Equipped for Spiritual Warfare: Standing Firm in Faith

 

Summary

In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul calls believers to be strong in the Lord and to put on the whole armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. This passage is a powerful reminder of the spiritual battle we face, not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil. The devil's tactics are subtle and varied, often attacking our minds, experiences, and conduct. He seeks to confuse us, leading some to antinomianism, where they disregard the importance of holy living, and others to legalism, where they are bound by rules and miss the freedom of the Gospel.

Worldliness is a particularly insidious form of attack. It involves allowing legitimate things to take too much of our time and attention, thus distracting us from our spiritual priorities. This can manifest in the church as well as in individual lives, where worldly methods and distinctions infiltrate spiritual practices. Christians are called to live as strangers and pilgrims in this world, using the world but not abusing it, always keeping their eyes on their heavenly citizenship.

The devil also tempts us to sin, even when we are trying to do good. This requires vigilance and a constant reminder of our identity in Christ. We must hold onto faith and a good conscience, knowing that we are justified by faith and not by works. When we fall, we must repent and believe in God's forgiveness, standing firm in the strength of the Lord.

Key Takeaways:

- The spiritual battle is real and ongoing, requiring us to be vigilant and to put on the whole armor of God. We must recognize that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. This awareness helps us to stand firm in the face of the devil's schemes. [00:47]

- Worldliness is a subtle danger that can infiltrate both the church and individual lives. It involves allowing legitimate things to take precedence over spiritual priorities. We must use the world but not abuse it, always keeping our focus on our heavenly citizenship. [12:20]

- Christians are called to live as strangers and pilgrims in this world, with their citizenship in heaven. This perspective helps us to resist the devil's temptations and to live in a way that honors God. We must remember that we are on a journey, and our ultimate destination is with God. [22:04]

- When we fall into sin, we must repent and believe in God's forgiveness. The devil seeks to accuse and discourage us, but we must stand firm in the truth of our justification by faith. God's grace is sufficient, and His forgiveness is complete. [35:09]

- Our strength comes from the Lord, who has already defeated the devil and his forces. We are not left to fight alone; the Holy Spirit dwells within us, empowering us to stand firm. Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. [42:38]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:10-13
[01:06] - The Importance of Spiritual Warfare
[01:56] - The Devil's Schemes and Tactics
[02:42] - Antinomianism and Legalism
[03:40] - Worldliness Defined
[05:18] - Biblical Warnings Against Worldliness
[07:52] - Worldliness in the Church
[12:20] - Using the World, Not Abusing It
[14:54] - The Subtlety of Worldliness
[19:09] - The Dangers of Sin
[21:00] - Deliverance from the Present Evil World
[22:04] - Living as Strangers and Pilgrims
[23:35] - Using the World Rightly
[35:09] - Repentance and Forgiveness
[42:38] - Strength in the Lord
[44:50] - Conclusion and Benediction

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 6:10-13
- 1 John 2:15-17
- 1 Peter 2:11-12

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean by "the whole armor of God" in Ephesians 6:10-13, and why is it necessary for believers? [00:47]
2. How does the sermon describe the devil's tactics in attacking believers' minds, experiences, and conduct? [02:10]
3. What examples of worldliness are mentioned in the sermon, and how can they infiltrate both the church and individual lives? [12:20]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of living as "strangers and pilgrims" in this world? [22:04]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of worldliness challenge the believer's focus on spiritual priorities, according to the sermon? [12:20]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the devil uses legitimate things to distract believers from their spiritual journey? [17:12]
3. How does the sermon explain the balance between using the world and not abusing it, and what does this mean for a believer's daily life? [23:35]
4. What role does repentance and God's forgiveness play in standing firm against the devil's accusations, as discussed in the sermon? [35:09]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. Are there legitimate activities or interests that might be taking precedence over your spiritual priorities? How can you adjust your focus? [17:12]
2. Consider the idea of living as a "stranger and pilgrim" in this world. How does this perspective influence your decisions and interactions with others? [22:04]
3. Identify a recent situation where you felt tempted to sin while trying to do good. How can you be more vigilant in similar situations in the future? [29:25]
4. Think about a time when you felt accused or discouraged by your failures. How can you remind yourself of your identity in Christ and God's forgiveness in those moments? [35:09]
5. Evaluate your involvement in church activities. Are there areas where worldly methods or distinctions might be influencing your approach? How can you align more closely with spiritual principles? [12:20]
6. How can you practically "put on the whole armor of God" in your daily life to stand firm against spiritual attacks? [00:47]
7. Reflect on your understanding of justification by faith. How does this belief empower you to resist the devil's schemes and stand strong in your faith? [35:54]

Devotional

Day 1: The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
In Ephesians 6:10-13, believers are reminded of the ongoing spiritual battle that requires vigilance and the full armor of God. This battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. The devil's schemes are subtle, often targeting our minds, experiences, and conduct. He aims to lead us astray, either into antinomianism, where we disregard holy living, or into legalism, where we become bound by rules and miss the freedom of the Gospel. Recognizing this battle helps us stand firm in the face of these schemes. [00:47]

"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: What are some subtle ways the enemy has tried to attack your mind or conduct recently? How can you actively put on the armor of God today to stand firm?


