Standing Firm: Assurance Against the Devil's Deception
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. The devil's primary weapon is confusion, which he uses to attack the mind, experience, and conduct of Christians. Currently, we are examining how the devil's tactics affect our assurance of salvation. Assurance is a vital aspect of the Christian life, as God not only saves us but also assures us of our salvation. However, the devil seeks to rob us of this assurance by leading us into extremes, either by giving us a false assurance or by making us doubt our salvation.
False assurance is a significant danger, often resulting from a hurried or superficial conversion. This false peace and joy can be likened to the church of Laodicea, which was self-satisfied and unaware of its true spiritual condition. True assurance, on the other hand, is characterized by a deep sense of humility, wonder, and a continual hunger for righteousness. The devil's counterfeit assurance lacks these marks and often leads to a life that does not correspond to the claims of joy and peace.
When the devil fails to deceive us with false assurance, he changes tactics and becomes the accuser, causing us to doubt our salvation. However, he cannot rob us of our salvation itself, as we are secure in God's hands. The devil can, however, rob us of the joy, peace, and rest that accompany salvation. This is why it is crucial to be aware of his schemes and to stand firm in the assurance that God provides.
Key Takeaways:
- The devil's primary weapon is confusion, which he uses to attack the mind, experience, and conduct of Christians. Understanding this tactic is crucial to standing firm in faith. [02:16]
- Assurance of salvation is a vital aspect of the Christian life. God not only saves us but also assures us of our salvation, allowing us to live with confidence and joy. [06:08]
- False assurance often results from a superficial conversion and lacks the true marks of humility, wonder, and a continual hunger for righteousness. It is a dangerous counterfeit that the devil uses to deceive believers. [17:54]
- When the devil fails to deceive us with false assurance, he becomes the accuser, causing us to doubt our salvation. However, he cannot rob us of our salvation itself, as we are secure in God's hands. [39:45]
- The devil can rob us of the joy, peace, and rest that accompany salvation, making it crucial to be aware of his schemes and to stand firm in the assurance that God provides. [42:52]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:10-13
[00:28] - The Devil's Schemes Against Believers
[01:09] - Attacks on the Mind and Experience
[02:16] - Confusion as the Devil's Weapon
[03:51] - Assurance of Salvation
[05:48] - The Importance of Assurance
[07:38] - Assurance in Prayer
[09:13] - Joy and Peace in Salvation
[10:30] - The Devil's Attack on Assurance
[13:50] - False Assurance and Its Dangers
[17:54] - Characteristics of False Assurance
[20:14] - True Assurance and Its Marks
[29:10] - Antinomianism and False Claims
[35:18] - Hunger for Righteousness
[39:45] - The Devil as the Accuser
[42:52] - The Devil's Limitations and Our Security
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 6:10-13
- 1 John 5:13
- Hebrews 4:16
---
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul instruct believers to do in Ephesians 6:10-13 to stand against the devil's schemes?
2. According to the sermon, what is the devil's primary weapon against Christians? [02:16]
3. How does the sermon describe the characteristics of false assurance? [17:54]
4. What role does assurance of salvation play in the Christian life according to the sermon? [06:08]
---
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the devil use confusion to affect a believer's assurance of salvation, and why is this tactic effective? [02:16]
2. What are the dangers of having a false assurance of salvation, and how can it impact a believer's life? [17:54]
3. In what ways does the devil act as the accuser, and how can believers protect themselves from this tactic? [39:45]
4. How does true assurance differ from false assurance, and what are its marks according to the sermon? [17:54]
---
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt confused about your faith. How did you overcome it, and what steps can you take to prevent confusion in the future? [02:16]
2. Have you ever experienced a false sense of assurance in your spiritual journey? What helped you recognize it, and how did you seek true assurance? [17:54]
3. How can you actively remind yourself of the security of your salvation in God’s hands, especially when facing doubts? [39:45]
4. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a continual hunger for righteousness in your daily life? [35:49]
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel the devil might be trying to rob you of joy, peace, or rest. How can you stand firm in the assurance that God provides? [42:52]
6. How can you support others in your community who might be struggling with assurance of salvation?
7. What role does humility play in your spiritual life, and how can you cultivate it to strengthen your assurance of salvation? [33:55]
Devotional
Day 1: Confusion as a Spiritual Weapon
The devil's primary weapon against believers is confusion, which he uses to attack the mind, experience, and conduct of Christians. This confusion can manifest in various ways, leading believers to question their faith, misunderstand God's intentions, or misinterpret their spiritual experiences. Understanding this tactic is crucial to standing firm in faith. By recognizing the devil's schemes, believers can guard their hearts and minds, ensuring that their faith remains steadfast and unshaken. The armor of God, as described in Ephesians, is essential in this battle, providing the strength and protection needed to withstand these attacks. [02:16]
"For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints" (1 Corinthians 14:33, ESV).
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel confusion is causing you to doubt or misinterpret your faith? How can you seek clarity and peace from God in these areas today?
