Church of the Living God
Bible Study Lesson
Presenter: Overseer
Ennis F. Tait
Date: Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Series: Spiritual Warfare
Reference Scripture: Ephesians
6:13
Today’s Discussion: “Hold
Your Position”
In 1865 a very famous
hymn entitled “Onward Christian Soldiers” was written to inspire children as
they walked from the Horbury
Bridge
·
Endure
Hardness – [soong-kak-op-ath-eh-o] - to suffer hardship in company with:
·
Soldier
– [strat-ee-o-tace] – a camper-out, i.e. a (common) warrior
·
Warreth –
[strat-yoo-om-ahee] – to serve in a military campaign; to execute the
apostolate; to contend with carnal inclinations.
·
Entangleth
– [em-plek-o] – to entwine, i.e. involve with; a fix position; to twine or
braid
·
Affairs –
[prag-mat-i-ah] – a transaction, i.e. negotiation
Paul’s tenor in his message to the young pastor is
strong. He challenges Timothy to uphold
a certain standard that God (through the Lord Jesus) has set for all those HE
has enlisted (chosen to serve) in HIS army.
The lesson aim is to convey to all believers the seriousness
of spiritual warfare. More
importantly, the “church” must be reminded that the spiritual battles in which
we shall fight are not ours, but they are God’s. Interestingly, there seems to be a
misunderstanding on the part of the “church” as to who the real enemy is: (“for
we wrestle not against flesh and blood”). Paul warns the “church” of the evil forces that
are operating in the “darkness of this world”. And as believers we are expected
to stay “sober and vigilant”.
In verse 13 the Apostle Paul issues a final command to the
church regarding their involvement in spiritual warfare. “Take unto you the whole armour of God” is
the final clause in the rules of engagement warfare manual that commissions the
soldier before he/she engage. Paul warns
the “church” stand strong in a time period that’s coming and filled with evil
and difficulty. (Read: I Timothy 4:1-3; II Timothy 3:1-7)
According to the Apostle Paul, the “church” cannot afford to
come unglued under the pressures of a worldly invasion. There are battles inside the church that are
in full array. (Read: Romans 7:18; 23)
Thus, Paul uses the term “withstand” to expose the struggles we face to
resist the temptations of the enemy. (Read:
James 4:7; I Peter 5:8-9) Paul tells
them to “STAND”. In addition Paul
encouraged the church at Corinth
“be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord”.
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