Standing Firm: The Armor of God Against 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 attacks are not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. These attacks often target the mind, experience, and conduct of believers. The devil's primary aim is to confuse and confound Christians, particularly concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ. Understanding and defining our faith is crucial to withstand these attacks.

The devil's tactics include promoting heresies about Jesus Christ, which have plagued the church since its inception. These heresies often distort the truth about Christ's divinity and humanity. Some claim that Jesus was merely a man, while others argue that He was only divine, denying His true humanity. Such distortions undermine the core of Christian faith, which is rooted in the Incarnation—God becoming flesh in the person of Jesus Christ.

The devil also attacks the understanding of Christ's work on the cross. Many are led to view the cross vaguely, without grasping its profound significance. The cross is not merely a display of God's love or a moral example; it is the means by which God's wrath against sin is satisfied. Through Christ's sacrificial death, God reconciles His justice and mercy, allowing sinners to be forgiven.

Believers must be vigilant and grounded in the truth of Scripture to resist these deceptions. The New Testament and the early church councils emphasized the importance of sound doctrine to protect against false teachings. Understanding the person and work of Christ is essential for a robust Christian faith and life.

Key Takeaways:

- The devil's attacks are primarily spiritual, targeting the mind, experience, and conduct of believers. Understanding and defining our faith is crucial to withstand these attacks. [00:50]

- Heresies about Jesus Christ have plagued the church since its inception, distorting the truth about His divinity and humanity. These distortions undermine the core of Christian faith, which is rooted in the Incarnation. [06:21]

- The cross is not merely a display of God's love or a moral example; it is the means by which God's wrath against sin is satisfied. Through Christ's sacrificial death, God reconciles His justice and mercy, allowing sinners to be forgiven. [42:35]

- Believers must be vigilant and grounded in the truth of Scripture to resist deceptions. The New Testament and early church councils emphasized the importance of sound doctrine to protect against false teachings. [45:42]

- Understanding the person and work of Christ is essential for a robust Christian faith and life. The Holy Spirit empowers the church when it holds to the truth about Christ, leading to a vibrant and effective witness. [46:28]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:10-13
- [01:08] - The Devil's Schemes
- [02:21] - Attacks on the Mind
- [03:23] - The Danger of Heresies
- [05:15] - Heresies About Christ
- [06:38] - The Devil's Activity in Christ's Time
- [08:21] - The Church's Response to Heresies
- [10:15] - The Importance of Creeds
- [11:24] - Betrayal with a Kiss
- [14:22] - Modern Heresies
- [16:13] - The Person of Christ
- [20:06] - The Work of Christ
- [33:34] - The Meaning of the Cross
- [46:12] - The Armor of God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:10-13

Observation Questions:
1. According to Ephesians 6:10-13, what are believers instructed to do to stand against the devil's schemes? How does this relate to the concept of spiritual warfare? [00:12]
2. What are the three main avenues through which the devil attacks believers, as mentioned in the sermon? [02:05]
3. How does the sermon describe the devil's activity during the time of Christ, and what was his ultimate goal? [07:11]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is it crucial for believers to have a clear understanding of their faith to withstand the devil's attacks, according to the sermon? [04:12]
2. How do heresies about the person and work of Jesus Christ undermine the core of Christian faith, as discussed in the sermon? [06:21]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church has been led astray by false teachings about Jesus Christ? [14:22]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your understanding of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Are there any areas where you feel uncertain or confused? How can you seek clarity and strengthen your faith in these areas? [04:12]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of sound doctrine. How can you ensure that you are grounded in the truth of Scripture in your daily life? What resources or practices might help you in this pursuit? [45:42]
3. Consider the ways in which the devil might be attempting to confuse or confound your faith. What steps can you take to protect your mind and heart from these attacks? [02:21]
4. The sermon highlights the significance of the cross as the means by which God's wrath against sin is satisfied. How does this understanding impact your view of God's love and justice? [42:35]
5. How can you actively participate in your church community to help guard against false teachings and promote sound doctrine? What role can you play in supporting others in their faith journey? [10:15]
6. Reflect on a time when you may have encountered a distorted view of Jesus Christ. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? How can you be better prepared to address such situations in the future? [14:22]
7. The sermon calls for believers to put on the whole armor of God. What specific piece of the armor do you feel you need to focus on strengthening in your life right now, and why? [46:12]

Devotional

Day 1: Spiritual Warfare and the Mind
The devil's attacks are primarily spiritual, targeting the mind, experience, and conduct of believers. Understanding and defining our faith is crucial to withstand these attacks. The devil seeks to confuse and confound Christians, especially regarding the person and work of Jesus Christ. By targeting the mind, the devil aims to distort believers' understanding of their faith, leading them away from the truth. To resist these attacks, believers must be vigilant and grounded in the truth of Scripture, ensuring that their faith is well-defined and rooted in the teachings of Christ. [00:50]

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: What specific steps can you take today to strengthen your understanding of your faith and protect your mind from spiritual deception?


