Standing Firm: Recognizing and Resisting the Devil's Schemes
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone. Today, we embark on a new series called "Standing Firm," focusing on Paul's closing argument in his letter to the Ephesians. This series will delve into the spiritual battle we face against the world, the flesh, and the devil. Paul writes in Ephesians 6:10-12, urging us to be strong in the Lord and to put on the full armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil.
The first scheme of the devil is to convince you that he is not real. Many people today, especially in urban, educated, and progressive circles, do not believe in the devil. This disbelief allows the devil to advance his agenda unnoticed. Paul warns us to wake up spiritually and recognize the ongoing battle between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. When we fail to see the devil as the true enemy, we misidentify the root of our problems and create ineffective solutions.
The second scheme is to get you to underestimate the devil's power. While many Christians believe in the devil, they often underestimate his influence. The Bible describes the devil as a roaring lion, a great dragon, and a crafty serpent. He is powerful and has a whole army against us. The more committed you are to living a set-apart life for God, the more the devil will attack you. The devil targets those who are on the verge of making significant cultural impacts, tempting them to compromise their faith.
The third scheme is to attack your mind. The devil blinds the minds of unbelievers and creates confusion, trouble, and chaos. Even after becoming a Christian, the battlefield of the mind continues. The devil wants you to doubt God's love, forgiveness, and promises. False teachings and heresies can infiltrate the church, leading believers astray. The devil twists biblical values to align with secular worldviews, creating confusion and weakening our faith.
The fourth scheme is to attack your body. The devil targets your physical health through sickness, addiction, and other ailments. Jesus' ministry was marked by healing the sick and casting out demons, recognizing that many physical ailments are the work of the enemy. As a church, we must pray against diseases like cancer and drug addiction, believing in God's power to heal and set people free.
The fifth and final scheme is that the devil manifests in your behaviors. Paul warns the Ephesians not to live like the world, with hardened hearts and futile thinking. Behaviors like anger, lying, stealing, and gossiping give the devil a foothold in our lives. The devil is subtle and crafty, often attacking when we least expect it. We must remain vigilant and put on the full armor of God to stand against his schemes.
In conclusion, while the devil is powerful, our God is more powerful. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. We must be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power, putting on the full armor of God to stand firm against the devil's schemes. Over the next five weeks, we will explore how to utilize the full armor of God to resist the devil and stand firm in our faith.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Reality of the Devil: One of the devil's most effective schemes is to convince people that he does not exist. This disbelief allows him to operate unnoticed, advancing his agenda without resistance. Recognizing the devil's existence is crucial for understanding the spiritual battle we are in. Paul urges us to wake up spiritually and be aware of the ongoing battle between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. [01:07]
2. Underestimating the Devil's Power: Many Christians believe in the devil but underestimate his power. The Bible describes the devil as a roaring lion, a great dragon, and a crafty serpent, emphasizing his strength and cunning. The more committed you are to living a set-apart life for God, the more the devil will attack you. Recognizing the devil's power helps us to be vigilant and prepared for his attacks. [12:00]
3. The Battlefield of the Mind: The devil attacks our minds, creating confusion, doubt, and chaos. Even after becoming a Christian, the battlefield of the mind continues. The devil wants us to doubt God's love, forgiveness, and promises. False teachings and heresies can infiltrate the church, leading believers astray. We must guard our minds with the truth of God's Word and remain steadfast in our faith. [28:08]
4. Attacks on the Body: The devil targets our physical health through sickness, addiction, and other ailments. Jesus' ministry was marked by healing the sick and casting out demons, recognizing that many physical ailments are the work of the enemy. As a church, we must pray against diseases like cancer and drug addiction, believing in God's power to heal and set people free. [33:07]
5. Manifestation in Behaviors: The devil manifests in our behaviors, leading us to anger, lying, stealing, and gossiping. These behaviors give the devil a foothold in our lives. The devil is subtle and crafty, often attacking when we least expect it. We must remain vigilant and put on the full armor of God to stand against his schemes. Recognizing and addressing these behaviors helps us to live a life that glorifies God. [36:37]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:07] - The Reality of the Devil
