Standing Firm: Overcoming Doubt and Embracing Assurance

 

Summary

In Ephesians 6:10-13, we are reminded of the spiritual battle we face and the necessity of donning the full armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. The devil's tactics are varied, targeting both the church and individual believers. He often attacks our minds, emotions, and experiences, attempting to sow doubt and confusion. One significant area of attack is the assurance of salvation. The devil seeks to rob us of the joy and certainty of our salvation by making us question the possibility of assurance, resurrecting past sins, or misinterpreting God's dealings with us.

The story of Job illustrates how the devil can use misinterpretation of God's actions to shake our faith. Job's friends, though well-meaning, became tools of the devil by suggesting that Job's suffering was due to his sin. Similarly, the epistle to the Hebrews addresses believers who struggled to understand their suffering, leading them to doubt their faith. Jesus warned his disciples of tribulations, emphasizing that trials are part of the Christian journey. The devil uses these trials to make us doubt God's love or question our status as His children.

However, these trials are not signs of God's absence but rather His method of refining and growing us. As Romans 8:17 and Hebrews 12 teach, suffering is part of our journey with Christ, leading to glory. God's discipline is an expression of His love, aiming to mature us spiritually. We must learn to see trials as opportunities for growth and deeper understanding of God's character.

When we fall into sin, the devil tries to convince us that we are no longer Christians. Yet, our justification by faith is a once-and-for-all act that cannot be undone by our failures. Sin affects our fellowship with God but not our relationship as His children. The devil's accusations should drive us to the truth of our justification and the unchanging grace of God.

Finally, the fear of having committed the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit is another tactic of the devil. However, those who are concerned about this sin are not guilty of it, as the sin involves a deliberate and proud rejection of Christ, not a struggle with faith or love.

Key Takeaways:

- The devil's schemes often target our assurance of salvation, using past sins and misinterpretations of God's actions to sow doubt. Understanding that trials are part of God's refining process helps us stand firm in faith. [03:13]

- God's discipline is an expression of His love, aiming to mature us spiritually. Trials are opportunities for growth and deeper understanding of God's character, not signs of His absence. [12:19]

- Justification by faith is a once-and-for-all act that cannot be undone by our failures. Sin affects our fellowship with God but not our relationship as His children. [31:42]

- The fear of having committed the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit is a tactic of the devil. Those concerned about this sin are not guilty of it, as it involves a deliberate rejection of Christ. [41:40]

- Embracing God's discipline and trials as part of our spiritual growth helps us resist the devil's schemes. We must rely on the truth of our justification and the unchanging grace of God. [45:32]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:10-13
- [00:29] - The Devil's Schemes Against Believers
- [01:03] - Attacks on the Mind and Experience
- [02:58] - Assurance of Salvation
- [05:12] - Misinterpretation of God's Dealings
- [06:19] - The Story of Job
- [07:19] - Lessons from Hebrews
- [08:32] - Doubting God's Love
- [10:31] - Understanding God's Discipline
- [12:19] - Growth Through Trials
- [14:02] - Spiritual Maturity and Discipline
- [19:17] - Preparation for Glory
- [23:36] - Sin and Assurance
- [31:42] - Justification by Faith
- [37:37] - The Unforgivable Sin
- [45:52] - Closing Hymn

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:10-13
- Romans 8:17
- Hebrews 12:5-11

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Ephesians 6:10-13 say about the nature of the spiritual battle we face as Christians? How are we instructed to prepare for it? [00:09]

2. According to the sermon, what are some of the devil's tactics used to attack believers' assurance of salvation? [03:13]

3. How does the story of Job illustrate the devil's use of misinterpretation of God's actions to shake our faith? [06:19]

4. What role does God's discipline play in the life of a believer, according to Hebrews 12? [12:19]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does understanding that trials are part of God's refining process help believers stand firm in their faith? [08:32]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's discipline is an expression of His love? How does this perspective change the way we view our trials? [12:19]

3. How does the concept of justification by faith provide assurance to believers, even when they fall into sin? [31:42]

4. What is the significance of the fear of having committed the unforgivable sin, and how does the sermon address this concern? [41:40]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent trial or challenge you faced. How can you view it as an opportunity for spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of God's character? [12:19]

2. When you experience doubt about your salvation, what steps can you take to remind yourself of the truth of your justification by faith? [31:42]

3. How can you actively embrace God's discipline in your life as a sign of His love and a tool for your spiritual maturity? [12:19]

4. Have you ever struggled with the fear of having committed the unforgivable sin? How does the sermon help you find peace and assurance in this area? [41:40]

5. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel the devil might be sowing doubt or confusion. What practical steps can you take to resist these schemes and stand firm in your faith? [03:13]

6. How can you support others in your small group or community who may be struggling with assurance of salvation or understanding God's discipline? [08:32]

7. Consider a time when you misinterpreted God's actions in your life. How can you seek clarity and truth in such situations moving forward? [06:19]

Devotional

Day 1: Standing Firm in Assurance
The devil often targets our assurance of salvation, using past sins and misinterpretations of God's actions to sow doubt. He aims to make us question the certainty of our salvation, resurrecting past sins or misinterpreting God's dealings with us. However, understanding that trials are part of God's refining process helps us stand firm in faith. These trials are not signs of God's absence but rather His method of refining and growing us. As believers, we must recognize that our assurance is rooted in the unchanging grace of God and not in our fluctuating feelings or circumstances. [03:13]

Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV): "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."

