit of holiness requires intentional effort and perseverance, as we seek to live lives that reflect the character of Christ. It is a journey that involves daily choices and a commitment to spiritual growth. [37:22]
"Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you can pursue holiness today, aligning your actions with the teachings of Scripture?
Day 5: The Example of Paul's Active Faith
The Apostle Paul exemplified an active engagement in the Christian life, describing it as a race and a fight. He disciplined his body and pressed toward the mark, demonstrating that the Christian journey requires effort, discipline, and perseverance. Paul's example challenges us to actively engage in our faith, striving to grow and mature in our relationship with Christ. This active faith involves a commitment to spiritual disciplines and a willingness to persevere through challenges. [24:54]
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable." (1 Corinthians 9:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively engage in your faith today, following Paul's example of discipline and perseverance in your spiritual journey?
Quotes
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the Ws of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against Powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." [00:00:09]
"Understanding all that, but he doesn't stop at it. We now come to what in many ways is the crucial point in this whole discussion. We come, in other words, to the practical question: how is all this related to us in practice, in our day-to-day needs, in our constant warfare against the world and the Flesh and the devil?" [00:04:21]
"Now, there is a popular teaching, it's been popular now well for some 90 years almost, which says that it just means this: that the great trouble with most of us in the Christian Life is that we will go on struggling so much, that we will go on fighting, and that therein lies our error and the great cause of our defeat." [00:06:18]
"Resist the devil and he will flee from you. You've got to resist it. It's an exhortation to us to resist the devil. We don't, it doesn't tell us that we mustn't resist him, that all we've got to do is to look to the Lord and He will resist the devil for us. No, James says you resist the devil and he will flee from you." [00:14:30]
"Now, here are but random selections. The Epistles, as I'm reminding you, are full of this kind of thing. It comes to a man who had been an habitual liar. What does it say to him? Does it say, now look here, my friend, don't struggle with this any longer, don't struggle with this tendency to lie, hand it over to the Lord?" [00:19:39]
"The doctrine of the rebirth is a doctrine that tells us that men in the New Birth receive a new disposition, a new principle of life is put into him that was not there before. If any man be in Christ, he's a new creature. Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." [00:31:10]
"Now, the Apostle says exactly the same thing in the next chapter, chapter 5, verse 8. He says you were sometimes Darkness, but you are now light in the Lord. Walk therefore as children of light. You see, here is a fundamental bit of teaching, but according to the other teaching, we remain always the same." [00:32:56]
"Now, then, what have we to say to this? It obviously demands serious and earnest attention. Now, there are certain reasons I want to put to you in an attempt to show you that that teaching is contrary to the plain teaching of the scripture itself. That's the test we must always apply first, the test of the scripture." [00:12:17]
"Now, this is surely most important. It's not surprising people are in a state of confusion. Take what we were reading this morning in those exhortations given to Timothy. Didn't you notice them? A whole series, having started by telling him to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, he goes on to give him these detailed instructions." [00:17:18]
"Now, you're familiar with this teaching, and you are familiar, furthermore, with this: that it is presented in the form of something that one can do immediately in a meeting. So often, people are called to come forward to take a decision, to decide to accept this offer of Victory." [00:11:38]
"Now, there is no point left there at all, nor place for growth, nor development, nor Advance, whereas in the scripture, owing to the doctrine of the new birth, we obviously grow. We are born as babes in Christ, we are infants in Christ, we become little children, we become young men, we become old men." [00:34:50]
"Now, then, we've been negative this morning. I have to be negative. There are so many people who won't listen to any other teaching because they believe the teaching that I've been trying to hold before you. We have to get rid of that, and then we shall find the scriptures' own teaching, the positive teaching which shows us how you and I are to fight and to wrestle." [00:43:16]
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