The Greatest Battle
LESSON 5
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A |
s we come to the third and
final part of the greatest battle, we find Paul listing the last two parts of
the Christian armor. Thus far, we have looked at the breastplate of
righteousness, the waist girded with truth, the feet shod with the preparation
of the gospel, and the shield of faith. [1]
However,
for the armor to be complete, the soldier needed the helmet of salvation and
the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Like the other four parts,
these two are also very important. Remember, Paul’s command is “put on the
whole armor of God!”
[2]
The Roman soldier depended on his
helmet to stay alive. Also, the helmet protected his mind that directed the
proper use of all the other parts of the armor. Thus, whether his helmet was
plain or colorfully decorated, it was essential for his survival. [3]
Let
us look at ways in which God’s armored soldier wears the helmet of salvation:
[4]
Present Victory
First of all, it is worn with the assurance of victory over the evil one. The devil represents those who are lost in sin, and Jesus represents those who are saved through His blood. Even though the battle is furious, those who fight faithfully with Jesus to the end will receive the victory crown. For the devil and those of the flesh will experience spiritual death, but the Lord will lead His own to eternal salvation. [5]
The
apostle Paul encouraged the Christians at Thessalonica with these words,
“But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breast-plate of faith
and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to
wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:8,9). [6]
No soldier for Christ has ever gone through the furious
battles that Paul experienced. Since he was a faithful apostle of Jesus Christ,
the devil fought him with full force. However, at the end of the fight, Paul
could say with faith and confidence: “I have fought the good fight, I
have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). The enemy had not
stopped him! And during all these battles, he wore the helmet of salvation.
Paul never lost his faith of winning each battle, for he lived with the hope of
salvation. [7]
He
expressed his feelings to Timothy: “For this reason I also suffer these
things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am
persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Timothy 1:12). Paul fought with
the hope of salvation in his heart and soul. The apostle John seemed to express
the way Paul felt and lived, when he wrote: “And this is the promise that He
has promised us—eternal life” (1 John 2:25). [8]
Again,
“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of
God, that you may know that you have
eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of
God” (1 John 5:13).
[9]
Therefore,
as Paul fought with the helmet of salvation, he knew that he had eternal life
dwelling in him! [10]
Faithful
Christians today can wear this helmet of salvation, and can know that they have
eternal life. However, this is not true with the unfaithful, because they
remove the helmet of salvation, and are defeated. Those who defect and join the
army of the enemy will not win. [11]
Thus,
faithfulness must be the goal of all Christian soldiers! Paul’s definition of
faithfulness was expressed to Timothy in this way, “Fight the good fight of
faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have
confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12). [12]
He
encouraged the faithfulness of all Christians when he wrote the following to
the church at Corinth:
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast,
immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is
not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). [13]
He admonished the churches of
Galatia with these words: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for
in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9). [14]
Therefore,
it is important for Christians to wear the helmet of salvation while fighting
the devil in this life. This is the way we live daily in hope: “This hope we have as an anchor of
the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the
veil,” (Hebrews
6:19). [15]
Eternal Salvation
In
the second place, the helmet of salvation is not limited to this life, but also
represents salvation in the sense of eternal life. Since Jesus saved Paul, the
chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15), from all sins that destroy, there was
salvation laid up for him in the form of a “crown of righteousness.” Salvation then, is an incentive for all who fight Satan to
do so to the end, knowing that those who continue faithfully will win! [16]
Do we as Christians have on the helmet of salvation?
