Lesson 21: Overcoming Life Dominating Sins
The Full Armor of God
Introduction: Satan has
1. Created a sinful environment
2. Clouded and confused Christian minds with false doctrines, false information and false principles for living
3. Perverted our affections, morals, goals, loyalties
4. Snatched the Word from our churches.
5. He has sown discord among believers
6. Gotten us to laugh at sin rather than mourn over it
7. Gotten us so used to sin that it doesn’t bother us anymore
8. Robbed us of our joy
9. Caused fruitlessness
10. Made us a poor reflection of God’s glory
I. Further study of Ephesians 6:10 – 18
Ephesians 6:10
· “Finally” – he goes on to s____________________________ foes
· “be strong” – a command to be c__________________________ strengthened
· “in the Lord, of His might” – not our own, or our w___________ or i_____________.
Ephesians 6:11
· “whole or full” – c_____________________________
· “armor” – of a h____________________________________ soldier.
· “of God” – provided by G_____________ as opposed to some other armor.
· “Schemes” – c_____________________________ (See Satanic Strongholds handout)
· “stand firm” – rather than r___________________ – it is Satan that will run. We are to flee youthful lusts (2 Tim 2:22) and the love of money (1 Tim 6:11) and to live righteously.
Ephesians 6:12
· “struggle or wrestle” – one attempts to throw the other and place their hand over the back of his neck. The loser had his eyes gouged out, making him blind.
· “rulers” -arche” – L_______________________________
· “powers” – demons of Satan in __________________ a___________________ or his kingdom in the air.
· “world forces of this darkness” – Satan and his demons
· “spiritual forces of wickedness” – spirit forces or perhaps the most a__________________________ ones.
· “heavenly places” - either the entire realm of heavenly beings or again the lower parts where the holy angels exist or both.
Ephesians 6:13
· “take up” – a c______________________ given with military snap to be obeyed _________________ and for all.
· “so that” – you need it to fight.
Ephesians 6:14
· “having girded your loins” – kept other parts in place, secured the proper attitude as in being ready for the battle, and freedom of movement.”
· “with truth” – Thinking Biblically and correctly brings c____________________ and s____________________. To know what is false, one must know what is true but to know what is true, one does not need to know what is false.
R______________________ T__________________________ will ward off what is false which allows you to move freely because you know what is true.
· “having put on the breastplate of righteousness” - sanctified, right and moral living will surely help to keep the evil one away as opposed to not living right and inviting the devil’s temptations (a.k.a., footholds or strongholds). It is desiring to live, and living, a life that pleases God.
R______________________ L__________________________ which wards off the temptations and keeps you protected as opLposed to wrong living which opens all kinds of bad doors
Ephesians 6:15
· “having shod your feet” – sandals studded with nails which gave a firm footing when attacked or when traveling over difficult terrain.
· “with the Gospel of Peace” – the good news that speaks peace to a sinful heart. It is a message of peace that ought to protect our hearts and minds. We are at peace with God and Satan has already been defeated
R_________________ F___________________ of M_______________________ which wards off the accusations of the devil and prepares for battle
Ephesians 6:16
· “the shield” – of heavy infrantry, 4 x 2 ½ feet
· “of faith” – for victory over sin and temptation. God is sovereign and He will take care of us and has provided a way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13). We live lives that show we trust in His Word.
· “fiery darts” – temptations to sin by worrying, fearing, getting angry, despairing
He knows our needs better than we
He is wiser than me
He will cause all things to work out for what is good (in His eyes)
Nothing can separate His love from me.
All I need to do is do the r_______________ t_________________
R_______________________ H____________________ which wards off the winds of doubt, discouragement, despair, fear, worry, and anger which allows you to put one foot in front of the other and keep going.
Ephesians 6:17
· “the helmet” – protects the mental faculties – thought life that could hinder our growth.
· “of salvation” – The certainty and security of your salvation (1 John). This allows you to bring every thought into captivity (2 Cor. 10:5).
R____________________ E______________________ S_________________ which wards off the lies and accusations by Satan so you do not become overly discouraged by your sins.
· “the sword” – both an offensive and defensive weapon for warding off temptations (Matt 4:1-11), gaining wisdom in what to do.
· “of the Spirit which is the word of God” – because that’s where we get it, from the Spirit and that’s how we understand and know how to apply it.
· “the word of God” – specific application of God’s words such as Jesus in the desert.
R_______________________ W____________________________which wards off Satan’s lies and allows you to grow and to help others to grow.
Ephesians 6:18
· Now, pray in the Spirit which simply means to pray as the Spirit would lead you.
II. What is it that we are supposed to be “resisting” or “standing firm” against (Eph. 6:11, 1 Peter 5:8, James 4:7)? What is it that Satan is trying to accomplish? What is meant by devour? Satan is trying to get us to:
A. F________________________ our obedience.
B. D_________________________ God.
C. S________________________ in our service to God.
D. Serve o____________________.
E. Solve our problems o______ o______________ o______________________.
F. I____________________ the teaching of our Pastors and do our own thing.
G. Give him a place from which he can establish a “s_______________________” from which he can further tempt us to sin
III. Now what do we do?
A. Eph. 6:18 – P___________________
1. At all times
2. In the Spirit
3. With all kinds of prayers
B. I Peter 5:8–10 – Be s____________________________________
1. Be alert, watchful.
2. Cast your cares on Him.
3. Remember, we are all enduring trials such as these.
4. He will perfect/strengthen your character
C. James 4:7 – Be s________________________________________
1. Submission to God – to line up under God and His ways
2. Draw near to Him
3. Cleanse your hands
4. Purify your hearts
5. Be broken over sin
6. Humble yourselves
7. He will lift you up. – it is He who will lift you up not yourself doing the lifting
D. Rom. 13:12-14 – Make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
For some, this may involved a Total Restructure of one’s life, but for all, it definitely cries out for a full surrender of the will.
Conclusion – 2 Peter 1:5-11 –
There is hope for today.
there is hope for tomorrow;
one day at a time,
one step at a time,
one moment at a time.
What is the main thing you have learned from this lesson?
As a result, what is the Lord asking you to change?
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