Reflection: Think of a past sin or doubt that the devil uses to attack your assurance. How can you remind yourself today of the truth of your salvation in Christ?


Day 2: Embracing God's Loving Discipline
God's discipline is an expression of His love, aiming to mature us spiritually. Trials are opportunities for growth and deeper understanding of God's character, not signs of His absence. The story of Job and the epistle to the Hebrews remind us that suffering is part of the Christian journey. These trials are meant to refine us and lead us to glory, as Romans 8:17 and Hebrews 12 teach. We must learn to see trials as opportunities for growth and deeper understanding of God's character. [12:19]

Hebrews 12:10-11 (ESV): "For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

Reflection: Reflect on a current trial you are facing. How can you view this situation as an opportunity for spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of God's love?


Day 3: The Unbreakable Bond of Justification
Justification by faith is a once-and-for-all act that cannot be undone by our failures. Sin affects our fellowship with God but not our relationship as His children. The devil tries to convince us that we are no longer Christians when we fall into sin, but our justification is secure. This truth should drive us to the unchanging grace of God and remind us that our relationship with Him is not based on our performance but on His finished work. [31:42]

Romans 5:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

Reflection: Identify an area where you feel distant from God due to sin. How can you embrace the truth of your justification and restore your fellowship with Him today?


Day 4: Overcoming the Fear of the Unforgivable Sin
The fear of having committed the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit is a tactic of the devil. Those concerned about this sin are not guilty of it, as it involves a deliberate and proud rejection of Christ, not a struggle with faith or love. Understanding this can free us from unnecessary fear and help us focus on growing in our relationship with God. The devil uses this fear to distract us from the assurance and peace that come from knowing Christ. [41:40]

1 John 4:18 (ESV): "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."

Reflection: Consider any fears you have about your standing with God. How can you allow God's perfect love to cast out these fears and bring you peace?


Day 5: Resisting the Devil's Schemes
Embracing God's discipline and trials as part of our spiritual growth helps us resist the devil's schemes. We must rely on the truth of our justification and the unchanging grace of God. By understanding that trials are part of God's refining process, we can stand firm in faith and resist the devil's attempts to sow doubt and confusion. Our spiritual journey is marked by growth and maturity as we learn to trust in God's character and His promises. [45:32]

James 4:7-8 (ESV): "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Reflection: Identify a specific area where you feel the devil is trying to sow doubt or confusion. How can you actively resist his schemes and draw nearer to God 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 you may be able to stand against the Ws 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." [00:09:38]

"As Christians, we are meant to know and to experience the joy of the Lord, the joy of Salvation. That's clear everywhere in the scripture from beginning to end. The Christian is meant to be a rejoicing man. So the devil comes and tries to upset that. He does it in many ways. We've seen that he tries to give us a false Joy or a false peace." [00:31:36]

"The story of Job illustrates how the devil can use misinterpretation of God's actions to shake our faith. Job's friends, though well-meaning, became tools of the devil by suggesting that Job's suffering was due to his sin. Similarly, the epistle to the Hebrews addresses believers who struggled to understand their suffering, leading them to doubt their faith." [00:56:36]

"However, these trials are not signs of God's absence but rather His method of refining and growing us. As Romans 8:17 and Hebrews 12 teach, suffering is part of our journey with Christ, leading to glory. God's discipline is an expression of His love, aiming to mature us spiritually." [01:06:44]

"When we fall into sin, the devil tries to convince us that we are no longer Christians. Yet, our justification by faith is a once-and-for-all act that cannot be undone by our failures. Sin affects our fellowship with God but not our relationship as His children." [01:31:56]

"The fear of having committed the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit is another tactic of the devil. However, those who are concerned about this sin are not guilty of it, as the sin involves a deliberate and proud rejection of Christ, not a struggle with faith or love." [01:56:03]

"Embracing God's discipline and trials as part of our spiritual growth helps us resist the devil's schemes. We must rely on the truth of our justification and the unchanging grace of God." [02:16:40]

"God's discipline is an expression of His love, aiming to mature us spiritually. Trials are opportunities for growth and deeper understanding of God's character, not signs of His absence." [01:10:06]

"Justification by faith is a once-and-for-all act that cannot be undone by our failures. Sin affects our fellowship with God but not our relationship as His children." [01:31:56]

"The devil's schemes often target our assurance of salvation, using past sins and misinterpretations of God's actions to sow doubt. Understanding that trials are part of God's refining process helps us stand firm in faith." [00:31:36]

"God's discipline is an expression of His love, aiming to mature us spiritually. Trials are opportunities for growth and deeper understanding of God's character, not signs of His absence." [01:10:06]

"Embracing God's discipline and trials as part of our spiritual growth helps us resist the devil's schemes. We must rely on the truth of our justification and the unchanging grace of God." [02:16:40]

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Transcript
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