Lesson 25


FIRST DAY: Read the notes with all Scripture references.

1.

2.

SECOND DAY: Ephesians 6:10–13.
3.
a.  Our battle is not of flesh and blood.  Therefore, we are fighting a "spiritual" battle that can only be won by asking the Spirit of God to fight the spiritual battle on our behalf.  Our strength to fight our adversary must come from Him.

b. We need to pray without ceasing what God told Zechariah, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the Lord Almighty.

c. I am renting right now, and would love to someday own a home again.  I walk at night through neighborhoods filled with beautiful homes.  I covet them.  I want them.  I have learned however to find contentment in all situations and be very grateful for for where God has me.  As Timothy said, "Godliness with contentment is great gain."

4.
Genesis 3:1–5:  He was crafty.  He was a liar.
2 Samuel 11:1-4:  Satan will distract you.  David abandoned his purpose by staying home from war.
Daniel 4:28–30, 37 Nebuchadnezzar praised and exalted himself for Babylon's success instead of praising God and exalting God's name in glory.
Matthew 4:1–11  Satan is a tempter.  He is always trying to get us to live his way, or our way, instead of God's way.

5.
For the reasons given above.  Satan is crafty.  He is a liar.  He will try to distract you from your relationship with God, and then tempt you while he has distracted you.  This is all going on in the mind and we just don't see it.  That is why we have to be "transformed" by the "renewing" of our mind.  Keep our eyes fixed on God and rely on His Spirit to help us know when we come under a spiritual attack that starts in the mind.

THIRD DAY: Ephesians 6:14–18.
6. a.

• Helmet of salvation - Keeps us from doubting our salvation.
• Breastplate of righteousness -  The breastplate protects our heart from evil intent in this world.  
• Shield of faith - Protects us from setbacks in life.  It keeps our eyes on the next life for comfort.
• Sword of the Spirit - The Sword is our only weapon.  It's the Word of God given to us to quote scripture when we get near trouble.  Quote scripture the same way Jesus did when he was tempted.
• Belt of Truth - Satan fights with lies.  If we remain in God's word, we will recognize Satan's lies.
• Gospel of truth -  Proclaim the true peace that is in us to others.

b.  We would feel vulnerable if we left our home without clothes on, and in the same way, we should feel spiritual vulnerable if we get out of bed without clothing ourselves with the full armor of God.  We need to pray daily to resist the devil's attacks otherwise we are guaranteed casualties.

7. a.

• Be Strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
• Stand your ground
• Pray in the Spirit in all occasions.
• Be alert
• Keep on praying for all the saints

b.  Give illustrations of how you could apply each of these methods in daily life.

• Be Strong in the Lord and in His mighty power -  Soldiers use  the term be strong to each other in the field. Be strong - Nothing less will suffice.  Failure to be strong by "clothing" ourselves with the Spirit of God will guarantee be become a spiritual casualty. 
• Stand your ground - Can also mean, "Give'them an inch and they'll take a mile."  If we give Satan an inch, he will take a mile.  If we stand firm, he will flee."  James 4:7  
• Pray in the Spirit in all occasions. - I'm not sure if this is an illustration, but... If we "pray" about it, more than we "think" about it, that's our best defense to giving in to Satan's schemes.
• Be alert - A flashing red light alerts motorists of trouble ahead.  When we don't pray, we can expect trouble ahead.
• Keep on praying for all the saints - 

FOURTH DAY: Ephesians 6:17–18.
8.
a.  We are to take it and use it with prayer in all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  We are to always be alert and keep on praying for all the saints.

b.  This can be done by surrounding my daily thoughts around God's desire's and teaching.  Thus, my life becomes one prayer to God.  Pray without ceasing.

9.  Be alert means to be alert in your thinking.  Be conscious of the thoughts that are entering your mind.  This is where the spiritual battle begins.  Focus on the thought and ask yourself, "Is the thought a 'fruit of the flesh,' or 'fruit of the spirit'"?  If we are going to live a spirit filled life, we can only allow spirit filled thougts to enter our minds and ultimately our hearts.  If the thought is not related to the fruits of the spirit in Gal. 5:19-26, then it must be discarded as quickly as possible.

FIFTH DAY: Ephesians 6:19–24
10.
a.  Pray that whenever he opens his mouth, words may be given to him so that he will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which he is an ambassador in chains. He asked for prayer that he may declare the gospel fearlessly, as we all should. 

b. Pray for all believers everywhere.

c.  It is vital.  Paul ends his sermon on the armor of God by warning that the spiritual soldier must "with all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit" (Eph. 6:18).  Prayer develops intimacy with God and without an intimate and personal relationship with God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we will not hear God telling us who he may want us to share the gospel with at any given moment.


11.
a. Paul wanted the Ephesians to know how he was doing.  Tychicus was one who was willing to deliver a message for Paul so the brethren could be informed about his well being as well as be encouraged by the report.

b.  To whomever I may come in contact with throughout my day and my fiancee.

SIXTH DAY: Ephesians 1–6
12.

• Eph 1:11  - God has his own will
• Eph 2:4-5 - God is rich in mercy
• Eph 3:2 - God dispenses grace
• Eph 4:4-6 - He is over all and through all and in all.  He is also Trinity.
• Eph 5:6 - the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience
• Eph 6:12-17 - We adorn ourselves with the full "armor" of God

13.

God has given us salvation, and that salvation He has given us, is no doubt to be "worn" in our hearts and minds like a soldier wears armor before going in to battle.   I will pray more, and stand on guard more, knowing I am always under attack by our adversary.

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