Equipped for Spiritual Warfare: Strength and Vigilance

 

Summary

In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul exhorts believers to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, emphasizing the necessity of putting on the whole armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. This passage highlights the spiritual battle we face, not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil. The call is not to passivity but to active engagement, relying on God's power while exercising our faith. This involves a conscious effort to grow spiritually, akin to nurturing a seed of life with the right spiritual nourishment—prayer, scripture, and active service.

However, alongside this positive growth, there is a crucial need to avoid certain negative influences that can sap our spiritual strength. Just as physical health requires avoiding harmful environments, spiritual health demands vigilance against dissipating our energy through excessive activity, idle talk, or pointless disputes. The danger of zeal without knowledge can lead to burnout and a loss of spiritual vitality. We must also be wary of enervating atmospheres, whether through undisciplined living or spending too much time in non-spiritual company, which can dull our spiritual edge.

Moreover, we must avoid spiritual infections—false teachings and bad company that can corrupt our faith. The Bible warns against associating with those who deny its core truths, as such associations can lead to spiritual shipwreck. Maintaining a firm belief in the divine inspiration and authority of Scripture is essential for spiritual vigor. Finally, even after achieving spiritual victories, we must remain vigilant, never relaxing our guard, as overconfidence can lead to downfall. The Christian life is a continuous battle, requiring constant readiness and reliance on God's strength.

Key Takeaways:

1. Active Faith and Divine Empowerment: True faith involves active participation in God's work, relying on His power while engaging in spiritual disciplines. This is not a passive waiting for victory but an active pursuit of spiritual growth through prayer, scripture, and service. [01:33]

2. Avoiding Dissipation of Energy: Spiritual vitality can be lost through excessive activity without purpose or direction. Thoughtless activism can lead to burnout, highlighting the need for disciplined and purposeful engagement in spiritual activities. [06:56]

3. Guarding Against Enervating Atmospheres: Spending too much time in non-spiritual environments or with non-spiritual company can dull our spiritual senses. We must balance engagement with the world while maintaining our spiritual edge through disciplined living. [23:12]

4. Avoiding Spiritual Infections: False teachings and bad company can corrupt our faith. We must be discerning, avoiding associations that undermine the authority of Scripture and lead to spiritual decline. [38:00]

5. Continuous Vigilance in Spiritual Warfare: Even after spiritual victories, we must remain vigilant, never relaxing our guard. Overconfidence can lead to spiritual downfall, emphasizing the need for constant readiness and reliance on God's strength. [44:05]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:10-13
- [01:03] - The Call to Be Strong in the Lord
- [01:52] - Active Faith and Divine Empowerment
- [03:00] - Positive Spiritual Growth
- [03:48] - The Importance of Avoiding Negatives
- [05:01] - Dissipation of Energy
- [06:56] - The Danger of Activism
- [09:05] - Thoughtful and Disciplined Activity
- [12:42] - The Perils of Excessive Talking
- [14:03] - Avoiding Pointless Disputes
- [19:47] - Enervating Atmospheres
- [22:31] - The Influence of Company
- [29:53] - Avoiding Spiritual Infections
- [38:00] - The Authority of Scripture
- [44:05] - Continuous Vigilance in Spiritual Warfare

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 6:10-13

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he instructs believers to "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might"? ([00:09])
2. According to the sermon, what are the spiritual forces that believers are wrestling against? ([00:28])
3. How does the sermon describe the concept of "active faith"? ([01:33])
4. What are some examples given in the sermon of activities that can lead to the dissipation of spiritual energy? ([06:56])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the analogy of nurturing a seed relate to spiritual growth and the disciplines of prayer, scripture, and service? ([03:16])
2. In what ways can excessive activity without purpose lead to spiritual burnout, according to the sermon? ([06:56])
3. How does the sermon suggest believers should balance engagement with the world while maintaining their spiritual edge? ([23:12])
4. What does the sermon imply about the dangers of false teachings and how they can affect one's faith? ([38:00])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current spiritual disciplines. Are there areas where you feel you are passively waiting for growth rather than actively pursuing it? How can you change this? ([01:33])
2. Consider your weekly activities. Are there any that might be sapping your spiritual energy without providing meaningful growth? How can you adjust your schedule to focus on purposeful engagement? ([06:56])
3. Think about the environments you spend most of your time in. Are they conducive to maintaining your spiritual edge, or do they dull your senses? What changes can you make to ensure a more spiritually nourishing atmosphere? ([23:12])
4. Evaluate your interactions and relationships. Are there any that might be leading you away from the core truths of Scripture? How can you address these influences to protect your faith? ([38:00])
5. After experiencing spiritual victories, how do you ensure you remain vigilant and avoid overconfidence? What practices can help you maintain readiness in your spiritual life? ([44:05])
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you might be susceptible to spiritual infections, such as false teachings or negative influences. What steps can you take to guard against these threats? ([38:00])
7. How can you actively rely on God's strength in your daily life, especially when facing spiritual battles? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of His power? ([00:09])

Devotional

Day 1: Active Engagement in Spiritual Growth
True faith is not passive but involves active participation in God's work, relying on His power while engaging in spiritual disciplines. This active engagement is essential for spiritual growth, as it involves a conscious effort to nurture one's faith through prayer, scripture, and service. By actively participating in these spiritual disciplines, believers can grow stronger in their faith and be better equipped to stand against the devil's schemes. This active pursuit of spiritual growth is not just about personal development but also about being prepared for the spiritual battles that lie ahead. [01:33]

Ephesians 4:14-15 (ESV): "So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ."

