Christian Warfare - Pt. 5
We continue, today, with the fifth installment of our series on Christian Warfare. Brethren, there are few matters that we can study that can have such a crucial impact in determining whether we succeed or fail as a Christian. Whether we remain steadfast in the Lord and bear fruit or we find ourselves recaptured and vanquished by Satan is going to be decided by how seriously and earnestly we seek to understand and apply Paul’s instruction in this passage. Straight forward, whether we end up in Heaven or Hell will revolve around whether or not we daily suit-up in the whole armor of God.
We have learned that we need to wear a belt of sincerity, a breastplate of righteousness and a helmet of the hope of salvation. Today, we consider the shield of faith.
I. The Shield.
The Roman soldier was equipped with a shield large enough so that they were able to hide behind it and not be exposed in any way. The shield (made of plywood covered by leather and bound together on the edges by iron or bronze) was slightly curved for two reasons: (1) so that the soldier had room to move about behind it as his movement changed in battle and (2) so that spears and arrows would hit it at an angle and bounce off. The soldier was safe when he was willing to hide behind his shield - safe even from the scariest weapons...arrows and spears that were set aflame and acted like Molotov cocktails..
II. Faith.
Paul says that the Christian’s shield is faith. Faith is our knowledge of and confidence in God to fulfill his Word to us. It is trust that God is Who He has revealed Himself to be and relying on Him to fulfill His promises in our lives.
III. Faith As Our Shield.
Now, we could spend weeks, if not months, exploring the role of faith in the life of a Christian. Today, however, we are only concerned about how faith corresponds to a shield in our spiritual warfare...how faith can resist or beat back the spiritual attacks of the Evil One. 1 Peter 5:8-9, "Your adversary, the Devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith." James 4:7, "Resist the Devil and he will flee from you."
Satan realizes that if you have a strong faith, he does not have a chance to defeat us Therefore, his top priority is to undermine our faith. If, during temptation or trial, he can shake our confidence in God and His faithfulness or if he can confuse us so as to distract us from God’s promises, he knows that he can have his way with us. He has nothing to fear.
This morning, I am going to share with you three truths that Satan does not want you to understand, let alone build your faith upon. If you put your complete trust in these truths and use them as the framework for your life, you will be blessed beyond measure. Your life will be shielded from the fiery missiles of doubt, fear, discouragement, and despair when temptation and trial comes your way.
Truth # 1 The Lord Is Always With Us and Will Never Forsake Us.
Whenever a strong temptation or a heavy trial comes upon us, Satan would have us to think that we must face it alone. He would have us to think or feel that God is afar off somewhere. He would not want us to know the truth that, if we are a child of God, the Lord is with us. Hebrews 13:5, "He [the Lord] Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.’"
When the Lord says "never" He means "never". He is with us in good times and He, unlike some, sticks with us in times of crisis or danger. John 10:11-14, "‘I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.’"
Truth # 2 The Lord Protects Us.
Now, brethren, the Lord just doesn’t hang-out with us. He is with us busy working on our behalf. One way that He works on our behalf is that the Lord protects His own from Satan. 1 Thessalonians 3:3, "But the Lord is faithful, and He will … protect you from the evil one." 1 Peter 1:5, we "are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." The forces of evil are powerful Satan is greater in might than we. However, the Lord is almighty. He is omnipotent He can and He will protect us from the powerful assaults of the Enemy. This you can rely upon.
There is a story in the Old Testament that illustrates this truth. The king of Aram was wanting to conquer God’s people, the kingdom of Israel. However, every time and everywhere the king of Aram attacked Israel, the Israelites were ready to repel it. Let’s pick-up the story in 2 Kings 6:11-17, "Now the heart of the king of Aram was enraged over this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, ‘Will you tell me which of us is for the king of Israel?’ One of his servants said, ‘No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.’ So he said, ‘Go and see where he is, that I may send and take him.’ And it was told him, saying, ‘Behold, he is in Dothan.’ He sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, ‘Alas, my master! What shall we do?’ So he answered, ‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ Then Elisha prayed and said, ‘O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."
Brethren, we need our eyes of faith opened to realize that God is faithfully protecting us with His invisible power.
But, you may say, brother Scott, if God is faithfully protecting me, why am I attacked with mighty temptations and great trials of affliction. That is a fair question Let me explain. God has no intention of protecting you from every temptation and trial. (I’ll explain why that is in our third truth.)
What His promise of protection means is this:
A. The Lord will never allow a temptation to come your way that you cannot resist with Divine assistance.
He won’t allow Satan, at any time, to attack you with a temptation beyond what you can resist or withstand with Divine assistance. 1 Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, Who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."
B. The Lord will never allow a trial to enter your life that you cannot endure and overcome.
He will never allow anything - tribulation, affliction, distress, difficulty, hardship - to enter your life that is beyond your ability, with Divine assistance, to cope with or overcome. Psalm 103:13-14, "Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust." Psalm 55:22, "He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."
