Equipped for Battle: Embracing Holistic Spiritual Warfare
Summary
In Ephesians 6:10-13, we are called to be strong in the Lord and to put on the whole armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. This passage highlights the reality of spiritual warfare, emphasizing that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. The devil's tactics are multifaceted, targeting both the church collectively and individual believers. Historically, the church has recognized these tactics, as seen in works like John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" and other Puritan writings, which aimed to equip believers against these spiritual attacks.
However, in recent times, there has been a noticeable decline in literature addressing the devil's schemes, particularly within evangelical circles. This absence may be attributed to a simplified view of sanctification that overlooks the complexity of spiritual warfare. The Christian life has been reduced to mere surrender and abiding in Christ, neglecting the vigilance required to stand firm against the devil's wiles.
To combat these schemes, we must adopt a balanced approach, engaging our minds, experiences, and practices. The devil often exploits imbalances, leading believers to overemphasize one aspect at the expense of others. For instance, some may focus solely on intellectual knowledge, neglecting emotional engagement and practical application. Others may prioritize emotional experiences or practical actions, disregarding the importance of sound doctrine.
The New Testament consistently emphasizes the need for balance, integrating doctrine, experience, and practice. This holistic approach reflects God's intention to save the whole person—mind, heart, and will. By maintaining this balance, we not only resist the devil's schemes but also glorify God in every aspect of our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Spiritual Warfare Awareness: Recognize that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. This awareness calls for vigilance and the full armor of God to stand firm against the devil's schemes. [12:46]
- Historical Insights: The decline in literature addressing spiritual warfare reflects a shift in evangelical thought. Historically, works like Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" provided valuable insights into the devil's tactics, emphasizing the need for spiritual vigilance. [07:11]
- Balanced Christian Life: A balanced Christian life involves engaging the mind, emotions, and actions. The devil often exploits imbalances, leading believers to overemphasize one aspect at the expense of others. [26:30]
- Holistic Salvation: God's salvation encompasses the whole person—mind, heart, and will. Neglecting any aspect of this holistic approach undermines the fullness of God's work in us and leaves us vulnerable to spiritual attacks. [42:21]
- Glorifying God in All Aspects: Our lives should reflect the balance and fullness of God's salvation, glorifying Him in mind, body, and spirit. This comprehensive approach not only resists the devil's schemes but also honors God. [43:48]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:10-13
- [01:09] - Understanding the Devil's Schemes
- [02:41] - Personal and Individual Attacks
- [04:03] - Historical Literature on Spiritual Warfare
- [06:57] - Decline in Modern Literature
- [08:09] - Simplified Views of Sanctification
- [11:14] - Importance of Vigilance
- [13:46] - The Role of Scripture
- [16:13] - The Power of Prayer
- [17:54] - Self-Examination
- [21:38] - Strategies of the Devil
- [26:01] - Imbalance in Christian Life
- [29:02] - The Importance of Balance
- [37:10] - The Scriptural Model of Balance
- [42:21] - Holistic Salvation and Glorifying God
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 6:10-13
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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Ephesians 6:10-13 say about the nature of our struggle as Christians? How does this passage describe the forces we are up against?
2. According to the sermon, what are some historical examples of literature that have addressed the devil's schemes? [04:03]
3. How does the sermon describe the decline in modern literature addressing spiritual warfare? What reasons are given for this decline? [07:11]
4. What are the three main areas of attack that the devil uses against believers, as mentioned in the sermon? [22:24]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon suggest that a lack of balance in the Christian life can make believers vulnerable to the devil's schemes? [26:30]
2. In what ways does the sermon propose that the devil exploits imbalances in our mind, emotions, and actions? How does this relate to the holistic approach to salvation? [26:48]
3. How does the sermon interpret the role of vigilance and the "whole armor of God" in resisting the devil's schemes? [12:46]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between intellectual knowledge, emotional engagement, and practical application in the Christian life? [38:24]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual practices. Are there areas where you might be overemphasizing one aspect (mind, emotions, or actions) at the expense of others? How can you work towards a more balanced approach? [26:30]
2. The sermon highlights the importance of vigilance in spiritual warfare. What practical steps can you take to be more vigilant in your daily life? [12:46]
3. Consider the historical decline in literature addressing spiritual warfare. How can you seek out resources or create a community that emphasizes the importance of understanding and resisting the devil's schemes? [07:11]
4. How can you incorporate the practice of self-examination into your spiritual routine to ensure you are not neglecting any aspect of your faith? [17:54]
5. The sermon mentions the importance of reading scripture and prayer. How can you deepen your engagement with these practices to strengthen your spiritual armor? [14:17]
6. Think about a recent situation where you felt spiritually attacked or unbalanced. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in the future to maintain a holistic approach to your faith? [22:24]
7. How can you glorify God in all aspects of your life—mind, body, and spirit—according to the sermon’s teachings? What specific changes can you make to align more closely with this goal? [43:48]
Devotional
Day 1: Spiritual Warfare Awareness
Our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. This truth calls for vigilance and the need to put on the full armor of God to stand firm against the devil's schemes. The devil's tactics are multifaceted, targeting both the church collectively and individual believers. Recognizing this reality is crucial for every Christian, as it shapes our understanding of the challenges we face in our spiritual journey. By acknowledging the spiritual dimension of our struggles, we can better prepare ourselves to resist the devil's attacks and remain steadfast in our faith. [12:46]
Ephesians 6:12 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Identify a current struggle in your life. How can you approach it with the awareness that it may have a spiritual dimension, and what steps can you take to stand firm in God's strength?
