Equipping for Spiritual Battle: Trusting God's Guidance

 

Summary

In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul urges believers to be strong in the Lord and to put on the full armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. This passage serves as a reminder that the Christian life is a battle, not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces. The devil's tactics are varied and cunning, often targeting our minds and experiences to sow discouragement, worry, and anxiety. These feelings can paralyze us spiritually, distracting us from our growth and relationship with God.

One of the devil's strategies is to exploit our natural tendencies towards worry and anxiety, especially concerning legitimate life concerns. These worries can become so overwhelming that they crowd out spiritual thoughts and priorities, leading us to neglect our spiritual well-being. Jesus warned against this in the parable of the sower, where the cares of this world choke the word, making it unfruitful. The antidote to this is recognizing the devil's hand in these distractions and reprimanding ourselves for allowing them to take hold. Christians are called to maintain self-discipline and a sense of proportion, keeping spiritual priorities at the center of life.

Fear of the future is another area where the devil attacks. This fear is often rooted in unbelief, a failure to trust in God's promises and care. Jesus taught not to worry about tomorrow, emphasizing that our Heavenly Father knows our needs. As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit, who empowers us with love, power, and a sound mind. We must remind ourselves of God's past faithfulness and trust that He will continue to guide and provide for us.

The issue of guidance and unanswered prayers is also a common struggle. Many Christians are troubled by the belief that guidance and healing should be automatic and guaranteed. However, the Christian life is not mechanical; it involves growth and development. The Bible shows that even the Apostle Paul faced uncertainty and unanswered prayers. True guidance comes through scripture, an enlightened mind, and the Holy Spirit's leading. We must commit our concerns to God, trust in His will, and avoid acting against our inner convictions.

Key Takeaways:

- Recognize the devil's schemes in sowing worry and anxiety, which can distract us from spiritual priorities. Acknowledge his hand in these feelings and reprimand ourselves for allowing them to take hold. [10:10]

- Maintain self-discipline and a sense of proportion in life. Keep spiritual priorities at the center, ensuring that legitimate concerns do not overshadow our relationship with God. [12:30]

- Fear of the future is rooted in unbelief. Trust in God's promises and past faithfulness, knowing that He cares for us and will provide for our needs. [25:27]

- Guidance and healing are not automatic; they involve growth and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Commit your concerns to God, trust in His will, and avoid acting against your inner convictions. [46:49]

- The Christian life is not mechanical; it requires growth, development, and reliance on God's guidance through scripture, an enlightened mind, and the Holy Spirit. [35:17]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:10-13
[01:12] - The Devil's Schemes
[02:28] - Discouragement and Introspection
[03:24] - Worry and Anxiety
[05:46] - Legitimate Concerns and Spiritual Distraction
[07:26] - Jesus' Warnings Against Worldly Cares
[09:21] - Recognizing the Devil's Hand
[11:11] - Self-Discipline and Proportion
[13:18] - Fear of the Future
[20:38] - Worrying About the Future
[25:27] - Trusting in God's Promises
[29:32] - Guidance and Unanswered Prayers
[35:17] - Growth and Development in Christian Life
[46:49] - Committing Concerns to God
[52:08] - Conclusion and Hymn

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:10-13

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? [00:12]
2. How does the sermon describe the devil's tactics in targeting believers' minds and experiences? [01:12]
3. What examples from the sermon illustrate how legitimate life concerns can become spiritual distractions? [06:31]
4. How does the sermon explain the role of self-discipline in maintaining spiritual priorities? [12:30]

Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that worry and anxiety can be seen as a lack of faith or unbelief? [25:27]
2. How does the sermon interpret Jesus' teaching on not worrying about tomorrow in the context of trusting God's promises? [22:11]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of guidance and unanswered prayers in the Christian life? [29:32]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between spiritual growth and the challenges of life? [35:17]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where worry or anxiety distracted you from your spiritual priorities. How can you recognize and address the devil's influence in such situations? [10:10]
2. What steps can you take to maintain self-discipline and keep spiritual priorities at the center of your life, especially when faced with legitimate concerns? [12:30]
3. Consider a fear of the future that you currently have. How can you remind yourself of God's past faithfulness and promises to overcome this fear? [25:27]
4. How can you commit your concerns to God and trust in His will, especially when facing uncertainty or unanswered prayers? [46:49]
5. Identify an area in your life where you feel spiritually stagnant. What practical steps can you take to rely more on God's guidance through scripture and the Holy Spirit? [35:17]
6. Think of a time when you acted against your inner convictions. How can you ensure that you align your actions with your faith and inner guidance in the future? [49:27]
7. How can you cultivate a mindset that sees spiritual growth as a journey rather than a mechanical process? What changes might this require in your daily life? [35:17]

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing Spiritual Distractions
In the Christian journey, believers are often confronted with distractions that can divert their focus from spiritual priorities. These distractions, often orchestrated by the devil, manifest as worry and anxiety over legitimate life concerns. Such feelings can become overwhelming, leading to spiritual paralysis and neglect of one's relationship with God. It is crucial to acknowledge the devil's hand in these distractions and to reprimand oneself for allowing them to take hold. By maintaining self-discipline and a sense of proportion, Christians can keep their spiritual priorities at the center of their lives, ensuring that worldly concerns do not overshadow their faith. [10:10]

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: Identify a specific worry or anxiety that has been distracting you from your spiritual priorities. How can you actively redirect your focus back to God today?


