Seek the Lord and be Strong Gen. 3: 1 – 13; Ephe. 6: 10 – 20
ECWA Theme for 2025
“You will seek me and find me…”
(Jer. 29: 13)
Introduction
The apostle Paul declared, there are spiritual battles we cannot claim to be ignorant, feel immune or neutral about because Genesis 3: 1-13 highlights the entrance of evil and suffering into human history where Satan deceived Eve, twist God`s command about the forbidden fruit, and make her doubt God`s word and His goodness. Since that fateful action, sin entered humanity and Apostle John swiftly states Satan`s three mission (John 10: 10). Afterwards, Apostle Paul in his account encourage believers to see the world as a battle ground and ended his life with a written testimony that a fight against Satan and his schemes is required if believers are to remain focus in mission and fulfill God`s will for their individual lives (1 Cor. 16: 9; 2 Tim. 4: 6 - 8).
Scriptures makes no hints that God was responsible for sin`s introduction into the world. Rather, Satan uses subtle falsehood, misinterpretation of God`s word to tempt, deceive and accuse believers from being faithful and obedient to Christ (Rev. 12: 20). Paul already had an awareness the enemy is an evil spiritual force (Col. 2: 13 - 15), he warned the Ephesian believers to put on the full armor of God which represents spiritual resources available in Christ for believers to remain vigilant, purposeful and strong to withstand Satan and his evil schemes in the struggle to exercise ultimate control over the universe (Ephesians 6: 10 – 18).
Regarding this matter about spiritual warfare, a lot of Christians lose their joy and feel defeated in their Christian lives because they are not seriously engaged in a warfare to which they are called. Today, many Christians are surprised that evil is associated with having to living in the world for Christ, many go through the motions of attending religious services and activities each week and never bother to know anything about spiritual warfare because they feel Jesus will take care of them all the way. The saddest part is they manifest surprises in various ways when they experience intense trials, unexpected challenges and temptation from superhuman forms of evil including Satan.
Perhaps, like others, you are also under the illusion that you are free from evil and other forms of Satanic influences and manipulations because Jesus has promise to solve all your problems and give you a wonderful life of peace free from conflict and spiritual battle while you wait to enter his promise and you think the church would move without the gates of hell attempting to prevail against it, Paul closes his letter in Ephesians with a section on spiritual warfare to tell believers that the Christian life is nothing less than a warfare.
Questions
1. The Book of Ephesians is one of the prison epistles. Paul`s prison experience in Rome probably factors into reminding Paul of the Roman military powers to conquer nations into slavery.
A. Discuss the source of believer`s power in Psa. 68: 35, Acts 1: 6 - 9 and 1 John 4: 1 – 4 and how it differs and or applies to the Roman power.
B. Reading from Ephe. 6: 10, why do you think Paul concluding his letter says “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” In your opinion, what does Ephe. 6: 12, say to those who think all problems will disappear once they become Christians
C. According to Ephesians 6: 13 – 20, mention what Paul listed as armor to encouraged believers. Describe an armor gleaning from Matt. 4: 1 – 11 and James 4: 7
2. In Christian theology, Satan is often depicted as the serpent (Gen. 3: 1) the roaring lion (1 Peter 5: 8) the angel of light (2 Cor. 11: 14) the great dragon (Rev.12: 9) and the liar (John 8: 44). Discuss what these ideas depicted highlighting the fundamental nature of Satan
A. From 2 Cor. 11: 10 – 15, discuss with context why Paul anxiously warned to assure the Corinthians about the disguising nature of Satan and its implication today
B. In view of Jame 4: 13 – 17; Psa. 73: 1 – 28, describe how Satan can occupy the minds of believers with negative thoughts that are at odds with the knowledge of the word of God. Read 2 Cor. 2: 11 and comment on why this was of special concern to Paul in 2 Cor. 2: 11
3. For a deeper thought, according to Ephesians 4: 25 – 27, Paul says truthfulness is essential because we are part of the same body. Why does being part of the same body require truthfulness from every part of Christ`s body.
A. In view of John 8: 31 - 32, what are some truths in Jesus that should make a positive impact upon a believer’s behavior, support your answers with reference from the Bible
B. Share Paul`s view by reading the references below and describe the distinctive mark of spiritual forces of darkness in the heavenly realm in the ways they operate.
a) 1 Corinth. 1: 10 - 15, 26 - 29, 3: 1 - 4
b) 1 Corinth. 5: 1 - 2, 9 - 13; 6: 15 - 20
c) 1 Cor. 8: 1 - 4, 7 - 13; 10: 31 – 33
d) 1 Cor. 11: 17 – 22; James 4: 1 - 10
4. The enemy causing evil that we face is not a human force that we may defeat in our own power. What lessons or insights do these references offer (Ephe. 2: 20 -
21, 3: 10 -1; Col. 1: 16, 2: 10, 15; 1 Cor. 15: 24).
A. Satan is said to be the accuser of the believers in Rev. 12: 20. Also, we recognize this title “the god of this world” is found no where else but in 2 Cor.4: 4. What is the central idea expressed in Jn. 12: 31; Jn. 14: 30, Ephe. 2: 1-2, 6: 12 and 1 Jn. 5: 19
B. Paul, a creature like us ended his life with a written testimony that assures us of victory according to 2 Timothy 4: 7. Trace and describe what we could do to make us hopeful like Paul from 1 Pet. 3: 8 – 13; 5: 6 – 11; Heb. 12: 1 – 3; Matt. 6: 19 – 21; 25 - 33
