Standing Firm: Overcoming Doubt and Embracing God's Grace
Summary
In Ephesians 6:10-13, we are called 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 tactics are varied, targeting both the church and individual believers. He often attacks our minds, emotions, and experiences, particularly in the realm of assurance of salvation. The devil seeks to create doubt, either by making us question the possibility of assurance or by resurrecting past sins and failures. He also misleads us into misinterpreting God's dealings with us, such as through trials and tribulations, which are meant for our growth and development.
The story of Job illustrates how the devil can use even well-meaning friends to misinterpret God's actions, leading to despair. Similarly, the epistle to the Hebrews addresses believers who were shaken by persecution and suffering, causing them to doubt their faith. Jesus warned his disciples about tribulations, emphasizing that such trials are part of the Christian journey. The devil often uses these hardships to make us doubt God's love or our status as His children.
However, these trials are God's way of refining us, preparing us for the glory to come. They are not signs of God's absence but of His loving discipline, meant to help us grow in grace and knowledge. Our relationship with God is not based on our perfection but on His unchanging grace. Even when we sin, our relationship with God remains intact because it is founded on justification by faith, not on our works.
The devil also tries to convince us that we've committed the unforgivable sin against the Holy Ghost, leading to despair. However, those who worry about this sin are not guilty of it, as it involves a deliberate and proud rejection of the Holy Spirit's work. Our desire to know and love God more is evidence of our status as His children.
Key Takeaways:
- The devil's schemes often target our assurance of salvation, using past sins and failures to create doubt. However, our relationship with God is based on His grace, not our perfection. We must stand firm in the truth of our justification by faith. [03:50]
- Trials and tribulations are not signs of God's absence but of His loving discipline. They are meant to refine us and prepare us for the glory to come. We should embrace these challenges as opportunities for growth. [14:01]
- Misinterpreting God's dealings with us can lead to despair. Like Job, we must recognize that God's ways are higher than ours, and His purposes are always for our good, even when they involve suffering. [05:36]
- The fear of having committed the unforgivable sin against the Holy Ghost is a common tactic of the devil. However, those who worry about this sin are not guilty of it, as it involves a deliberate rejection of the Holy Spirit's work. [37:44]
- Our desire to know and love God more is evidence of our status as His children. This longing is a sign of the new nature within us, contrasting with the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which involves a proud rejection of God. [43:11]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:10-13
- [00:50] - The Devil's Schemes Against Believers
- [01:41] - Attacks on the Mind and Experience
- [03:02] - Assurance of Salvation
- [04:48] - Misinterpretation of God's Dealings
- [05:36] - The Example of Job
- [07:15] - Lessons from Hebrews
- [08:12] - Jesus' Warning of Tribulations
- [09:29] - Doubting God's Love
- [11:00] - Suffering and Glory
- [12:17] - God's Discipline and Growth
- [14:01] - Spiritual Maturity and Trials
- [16:20] - Adversity as God's Gymnasium
- [19:23] - Preparation for Glory
- [23:30] - Sin and Assurance
- [37:44] - The Unforgivable Sin
- [43:11] - Desire for God as Evidence of Faith
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 6:10-13
- Hebrews 12:5-11
- Job 1:6-12
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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Ephesians 6:10-13 instruct believers to do in order to stand against the devil's schemes? How does this relate to the concept of spiritual warfare? [00:10]
2. How does the story of Job illustrate the devil's tactics in misinterpreting God's dealings with us? What role did Job's friends play in this? [05:36]
3. According to Hebrews 12, what is the purpose of God's discipline, and how should believers respond to it? [11:58]
4. What are some of the ways the devil attempts to shake a believer's assurance of salvation, as discussed in the sermon? [03:50]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of putting on the "whole armor of God" in Ephesians 6:10-13 help believers in their daily spiritual battles? What might this armor symbolize in practical terms? [00:50]
2. In what ways can trials and tribulations be seen as a form of God's loving discipline, according to Hebrews 12? How does this perspective change the way believers view their hardships? [14:01]
3. How does the sermon explain the difference between God's discipline and the devil's attempts to create doubt in believers' minds? [10:25]
4. What is the significance of understanding our relationship with God as being based on His grace rather than our perfection, especially when facing doubts about salvation? [27:39]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent trial or hardship you faced. How might viewing it as God's loving discipline change your perspective on that experience? [14:01]
2. The sermon discusses the devil's tactic of resurrecting past sins to create doubt. How can you remind yourself of your justification by faith when these doubts arise? [03:50]
3. Consider a time when you misinterpreted God's dealings with you, similar to Job's experience. How can you seek a clearer understanding of God's purposes in your life? [05:36]
4. How can you actively put on the "whole armor of God" in your daily life to stand firm against spiritual attacks? What specific actions can you take this week? [00:50]
5. If you have ever worried about committing the unforgivable sin, how does the sermon reassure you about your standing with God? How can this understanding bring peace to your spiritual journey? [37:44]
6. Identify one area in your life where you feel spiritually immature. What steps can you take to grow in that area, embracing God's discipline as part of the process? [12:17]
7. How can you cultivate a deeper desire to know and love God more, as evidence of your status as His child? What practical steps can you take to nurture this desire? [43:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Assurance in God's Grace
Our assurance of salvation is often targeted by the devil, who uses our past sins and failures to create doubt. However, our relationship with God is not based on our perfection but on His unchanging grace. We are justified by faith, and this truth is our foundation. When doubts arise, remember that God's grace is sufficient, and His love is steadfast. Stand firm in the truth of your justification by faith, knowing that your salvation is secure in Him. [03:50]
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a past sin or failure that still haunts you. How can you remind yourself today that your salvation is based on God's grace and not your past?
