Equipped for Spiritual Warfare: Victory in Christ

 

Summary

In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul urges 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 profoundly relevant to our lives today, as it reveals the true nature of the spiritual battle we face. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. Understanding this is crucial for living a victorious Christian life. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that sanctification and holiness are not about self-improvement or comfort but about recognizing and engaging in this spiritual warfare.

The devil's existence and his works are fundamental to understanding the purpose of Christ's coming. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, and without recognizing the devil's influence, we cannot fully grasp the purpose of salvation. The devil's subtlety has led many to dismiss his existence, which is a grave mistake. The Bible warns against underestimating the devil's power and influence. The devil, once a bright angelic being, fell due to pride and ambition, leading a rebellion against God. This pre-cosmic fall resulted in the establishment of a kingdom of darkness, opposing God's kingdom.

The origin of evil is a significant question that challenges many, including atheists. Understanding the biblical perspective on evil can lead to a belief in God, as it did for some philosophers. The Bible teaches that God created everything perfect, including the angelic beings. However, the devil's rebellion introduced evil into the world. This spiritual conflict between God and the devil is the backdrop of human history and the chaos we see in the world today.

The devil's influence extends to humanity, as seen in the fall of man. By succumbing to the devil's temptation, humanity became enslaved to sin and under the devil's dominion. This spiritual bondage is the root of the world's problems, and human efforts alone cannot solve it. The real battle is spiritual, and only through Christ can we find victory. Jesus has overcome the devil, and through Him, we can stand firm, equipped with the armor of God.

Key Takeaways:

1. Spiritual Warfare Awareness: Recognizing that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces is crucial for living a victorious Christian life. This awareness shifts our focus from self-centered sanctification to engaging in the spiritual battle with the armor of God. [03:15]

2. Understanding the Devil's Role: The devil's existence and his works are fundamental to understanding the purpose of Christ's coming. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, and without recognizing the devil's influence, we cannot fully grasp the purpose of salvation. [04:52]

3. The Origin of Evil: The devil, once a bright angelic being, fell due to pride and ambition, leading a rebellion against God. This pre-cosmic fall resulted in the establishment of a kingdom of darkness, opposing God's kingdom. Understanding this helps us comprehend the spiritual conflict underlying human history. [23:49]

4. Humanity's Enslavement to Sin: By succumbing to the devil's temptation, humanity became enslaved to sin and under the devil's dominion. This spiritual bondage is the root of the world's problems, and human efforts alone cannot solve it. [38:12]

5. Victory Through Christ: Jesus has overcome the devil, and through Him, we can stand firm, equipped with the armor of God. The Christian life is about being strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, enabling us to withstand the devil's schemes. [46:15]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:10-13
- [01:14] - Relevance of Spiritual Warfare
- [02:33] - Sanctification and Holiness
- [03:50] - Understanding the Devil's Schemes
- [04:19] - Purpose of Christ's Coming
- [05:09] - The Reality of Demonic Forces
- [06:26] - The Devil's Subtlety
- [07:15] - Biblical Warnings Against Underestimating the Devil
- [09:33] - The Power of Evil Forces
- [11:00] - The Origin of Evil
- [13:15] - Biblical Explanation of Evil's Origin
- [20:30] - The Devil's Rebellion
- [23:49] - Pre-Cosmic Fall and Its Consequences
- [38:12] - Humanity's Enslavement to Sin
- [46:15] - Victory Through Christ

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

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

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he instructs believers to "put on the whole armor of God"? How does this relate to standing against the devil's schemes? [00:30]
2. According to the sermon, why is it important to recognize that our struggle is not against flesh and blood? [03:34]
3. How does the sermon describe the devil's original state and his fall? What led to his rebellion against God? [25:09]
4. What role does the devil play in the spiritual conflict described in the sermon, and how does this affect humanity? [38:44]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding the devil's role and influence help believers grasp the purpose of Christ's coming? [04:52]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the devil's subtlety has led people to dismiss his existence? How does this impact the Christian life? [06:58]
3. How does the concept of spiritual warfare shift the focus of sanctification and holiness from self-improvement to engaging in a spiritual battle? [03:15]
4. What does the sermon imply about the origin of evil and its significance in understanding human history and the current state of the world? [13:15]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you might be underestimating the devil's influence? How can you become more aware of spiritual warfare in your daily life? [06:58]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being strong in the Lord. What practical steps can you take to strengthen your relationship with God and rely on His power? [46:15]
3. How can you actively put on the armor of God in your life? Identify one piece of the armor and discuss how you can apply it in a specific situation you are facing. [00:30]
4. Consider the ways in which the devil's schemes might be affecting your community or church. How can you contribute to standing firm against these influences? [03:34]
5. The sermon discusses humanity's enslavement to sin. Are there areas in your life where you feel trapped by sin? What steps can you take to seek freedom through Christ? [38:44]
6. How can understanding the spiritual conflict between God and the devil change the way you view current events and the chaos in the world? [13:15]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt victorious in a spiritual battle. What role did your faith in Christ play in that victory, and how can you apply that experience to future challenges? [46:15]

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing the True Battle
Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. This understanding is crucial for living a victorious Christian life. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that sanctification and holiness are not about self-improvement or comfort but about recognizing and engaging in this spiritual warfare. By shifting our focus from self-centered sanctification to engaging in the spiritual battle with the armor of God, we align ourselves with the true nature of the Christian journey. This awareness helps us to stand firm against the devil's schemes and to live a life that is strong in the Lord. [03:15]

"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 ways you can actively engage in spiritual warfare today, rather than focusing solely on personal improvement?


