God’s character at work in us is completely effective as our weapon in spiritual warfare. As believers we are to be so focused and yielded to God, His Word and His character that the enemy cannot establish any strongholds in our lives.

To utilize the power of the Word of God we must…

1. Receive the authority of God’s word (2 Tim 3: 16) “All Scripture is breathed out by God”…

2. Receive the proclamation of God’s word (2 Tim. 3:16) “and profitable for teaching”…

3. Receive the conviction of God’s word (2 Tim. 3: 16) “and profitable for reproof”…

4. Receive the correction of God’s word (2 Tim. 3 16) “and profitable for correction”…

5. Receive the instruction of God’s word (2 Tim. 3: 16) “and profitable for training in righteousness”…

6. Receive the transformation that God’s word produces (2 Tim. 3: 17) “that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work”…

Practical implications of this truth…

We must read God’s word to understand it’s meaning for our lives

We must memorize God’s word that we would not sin against God

We must share God’s word that God’s glory would be known by all people

Faithful Christian living is completely effective as our weapon in spiritual warfare. As believers we are to be so focused and yielded to God, His Word and His character, so that the enemy cannot establish any strongholds in our lives. Last week we were instructed to be…

• Anchored in truth (14)

• Guarded by righteousness (14)

• Prepared in the gospel (15)

We must be…

1. Determined by faith (16) “in all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one”…

A. Faith is an essential weapon in spiritual warfare (16a) “in all circumstances”… this is faith in God’s character.

B. Faith must be appropriated (16b) “take up the shield of faith”… this is faith in God’s promise.

C. Faith terminates temptation (16c) “with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one”… this is faith in God’s power.

2. Assured of victory (17a) “and take the helmet of salvation”…

We are commanded to overcome doubt and discouragement by understanding our deliverance that Jesus provides.

A. Absolutely secure in the source of our salvation.

B. Absolutely secure in the scope of our salvation.

• Justified – I have been saved

• Sanctified – I am being saved

• Glorified – I will be completely saved

“Therefore be imitators of God, as of beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

(Ephesians 5:1)

Faithful Christian living is completely effective as our weapon in spiritual warfare. As believers we are to be so focused and yielded to God, His Word and His character that the enemy cannot establish any strongholds in our lives.

We must be…

1. Anchored in truth (14) “stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth”…

2. Guarded by righteousness (14) “and having put on the breastplate of righteousness”…

3. Prepared with the gospel (15) “and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace”…

Seven keys to standing faithfully in the battle…

1. Don’t be surprised you are in a battle (13) “the whole armor of God”…

2. A call to stand is a call to prepare (13) “take up”…

3. Don’t be frightened by the battle (13) “withstand in the evil day”…

4. Don’t be uncertain and doubt the purpose of the warfare (13) “stand firm”…

5. Don’t consider retreating or surrendering (13) “having done all”…

6. Stand alert (18) “keep alert”…

7. Recognize it is an honor and privilege to stand your post (14) “stand therefore”…

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If we are to be faithful Christians who stand against the forces of evil it is imperative that we give careful attention to God’s word concerning the person and work of our enemy. God wants us to know…

1. There is a personal devil with a strategic plan to harm you (11) “put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil”…

2. There is a persistent distraction, which causes us defeat (12) “for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood”…

3. There is a present darkness under the control of spiritually evil powers (12) “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.”

“Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.” (Psalm 96: 1-4)

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5: 4-5)

“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2:15)

The place of victory for the believer to engage spiritual warfare is the place of God’s strength, sovereignty, and Spiritual authority. Therefore …

1. God encourages us to remain strong (10) “finally, be strong”…

2. God encourages us to recognize His sovereignty (10) “in the Lord”…

3. God encourages us to rely upon His Spiritual power (10) “and in His mighty power”…

Concerning spiritual warfare, God wants us to know that…

1. Spiritual Warfare is real. There is a battle that rages between two kingdoms (10) “finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might”…

2. God calls Christians to fight the battle from an exalted place of victory (11) “put on the whole armor of God”…

3. The devil, demons, evil and sin are the enemies of believers and they are tough (11-12) “that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil”…

4. We are to prepare daily to stand in Christ and against evil (13) “therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm”…

5. God has a equipped us with weapons for this warfare (14-17) “stand therefore, having fastened on the”…

6. We are to diligently watch and pray that the gospel may be proclaimed boldly (18-20) “praying at all times in the Spirit”…

Christian families are families whose members have been born-again and progressing in faithful, biblical living. They depend on Jesus power to help them…

1. Encourage Discipline & Structure (14) “admonish the idle”…

2. Encourage Faith (14) “encourage the fainthearted”…

3. Protect the Immature (14) “help the weak”…

4. Exercise Patience (14) “be patient with them all”…

5. Disallow Revenge (15) “see that no one repays anyone evil for evil”…

6. Pursue Others' Wellbeing (15) “always seek to do good to one another and to everyone”…

7. Practice Joy (16) “rejoice always”…

8. Learn to Pray (17) “pray without ceasing”

9. Encourage Gratitude (18) “give thanks in all circumstances”…

10. Yield to God’s Spirit (19) “do not quench the Spirit”…

11. Desire Biblical Preaching (20) “do not despise prophecies”…

12. Exercise Wisdom (21) “test everything; hold fast to what is good”…

13. Avoid Immorality (22) “abstain from every form of evil”…

14. Trust Jesus to Mature You (24) “He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it”…