“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. 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.” Ephesians 6:10-13
KINGDOMS IN CONFLICT:
“We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” 1 John 5:19
“Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.” Matthew 12:29
“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 everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4-5
“Our policy (in the Demonic realm), for the moment, is to conceal ourselves…I do not think you will have much difficulty in keeping the patient in the dark. The fact that ‘devils’ are predominately comic figures in the modern imagination will help you. If any faint suspicion of your existence begins to arise in his mind, suggest to him a picture of something in red tights, and persuade him that since he cannot believe in that (it is an old textbook method of confusing them) he therefore cannot believe in you.” C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters, Letter 7
In putting on the whole armor of God, we have to be continually aware of the following central truths:
1. We have union with Christ through the work of the cross.
The vital union that believers have with Jesus Christ makes them recipients of all the spiritual blessings that are found in Him as the Mediator and Redeemer of His people (Ephesians 1:3). By union with Christ, God confers on His people all the saving benefits Christ merited by His life, death, and resurrection (Ephesians 1:3-5, 7-8, 11-14).
Rejoicing in the means by which we enter into a relationship with the triune God
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (3:17-19)
Biblically informed, Holy Spirit empowered awareness of the eternal realities around us (Ephesians 4:14, 5:3-6, 8, 11).
APPLICATIONS:
1. Do you agree with the following: “Few Christians fully realize the extent of Satan’s influence; nor do they understand their own authority in Christ?”
Explain the concept of degrees of walking in the light and degrees of walking in the darkness.
According to The Screwtape Letters (C.S.Lewis), how do demons “conceal themselves?"
2. What is the devil’s counterattack to our union (eternal relationship) with Christ?
3. What does this statement mean: “Rats love garbage?"
4. What are the “Maltese cats” in the life of the Christian?
5. In the Barna survey, how do you explain the disparity between 95 % believe in “God” while 41% believe in “the devil/dark forces?"