Day 2: Trials as Divine Discipline
Trials and tribulations are not signs of God's absence but of His loving discipline. They are meant to refine us and prepare us for the glory to come. Embrace these challenges as opportunities for growth, understanding that God uses them to develop our character and deepen our faith. Just as a loving parent disciplines a child for their good, God allows us to face hardships to strengthen us and draw us closer to Him. [14:01]
"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a current trial in your life. How can you view this situation as an opportunity for spiritual growth and refinement?
Day 3: Trusting God's Higher Ways
Misinterpreting God's dealings with us can lead to despair. Like Job, we must recognize that God's ways are higher than ours, and His purposes are always for our good, even when they involve suffering. Trust in His wisdom and sovereignty, knowing that He is working all things for your ultimate benefit. When faced with confusion or pain, remember that God's perspective is eternal, and His plans are perfect. [05:36]
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you misunderstood God's actions in your life. How can you cultivate trust in His higher ways today?
Day 4: Freedom from the Fear of Unforgivable Sin
The fear of having committed the unforgivable sin against the Holy Ghost is a common tactic of the devil. However, those who worry about this sin are not guilty of it, as it involves a deliberate rejection of the Holy Spirit's work. If you are concerned about your relationship with God, it is evidence of His work in your life. Rest in the assurance that your desire to know and love God more is a sign of your status as His child. [37:44]
"Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven." (Matthew 12:31, ESV)
Reflection: Are you struggling with the fear of having committed an unforgivable sin? How can you find peace in the knowledge that your concern is evidence of God's work in your heart?
Day 5: Evidence of Our New Nature
Our desire to know and love God more is evidence of our status as His children. This longing is a sign of the new nature within us, contrasting with the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which involves a proud rejection of God. Embrace this desire as a gift from God, and let it motivate you to pursue a deeper relationship with Him. Your spiritual hunger is a testament to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in your life. [43:11]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you nurture your desire to know and love God more today? What practical steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him?
Quotes
In Ephesians 6:10-13, we are called 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 tactics are varied, targeting both the church and individual believers. He often attacks our minds, emotions, and experiences, particularly in the realm of assurance of salvation. [00:00:10]
The devil seeks to create doubt, either by making us question the possibility of assurance or by resurrecting past sins and failures. He also misleads us into misinterpreting God's dealings with us, such as through trials and tribulations, which are meant for our growth and development. [00:03:02]
The story of Job illustrates how the devil can use even well-meaning friends to misinterpret God's actions, leading to despair. Similarly, the epistle to the Hebrews addresses believers who were shaken by persecution and suffering, causing them to doubt their faith. [00:05:36]
Jesus warned his disciples about tribulations, emphasizing that such trials are part of the Christian journey. The devil often uses these hardships to make us doubt God's love or our status as His children. However, these trials are God's way of refining us, preparing us for the glory to come. [00:08:12]
They are not signs of God's absence but of His loving discipline, meant to help us grow in grace and knowledge. Our relationship with God is not based on our perfection but on His unchanging grace. Even when we sin, our relationship with God remains intact because it is founded on justification by faith, not on our works. [00:11:00]
The devil also tries to convince us that we've committed the unforgivable sin against the Holy Ghost, leading to despair. However, those who worry about this sin are not guilty of it, as it involves a deliberate and proud rejection of the Holy Spirit's work. [00:37:44]
Our desire to know and love God more is evidence of our status as His children. This longing is a sign of the new nature within us, contrasting with the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which involves a proud rejection of God. [00:43:11]
Trials and tribulations are not signs of God's absence but of His loving discipline. They are meant to refine us and prepare us for the glory to come. We should embrace these challenges as opportunities for growth. [00:14:01]
Misinterpreting God's dealings with us can lead to despair. Like Job, we must recognize that God's ways are higher than ours, and His purposes are always for our good, even when they involve suffering. [00:05:36]
The fear of having committed the unforgivable sin against the Holy Ghost is a common tactic of the devil. However, those who worry about this sin are not guilty of it, as it involves a deliberate rejection of the Holy Spirit's work. [00:37:44]
Our desire to know and love God more is evidence of our status as His children. This longing is a sign of the new nature within us, contrasting with the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which involves a proud rejection of God. [00:43:11]
The devil's schemes often target our assurance of salvation, using past sins and failures to create doubt. However, our relationship with God is based on His grace, not our perfection. We must stand firm in the truth of our justification by faith. [00:03:50]
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