Lesson 37
3. Your impact and survival in the
angelic conflict requires the "Full Armor of God:" Eph
a. We must be empowered by the Lord, operate in His strength: Eph 6:10
b. Standing against and resisting the Devil requires the "Full Armor of God to be utilized."
c. You
are in the middle of the conflict whether you like or realize it or not. (
d. The
armor is not put on for you! (
e. The
description of this armor is that it is composed of Truth and righteousness
(experiential).
1) The first part of the armor establishes the importance of the knowledge and belief of God's Word i.e. the Word in you believed.
2) And the second part is not self-righteousness but obedience to God's Word, walking the Straight and Narrow of dvpt.
3) TRUTH + ACTION = EXPERIENCIAL RIGHTEOUSNESS (personal integrity as a Believer)
f. The armor is designed to give you stability during the warfare vs: 15 = and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
g. The truth from God is able to handle any situation: vs:16 = in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith
h. The basis for our ability to "wage war"
in the conflict comes from Eternal Security and knowledge of the Word of
God.
1) Our protection rests in our Eternal Security, that is in the One who provides it and guarantees it.
2) Our offensive weapon is the Word of God.
3) Jesus set the example or pattern when He was tempted in using the Word of God to handle the temptation of Satan and so must we if we're to handle the tests and temptations of life in our niche.
4) Remember it is the Holy
Spirit who makes the Word in you alive and powerful so that you are able to put
it into operation. It’s the sword of the Spirit. (
i. Your prayers are essential weapons in
the Conflict. (
1) Pray for yourself to have impact in the Angelic Conflict, that you will be prepared ready to give an accounting of the hope within.
4. Your impact can be tremendous by keeping in mind and orienting to two very important commands:
Mk 12:29-31
a. These are two commandments that are very closely related.
b. If you love God as you should, the overflow of that is that you love your neighbor as yourself with the same attitude that He has.
5. To fulfill these commands involves putting God and others first. Phil 2:3-5
6. To do this you must put your own personal needs in their proper perspective. You have basically two personal needs that stem from what Adam lost in the Garden: Gen 3
a. Personal Significance.
Gen
b. Personal Security.
Adam now possessed a distorted view of God and the fear of physical death. Heb 2:15
c. Mankind still seeks these two basic personal needs.