There is a pleasurable fear. “His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.” Isaiah 11:3 — John Piper (@JohnPiper)
We’ve all been faced with temptation. We’ve all failed. We look at how we’ve sinned and ask, “how did I get to this place?” There is a reality that all followers of Jesus are in the middle of a spiritual battle against our flesh, this world, and Satan.
To ignore it is to play the fool. To deny it is to reject reality. To underestimate it is to flirt with fire.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14Stand therefore… - Ephesians 6:10-14a (ESV)
Four times in this passage we’re told to “stand.” This is the posture of a child of God in the midst of the spiritual battle. Without giving props to Satan (we battle a defeated enemy!), we all must recognize that our foe is mighty. His résumé boasts tripping up people stronger than you and me. This shouldn’t cause us to fear, but to cling to our God. For this reason Paul says to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.“
God has clothed us with the proper spiritual weaponry needed for this spiritual war. While our “spiritual posture” is to stand, our “physical posture” maybe something altogether different. Consider these examples:
Stand by Running - When faced with sexual temptation, our spiritual posture is to stand against it by fleeing away from it. Paul tells Timothy to “flee youthful lust” (2 Tim. 2:22) and that’s precisely what Joseph did when Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him. When the seductions of lust and pornography throw themselves at you, Run!
Stand by Kneeling - Prayer is a mighty weapon in this spiritual battle. That’s why Paul says to “pray at all times” in the midst of this war (Eph 6:18). When the disciples couldn’t rebuke the demon from the boy, they took the boy to Jesus. Jesus highlights prayer saying, “this kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer” (Mark 6:29).
Stand by Digging- our Sword in this armor is the Bible. Dig in it! Remember, Satan is called the Father of Lies (John 8:44), and lies are one of the crafty schemes (methods) by which he tries to trip us up. We must know the truth to extinguish the lies. This is exactly what Jesus did in the wilderness when Satan twisted the Bible to try to get Jesus to fall. Jesus replaced the lies with truth, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve’” (Matthew 4:10).
Though our foe is crafty, he is of no match for the Christian who is clothed with the armor of God and standing by the strength of God’s might. The spiritual battle is real, and you were made to “stand” in it. Be diligent in cultivating prayer, studying the Bible, and fleeing temptation each day.
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. - 1 John 4:4
“Evil rarely looks evil until it accomplishes its goal; it gains entrance by appearing attractive, desireable and perfectly legitimate. It is a baited and camouflaged trap.” — Klyne Snodgrass, quoted by Peter O’Brien in his Ephesians commentary (Pillar) when discussing the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20)
A Call and Agenda for Pastor-Theologians -
This article parallels much of my heartbeat and explains a lot of why I’m studying at Trinity. Being a Pastor and being a theologian is my calling. I want to be faithful in this for the glory of God, the advancing of His Kingdom, and the building of Church. “With God all things are possible.”
What I’m reading: A study on the doctrine of Assurance that demonstrates the continuities between the Reformers and the Puritans in England and the Dutch “Further Reformation” in the Netherlands.
Taken with instagram
I have my 1647 edition (pdf) of William Gouge’s 300-page exposition on the Armor of God on one computer and note taking on another. Loving it…but I really need to get used to reading 17th century English.
Prayer can be such a challenging thing. I know of its crucial nature in my life and yet find that my heart turns to self much quicker than it turns to God. I recently read this book on prayer and was really encouraged by it. The wisdom and experience found in these pages have given me clarity and focus in prayer. I’m so thankful for this simple book. Pick it up!
[video]
Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in Heav’n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
-Written 1875, by Philip P. Bliss
“Christ, by his death, offered himself up a sacrifice where such a price was paid for our sins, as satisfied God’s justice, pacified his wrath, removed the curse of the law, and so spoiled Satan of all his power, wrestled his weapons out of his hands, set free those whom he held captive, and brought Satan into captivity.” —
- William Gouge
17th Century Puritan in his Commentary on Hebrews