Day 2: The Subtle Danger of Worldliness
Worldliness is a subtle danger that can infiltrate both the church and individual lives. It involves allowing legitimate things to take precedence over spiritual priorities, distracting us from our heavenly focus. This can manifest in the church through worldly methods and distinctions infiltrating spiritual practices. Christians are called to live as strangers and pilgrims, using the world but not abusing it, always keeping their focus on their heavenly citizenship. [12:20]

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15, ESV)

Reflection: What is one legitimate thing in your life that might be taking too much of your time and attention? How can you realign your focus to prioritize your spiritual journey?


Day 3: Living as Strangers and Pilgrims
Christians are called to live as strangers and pilgrims in this world, with their citizenship in heaven. This perspective helps resist the devil's temptations and live in a way that honors God. We are on a journey, and our ultimate destination is with God. This mindset encourages us to use the world rightly, without being consumed by it, and to keep our eyes on our heavenly home. [22:04]

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: How does viewing yourself as a stranger and pilgrim in this world change your daily decisions and interactions? What is one practical step you can take today to live with a heavenly perspective?


Day 4: Repentance and God's Forgiveness
When we fall into sin, we must repent and believe in God's forgiveness. The devil seeks to accuse and discourage us, but we must stand firm in the truth of our justification by faith. God's grace is sufficient, and His forgiveness is complete. This assurance allows us to move forward in faith, knowing that we are not defined by our failures but by our identity in Christ. [35:09]

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a sin you need to confess and seek forgiveness for today? How can you embrace God's grace and forgiveness to move forward in faith?


Day 5: Strength in the Lord
Our strength comes from the Lord, who has already defeated the devil and his forces. We are not left to fight alone; the Holy Spirit dwells within us, empowering us to stand firm. Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. This truth gives us confidence and courage to face the spiritual battles in our lives, knowing that victory is already secured in Christ. [42:38]

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might." (Ephesians 6:10, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to rely more on God's strength rather than your own? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you in this area today?

Quotes


Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles 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. [00:11:29]

The devil will drive us either to one extreme or right over to the other, and so he succeeds in causing confusion. We've also looked at it in terms of a general kind of slackness, a failure to apply the truth to ourselves, or again the other extreme, a carnal zeal, a business and activism which is not born of the word or of the spirit at all. [00:209:24]

Worldliness is a very subtle matter, and because of its subtlety, you will find that a good deal of attention is given to it in the scriptures and particularly in the New Testament. Now the whole trouble about worldliness is that in and of itself, it pertains to things which are not sinful, and that is, as I say, where the danger comes in. [00:250:72]

Our definition of worldliness is this: that it is the condition in which we allow things which are perfectly legitimate and right in and of themselves to have too big a part in, too big a place in our life and in our experience as Christians. Now there you see is an obvious point at which the devil can have a place of entry. [00:288:36]

The Christian is not to cut himself off from these things. The Christian is not to segregate himself and to go out of life. He's not to say that he has no interest in general culture. Why? Well, because all things are given by God. All abilities, every power that man has ever received, all art ultimately comes from God. [00:1072:64]

It becomes worldliness if it absorbs us too much. If my interest in these things is central and takes the first place or drives out the spiritual and the concentration on the eternal, then I am guilty of this very worldliness. You see, the cares of this world, as our Lord puts them, are quite all right in themselves. [00:1101:40]

The first object of salvation is to deliver us out of this present evil world. That is central here everywhere in the New Testament. Christ died on the cross, what for? Oh, not merely to save me from hell, but that we might be delivered out of this present evil world. That's the biblical view. [00:1248:79]

The Christian is a man who belongs to a different realm. His realm is the realm of God, the kingdom of God. He's been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear son. He's a stranger here. He's a journeyman. He's a pilgrim. He's a wayfarer. That's the Christian view of life. [00:1371:20]

And they that use this world as not abusing it. Now that's perfect. You can't add to that. It is the difference, you see, between using the world and abusing it. We are meant to use the world. We're not meant to be monks. We're not meant to be anchorites and hermits. That's the whole error of monasticism. [00:1415:15]

When we fall into sin, we must repent and believe in God's forgiveness. The devil seeks to accuse and discourage us, but we must stand firm in the truth of our justification by faith. God's grace is sufficient, and His forgiveness is complete. [00:2109:52]

Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. It's the devil and these forces that are in the world. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Christ is in you. The Holy Spirit is in you. God takes up His abode in you. Remember all this. We're not left to ourselves. [00:2561:83]

Finally, therefore, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Take unto you the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Amen. [00:2676:00]

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Transcript
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