Reflection: What specific spiritual discipline can you commit to this week to actively engage in your spiritual growth, and how will you incorporate it into your daily routine?


Day 2: Purposeful and Disciplined Spiritual Activity
Spiritual vitality can be lost through excessive activity without purpose or direction. Thoughtless activism can lead to burnout, highlighting the need for disciplined and purposeful engagement in spiritual activities. It is important to focus on activities that truly nourish the spirit and align with God's purpose for our lives. By being intentional and disciplined in our spiritual pursuits, we can avoid the dissipation of energy and maintain our spiritual vitality. This requires discernment and a willingness to prioritize activities that contribute to our spiritual well-being. [06:56]

1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (ESV): "So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you may be expending energy without purpose. How can you redirect that energy towards a more spiritually fulfilling activity?


Day 3: Maintaining Spiritual Edge in a Non-Spiritual World
Spending too much time in non-spiritual environments or with non-spiritual company can dull our spiritual senses. It is crucial to balance engagement with the world while maintaining our spiritual edge through disciplined living. This involves being mindful of the influences we allow into our lives and ensuring that we are not compromising our spiritual values. By maintaining a strong connection to God through prayer and scripture, we can navigate the challenges of the world without losing our spiritual sharpness. [23:12]

2 Corinthians 6:14-15 (ESV): "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?"

Reflection: Consider your current social circles. Are there relationships that may be dulling your spiritual edge? How can you create a balance that allows you to maintain your spiritual vitality?


Day 4: Discernment Against Spiritual Corruption
False teachings and bad company can corrupt our faith. It is essential to be discerning and avoid associations that undermine the authority of Scripture and lead to spiritual decline. By maintaining a firm belief in the divine inspiration and authority of Scripture, we can protect ourselves from spiritual infections. This requires vigilance and a commitment to seeking truth in God's Word, as well as being cautious about the influences we allow into our lives. [38:00]

2 Peter 2:1-2 (ESV): "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed."

Reflection: Reflect on the teachings and influences you are exposed to. Are there any that may be leading you away from the truth of Scripture? How can you ensure that your faith remains grounded in God's Word?


Day 5: Vigilance in Spiritual Warfare
Even after spiritual victories, we must remain vigilant, never relaxing our guard. Overconfidence can lead to spiritual downfall, emphasizing the need for constant readiness and reliance on God's strength. The Christian life is a continuous battle, requiring us to be always prepared and alert. By staying vigilant and relying on God's strength, we can avoid the pitfalls of complacency and continue to grow in our faith. This involves a commitment to ongoing spiritual discipline and a recognition of our dependence on God for victory in spiritual warfare. [44:05]

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: Think of a recent spiritual victory you have experienced. How can you remain vigilant and avoid complacency in your spiritual journey moving forward?

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 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." [00:00:09]

"Faith means that we believe this word we therefore act as our Lord said to the man with a withered hand who couldn't move his hand at all, 'Stretch forth thine hand.' The man made the effort and found he could do it. So this great principle here works in actual daily practice." [00:01:58]

"We must rid ourselves of any notion of passivity and of doing nothing and of handing it over, a false notion of the rest of faith. The rest of faith means that you will rest in the word of God, that you have faith to believe that as your day so your strength will be." [00:02:38]

"If we are to remain healthy and strong and vigorous and powerful, there are certain things that we've got to avoid. The fight for health, if you may so call it, or the care of health has these two aspects: positive and negative. It's no use trying to build yourself up if on the other hand you're doing certain things that are of necessity going to sap your energy and your vitality." [00:04:37]

"Spending too much time in wrong company. Now I don't mean of necessity bad company. At the moment I'm not thinking of bad company. I'm just thinking of company that is not really positively helpful in a spiritual sense. Of course, we've got to be clear again about this. We mustn't cut ourselves off from such people, otherwise we'll never be able to help them." [00:22:31]

"Let me mention something else and I do so particularly this morning. This is what so many are calling Bible Sunday. I don't like these terms. Every Sunday is Bible Sunday. I think they mean to call attention to the work of the British and Foreign Bible Society perhaps in particular. Well, if so, that's all right, but these terms are so foolish." [00:37:03]

"Having done all, what's he mean? Well, this is it. Having done all, he means having fought. He's put on the whole armor of God. He is filled with the strength and the power, and he's fought the battle in the evil day. Now then, here's the having done all, here's the danger: to take off your armor." [00:43:05]

"Be aware of overconfidence because you've had a great victory. You say, 'I'm all right,' put off your armor, put off bits of it, sit down, rest, relax. No, no, listen to Paul, 1 Corinthians 10:12, 'Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.' Never relax, never give way." [00:44:05]

"There's nothing that can be so enervating as this kind of nice respectable atmosphere in which you are afraid of almost anything and above all afraid to the power of the Holy Ghost, quenching the Spirit. Well, you can see there are endless applications of this." [00:28:39]

"Let me read you 1 Corinthians 5:9-11. I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators. Now here's the bell, yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world or with the covetous or extortioners or with idolators, for then ye must need to go out of the world." [00:32:59]

"Make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lust thereof. If you feed the flesh, well, don't be surprised if you fall to its temptations and its lusts. Make no provision for it. Let's watch our general reading." [00:36:15]

"Let me just mention one last thing which is this. It's in our text this morning here at the end. The Apostle says in verse 13, 'Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.'" [00:43:05]

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Transcript
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