[12:00] - Underestimating the Devil's Power
[28:08] - The Battlefield of the Mind
[33:07] - Attacks on the Body
[36:37] - Manifestation in Behaviors
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Standing Firm
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 6:10-12 (NIV): "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
2. John 8:44 (NIV): "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
3. 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV): "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 6:10-12, what are we instructed to do to stand against the devil’s schemes? ([01:07])
2. In John 8:44, how does Jesus describe the devil and his nature? ([08:59])
3. What imagery does 1 Peter 5:8 use to describe the devil, and what does this imply about his intentions? ([12:00])
4. What are the five schemes of the devil mentioned in the sermon? ([01:07])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to recognize the reality of the devil according to the sermon? How does disbelief in the devil benefit his agenda? ([03:13])
2. How does underestimating the devil's power make Christians more vulnerable to his attacks? ([12:00])
3. What are some ways the devil attacks our minds, and how can we guard against these attacks? ([28:08])
4. How does the devil manifest in our behaviors, and what are some specific behaviors mentioned in the sermon that give the devil a foothold? ([36:37])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you might be underestimating the devil's power? How can you become more vigilant in these areas? ([12:00])
2. The sermon mentioned that the devil attacks our minds by creating confusion and doubt. Have you experienced this in your own faith journey? How do you combat these thoughts? ([28:08])
3. Think about your physical health. Are there any ailments or addictions you believe could be spiritual attacks? How can you seek healing and support from your church community? ([33:07])
4. The devil often manifests in our behaviors, such as anger, lying, and gossiping. Can you identify any behaviors in your life that might be giving the devil a foothold? What steps can you take to change these behaviors? ([36:37])
5. How can you put on the full armor of God in your daily life to stand firm against the devil’s schemes? What specific actions can you take this week to strengthen your spiritual defenses? ([01:07])
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of recognizing the spiritual battle we are in. How can you stay spiritually awake and aware of this battle in your everyday life? ([04:09])
7. How can you support others in your small group or church community who might be struggling with the devil’s schemes? What practical steps can you take to encourage and pray for them? ([22:07])
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing the Reality of the Devil
The devil's most effective scheme is to convince people that he does not exist. This disbelief allows him to operate unnoticed, advancing his agenda without resistance. Recognizing the devil's existence is crucial for understanding the spiritual battle we are in. Paul urges us to wake up spiritually and be aware of the ongoing battle between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. When we fail to see the devil as the true enemy, we misidentify the root of our problems and create ineffective solutions. Awareness of the devil's reality helps us to be vigilant and prepared for his attacks. [01:07]
Ephesians 6:12 (ESV): "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
Reflection: Think about an area in your life where you have been struggling. Could it be that you have been misidentifying the root cause? How can recognizing the reality of the devil change your approach to this struggle?
Day 2: Understanding the Devil's Power
Many Christians believe in the devil but underestimate his power. The Bible describes the devil as a roaring lion, a great dragon, and a crafty serpent, emphasizing his strength and cunning. The more committed you are to living a set-apart life for God, the more the devil will attack you. Recognizing the devil's power helps us to be vigilant and prepared for his attacks. The devil targets those who are on the verge of making significant cultural impacts, tempting them to compromise their faith. [12:00]
1 Peter 5:8 (ESV): "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."
Reflection: In what ways have you underestimated the devil's power in your life? How can you be more vigilant and prepared for his attacks as you strive to live a set-apart life for God?
Day 3: Guarding the Battlefield of the Mind
The devil attacks our minds, creating confusion, doubt, and chaos. Even after becoming a Christian, the battlefield of the mind continues. The devil wants us to doubt God's love, forgiveness, and promises. False teachings and heresies can infiltrate the church, leading believers astray. We must guard our minds with the truth of God's Word and remain steadfast in our faith. The devil twists biblical values to align with secular worldviews, creating confusion and weakening our faith. [28:08]
2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV): "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."
Reflection: What are some thoughts or beliefs that have caused you confusion or doubt recently? How can you take these thoughts captive and align them with the truth of God's Word?