Day 2: Maintaining Spiritual Priorities
The Christian life requires a balance between addressing legitimate concerns and maintaining spiritual priorities. The devil often exploits our natural tendencies towards worry and anxiety, causing us to neglect our spiritual well-being. Jesus warned against the cares of this world, which can choke the word and make it unfruitful. To combat this, Christians must cultivate self-discipline and a sense of proportion, ensuring that their relationship with God remains at the forefront of their lives. By doing so, they can prevent worldly concerns from overshadowing their spiritual growth and development. [12:30]

Colossians 3:2-3 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to ensure that your spiritual priorities remain at the center of your life?


Day 3: Trusting in God's Promises
Fear of the future is a common struggle for many Christians, often rooted in unbelief and a failure to trust in God's promises. This fear can lead to anxiety and worry, distracting believers from their faith. Jesus taught not to worry about tomorrow, emphasizing that God knows our needs and will provide for us. As Christians, we are called to trust in God's past faithfulness and to believe that He will continue to guide and provide for us. By doing so, we can overcome fear and live with confidence in God's promises. [25:27]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: Reflect on a specific promise of God that you struggle to trust. How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness in this area today?


Day 4: Embracing Growth and Guidance
Guidance and healing in the Christian life are not automatic; they involve growth and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Many Christians struggle with the belief that guidance should be guaranteed, leading to frustration and doubt. However, the Christian journey is not mechanical; it requires growth, development, and reliance on God's guidance through scripture, an enlightened mind, and the Holy Spirit. By committing concerns to God and trusting in His will, believers can find true guidance and avoid acting against their inner convictions. [46:49]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: Think of a decision you are currently facing. How can you seek God's guidance and trust in His will for this situation?


Day 5: Relying on God's Guidance
The Christian life is a journey of growth and development, requiring reliance on God's guidance through scripture, an enlightened mind, and the Holy Spirit. Many believers face uncertainty and unanswered prayers, leading to doubt and frustration. However, true guidance comes from committing concerns to God and trusting in His will. By doing so, Christians can avoid acting against their inner convictions and find peace in God's plan for their lives. This reliance on God's guidance is essential for spiritual growth and development. [35:17]

James 1:5 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to rely more on God's guidance? How can you actively seek His wisdom and direction today?

Quotes



The Apostle gives a very solemn warning to these Ephesians and through them to all other Christians to bear in mind always that they are confronted by the Ws of the devil. This is authory of the Christian is not just that he believes and is converted and saved and never has another problem unless that isn't true. [00:01:17]

The devil knowing this presses them along that very Point what he does of course he doesn't do it openly but what he does is this he knows that the conscientious he knows that they're sensitive people highly strung people people who are never content to do a thing anyhow somehow they're perfectionists. [00:04:07]

The Bible's got a great deal to say about this there is a great deal of warning in the Bible against what it calls the cares of this world, clearly it's something that has always Afflicted God's people this type in particular the cares of this world or if you like you've got a classic example of this in the case of Martha. [00:04:51]

The devil tries to get us into that state of worry and Hyper anxiety and the answer is along the lines I've been trying to indicate now there's something closely related to this and that is fear of the future it's a subdivision if you like of the previous one and yet it does deserve uh a classification on its own. [00:18:09]

Timothy had many good reasons for being afraid of the future the great Apostle is in prison rumors are circulating that he's about to be put to death there are troubles in the churches he Timothy is but a young man what's going to happen What future can there possibly be in such cir cumstances everything seems to be going. [00:19:34]

This fearfulness with respect to the future is not only lack of Faith it's worse it's unbelief and let's pull it out and look at it and put the appropriate label on it and let's just tize ourselves the whole art of defeating the Ws of the devil is to see that he's at the back of it all. [00:24:56]

The Christian life is not like that that makes it into something almost magical not only that if it were as simple as that there'd never be any growth in the Christian Life you can't get growth and development in a machine but where there's life there's growth and development and there is in the Christian Life. [00:34:58]

The Apostle Paul did not get automatic Guidance the Apostle Paul was sometimes in difficulty about his guidance let me give you an example out of Acts 16 in the 16th chapter of Acts this is what I read in verse 6 now when they had gone throughout friia and the region of galatia and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost. [00:36:06]

The Apostle thought quite clearly that he was to preach in Asia and in Bethania here is this man of God this great Apostle he believes this is what he's to do the Holy Ghost has to prevent him and prohibit him specifically and in the same way he would never have gone to tr us he would never have gone from trus into Macedonia. [00:36:43]

The Apostle was not clear in his guidance and face to face with such an example I say we must never teach that guidance is certain automatic and infallable it's not true it's not true in Apostolic experience neither has it been true in the history of the Saints since then you read their biographies and you'll find that they've had great trouble. [00:37:10]

We are meant to get our guidance through the scriptures through an enlightened spiritual mind and understanding through an enlightened reason through an enlightened conscience that's how normally God guides us thank God he does and he gives us certainty through these meth you read your scriptures and their teaching you apply it if you're in trouble. [00:45:39]

Commit everything to God illness future guidance everything take it to the Lord in prayer tell him that you one desire is to know his will and to do it now if you can't be honest at that point you might as well stop you start with yourself and you say can I honestly say to God that I desire nothing but to know his will. [00:47:38]

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Transcript
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