Florida Bible Institute

Basic Training

Lesson Seven

Obstacles to Sanctification - Part 3

 

 

 

As you discovered last week, - Satan fought against your receiving Christ Jesus as your Savior, and, now that you have been born again, have been adopted into the family of God and he will do everything in his power to keep you from becoming all you can be in Christ Jesus, and from walking in all the promises, blessings, power, authority and fulfillment that is yours as a Child of God.

 

In short, Satan will introduce into your life every obstacle he can to keep you from becoming progressively stronger in the Lord and in the power of His Might.

 

Again, we are reminded of the warfare that rages, originating in the realm of un-seen reality but which is manifested in the realm of seen reality.

 

Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

 

And again, let us recall the words of our Lord, Jesus Christ in which He assured us that we can be free.

 

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

 

John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

 

Another reminder that we are in a spiritual warfare with an un-seen enemy is found in 2 Timothy 2:3.

 

2Ti 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

 

Make no mistake about it, Satan is going to do everything he can to keep you from becoming ....strong in the Lord and the power of His might as we are instructed in the Word of God

 

Eph 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

 

Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

 

In lesson six, you were given steps to becoming strong in the Lord, now, we want to examine the armor that is provided to each believer, that they might be victorious in this spiritual warfare

 

1.        For the whole armour of God see Ephesians 6:14 - 17.

 

(1)       The girdle of truth, i.e., there is no place in the life of the Believer for lying, for deceit or deception of any kind.

 

(2)       The breastplate of righteousness i.e., is that which guards the heart against ungodly emotions, desires and temptations of the evil one.  (Take note that there is no protection for the back - one never turns their back to the enemy.)

 

(3)       Having ...your feet shod with the gospel of peace. ...  As a Believer you will walk through some very rough times and you will need sound footing designed to give you the footing that you need whatever the circumstances.  That sound footing can only be obtained by: [1] knowing the Word of God, [2] knowing who you are in Christ Jesus, and [3] in your submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in your life.

 

(4)       Above all taking the shield of faith... i.e., full and complete trust and confidence in the Word of God, in the promises of God, in the protection and provision of God - which you cannot do if you have no knowledge of the Word of God.

 

(5)       And take the helmet of salvation...i.e. the battle is for the will and is waged against the mind, the thought life, but by wearing the helmet of salvation, that is the knowledge of who Christ Jesus is, and what He has done for you, will help you guard your mind and will help you in ....bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5).

 

(6)       ...and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. i.e. It is written was the reply that Jesus Himself made to every suggestion - every temptation that Satan brought to Him in His wilderness temptation as recorded in Luke 4:1 - 13.  Satan cannot stand against the Word of God.  When you use the Word of God, the Sword of the Spirit against his suggestions to the mind, he loses!!

 

2.        Remember, the warfare you are engaged in is a Spiritual Warfare.

 

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

 

3.        Make no mistake about it - it is now hand to hand combat in a sense as the forces in the kingdom of darkness contend with the inhabitants of the Kingdom of Light, trying to discourage them and/or defeat them in their process of sanctification

 

4.        Some obstacles you will face are very evident, some not so evident, for example, you may be faced with:

 

(1)       Family considerations - what will they say or think about me as a Believer.

 

(2)       Professional/occupational considerations, what will they say or think about me as a Believer.

 

(3)       Friendship considerations, what will they say or think about me as a Believer.

 

(4)       You will have to discipline yourself to spend time in the Word of God and in Prayer to become strong in the Lord.  Satan will resist your efforts in that regard.

 

(5)       Satan will try to retain or reintroduce past habits/strongholds in the life such as lying, deceit, alcoholism, drug addiction, pornography, lust, sexual perversion, pride, anger, etc.

 

With those thoughts in mind, approach the following questions thoughtfully and prayerfully.

 

1.        What valuable lesson do you learn from Ephesians 6:10?

 

2.        In your opinion, what are the wiles of the Devil as spoken of in Ephesians 6:11.

 

3.        What specific wiles (strategies) do you think Satan might try to use in your life to hinder you in your spiritual growth?

 

4.        In your own words, explain your understanding of Ephesians 6:12.

 

5.        In your own words, explain your understanding of Ephesians 6:13.

 

6.        In your own words, explain your understanding of Ephesians 6:14.

 

7.        In your own words, explain your understanding of Ephesians 6:15.

 

8.        In your own words, explain your understanding of Ephesians 6:16.

 

9.        In your own words, explain your understanding of Ephesians 6:17.