Fight the Good Fight of Faith, English Edition

Lesson : The Equipment We Use • 

9. The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God, our God-breathed (inspired) Scriptures which are effective to outfit and prepare us for all we need to endure and persevere in our calling in Christ. Read 2 Timothy 3.16-17. List three things the Bible does to equip us for every good work. 10. In order to be effective in spiritual warfare, we must add to our faith the qualities of godliness that will make us productive throughout our Christian lives . Read 2 Peter 1.3-11 and answer the following. a. What has his divine power granted us (v. 3)? b. Since we have his precious and very great promises, what do we partake in (v. 4)? c. After supplementing our faith with goodness, what else should we seek (vv. 5-7)? d. How can we keep from being ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of the Lord (v. 8)? e. What is true of someone who lacks these qualities (v. 9)? Every believer in Jesus Christ is at war with the world, the flesh, and the devil. This is not violence against people or physical combat, but rather against the cosmic forces of wickedness who seek to deceive, distort, and destroy believers by use of falsehoods and deception. The devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Pet. 5.8-9), and we should be on the alert, staying aware of his schemes and devices. His attacks against our minds and hearts will be fierce and constant. In order to withstand the enemy in the day of battle, God has provided believers with heavenly armor, the “whole armor of God,” given for our use in our spiritual warfare. The enemy’s weapon of choice is a lie, which the Bible pictures as a flaming arrow of the evil one, which can only be extinguished by the shield of faith (one of the pieces of God’s armor). In addition, we are offered the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the sandals of the Gospel of peace, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Never be discouraged as you engage in this spiritual warfare: “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him”

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