The purpose of our Study is to help find and apply practical truths from God's Word that will enable us to experience greater victories over the enemy. This in turn will release us to enjoy more fully our blood bought salvation as well as enabling us to be more effective in ministering to the needs of others.
It's not too long after a genuine salvation experience that you come face to face with the realities of spiritual warfare. Prior to coming into personal relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ the Devil was in control of our life. Gal. 4:3 - And that's the way it was with us before Christ came. We were slaves to the spiritual powers of this world. Salvation not only brings us into right relationship with God it also releases of from the Devil's control. Col.2:20 - ... He has set you free from the evil powers of this world. Satan, though defeated by Jesus still does his best to influence our life. He resists surrendering his control and manipulation over our life.
The war for our soul is real and if not understood through the truth of God's Word may seem negative and even fearful! Most of us would do anything to avoid this, however it is spiritual reality that must be accepted as part of Christian experience. Understanding this "Spiritual Warfare" is important to our spiritual success. We need to apply ourselves to God's truths regarding it! We need to know our New Covenant position "in Christ". We need to learn to identify our real enemy and to familiarize ourselves with the "Armor of God". God declares us to be "more than conquerors" in every situation of life, (Rom. 8:35-39). During this Study we want to learn how this can become a particle and consistent reality in our life. Jesus is always, and only, leading us into victory, (2 Cor. 2:14) and during our Study we want to learn how He purposes to do this for us.
Jesus came to earth to DESTROY the devil and his work, (Heb.2:14 & 1 Jn. 3:8) Through His death on the cross Christ has disarmed and totally defeated the principalities and rulers of darkness, Satan included! (Col. 2:15). The Lord said, in Hos. 4:6 "my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge." (NIV) If we know and believe what God's Word says concerning our enemy, our spiritual weapons, and our ultimate victory, we'll not be deceived by the father of all lies, but will rise in our generation to see the Kingdom of God advance and the enemy put in his right place; under our feet.
Our study is based in Eph. 6:10-18. On the outset we should realize that the armor of God is our spiritual protection. These are weapons divinely ordained and provided by God Himself. This armor isn't something we're to be putting on and taking off all the time. We put it on and leave it on for the duration of our Christianity. As we progress through this Study it will become very clear just how practical God's armor is! It's not theological or mystic, but rather, something every child of God can successfully learn to use.
Our battle with the powers of darkness never completely ends while here on earth. Oh, there may be times when the enemy retreats and leaves us for a while. Don't ever make the mistake of thinking the war is over. It's not! It's never over for us! It will not end until Christ returns in power and great glory.
In our generation, the Lord wants to raise up strong, courageous and spiritually aggressive people that are ready to engage the enemy; going forward in Jesus' name accurately representing Him and His kingdom. We can be part of the Army of God that will bring the message of Christ to our home, community, nation, and to the ends of the earth.
On the outset of this Study it's important to understand that we need the "FULL ARMOR" in place, (Eph.6:11). It's the only sure and effective way of standing against Satan's schemes.
Eph.6:10-18 - A final word: Be strong with the Lord's mighty power.
11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. 12 For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. 13 Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.
I once was in employ of a Christian business man who would start each day with prayer and Bible reading. During this time he had developed somewhat of a ritual. As he read through "Armor of God" Scriptures he would go through the physical motions as if he were actually putting this spiritual armor into place. I'm quite sure. that this routine had some spiritual benfit, for him. It would have at least caused him to be conscious of the spiritual war he faced each day. In order for God's provided armor to be effective however requires more symbolic dress. It requires the implementation for practical truths from God. It requires that we actively apply God's Word to various areas of our daily life. This is the approach we'll be taking in this Study.
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