Ephesians: Life Together in Christ | Gospel Opposition (Ephesians 6:10-13)

Ephesians 6:10-13

The gospel is the good news that the spiritual war against sin, death and the one who instigated them, the devil, has been won via Jesus’ perfect life, atoning death on the Cross and hope-giving resurrection!

Genesis 3:15 // Hebrews 2:14

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors, and hail a materialist and a magician with the same delight.” — C.S. Lewis

However, the reality of spiritual warfare will remain until the return of Christ and thus we are to understand and defend against it.

1 Peter 5:8

While Satan is unable to harm the eternal standing of those who are in Christ, he does have two main deceptive devices by which he tries to render them ineffective: Temptation and Accusation.

John 10:9-10, 27-28 // 2 Corinthians 2:11

4 Temptation Methods:

– Presenting sin as pleasurable while hiding its consequences (Genesis 3:4-5)

– Minimizing and excusing ‘little’ sins (Acts 5:1-4)

– Showcasing God’s mercy and love while omitting His judgement and wrath

– Disguising sin as virtue (2 Corinthians 11:14)

4 Accusation Methods:

– Overemphasizing sin and underemphasizing our Savior (Matthew 27:5)

– Saying that ongoing sin struggles are incompatible with saving faith (John 8:44)

– Distorting God’s character as weary of extending forgiveness and grace (Matthew 16:23)

– Breeding doubt in the promises of God (Revelation 12:10)

Hope for the fight: the Cross has guaranteed our victory and Satan’s defeat!

1 John 4:4 // 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 // Matthew 16:18