Satan does not want you to understand this. He wants to scare you and intimidate you with thoughts insinuating your inability to appropriately handle the situation. The Devil wants you to think that there will be situations in you life where triumph is impossible. Satan wants your heart to be full of doubt, fear, and despair so that you will give-in or give-up. In faith, we need to trust in God’s promise of protection from situations and assaults that are too much for us.
Truth # 3 The Lord Causes All Things To Work Together For Our Good.
This third truth, when understood and relied upon in faith, produces an unassailable shield against Satan’s fiery missiles of doubt, fear and despair. It is delivered to us in Romans 8:28, "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose"
We have seen that the Lord is always with us and will never forsake us. We have seen how that He protects us from temptations and trials that are too strong or too intense for us to withstand. Now we see that He orchestrates events in our lives in such a way that good can always come from them. He will not allow any problem, any tribulation, any difficulty, any sickness and disease, any loss, any mistreatment, or any hardship to come into your life that cannot benefit you.
Now, this promise is directed toward those who love God and to those who are called according to His purpose. That means that this promise is for Christians In the next verse, we can learn of the purpose for which we are called by Him - Vs 29, "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son."
Do you get that? Romans 8:28-29 is teaching us that God orchestrates events in our lives in such a way that they work together to bring about good…. That good being that we would become just like His Son Jesus. That the character of Jesus would be developed in us. God knows exactly what He intends we become and He knows exactly what circumstances, both good and bad, are necessary to produce that result in our lives.
We accept that in good times. When things are going smoothly. When things are comfortable But, this is often times lost on us when adversity comes. We lose site of this truth when the so-called ‘bad times’ come upon us. I want us to understand, this morning, that the Lord does not delight in our sufferings and pain. He brings or allows only that which is necessary, but He does not shrink from that which will help us to grow. It is more important to God that we become the men and women that He wants us to be than for us to spend a lifetime of comfort and pleasure. Romans 5:3-4, "we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character"
But, don’t expect Satan to remind you of this truth. On the contrary, he knows that if he can get you to view adversity in a different light and respond to it in an inappropriate, unprofitable manner, he can thwart God’s purposes and damage us spiritually. He does not want you to place your faith in this truth; yea, he dreads the thought of your placing faith in this truth. Thus, he will whisper into your soul ungodly notions to undermine your faith in this promise.
Let us reflect on five common, ungodly responses to adversity that Satan would have us to adopt -
A. Question God’s Love and Care For Us.
There is an account in Mark 4:35-40 that provides an example of a common response - "On that day, when evening came, He [Jesus] said to them [His disciples], ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’"
How many times have we said the same thing to the Lord in our adversity? ‘Don’t You care, Lord, that this is happening to me? Don’t You love me enough, Lord, to do something about this hardship or trouble I am experiencing? How can You claim to be loving, caring and compassionate when You have allowed this to happen?’
Brethren, this response is as foolish when we say it as it was when the disciples said it
When we stop to consider that the Lord became flesh, suffered and died for me and you, how can we ever question His love and care for us? The Lord’s response to us is the same that He gave His disciples - "And He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?’"
Dear brethren, Satan wants us to call to doubt the Lord’s love and care. Let me say that we need not question the Lord’s love as adversity visits from time to time. You need to question His love if you do not have adversity visit you in your life. That’s the message found in Hebrews 12:5-10, "you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.’ It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness."
B. Question God’s Wisdom, Power and Faithfulness.
The second ungodly response to times of tribulation, affliction or distress is similar to the previous one - its worrying and complaining. Did you know that the Scriptures indicate that worrying and complaining about life’s circumstances is sinful (Philippians 4:6; Jude 16) ?
Worry demonstrates a total contempt of God’s wisdom, faithfulness and power. When we worry, we are saying that God is too incompetent to trust in directing our lives. He does not have the power to work things out the way that they ought. Therefore, He cannot be trusted to be faithful in fulfilling His promises.
Complaining about our circumstances is nothing less than criticizing God’s sovereignty and providence. When we complain about our lot in life, we are saying that God is a sorry Administrator of this Universe. We are claiming that we know better than He does on how to run this world and our lives. Complaining is simply rebellion against God.
Worrying is a slap in God’s face while complaining is spitting in God’s face. Perhaps, that is why Satan encourages worrying and complaining as a response to adversity in our lives. Worry and complaining is a result of a lack of humble faith. It is the result of our not taking-up the shield of faith.
When we truly have faith in our Lord, we will not worry and fret. We know that we are safely in His hands and that from Him only good will come. When we humbly trust in God, we will not complain because we know that there is Divine purpose in our circumstances. He wants to teach us - and perhaps those around us - some spiritual virtue.
Brethren, while we wait for God’s purposes to be fulfilled, He will sustain us. He will strengthen our hearts and give us peace and joy. 2 Chronicles 16:9, ""For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His." Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You."
Jeremiah 17:7-8, "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord And whose trust is the Lord. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit."
C. Hastily Resolve The Problems Our Way.
Another common response to troubles and problems in our lives is to try to take control of the situation and try to resolve the troubles and problems using our wisdom and strength.