Day 2: Historical Insights
Historically, the church has recognized the devil's tactics, as seen in works like John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" and other Puritan writings. These works aimed to equip believers against spiritual attacks, emphasizing the need for spiritual vigilance. However, in recent times, there has been a noticeable decline in literature addressing the devil's schemes, particularly within evangelical circles. This absence may be attributed to a simplified view of sanctification that overlooks the complexity of spiritual warfare. By revisiting historical insights, we can gain valuable perspectives on the importance of being spiritually vigilant and prepared. [07:11]
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."
Reflection: Reflect on a piece of Christian literature or teaching that has impacted your understanding of spiritual warfare. How can you apply its lessons to your current spiritual journey?
Day 3: Balanced Christian Life
A balanced Christian life involves engaging the mind, emotions, and actions. The devil often exploits imbalances, leading believers to overemphasize one aspect at the expense of others. For instance, some may focus solely on intellectual knowledge, neglecting emotional engagement and practical application. Others may prioritize emotional experiences or practical actions, disregarding the importance of sound doctrine. The New Testament consistently emphasizes the need for balance, integrating doctrine, experience, and practice. This holistic approach reflects God's intention to save the whole person—mind, heart, and will. [26:30]
Colossians 3:16-17 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: Consider which aspect of your Christian life—mind, emotions, or actions—might be out of balance. What practical steps can you take to bring more balance to your spiritual walk?
Day 4: Holistic Salvation
God's salvation encompasses the whole person—mind, heart, and will. Neglecting any aspect of this holistic approach undermines the fullness of God's work in us and leaves us vulnerable to spiritual attacks. By maintaining this balance, we not only resist the devil's schemes but also glorify God in every aspect of our lives. This comprehensive approach to salvation ensures that we are fully equipped to face the challenges of spiritual warfare and to grow in our relationship with God. [42:21]
1 Thessalonians 5:23 (ESV): "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: In what ways can you invite God to work in your mind, heart, and will today? How can you ensure that each aspect of your being is aligned with His purposes?
Day 5: Glorifying God in All Aspects
Our lives should reflect the balance and fullness of God's salvation, glorifying Him in mind, body, and spirit. This comprehensive approach not only resists the devil's schemes but also honors God. By living a life that glorifies God in every aspect, we demonstrate the transformative power of His salvation and bear witness to His grace and truth. This holistic approach to living out our faith is a powerful testimony to the world and a source of strength in our spiritual journey. [43:48]
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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."
Reflection: How can you intentionally glorify God in your mind, body, and spirit today? What specific actions can you take to ensure that your life reflects His glory in all areas?
Quotes
In Ephesians 6:10-13, we are called to be strong in the Lord and to put on the whole armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. This passage highlights the reality of spiritual warfare, emphasizing that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. [00:00:11]
The devil has exercised these WS of his in a very general Way by producing states and conditions in the body of the church as it were big movements within the church such as heretical movements or definite examples of apostasy in certain sections of the Christian church. [00:01:37]
Take for instance a famous book like John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress that is rarely the theme of that book. He pictures there how men first of all is convicted of his sin and escapes from the city of Destruction and is in great trouble until his burden rolls away at the Cross of Christ. [00:04:00]
There has been a type of Holiness teaching the teaching on sanctification which rarely has left no room for this at all. It has had one point which it has gone on repeating claiming that that can solve all the problems and thus you see the whole of the Christian life has been reduced to Just Surrender and abiding in Christ. [00:08:09]
Watch and Pray lest ye fall into temptation says our Lord again he says that men should always pray and not f faint if you don't pray you will faint the Apostle Paul says pray without ceasing never stop praying always be prayed he says it's the only way in which you can keep going. [00:16:13]
Self-examination examine your own selves says the Apostle prove your own selves whether he be in the faith or not now he writes that you see to Believers but that's gone out of practice isn't it we don't believe in self-examination any longer we say you mustn't look at yourself look to the Lord. [00:17:54]
The devil has got certain Roots which he follows very regularly clever though he is he lacks originality in this respect and of course the roots are obvious and The Roots the three main roots roots are these first of all the mind that's the chief root because in many ways it's the most important one. [00:21:38]
The first is that he produces a lack of balance between these three aspects of our life and the other is that taking them individually he makes us give either too much or too little attention to each one of them now there it seems to me is the big principles which are the big principles. [00:26:01]
The devil pays particular attention to this aspect his desire is I say to produce an imbalance oh this question of balance is in many ways the most important of all in the Christian Life it's important in every realm of life even physically it's important the right amount of time and attention you give to your mind and to your body. [00:29:02]
God's way is to deal with a whole men and that's why Christianity differs from the Cults I was showing you that last Sunday the Cults never deal with a whole men they only deal with parts of us everything False only deals with a part the glory of this and the way in which you can test yourself as to whether you believe the true gospel or not is this. [00:42:21]
God's purpose that he shall have these new men made in the image of Christ having the balance that he had between the mind and the experience and the practice we are meant to be like him to conform to his image and if we don't if we lopsided or imbalanced or truncated Christians I say we are bringing God's work in Christ into disrepute. [00:43:48]
The Christian is a man who knows in whom he has believed he's able to give a reason for the hope that is in him he re Joes in the truth he rejoices in the Lord Jesus Christ with a joy unspeakable and full of glory and he is doing his utmost to be holy because God is Holy. [00:44:09]
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