Scripture makes it clear that spiritual battles are happening all around us. We have a real enemy, the devil, who is doing everything he can to fight against God and His kingdom. That means the enemy is fighting against us to keep us from growing in our faith and being fully devoted followers of Christ. Praise God that we are not left alone in this battle. God is with us, and He has even equipped us with spiritual armor to fight against the enemy and his schemes.
What are some ways that God equips us to fight against the enemy and his schemes?
1. How can we prepare to fight in the battle against the enemy?
2. Read Ephesians 6:10-12. What are we fighting against, according to this passage of Scripture? How does this truth impact the way you approach these battles taking place all around us?
Ephesians 6:10-12
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
3. Read Ephesians 6:13-18. What is the result of putting on the armor of God that the apostle Paul describes in this passage of Scripture?
Ephesians 6:13-18
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the 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 addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
4. Which of the pieces of God’s armor stands out to you the most? Why?
1. Look back at Ephesians 6:13-18. What does it look like in our world today to “put on every piece of God’s armor?
2. Which of the pieces of God’s armor listed in Ephesians 6 do you think you need to pick up and sharpen right now?
3. How can you specifically pick up and sharpen that piece of armor that you particularly need right now?
Paul finishes his teaching about the armor of God with a call to “pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion…[and] be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Take time now to pray for each other. Pray for God to give each one of you courage and boldness as you fight against the schemes of the enemy.
Of all the pieces of the armor of God listed in Ephesians 6, only one is an offensive weapon: the sword of the Spirit. The rest are defensive weapons. Let’s take a few minutes to explore how the Bible helps us fight the spiritual battles taking place all around us.
One of the ways the Bible helps us in the spiritual battles taking place around us and acting as a sword is by helping us fight against temptation. When the enemy throws temptations our way, Scripture equips us and helps us to know what is right. When it comes to using Scripture as a sword to fight against temptation, Jesus set the perfect example for us.
Matthew 4:1-11
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. 3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” 8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” 10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” 11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
2. How did Jesus use the Bible as the Sword of the Spirit in this passage of Scripture?
3. How did Scripture act as a defensive weapon against the devil and his schemes in this passage of Scripture?
4. What is a common temptation that you face? What passage of Scripture comes to mind that you could memorize to help you fight against that temptation and say “no.” (If you need to, take a few minutes to explore your Bible to find verses related to the temptation you commonly struggle with by using your concordance in the back of your Bible.)
The Bible acts as a weapon against the enemy and his schemes by helping us focus our minds on God and His kingdom. When we read, memorize, and talk about Scripture, our minds are focused on Him. We make better decisions and grow in our faith. We are stronger in the spiritual battles taking place all around us.
Psalm 1:1-6
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. 4 But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. 5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. 6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
2. Compare and contrast the person who listens to Scripture versus the person who does not.
3. What is the result of meditating on Scripture “day and night?” and how does this help Christ followers fight in the spiritual battles taking place all around us?
4. What is one way that you can focus on Scripture this week?
From the very beginning, one of the enemy's tactics was lying. Even today, the enemy unleashes lies in an attempt to distract us and keep us from following Christ. When we read and study Scripture, we learn God’s truth so that we can distinguish what is true from the lies of the enemy.
1. Read Psalm 119:159-160.
Psalm 119:159-160
159 See how I love your commandments, Lord. Give back my life because of your unfailing love. 160 The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.
2. What does this passage of Scripture teach about God’s word?
3. Based on what this passage of Scripture teaches about the truth of God’s word, how does knowing God’s word help us fight in the spiritual battles taking place all around us?
After you have finished reading and discussing these two passages of Scripture, answer the following questions as a group:
1. How critical is Scripture when it comes to the spiritual battles taking place all around us?
2. What is one thing you can start doing to take the importance of reading Scripture seriously?
After your discussion, pray together. Thank God for the gift of His word. Ask Him to help all of you dive deeper into knowing, studying, and following His word.
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