Day 4: Praying Against Attacks on the Body
The devil targets our physical health through sickness, addiction, and other ailments. Jesus' ministry was marked by healing the sick and casting out demons, recognizing that many physical ailments are the work of the enemy. As a church, we must pray against diseases like cancer and drug addiction, believing in God's power to heal and set people free. Recognizing the spiritual aspect of physical ailments helps us to approach them with prayer and faith in God's healing power. [33:07]
James 5:14-15 (ESV): "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."
Reflection: Is there someone in your life who is struggling with a physical ailment or addiction? How can you commit to praying for their healing and freedom, believing in God's power to intervene?
Day 5: Addressing the Devil's Manifestation in Behaviors
The devil manifests in our behaviors, leading us to anger, lying, stealing, and gossiping. These behaviors give the devil a foothold in our lives. The devil is subtle and crafty, often attacking when we least expect it. We must remain vigilant and put on the full armor of God to stand against his schemes. Recognizing and addressing these behaviors helps us to live a life that glorifies God. Paul warns the Ephesians not to live like the world, with hardened hearts and futile thinking. [36:37]
Ephesians 4:26-27 (ESV): "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil."
Reflection: Reflect on your recent behaviors. Are there any actions or attitudes that may be giving the devil a foothold in your life? How can you address these behaviors and align your actions with God's will?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When you surrender your life to Jesus, when you receive his forgiveness and grace, you wake up. And you receive his Holy Spirit and begin to, the Holy Spirit begins to help you have discernment between good and between evil. But when the Holy Spirit is not living in you, you're not likely to be aware that there is a constant battle happening between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness." [04:09]
2. "The overarching goal of the devil is to create confusion. His classic way is to mix truth with a lie. Or if you tell a lie enough, long enough, it will begin to sound like a truth. So he's the father of lies." [08:59]
3. "The more Christian you are, the more attacked you will be. The devil does not waste his time on people he's already got. The devil goes after Christians. And specifically Christians who desire to live set-apart lives who are committed to advancing the kingdom of God." [14:39]
4. "When God sent Jesus into this world, He came to destroy the work of the devil. He came to unite us back to the Father by dealing with the consequences of how sin has separated us. He's addressing the chief problem of humanity, which is our fallen human nature, our self-orientation." [22:37]
5. "While the devil is powerful, our God is more powerful. It says in 1 John 4, Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. Just say it with me wherever you're listening right now. Say, Greater is he who is in me, than he that is in the world." [39:07]
### Quotes for Members
1. "If the devil cannot convince you that he's not real, the next best thing is to get you to underestimate his power. That's the second scheme. See, if the first point is most common for non-Christians, the most common for Christians is to underestimate his power. And I'm guessing if you're listening to this message, there's a very high likelihood that you believe that the devil is real. And so instead, the enemy wants you to underestimate what he can do to you and to your family." [11:14]
2. "The problem is your side is still built on the fundamental lie that some people are good and some people are bad. The Bible teaches us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. All of us have come under the power of Satan and his many schemes. We have all not been simply tempted, but we've given in to temptation in some way and some time. And so our response is one of humility. It should be one of repentance. It should be one of seeking forgiveness." [24:07]
3. "The enemy is secretive. He will come when you least expect it. At night. In the cover of darkness. And so you have to keep watch at all hours. In all directions. And the way you do that is by putting on the full armor of God. I love what the Puritan minister William Gurnell said 400 years ago. Listen to this. He said, In this armor we are to stand and watch, and never relax our vigilance. For the saint's sleeping time is Satan's tempting time." [38:07]
4. "The more you love, think, and act like Jesus, the more of a threat you become to the enemy. Because when you start growing spiritually, you start playing offense spiritually, which means you start taking ground from the enemy. And if you're a nominal or lukewarm Christian, in other words you confess Jesus with your mouth but deny him with your lifestyle. There's no congruence or alignment. The devil doesn't need to spend any effort trying to get you. He's already got you." [26:38]
5. "Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4, the God of this age, that's the devil, has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ who is the image of God. And so it happens before you are a Christian, but it doesn't stop once you become a Christian. There's an ongoing battlefield of the mind. Where you're asking yourself, do I believe God is who he says that he is?" [28:08]
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