Day 2: Assurance as a Foundation of Faith
Assurance of salvation is a vital aspect of the Christian life. God not only saves us but also assures us of our salvation, allowing us to live with confidence and joy. This assurance is not based on our feelings or circumstances but on the unchanging promises of God. When believers are assured of their salvation, they can face life's challenges with a sense of peace and security, knowing that their eternal destiny is secure. This assurance empowers them to live boldly for Christ, sharing His love and truth with others. [06:08]
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6, ESV).
Reflection: How does the assurance of your salvation impact your daily life and interactions with others? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding and experience of this assurance?
Day 3: The Danger of False Assurance
False assurance often results from a superficial conversion and lacks the true marks of humility, wonder, and a continual hunger for righteousness. It is a dangerous counterfeit that the devil uses to deceive believers, leading them to believe they are secure when they are not. This false peace and joy can be likened to the church of Laodicea, which was self-satisfied and unaware of its true spiritual condition. True assurance, on the other hand, is characterized by a deep sense of humility and a continual pursuit of righteousness. [17:54]
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21, ESV).
Reflection: Reflect on your spiritual journey. Are there areas where you might be relying on false assurance? How can you cultivate a genuine hunger for righteousness in your life?
Day 4: The Accuser's Tactics
When the devil fails to deceive us with false assurance, he becomes the accuser, causing us to doubt our salvation. However, he cannot rob us of our salvation itself, as we are secure in God's hands. The devil's accusations can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and unworthiness, but believers must remember that their salvation is not based on their performance but on Christ's finished work on the cross. By standing firm in this truth, believers can resist the devil's accusations and live in the freedom and joy that comes from knowing they are loved and accepted by God. [39:45]
"Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies" (Romans 8:33, ESV).
Reflection: How do you respond when you feel accused or unworthy in your spiritual life? What truths can you hold onto to combat these feelings and stand firm in your faith?
Day 5: Standing Firm in God's Assurance
The devil can rob us of the joy, peace, and rest that accompany salvation, making it crucial to be aware of his schemes and to stand firm in the assurance that God provides. By putting on the whole armor of God, believers can protect themselves from the devil's attacks and live in the fullness of the life God has for them. This involves daily renewing their minds with God's truth, seeking His presence, and relying on His strength. As believers stand firm in God's assurance, they can experience the abundant life that Jesus promised, filled with joy, peace, and purpose. [42:52]
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil" (Ephesians 6:10-11, ESV).
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to stand firm in the assurance of your salvation and experience the joy and peace that God offers? How can you incorporate these steps into your daily routine?
Quotes
The devil's great weapon is confusion. He confuses our understanding; it's the thing that's most evident in the church at the present time. Speaking generally, how the devil is confusing the understanding of Christian people. But he does this also in the realm of experience. [00:36:00]
The greatest of all dangers in the Christian life is to swing from one extreme to another. That is the way the devil always tries to delude us. Having seen the dangers on one side, we overcorrect and are then in quite as bad a case because we've gone too far in the other direction. [00:05:00]
God has not only provided a way whereby we can be saved, he not only does save us, but he lets us know that he's done it. The Christian is not meant to remain in doubt and in uncertainty. We are meant to know it, we are meant to have assurance, we are meant to be certain. [00:06:00]
The devil's favorite wild is to offer something which appears to be the true Christian peace and joy and happiness and rest, but which turns out on closer analysis in the light of the scriptures and in experience itself, unfortunately, eventually to be nothing but a horrid counterfeit. [00:14:00]
The first thing the devil does is to try to give us a false assurance, to give us a false rest, a false peace, and a false joy. If he can delude any of us with the counterfeit, he's going to keep the true from us. [00:14:00]
The true Christian doesn't say, "Of course I'm saved." The true Christian says, "Well, it's an amazing thing that I should be saved at all. How did the almighty God ever come and bring himself to look upon me?" This is the argument: the Son of God who loved me even me and gave himself for me. [00:32:00]
The devil cannot rob us of our salvation. He cannot do that. That's an utter impossibility. We are in the hands of God, we are his workmanship. No man shall be able to pluck us out of his hands. The devil can never rob anybody of his salvation. [00:40:00]
The devil can rob us of the joy of salvation. He can rob us of the happiness of salvation. He can rob us of the peace that accompanies salvation. He can take from us the rest that is meant to be the portion of the people of God. [00:42:00]
The devil, having tried to keep us in this state of quiescence, into this drugged condition by giving us the counterfeit, when he's failed in that respect, hasn't finished. He now changes his tactics completely. Here it is, you see, that extreme, this extreme, doesn't care. [00:39:00]
The devil cannot rob us of our salvation, but he can rob us of the joy of salvation. He can rob us of the happiness of salvation. He can rob us of the peace that accompanies salvation. He can take from us the rest that is meant to be the portion of the people of God. [00:42:00]
The devil's primary weapon is confusion, which he uses to attack the mind, experience, and conduct of Christians. Understanding this tactic is crucial to standing firm in faith. Assurance of salvation is a vital aspect of the Christian life. [00:02:00]
The devil can rob us of the joy, peace, and rest that accompany salvation, making it crucial to be aware of his schemes and to stand firm in the assurance that God provides. [00:42:00]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?