Can you think of anything in the world important enough for us to remove our
helmets? In only a short time, all must give up this physical life to face
eternity! Surely no one would want to face the judgment of God without having
on the helmet of salvation. [17]
Paul continues his description of
the Christian armor with “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God.” It is not
enough just to stand protected defensively, but one must aggressively fight
with the sword. [18]
When
the devil met Jesus in a duel in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), our Lord was
well protected against evil since He was the perfect Son of God. However, He did not stand silently
until the devil stopped fighting! Jesus aggressively used the sword of the
Spirit, the word of God. He met the devil’s attacks each time with the words: “It
is written!” [19]
If
Christ had used the wisdom of the world and of men, He would have been
defeated, because the sword of the Spirit (the word of God) is the only
effective weapon. Only His words are eternal: “Heaven and earth will pass
away, but my words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:35). [20]
This
is the ONE and ONLY effective weapon for the Christian soldier today, and is
therefore, a very important part of the armor. Thus, the “sword of the
Spirit” is a weapon
for both defending and fighting. It is both defensive and offensive! [21]
The
Bible describes the word of God with various figures, and each one suggests
power. For example, it is like a fire and a hammer: “Is not My word like a
fire?” says the LORD, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29). It is a lamp
providing the necessary light for walking: “Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path” (Psalms 119:105). [22]
The
word of God is NOT a book of dead words, but it is alive and relevant for all
generations of time. The word of God is a special sword that towers far above
all other swords. It can bring death to the enemy, but life and power to those
who follow it. This special sword can pierce to depths beyond any other
instrument. [23]
The
Hebrew writer gives an accurate and powerful description of this special sword:
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged
sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and
marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). [24]
In
this part of the Christian armor, Paul associates this sword, the word of God,
with the Spirit. The Holy Spirit guided the ones chosen to reveal the word of
God. The apostle Peter wrote: “for prophecy never came by the will of man,
but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). [25]
This
is why Paul taught Timothy that all Scripture is “God breathed.” “All
Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for
every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16,17). [26]
Finally, Paul concludes the Christian armor with
prayer. It is not enough just to let God speak to Christians through His word,
but Christians must also speak to God in prayer. The success of any Christian
depends on God. As we fight the devil, we must pray to God! [27]
This
is the way the apostle Paul lived his life as he fought the good fight. He
wrote: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and
supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;” (Philippians 4:6). [28]
If
we will fight, faithfully using God’s armor, and call upon Him in prayer to
help, we will win an eternal victory! [29].
Review Questions For Lesson 5
(Circle the Most Correct Answer: A, B, or C)
1. A word describing
how long one should be steadfast (1 Cor. 15:58).
(a) Daily (b) Always (c)
Retirement
2. A special kind of life promised to
Christians (1 John 2:25)
(a) Eternal (b) Happy (c)
Limited
3. “Your word is a lamp to my
----------“ (Ps. 119:105)
(a) Path
(b) Feet (c) Way
4. “I have kept the -----------“ (2 Tim. 4:7)
(a) Word
(b) Race (c) Faith
5. The first thing mentioned by Jeremiah
describing the word of God (Jer. 23:29)
(a) Hammer (b) Fire (c) Light
6. Paul: “I have fought a good
----------” (2
Tim. 4:7)
(a) Life
(b) Work (c) Fight
7. “-------- and earth will pass
away” (Mt.
24:35)
(a) The firmament (b) The sky
(c) Heaven
8. The kind of men who were moved by the
Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:21)
(a) Special (b) Called
(c) Holy
9. “but in everything by
------------- and supplication” (Phil. 4:6)
(a) Request
(b) Prayer (c) Love
10. “And
take the helmet of ------------ (Ephesians
6:17)
(a) Courage
(b) Salvation (c) Victory
11. “The
sword of the ---------------, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17)
(a) Heart (b) Peace
(c) Spirit
12. An instrument for fighting with two edges (Heb. 4:12)
(a) Sword
(b) Knife (c) Arrow
TRUE OR FALSE: (Circle “T” for true; “F” for false)
T F
1. A word associated with helmet other than salvation (1 Thes. 5:8,9) Hope
T F 2. Something important to
keep (2 Tim. 4:7) Work
T F 3.
The concluding thing mentioned by Paul for the Christian armor [27] Prayer
T F 4. Something of God that must be faced by all [17] Eternity
T F 5. A man who fought a good fight (2 Tim. 4:7) [7] Peter
T F
6. A
specified kind of sinner (1 Tim. 1:15) Depraved
T F
7. Something
with two edges describing the word of God (Heb. 4:12) Sword
T F 8. A special kind of crown [5] Hope
T F
9. That
which is “God breathed” [26] Scripture
T F 10. “Put
on the ----- armor of God” (Eph. 6:11) Front
T F 11. The way that Christians should NOT grow (Gal. 6:9) Weary
T F
12. The place where Jesus fought a duel with the devil (Mt.
4:1-11) Mountain
T F 13. A rock crusher describing the word of
God (Jer. 23:29) Hammer
T F
14. The source of light for walking (Ps. 119:105) Lamp
T F 15. An object illustrating hope (Heb. 6:19) Rock
T F 16. Something promised that is everlasting (1 John 2:25) Life
T F 17. That which some do when
they join the army of the enemy [11] Fight
—BBBristow
Works of the Flesh (1)
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I |
t is vitally important for
Christians in all generations to understand the importance of the contrast that
Paul made in his letter to the Galatians between the works of the flesh and the
fruit of the Spirit. Solomon was right, “There is nothing new about sin!” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). How true, because the sins of the
flesh mentioned by Paul are still raging today. [1]
Therefore,
there is just as much need to study this contrast between the works of the
flesh and the fruit of the Spirit today as it was in the first century of
Paul’s day. [2]
The
New Testament projects two major forces:
(1) The devil, sin, darkness, and
condemnation.