Day 2: Understanding the Devil's Influence
The devil's existence and his works are fundamental to understanding the purpose of Christ's coming. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, and without recognizing the devil's influence, we cannot fully grasp the purpose of salvation. The devil's subtlety has led many to dismiss his existence, which is a grave mistake. The Bible warns against underestimating the devil's power and influence. Recognizing the devil's role in the spiritual battle helps us to appreciate the full scope of Christ's victory and the salvation He offers. [04:52]

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life might you be underestimating the devil's influence, and how can you be more vigilant?


Day 3: The Origin of Evil
The devil, once a bright angelic being, fell due to pride and ambition, leading a rebellion against God. This pre-cosmic fall resulted in the establishment of a kingdom of darkness, opposing God's kingdom. Understanding this helps us comprehend the spiritual conflict underlying human history. The origin of evil is a significant question that challenges many, including atheists. The Bible teaches that God created everything perfect, including the angelic beings. However, the devil's rebellion introduced evil into the world, setting the stage for the spiritual conflict we face today. [23:49]

"How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!" (Isaiah 14:12, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding the origin of evil change your perspective on the spiritual battles you face?


Day 4: Humanity's Enslavement to Sin
By succumbing to the devil's temptation, humanity became enslaved to sin and under the devil's dominion. This spiritual bondage is the root of the world's problems, and human efforts alone cannot solve it. The real battle is spiritual, and only through Christ can we find victory. Recognizing our enslavement to sin helps us to understand the depth of our need for salvation and the power of Christ's redemptive work. [38:12]

"For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin." (Romans 7:14, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel enslaved to sin, and how can you seek Christ's freedom in that area today?


Day 5: Victory Through Christ
Jesus has overcome the devil, and through Him, we can stand firm, equipped with the armor of God. The Christian life is about being strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, enabling us to withstand the devil's schemes. This victory through Christ empowers us to live a life that is not only free from the bondage of sin but also victorious in the spiritual battles we face daily. By putting on the whole armor of God, we are equipped to stand firm and live a life that reflects the victory we have in Christ. [46:15]

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:57, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively put on the armor of God today to stand firm in the victory that Christ has won for you?

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. [00:24:24]

The Apostle's theme, if you like, in a sense, is that of sanctification and of holiness. And you notice the way in which he deals with that, how different it is from our method. I wonder when you last heard in a convention on holiness or sanctification a series of addresses on the devil and on demons. [00:157:52]

There is nothing perhaps which is quite so relevant to our individual and corporate conditions this morning as this very passage which we are looking at together. For after all, the most important thing we can ever discover is the nature of this life and of this world in which we find ourselves. [00:120:12]

Why did the Son of God come into this world? Well, to put it broadly, we can put it like this with the Apostle John: He came that he might destroy the works of the devil. That's what the Apostle, the inspired Apostle, says, that the Lord Jesus Christ came into the world and did all he did that he might destroy, disarm, undo the works of the devil. [00:264:75]

The devil was originally one of these bright angelic creatures made by God. If you want proof of that, I've already given you two in those portions we read at the beginning. But take the Book of Job in the first chapter and the 6th verse: Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. [00:1240:08]

The devil, lifted up with pride, fell, and now, of course, because of his fall, he is animated by a hatred, an intense hatred of God. He only has one ambition, and that is to destroy God's works, to produce chaos. God is a God of order; the devil is intent upon producing chaos. [00:1772:28]

The whole tragedy of the world today, as I see it, is that we are so utterly earthbound. You see, we start with men, we start with the world, it's us ourselves, and especially the 20th century. But, my dear friend, if you want to understand the 20th century, the first thing you've got to do is not only to go back to the beginning in Eden. [00:1845:96]

The terrible consequence of the Fall was, you see, that man, he's not himself any longer. He's a slave of the devil. He's the goods of the strong man armed. He's under the power and the dominion of Satan and sin and evil. Take the Apostle John's description of it again in the first epistle 5:19. [00:2422:52]

The Christian not only is aware of the forces arranged against him, he is one who is able to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. He can put on the whole armor of God, and though he is fighting Lucifer, star of the morning, the devil, principalities, and powers, he can stand and continue to stand and be finally more than conqueror. [00:2771:08]

The Apostle in writing to the Corinthians says, you remember, in his second epistle, chapter 2, verse 11, we are not ignorant of his devices. He says, I know something about the wiles of the devil, what he tries to do in a church and amongst Christian people. We are not ignorant of his devices. [00:225:48]

The devil's influence extends to humanity, as seen in the fall of man. By succumbing to the devil's temptation, humanity became enslaved to sin and under the devil's dominion. This spiritual bondage is the root of the world's problems, and human efforts alone cannot solve it. The real battle is spiritual, and only through Christ can we find victory. [00:2282:32]

The Apostle's first intent in writing this, of course, was to help these Ephesians and, through them, all subsequent Christians who should ever read these words in the living of the Christian life. The Apostle's theme, if you like, in a sense, is that of sanctification and of holiness. [00:143:16]

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Transcript
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