Further Study: Arming for Victory
Read Ellen G. White, “Importance of Seeking True Knowledge,” pp. 312-314, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8;“The Color Line,” pp. 219, 220, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9; “O God! Help Me to Higher Levels,” p. 105, in My Life Today; “Called to Reach a Higher Standard,” pp. 311-315, in The Acts of the Apostles.
“In every soul two powers are struggling earnestly for the victory. Unbelief marshals its forces, led by Satan, to cut us off from the Source of our strength. Faith marshals its forces, led by Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. Hour by hour, in the sight of the heavenly universe, the conflict goes forward. This is a hand-to-hand fight, and the great question is, Which shall obtain the mastery? This question each must decide for himself. In this warfare all must take a part, fighting on one side or the other. From the conflict there is no release. . . . We are urged to prepare for this conflict. ‘Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.’ The warning is repeated, ‘Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.’” -Ellen G. White, Sons and Daughters of God, p. 328.
“We must put on every piece of the armor, and then stand firm. The Lord has honored us by choosing us as His soldiers. Let us fight bravely for Him, maintaining the right in every transaction. Rectitude in all things is essential to the welfare of the soul. As you strive for the victory over your own inclinations, He will help you by His Holy Spirit to be circumspect in every action, that you may give no occasion for the enemy to speak evil of the truth. Put on as your breastplate that divinely protected righteousness which it is the privilege of all to wear. This will protect your spiritual life.” – Ellen G. White, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1119.
Discussion Questions
- However much this week’s lesson emphasized the personal aspect of the struggle in which we’re all engaged, as Christians we are part of a larger community. How can the community as a whole help one another in their individual conflicts? What are the practical things that the community can do to help those who are in spiritual need, in whatever form that need may come?
- How does the military imagery that Paul uses reinforce the reality of the great controversy motif that is so central to the Bible? Why is it always important to keep the reality of this conflict before us? Who could imagine a soldier, in the battlefield, forgetting that he was in a war? How much more important is it for us not to forget either?
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The seriousness and encouraging of spiritual warfare
I am impressed wih the seriousness of the apostle Paul regarding the controversy between good and evil. In just one sentence he mentiones the word "against" five times: "For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts in heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12 RSV) In view of this confrontation the apostle urges the believers to put on the whole armour of God. The description of every single item, necessary for victory, emphasizes the seriousness of spiritual warfare. Any carelessness would be disastrous. This battle is fought not only with these weapons, but above all, in the strength of the Lord, the power of his resurrection (Ephesians 1:19-20; 6:12). This is arrived at only by an intimate connection with the Lord himself, as seen in the metaphor of the "true vine" and ist branches (John 15:5; cf. Romans 6:5). This is encouraging.
Winfried Stolpmann
The problem with the church today is that its like we are either underestimating the spiritual war we are in or we have really forgotten that we are in a war field, connecting with Jesus 'a true vine' as John writes in John 5:15 is not as easy we might think. Let me give a little example, what I can now see in most of our churches here in Tanzania is that, we spend a lot of money to hold open efforts after which many people are newly baptized into the church but immediately after such a great event we forget that it's time to help these new members to arm themselves against evil but we leave them and at the end what happens is what we would expect after such careless treatment.
Thank you for posting.. Gods church needs to follow these new born babes for the rest of our lives, keep them loved and wanting to return and be a part of your church family!
Most definately we as members need to nuture that person and keep close, invite them home, take them to church activities and be a good friend for years to come, never leave them to find another place to find comfort and cheer, once baptized, we adopt them as a church family and personal too.. Keep them loved , hugged, going to things etc.. God bless us all, rise up and VISIT and talk and share!
Thank you for the comment. I want to comment that we are seriously losing this battle of the mind through our unbelief and lack of faith. It will be easier if we tune our hearts to God and agents of salvation and hold fast till the battle is over.