(2) God, righteousness, light, and
salvation.
All who reach the age to be accountable must choose
one of the two. There are those who want some of both in their lives, but this
is impossible! For all travel
either the broad way—the way of the flesh, or the narrow way, the way of the
Spirit (Matthew 7:13,14; Gal. 6:19-23). [3]
In
Paul’s day, those who were converted, especially the Gentiles, came out of all
kinds of worldly practices, and they must have been tempted many times to
return. However, they were taught that Christianity and the works of the flesh
couldn’t be mixed. [4]
Paul
reminded the Christians at Corinth: “Do you not know that the unrighteous
will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators,
nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor
covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the
kingdom of God” (1
Corinthians 6:9,10).
The
first category of these sinful works contains four: [5]
Sensuality
(1) Adultery (2)
Fornication (3) Uncleanness (4) Licentiousness [6]
In
this lesson, we will study the first two; adultery and fornication, since the other two listed by Paul
are related. [7]
Sensuality — Adultery
This
is a sin that is associated with sexual unfaithfulness of husbands and wives.
It is defined as: “to commit adultery with, to have unlawful intercourse
with another's wife.” From the beginning of the human race,
God intended for there to be one husband and one wife, and that they be
faithful to each other as one flesh. [8]
When
Eve, the first woman, was brought to Adam, the first man, the following
instructions were given: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). [9]
When
Jesus quoted this Scripture, He said, “So then, they are no longer two but
one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:6). [10]
But
what happens if they separate and choose another? Jesus answers: “...whoever
divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits
adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9). [11]
In
His famous sermon on the mountain, He commented on the husband and wife
relationship: “But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any
reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery;
and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery” (Matthew 5:32). [12]
When Paul gave this list of fleshly sins, adultery
was a leading problem. Yes, those of the world who followed the flesh were
expected to commit adultery, however, there were those in the church who were
doing the same. There were those in the church who had not put away the works
of the flesh. The only way to become a faithful Christian is to put to death
such evil things. [13]
Paul
verifies this in his teaching: “And those who are Christ's have crucified
the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24).
“Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with
Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be
slaves of sin”
(Romans 6:6). [14]
“Therefore
put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness,
passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5). [15]
Therefore,
those who commit adultery and continue to live in adultery without repentance
and forgiveness, have NOT crucified the old man of sin, they have NOT given up
the ways of the flesh. [16]
What
has really changed today? Isn’t the same fleshly sin of adultery still raging?
Yes, far too often, this sin has made its way even into the church. So many
evidently overlook the fact “that those who practice such things will not
inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:21). [17]
Sensuality — Fornication
As Paul continued his list of the works of the flesh,
he chose a word that encompasses adultery as well as ALL illicit sexual
encounters, for it is a word that is associated with all types of sexual
immorality. For example, when Paul gave a list of sins to the Corinthian
brethren that would keep anyone from inheriting the kingdom of God, he wrote,
“...Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor
sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor
extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9,10). [18]
The
Greek word for fornication is associated with the Greek word porn (por'-nay),
the word used for a harlot or a prostitute—those who sell themselves for money
to practice such sinful immorality. This sin is only a way of expressing lust
and passion, and is completely forbidden in God’s word. Those who practice such
will face the judgment of God. [19]
“Marriage
is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers
God will judge”
(Hebrews 13:4). [20]
Sinful Lifestyle
It
is no coincidence that Paul begins his list of the works of the flesh with
adultery and fornication. In fact, involvement in such sins represented the
lifestyle of thousands in the first century, and historian of Paul’s day speak of even the leaders and dignitaries of Rome
practicing all kinds of sexual immorality. [21]
Twenty-first Century
We often compare what has happened in recent years to
the morals of our nation, to the morals of the first century, and it is a bleak
picture. However, it seems that the sins of the first century were even worse.
[22]
In
the first chapter of his letter to the Romans, Paul paints a picture of the
depraved ways of the world. Since these evil ones did not glorify God, they were
“futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (vs. 21). [23]
How
did Paul feel about these evil ones? “Professing to be wise, they became
fools,” (Romans
1:22).
After
these evil ones turned to idolatry, what did God do? “Therefore God also
gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their
bodies among themselves,” (Romans 1:24). [24]
When
they left God and began worshiping images, Paul says of them, “and changed
the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and
birds and four-footed animals and creeping things” (Romans 1:23). How did God react?
