Victory in Christ

God's Word clearly teaches that each one of us can triumph over Satan and his snares. However, even those who understand and believe this sometimes err greatly in their conception of the means by which the victory will be accomplished.

Let us notice some ways in which it will not be accomplished. We will not overcome Satan and evil by carnal, fleshly, or material means. We are indeed engaged in a war, but not one with physical/material weapons (II Corinthians 10:3–4). Our struggle is a spiritual one, originating with invisible, yet very real, forces (Ephesians 6:12). As Christian “soldiers” we are commanded to “be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might” (6:10). Be strong is in the passive voice (literally, “be made strong”), implying submission to the avenues of spiritual strength the Lord has provided. Our strength does not come through some direct profusion of Holy Spirit power enabling us to resist temptation, understand His written Word, and be victorious in our personal spiritual struggles. Rather, the Lord provides us with all of the “weapons” and resources we need through His inspired Word (Ephesians 6:13–17; II Tim. 3:16–17).

Selfishness causes casualties among rank and file Christian soldiers, resulting in simple neglect of spiritual duty on the one hand and/or rebellion toward His authority on the other. This self-will often manifests itself by opposing those who faithfully preach God's Word. Many saints are not as wise or as spiritually mature as were those sinners in Thessalonica who became saints. When they heard the Gospel, they “…accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God…” (I Thessalonians 2:13). Tragically, many who would like to be known as “soldiers of the cross” accept the Word of God as if it were the words of men, despising its authority if it in any way reproves them. Often such seek to silence the messengers who faithfully deliver that message of Truth.

Note that spiritual strength is “in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:10), as opposed to “outside” the Lord. In the Lord or its equivalent appears several times in the New Testament. This phrase indicates fellowship with Christ, attained by coming into the spiritual sphere where the Lord and salvation are. It is equal to being in the church/kingdom/body of Christ and to being saved, redeemed by the blood of Christ. Outside of Christ and His church, men deprive themselves of spiritual strength sufficient for their struggles with Satan. Regardless of how sincere, pious, or morally good one outside of Christ may be, salvation and spiritual strength are found only in Christ. Our labor avails “in the Lord” (I Corinthians 15:58). Two passages tell us plainly that baptism in water is the point at which the sinner enters into Christ (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27).

Further, our hope of victory is not in the devices and inventions of men, but “in the Lord.” “…The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh… (II Corinthians 10:4), either in the sense of physical military weapons or the philosophies, reasonings, and gimmicks of men, “…for our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, …but against the spiritual hosts of wickedness… (Ephesians 6:12). If we overcome Satan, it will be through reliance upon the Lord's way, not the ways of men.

Dub McClish

Strengthened By His Spirit

Paul promised the Ephesians that they would be built up or strengthened by the Word of God’s grace (Acts 20:32). Paul also prayed,on behalf of the Ephesians, that the Father “would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16). How is this strengthening accomplished, and what is the relationship of the Word and the Spirit in this process? Paul explained this in detail in Ephesians 6, part of the near context of chapter3.

The Admonition
Paul began by admonishing Christians: “be strong in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:10). This is parallel to “be strengthened” (Ephesians 3:16). He went on to speak of “the power of his [God’s] might” (Ephesians 6:10). This is parallel to “with might” (Ephesians 3:16). How does the Holy Spirit strengthen the saint with might in the inner man? Paul answers by saying that the Christian must “put on the whole armour of God” (Ephesians 6:11).

The Ability
Four times in four verses Paul stated that this “armour of God” will give the Christian the ability to “stand.” First, he said that this armour will make him “able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Paul then proceeded to list the devil’s wiles: (1) “against principalities,” (2) “against powers,” (3) “against the rulers of the darkness of this world,” and (4)“against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). Second, Paul stated that God’s armour will make saints “able to withstand in the evil day”(Ephesians 6:13). Third, Paul exclaimed that, by taking this armour, children of God will be able “having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13). Fourth and finally, Paul commanded Christians to “stand therefore” (Ephesians 6:14).

The Armour
Paul next launched into a detailed description of the “armour of God.”First, we are to be “girt about with truth” (6:14). Second, we are to have“on the breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14). Third, we are to be “shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). Fourth, we are to take “the shield of faith” (Ephesians 6:16). Fifth, we are to “take the helmet of salvation”(Ephesians 6:17). Sixth, we are to take “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17). These are the things that Paul says can strengthen us so we can stand. But “the Truth” is the Word of God which sanctifies (John 17:17, 19). Righteousness refers to the commandments of God (Psalms 119:172) as revealed in the Gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16-17). The “Gospel of peace” is the “Gospel of grace” (Acts 20:24) or the Word of God’s grace which builds up and sanctifies (Acts 20:32). “The faith” is the “word of faith” Paul preached (Rom.10:8) and which was once delivered unto the saint (Jude 3). The Gospel of Christ is God’s power unto salvation (Romans 1:16). Finally, the “sword of the Spirit” is the “word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). All six of these pieces of Christian armour and weaponry relate to the Word of God.How does the Holy Spirit help saints to stand? How does the Holy Spirit help saints to be strengthened? How does the Holy Spirit help saints to be sanctified? How does the Holy Spirit save saints at last? According to Paul, He does so through the Word of God (coupled with general/indirect providence). Do we need more than the Bible to be saved at last? According to Paul, we do not.

David B. Watson