Day 16 - Change Your Life!

Day 16 - Change Your Life!



Spiritual Warfare! Are you armed and dangerous?



Pray, Read the book of Ephesians and Praise the Lord!



STUDY VERSES:

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 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.

STUDY QUESTIONS:

1. What is the Lord's might?

2. Many people think the devil isn't real, but a metaphor for bad things. Other people think that Christians can't be hurt by the devil and still some believe that the devil only works in unsaved people. What do you believe? How do you know this to be true? Why does God tell us, Christians, to 'put on the whole armor of God'?

3. What are we, Ambassadors of Christ, fighting? Where should we put our effort in battle? Should we war against the rulers of this world? Against unbelievers? Why or why not?

4. What do you think are the spiritual forces that God is alluding to in verse 12?

5. If you are in battle, what comfort do you take from God's Word about that battle? How do you know? Have you read the full book of Revelations? If not, why? If so, where should our assurance be placed?

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Commentary from ESV

Eph. 6:10 be strong. Because Christians cannot stand on their own against superhuman powers, they must rely upon the strength of the Lord's own might (see 1:19), which he supplies chiefly through prayer (6:18).
Eph. 6:11 The Greek word for whole armor (panoplia) refers to the complete equipment of a fully armed soldier, consisting of both shields and weapons like those described in vv. 14, 16–17. Paul's description here draws primarily on OT allusions, yet the terms used also overlap well with Roman weaponry (esp. the terms for the large, door-shaped shield and the short stabbing sword). Visible portrayals of such weaponry can be found on the numerous military reliefs (esp. on sarcophagi) throughout the Roman Empire. schemes. Here the diabolical origin is exposed, regarding the “deceitful schemes” of those teaching false doctrine (4:14; see also 1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7).
Eph. 6:12 This list of spiritual rulers, authorities, cosmic powers and (see 3:10) gives a sobering glimpse into the devil's allies, the spiritual forces of evil who are exceedingly powerful in their exercise of cosmic powers over this present darkness. And yet Scripture makes clear that the enemy host is no match for the Lord, who has “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Col. 2:15; see also Eph. 1:19–21).
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Well, as I put together this study--I do have to remember all that we learned the past two months. Taming the tongue, being ambassadors of Christ, having all spiritual blessings. And then...I remember we are in the flesh subject at times to gravity.

Yes, gravity. Was I reminded of that tonight. Dropped my oldest son off to practice guitar with praise and worship; on my way to get hubby and WHAM BAM SCRAPE...right in the parking lot of church. Here comes gravity in the form of a light pole's cement casing. Tore-up (say it like Auntie T, now) "Towr-UUp" the side of my truck.

Right there, in front of God some of those naughty, bad words came out of my mouth. Lord Jesus forgive me! See, I didn't have my armor on ladies and gents. In my haste of this week and my priorities a little jumbled this morning. Does my hair look good? Check, got it done. Am I prepping for a big training in two weeks? Check, had my conference call. Is my emotional health coming along? Check, talked to my life coach. Did I pray this morning? Barely--I breathed out the serenity prayer and Lord's prayer quickly between shining my shoes and putting on mascara and flicking the news!!!!

Oh my, FINALLY be strong in the Lord and the Power of HIS Might! First things first. There is only one place for God and that is first--don't pretend like He can be second or third. He either is or He isn't. And checking my inventory, He wasn't First in my heart, on my list, on my tongue or in my heart today. God did not cause that light pole to come up and meet me, even the spiritual forces didn't move the concrete.

I didn't arm myself this morning like God's Word instructs us. I didn't have all the armor on either--as we'll see the remainder of this lesson, each piece plays a vital part in keeping the forces of wickedness away and in equipping us to rise above the gravity of this world to operate in heavenly places and hold on to our rightly inheritance!

Praise Him Sisters and Brothers, lift Him Up and Don't neglect to put Him First always, regardless of the circumstances and busyness of life. God bless you all, Sister, Lisa