Paul answers, “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions” [25]
What
kind of vile passions? Paul continues: “For even their women exchanged the
natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the
natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men
committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their
error which was due”
(Romans 1:26-27). [26]
Do
these verses sound like a description of many in our nation today?
How Could They Do It?
How
could they live such an evil and lustful lifestyle? Paul further explains:
“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over
to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with
all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness,
maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are
whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of
evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving,
unforgiving, unmerciful;” (Romans 1:28-31). [27]
Invaded The Church
Please observe that fornication is
associated with ALL the other works of the flesh!
How
disappointed Paul must have been when he learned that fornication had invaded
the church at Corinth. Notice his response to them: “It is actually reported
that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not
even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father's wife!” (1 Corinthians 5:1). [28]
But
the second shock came to Paul when he learned about the sinful attitude that
the church had toward this illicit affair. “And you are puffed up, and have
not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from
among you” (1
Corinthians 5:2). [29]
Blindness
There
is always a danger of the church letting down our guard by failing to see the
hideousness of such sins. Those who watch many hours of television are fed a
daily dose of adultery and fornication. We must not, as Christians, join the
world in their lustful attitudes and practices. [30]
The
apostle John warned: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If
anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). [31]
What
are the things of the world? John answers: “For all that is in the world—the
lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the
Father but is of the world” (1 John 2:16). [32]
Can
Christians be a friend to the world and please God? James gives an emphatic NO!
“Adulterers
and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with
God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy
of God” (James
4:4). [33]
Review Questions For Lesson 6
(Circle the Most Correct Answer: A, B, or C)
1. That which was done when becoming
Christians with Jesus (Rom. 6:6)
(a) Prayed (b) Submitted (c) Crucified
2. That with which those who did not
retain God in their knowledge were filled (Rom. 1:28-31)
(a) Knowledge (b) Unrighteous (c) Rebellion
3. A word describing those whose
passions desired the same sex [25,26]
(a) Idolaters (b) Vile (c) Hopeless
4. The third type of sin mentioned by Paul to Christians at
Corinth (1 Cor. 6:9,10)
(a) Revilers (b) Adulterers (c) Fornicators
5. A word describing what Paul did with the works of the
flesh and the fruit of the Spirit [1]
(a) Contrast (b) Opposition (c) Similar
6. Something that must be done by
Christians to evil things [13]
(a) Choose Wisely (b) Promote (c) Put To Death
7. That which Paul called the evil
ones in his day (Rom. 1:22)
(a) Inconsiderate (b) Fools (c) Unwise
8. Something of nature associated with
God [3]
(a) Trees (b) Light
(c) Darkness
9. The first in a list of sinners who will not inherit
the kingdom of God
(1
Cor. 6:9,10)
(a) Thieves
(b) Drunkards (c)
Fornicators
10.
“and they shall
become --- flesh” (Gen. 2:24)
(a) True (b) One
(c) Marital
11.
A description of
the way of the Spirit and life (Mt. 7:13,14)
(a) Wide (b) Narrow (c) Broad
12.
Something said about marriage (Heb. 13:4) [20]
(a) Honorable (b) Difficult (c) Natural
13.
Something of nature associated with the devil [3]
(a) Eternal (b) Work
(c) Darkness
14.
A kind of immorality mentioned by Jesus [12]
(a) Distrustful (b) Drunkenness (c) Sexual
TRUE OR FALSE: (Circle “T” for true; “F” for false)
T F
1. A sin mentioned by Jesus by those who
divorce except for fornication (sexual immorality) (Mt. 5:32) Adultery
T F 2. Something in
marriage that is undefiled (Heb. 13:4) Altar
T F 3. That which
the evil ones of Paul’s day dishonored among themselves (Rom. 1:24) Bodies
T F 4. That which
friendship with the world makes of God (Jas. 4:4) An
Enemy
T F 5. A specified
kind of desire (concupiscence) to be put away (Col. 3:5) Evil
T F 6.
The second kind of lust mentioned by John (1 John 2:16) Pride
of Life
T F 7. The seat of
lust among those who dishonored their bodies (Rom. 1:24) Hearts
T F 8. That which
God will do to fornicators and adulterers (Heb. 13:4) Judge
T F 9. The wages of
this is death (Rom. 6:23) Heartache
T F 10. “Professing themselves to be ------------, they became
fools (Rom. 1:22)
Wise
—BBBristow
After you have
completed these two Lessons, you may want to click on The Grading Key
to determine your scores. To finalize Your Score, Take From 100,
5 Points For Each One Missed In Each Lesson.
Score for Lesson 5 = Score
for Lesson 6 =