None of us like being in tribulation and distress. We are uncomfortable and restless in times of unresolved trouble. If these troubles and problems are not quickly resolved, we fear that they are going to bring disaster. We fear the worst. To rid ourselves of any anxiety and fear, we think it is our role to solve them Acting on impulse, we barge right in like a bull in a china shop and start putting things back together as we see fit. We put on our robe of self-sufficiency and self-confidence and go to work.
The problem with this response is that our solution may not be the solution the Lord had in mind. We try to put the pieces back to the way they were before but maybe the Lord doesn’t want it to be like it was before. Perhaps, He has something far better in mind. Maybe, He wants an improved situation.
Or, perhaps, we do not even know what the problem truly is. Maybe, what we see in our finite wisdom is not the true problem but only symptoms of the problem. We spin your wheels tending to the symptoms never truly realizing and tending to the true problem…. which means we are only laying the foundation for worse anxiety, worse frustration and despair down the road. And, on top it all, we are all burnt-out.
The underlying purpose of all adversity is always going to be to increase our trust and reliance upon God. When we turn to Him in overwhelming situations and we rely on Him, we have access to His unlimited wisdom and power. When we attempt to rely on ourselves in adversity, we usually will fail miserably and may even bring about more unnecessary adversity. We ought never try to cope with an adversity on your own. We need the Lord’s help, His guidance, His strength.
Proverbs 3:5-8, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones."
1 Peter 5:6-7, 10, "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.…After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you."
We cannot help ourselves, any more than Daniel could help himself in a den of lions or Peter could release himself from prison or Paul could save himself and his companions during a shipwreck.
D. We Avoid or Escape Adversity.
In Psalm 55:6-8, we have another ungodly response to problematic circumstances in life - "I [David] said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Behold, I would wander far away, I would lodge in the wilderness I would hasten to my place of refuge from the stormy wind and tempest."
David faced much tribulation in his life. Some of it was the result of sinful decision-making. Some of it was the result of evil persecution. Some of it was the result of living in this fallen world. In this Psalm, we see that David had had, on this occasion, his fill of trouble and he wanted to escape.
We are often the same way. We want to run from our problems or troubles. We seek escape Our thinking goes something like - ‘You know, I don’t need to put-up with these problems anymore. I’m sick of it. I shouldn’t have to endure all this stress, the strain, the mistreatment, the strife. I’m just going to leave the situation. I’m outta here.’
Dear brethren, if adversity is the Lord’s choice tool for building godly, spiritual character in our lives…by seeking to escape, we are denying ourselves one of the greatest opportunities for spiritual growth and betterment. Moreover, trying to escape our troubles usually only brings larger ones because when you run from God you run to the Devil.
In this same Psalm, we find that David did not act on his desire or give-in to the temptation to escape but found a better way of enduring his tribulation on this occasion - Psalm 55:16,22, "As for me, I shall call upon God, And the Lord will save me….Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you."
E. Return To The World of Fleshly Pleasures.
The last ungodly response to adversity in our lives is actually the previous one taken to the extreme and it is spoken of in Psalm 73:2-14, " But as for me, I came so close to the edge of the cliff! My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness They seem to live such a painless life; their bodies are so healthy and strong They aren’t troubled like other people or plagued with problems like everyone else. They wear pride like a jeweled necklace, and their clothing is woven of cruelty These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. "Does God realize what is going on?" they ask. "Is the Most High even aware of what is happening?" Look at these arrogant people – enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. Was it for nothing that I kept my heart pure and kept myself from doing wrong? All I get is trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain." David saw that the wicked do not seem to face as many hardships and adversities as he himself He saw this and began to conclude that, perhaps, obeying God and doing what’s right wasn’t worth all the tribulations and sorrows that accompanied it. He was experiencing spiritual despair. He was ready to leave God altogether He was ready to conform to the world and enjoy its pleasures instead. He was going to seek comfort and refuge in temporal things.
Perhaps, these thoughts have entered your mind as you experienced Satan’s fiery missile of spiritual despair. Sadly, I have known brethren who have not used the shield of faith and have been destroyed by this Satanic missile. They have quit following the Lord altogether because they perceived the path as being too rough
Let’s see how David handled this missile. Psalm 73:16-19,24, "When I pondered to understand this, It was trouble-some in my sight until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end. Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. How they are destroyed in a moment! They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!…. With Your counsel You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory."
The wicked may enjoy pleasures now but in the life to come - terrors and destruction However, we who grow and mature spiritually through adversity will enjoy glory
As we close, this morning, adversity may call your faith into question, but above all, it calls your faith to action. If you want to turn temptation and adversity into something good in life, then you must respond properly. You must pick-up the shield of faith and trust in God and His promises. When we respond correctly—by trusting God, yielding ourselves and all we have to Him, asking Him to help us bear the hurt and pain—then we experience firsthand the faithfulness of God. Our shield is lifted high when our first response is, "God, I trust You to bring me through this and to work this to my eternal good."
If you feel your faith is weak and wanting - remember that faith comes by hearing or reading God’s word. Romans 15:4, "For everything that was written long ago was written for our instruction, so that we might have hope through the endurance and encouragement that the Scriptures give us."
