Florida Bible Institute

Basic Training

Lesson Seven

Obstacles to Sanctification Part III

Answer Key

1.        Ephesians 6:10 reveals that:  You cannot win the spiritual battle you are involved with in your own strength.  You must win it by being strong in the Lord and by the power of His might

2.        Ephesians 6:11: The wiles of the Devil are those strategies, plans, schemes, people, circumstances, habits etc that Satan will try to use in your life to hinder your sanctification.

3.        Personal to each individual - but - should be discussed.

4.        Ephesians 6:12 reveals that are involved in a spiritual conflict with demonic powers of differing strengths and positions in the un-seen realm of reality.

5.        Ephesians 6:13 reveals that we must utilize every single piece of the Armor of God that is made available to us - otherwise we will suffer loss.

 6.       Ephesians 6:14 speaks to two pieces of armor.

(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., which guards the heart against ungodly emotions and desires and the temptations of the evil one.  (Note there is no protection for the back - one never turns back nor turns their back to the enemy.)

7.        Ephesians 6:15 speaks of our spiritual footwear: Having ...your feet shod with the gospel of peace..., i.e., as a believer you will walk through some very rough places and 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) submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in your life.

8.        Ephesians 6:16 speaks of the the Shield of Faith :Above all, taking the shield of faith... i.e., trust and confidence in the Word of God, in the promises of God, in the protection of God which you cannot do if you have no knowledge of the Word of God.

9.        Ephesians 6:17 speaks of The Helmet of Salvation.  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, the knowledge of who Jesus Christ 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 Cor 10:5)

10.      Ephesians 6:17 also speaks of the only offensive weapon in the spiritual armor  - that is The Sword of the Spirit - The Word of God: ...and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:.  It is written was the reply Jesus Himself made to every suggestion - every temptation that Satan brought to Him in His wilderness temptation (see 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 your mind, he loses_

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 the process of sanctification.

Note:  Obstacles to Sanctification can be:

(1)       Family considerations (what will they say or think)

(2)       Professional/occupational considerations. (what will they say or think)

(3)       Friendship considerations (what will they say or think)

(4)       Failure to spend the time necessary in the Word of God and in Prayer to become strong in the Lord.

(5)       Past habits/ strongholds in the life such as lying, deceit, alcoholism, drug addiction, pornography, lust, sexual perversion, pride, anger etc.

(6)       Perhaps you will want to add others of your own.

Be Blessed as you press on, winning victory after victory, and always bear in mind:

1Jo 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.