InPerspective

Ephesians 6:10-20

A good soldier follows orders and obeys commands issued by his superior officers. Ephesians 6 issues this order from our divine Commander-in-Chief – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” We dare not fight this spiritual battle in our own strength but rather in the strength, might, and power of the Lord, for this is the only path to victory over our spiritual adversaries.

Ephesians 6:10-20

The apostle Paul urged Timothy, “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” You are not part of a volunteer army – you were drafted into the Lord's service by His sovereign grace. But we can become so entangled in the affairs of this world that we forget we have been enlisted in active duty.

Ephesians 6:10-12 & Revelation 9

In 2002, President George W. Bush famously called North Korea, Iran, and Iraq an axis of evil. But we must realize that Satan has formed a far more dangerous axis of evil that includes demons, unbelievers, the unbelieving world system, the sinful inclinations and desires of the flesh, and ungodly political tyrants opposed to the Lord's ultimate rule and reign.

Ephesians 6:10-12 & Revelation 9

When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, America could not focus all of our efforts on fighting them. We first had to defeat the Nazis on the eastern front, to have any hope of ultimate victory over their alliance. The devil is a formidable adversary – powerful, relentless, and diabolically cunning – and we must not only do battle with him, but also with the insidious allies enlisted in his service.

Ephesians 6:10-12 & Ezekiel 28

Many people in our so-called enlightened modern society mock the idea that there is a real, literal devil. But the reality of Satan is affirmed throughout the Word of God, and by the words of Jesus Himself. Simply put, if you deny the existence of Satan, then you are calling Jesus Christ a liar. So who is Satan, and what does God's Word teach us about his origin, schemes, and activity?

Colossians 2:18-23

For many of us DQ means a trip to Dairy Queen, while for athletes a DQ means a disqualification that puts you out of the competition. Join Dr. Harry Reeder on InPerspective as he warns us about the dangers of spiritual disqualification.

Ephesians 6:10-12 & Ezekiel 28

Know Your Enemy is a military concept from Sun Tzu's The Art of War – and it applies to every Christian. Satan wants us to picture him as a cartoonish horned figure with a red suit, tail, pitchfork – or ascribe to him so much power and influence that he controls our lives through fear. How does God's Word help us to truly know our adversary so we can overcome him in the power of Christ?

Ephesians 6:10-12

Do you see spiritual warfare as some exotic, unusual power encounter with the demonic realm, that only a few believers will face in extreme circumstances, in some other place and time? Well, that is exactly what Satan wants every Christian to believe – but actually, spiritual warfare is a daily reality in the life of every believer as we live for Christ in this present evil age.

Ephesians 6:10-12

Some people see spiritual warfare as a remarkable encounter like Jesus casting demons from a possessed man into a herd of swine, while others might think of movies like “The Exorcist.” But spiritual warfare is not primarily rare unusual instances of direct conflict with the forces of darkness – it is a part of your everyday sanctification as a believer and an element of Christian discipleship.

Exodus 15:19-21

Biblical biographies honestly record personal flaws and failures as well as strengths and triumphs – and Miriam is no exception. She was a great example of Godly female leadership, a proactive problem solver always seeking solutions – but Miriam was also a sinner saved by grace, for although she was a prophetess and leader she did falter and needed to repent and seek God's grace.