Series: The Fight of Your Life - A Study of Ephesians
Last week we introduced spiritual warfare and
learned that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual
forces of evil. Before Paul mentions any offensive or defensive weapon, he
begins with the belt of truth.
The Roman soldier's belt held everything
together. Without it, the armor was loose, unstable, and ineffective. Likewise,
truth is the foundation of the Christian life. If Satan can get us to believe
lies, he can weaken every other area of our spiritual walk.
Matthew 4 gives us a perfect picture of
spiritual warfare. Satan attacks Jesus with deception, half-truths, and
temptations. Jesus responds every time with the truth of God's Word.
Ephesians 6:14
"Stand therefore, having fastened on the
belt of truth..."
Matthew 4:1-11
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the
wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty
nights, He was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, “If you are the
Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But He answered,
“It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that
comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took Him to the holy city and
set Him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of
God, throw Yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command His angels
concerning You,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear You up, lest You strike Your
foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall
not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took Him to a very
high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9
And he said to Him, “All these I will give You, if You will fall down and
worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You
shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.’” 11 Then the
devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to Him.
The
ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a
publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV
Closing Thought
We stand firm against spiritual attack when
we know, believe, and live God's truth.
See you on Sunday!