Day 2: The Incarnation and Heresies
Heresies about Jesus Christ have plagued the church since its inception, distorting the truth about His divinity and humanity. These distortions undermine the core of Christian faith, which is rooted in the Incarnation—God becoming flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. Some heresies claim that Jesus was merely a man, while others argue that He was only divine, denying His true humanity. Understanding the true nature of Christ is essential for a robust Christian faith, as it affirms the reality of God dwelling among us and the significance of His work on earth. [06:21]

1 John 4:2-3 (ESV): "By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already."

Reflection: How can you deepen your understanding of the Incarnation to guard against false teachings about Jesus' nature?


Day 3: The Cross and Its Significance
The cross is not merely a display of God's love or a moral example; it is the means by which God's wrath against sin is satisfied. Through Christ's sacrificial death, God reconciles His justice and mercy, allowing sinners to be forgiven. Many are led to view the cross vaguely, without grasping its profound significance. Understanding the true meaning of the cross is crucial for believers, as it highlights the depth of God's love and the seriousness of sin. It is through the cross that believers find redemption and the assurance of salvation. [42:35]

Colossians 2:13-14 (ESV): "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."

Reflection: In what ways can you meditate on the significance of the cross today to deepen your appreciation for Christ's sacrifice?


Day 4: The Importance of Sound Doctrine
Believers must be vigilant and grounded in the truth of Scripture to resist deceptions. The New Testament and early church councils emphasized the importance of sound doctrine to protect against false teachings. Sound doctrine serves as a foundation for a strong faith, enabling believers to discern truth from error. By holding fast to the teachings of Scripture, believers can navigate the challenges of false doctrines and remain steadfast in their faith. [45:42]

Titus 1:9 (ESV): "He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it."

Reflection: What specific doctrines do you need to study more deeply to ensure your faith is grounded in truth?


Day 5: The Empowerment of the Holy Spirit
Understanding the person and work of Christ is essential for a robust Christian faith and life. The Holy Spirit empowers the church when it holds to the truth about Christ, leading to a vibrant and effective witness. By embracing the truth of who Christ is and what He has done, believers are equipped to live out their faith boldly and share the gospel with others. The Holy Spirit works through believers to bring about transformation and to advance God's kingdom on earth. [46:28]

Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Reflection: How can you rely on the Holy Spirit today to empower you in your witness and deepen your understanding of Christ's work?

Quotes

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles 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." [00:14:36]

"Now we are still considering this most important statement which the great Apostle makes here, and we are looking in particular at this phrase about the wiles of the devil. And we've already seen that it's a very great and a very large subject. The devil and all these forces gathered around him and which he governs and controls, as we've seen, are intent always upon trying to destroy God's work." [00:61:48]

"Nothing is more important about men than his mind. Nothing is more important about the Christian life than an understanding and an apprehension of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus. So the devil comes and he would upset our balance, turn us into pure intellectualists or into traditionalists, make us take a purely academic interest and lose sight of the blessed person himself and our relationship to him." [00:161:20]

"It is essential that we should know what we believe and that we should be able to give a reason for the hope that is in us with fear. But now that was simply a general statement to the effect that the faith can be defined and must be defined. But we have to become a little bit more particular this morning and to look at some of the heresies." [00:254:51]

"Christianity, after all, is Christ. It isn't just a teaching. This isn't just one of the philosophies. It isn't just a collection of ideas. There are, as I've been saying, such ideas, doctrines, and so on, but after all, they are but means of trying to bring us to an understanding and a knowledge of the blessed person himself. He is Christianity." [00:341:16]

"The devil perhaps showed a greater activity during our Lord's time in this world than he has ever done. Obviously, he felt this was the crucial moment. If he could somehow or another persuade this person to listen to him and to disobey God in the slightest degree, his victory would be final and complete. But he failed. He failed completely, as we've seen, and Christ conquered him upon the cross." [00:440:40]

"The early church had to call together certain great councils. The leaders had to come together, and they had to decide what was true and what was false. Hence your creeds. That's how they came into being because the devil had succeeded in persuading a number of Christian people in the church to go long and to go astray in their whole view of the Lord Jesus Christ himself and his work on our behalf." [00:611:12]

"The fight still is about the person of the Lord and about the work of the Lord. The devil is unusually active in these present days still along these same lines. Anything to cause us, God's people, to be confused about our blessed Lord. And what we want to notice in particular, of course, is this is the way in which he manifests his wiles." [00:659:83]

"Well, let me give an answer at this point before I give it perhaps in greater detail. What is it to do with you? Well, it has this to do with you that as a good Christian, you will be reading through your New Testament, and you'll come to the epistle to the Colossians, for instance, and if you read that intelligently, you're bound to ask certain questions." [00:1350:27]

"Now, this has been very popular, Arianism, this old Arian teaching, and it has done a great deal of harm throughout the centuries. Somebody may be in this congregation and say, well, what has all this got to do with us? Well, let me give an answer at this point before I give it perhaps in greater detail." [00:1331:64]

"Propitiation, my friend, is this: that forgiveness was not a simple matter for God. That sin created the most awful problem for God himself because he's holy, because he's just, because he's righteous, because he's of such a pure countenance that he cannot even look upon sin. That God can't just say, all right, I forgive you, I forget all about it." [00:2374:56]

"Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. The adversary is so subtle, so clever, so powerful that he'll defeat us if we try to meet him with our understanding and our philosophy. Now, submit yourself to the revelation, to the truth, and believe it, and as you go on believing it, you'll have an increasing understanding of it." [00:2788:59]

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Transcript
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