How to Overcome the Enemy's Attacks?
Ephesians 6:10-14
In life, we all face challenges. Some of us are in the middle of a battle, some are heading into one, and some are coming out of one. To overcome these challenges, we need to learn how to fight effectively. We can't just hope things will improve; we need a strategy. This week, we will discuss how the Apostle Paul gave us this strategy in Ephesians 6.
1. Pastor James spoke about Spiritual warfare and the deceitfulness of the devil, what impacted you the most in the sermon this week?
2. Read Ephesians 6:10-14. What does this passage say about our struggles? Paul mentions “The full armor of God” twice in these verses; what conclusion should we come to when we see words or phrases repeated in Scripture? What other word is repeated several times in this passage?
3. In talking about how we can take a STAND when the enemy attacks, Pastor James gave us three truths to consider:
I. Know Your Enemy: Paul reminds us that our true enemy is not flesh and blood but the unseen spiritual forces of evil. Recognizing this helps us to stop misdirecting our efforts against people and focus on the real adversary behind our challenges.
4. When spiritual attacks happen, why do we often fight back at the people around us? Why do we usually think that God is not happy with us?
5. Sometimes, we wrongly assume that it has to be easy if God is in something. What’s wrong with thinking that way?
6. Pastor James said: “Opposition isn’t a sign that you’re out of God’s will. Opposition is usually a sign that you’ve never been more in it.” What do you think about that statement?
7. Every single blessing will be preceded by an attack. The devil will come at you and lie to you to steal and kill and destroy (see John 10:10). How can being aware of this help us in our battles?
II. Trust God Has Secured Your Victory: We are not fighting for victory but standing in the victory that Jesus has already won for us. This perspective shifts our approach to spiritual warfare from striving to resting in the power and might of God.
8. What do you think about the thought that Our battle is not to win a victory but to stand in the victory Christ has already secured for us? How does this ultimately give us hope?
9. Four times in Ephesians 6 the apostle Paul uses the language of standing to describe how to apply spiritual strength (vv. 11, 13, 14). Why aren’t we commanded to fight?
10. Read Romans 8:37 and 1 Corinthians 15:57. From the spiritual perspective, we’re not fighting for victory but standing in victory. How does this change everything?
11. You have not been called to fight the devil. God does not need you to defeat the devil because he has already been defeated. Who defeated him? What does this mean to you?
12. Read John 16:33. What are some practical ways we can remind ourselves of our freedom in Christ when we feel bound by fear, doubt, or negative circumstances? How can we help others who are struggling to believe in their freedom in Christ?
III. Decide to Stand on What You Know: Standing firm means holding onto the truth of who God is and what He has promised, despite our feelings and circumstances. You will not feel like standing, BUT THIS is where you must utilize the power God has given you to STAND. It is a decision of the will, not your feelings. We can withstand the enemy's schemes by focusing on God's presence, guidance, strength, peace, provision, protection, and wisdom.
13. Read 2 Corinthians 10:4-5. The Devil uses your thoughts to deceive you about who God is and what God can do. When we take our stand, we decide that we will trust in what God says and who God is more than what we feel in the moment. Why can the devil be so effective if he can deceive us about who God is and what He can do?
14. If you belong to Christ, can the devil destroy you? NO! How can you help others know, trust and stand on the victory God has for them?
• Stand on God's Presence: "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." - Matthew 28:20
• Stand on God's Guidance: "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you." - Psalm 32:8
• Stand on God's Strength: "I can do all this through Him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13
• Stand on God's Peace: "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7
• Stand on God's Provision: "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19
• Stand on God's Protection: "The Lord will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life." - Psalm 121:7
• Stand on God's Wisdom: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." - James 1:5
• Stand on God’s Power: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31
• Stand on God’s Good Plans: "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 -
• Stand on God’s Love: - “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:17-19
• Stand on God's Faithfulness: 1 Thessalonians 5:24 - "The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it."