5:7,8, etc.). Far too many Christians take the devil lightly. Is it any wonder that they live in defeat? Who can win a battle against an enemy whose exis tence is not even acknowledged? The Bible informs the believer of the devil’s power (Eph. 6:12). The devil is not omnipotent. Omnipotence belongs to God alone. But the devil is more power ful than we are in and of ourselves. The evidence of this fact is seen in the grip Satan has on the lives and think ing of millions of people in the world today (Eph. 2:1, 2; 2 Cor. 4:3, 4). Thank God, the Christian needs but to wield the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and Satan must flee. He is no match for the truth. The Bible tells us of the devil’s char acter (Eph. 6:11; 1 Pet. 5:7,8; 2 Cor. 11:13-15). He is subtle (Eph. 6:11); he is vicious (1 Pet. 5 :7 ,8 ); he is crafty and deceitful (2 Cor. 11:13-15). In our own wisdom we cannot success fully defend ourselves; but with the Bible which exposes him we know who our enemy is and how to defend our selves against his attacks. The Resource of Impregnable Armor There is no possibility of spiritual defeat if the believer will avail himself of the equipment described in Ephesians 6:10-18. Rightly armored the Christian is invincible. What a blessed truth is this! There is not space in this lesson to treat adequately each of the pieces of equipment. In your own study discuss with the members of your society the meaning and application of the Chris tian’s armament. There is the weapon of truth (v. 14). This is a basic part of triumphant
Christian character. The word means sincerity, transparency, guilelessness. The Christian must be a man of hon esty and integrity and truthfulness. Satan can never triumph over truth. Next is the weapon of righteousness (v. 14). This means personal righteous ness, or practical holiness. When a be liever determines to live according to the Word and will of God the devil can find no place in his life. Then comes testimony (v. 15). This verse refers to consistent witnessing by life and lip. We overcome the devil by the word of our testimony (Rev. 12:11). Another weapon of victory is faith (v. 16). Paul says that the Christian should take this weapon “ above all.” This means that faith is the supreme weapon in spiritual warfare. How im portant it is, then, to trust God, and to lean heavily upon His Word. The helmet of salvation is the next item on the list (v. 17). Salvation here refers to complete deliverance from the devil. Full salvation involves not only the ultimate salvation of the soul in eternity, but also deliverance from the world, the flesh and the devil in this life. Blessed salvation! Finally, comes the sword of the Spirit (v. 17). This is the Word of God. Fully clad, the Christian soldier receives his offensive and defensive weapon, the Word of God. The believer is helpless without the Bible. This blessed Book contains his guide, his counsel, his en couragement, his warning. With it he fights a good fight of faith, and when the smoke of battle clears away, he re mains standing, upright on his feet, victorious on the field of battle (vv. 11, 13).
Sep. 21, 1952 RESOURCES FOR TIMES OF CRISIS Eph. 6:10-18; Phil. 4:13 The world has always been a difficult place for a child of God. Ever since sin entered the human heart, the majority of men have delighted in opposing the will of God, and by ridicule and hafred have made it hard for the man who wants to live in accordance with the Word of God. We are not surprised at this for our Lord cautioned us to expect it (John 15:18-25). But as we approach the end time, it becomes increasingly more difficult to live as God would have us. Again this is just as the Saviour told us it would be (Matt. 24:12). Will any observer of these times deny that iniquity is abounding? These are indeed difficult days for the Christian. The waves of sin and godlessness threaten to engulf him; temptations are pressing on every hand; the power of the enemy is be coming more and more oppressive. If ever the Christian needed the help of God, it is now. With great solemnity, then, we approach the study of the Christian’s resources for this time of crisis. The Resource of Christ Himself If Christ be for us who can be against us? The Christian can do anything God asks him to do if he takes Christ as the ;power of his life (Eph. 6:10). Notice in this Scripture that Paul does not recog nize any power or ability in the believer himself. He depended entirely upon Christ and Christ alone. Dear believer, you cannot win if you do not fight through Christ. You are no match for the enemy. You cannot stand by yourself. But on the contrary you can be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. This means that there is certain victory for every be liever who trusts in Christ for power. Christ is the believer’s confidence. In Philippians 4:13 the Apostle expressed the confident conviction that he could do, not some things, or many things, but all things through Christ. When Christ is the believer’s ability he can do every thing God requires of him. Young be liever, accept this truth and count upon it. As you read in 1Jie Epistles the man ner of life expected of you as a Chris tian, know that you can live this way through Christ who is your strength. The Resource of Intelligence By this term I mean that the Chris tian has a knowledge of the enemy that enables him to fight successfully against him. The Intelligence service in time of war is one of the important offices of any army. The Bible identifies the Christian’s enemy as Satan, the devil, the prince of evil, and the leader of the hosts of wickedness (Eph. 6:11, 12, 16; 1 Pet.
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