LifeWay Bible Studies for Life Series for February 28: How can you keep from losing your mind?

This lesson addresses the question of how we can maintain control of our minds. Satan strives to dominate our thinking. We consider the matter of spiritual warfare. This lesson will help all Christians be aware of the reality of Satan and his demons and be ready to use all Jesus supplies for our safety and victory. Satan never rests; he always is busy seeking our downfall. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, also never rests and remains ready to empower us in the battle with Satan. Christians have victory over Satan because of Christ’s victory on the cross. We must strive to overcome the evil powers every day as we await the final victory when the Lord returns.

The reality of satanic attack (Ephesians 6:10-12)

Chapter 6 in Ephesians rests in the second part of the letter that addresses matters for everyday living. The Apostle Paul said “finally,” (the final matter I wish to mention) be strengthened or empowered by the Lord and in the overpowering strength that comes from his boundless resources.

This imperative strengthening comes through putting on the full (complete) armor of God. The word “put on” here is the same word used in Colossians 3:10 for putting on the new man. The picture is of a Roman soldier armed for battle.

The armor of God serves to enable believers “so that” they can stand against and overcome the schemes (devices) of the devil.

Paul continued pointing out our real battle is not against “flesh and blood” (human foes alone) but against the invisible hostile enemies (rulers, authorities, world powers of darkness, and spiritual forces of evil). With these words, Paul indicated we strive against supernatural powers of evil—Satan and his demons. The battle must be mounted in the armor of God.

The equipment for the battle (Ephesians 6:13-17)

Because the battle involves struggle against supernatural evil powers, believers must take on (put on or wear, use fully) the full armor of God. Entering the battle with Satan and the demons in our own strength alone involves certain defeat. In the armor of God, believers will receive power that will enable them to withstand or resist the attack. Having completely finished the contest with Satan, believers still will be found on their feet.

Paul described this armor that enables victory. The belt that held much of the soldier’s armor together was like truth that binds together or forms the foundation for all we need to win the victory over Satan. The second part of the armor was the breastplate (chest armor) of righteousness—the correct lifestyle God calls his people to follow. Believers walking in proper and godly behavior have a great protection against evil powers.

Paul advised the feet be shod (sandaled) with the preparation (readiness) for the gospel of peace. The apostle’s idea was that believers put on their feet the preparation the good news supplies or provides. He then taught they should “besides all these factors” be certain they have the protection that faith provides (shield of faith). This shield equips believers to extinguish the flaming missiles hurled at them by the evil powers.

The final elements in the armor of God are the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. The helmet protects the head against death blows. Salvation provides ultimate security in the battle. The only offensive weapon in God’s armor is the sword of the Spirit that is the word of God. Believers must have experiential knowledge of the word of God as they go into battle with Satan.

Christians enter the battles of spiritual warfare as no matches against Satan and the demons. The Christians have, however, the empowering grace of Jesus Christ who already has, on his cross, defeated Satan. With the armor God provides, Christians can be certain of victory.

The manner of the battle (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Paul assured believers they would face and defeat Satan. In the second letter to the Corinthians, Paul described the manner by which believers would enter into spiritual warfare—in a spiritual rather than a human or fleshly way. The apostle had enjoined faithfulness on the part of the Christians in Corinth. He then encouraged them by showing that while believers live and work in the world, they do not fight in human strength. The weapons of believers are divinely powerful and able to demolish all the strongholds of Satan. The strongholds of Satan are those places and events where Satan has gained a foothold or place of authority.

The Christians’ battles, empowered by God and protected by his armor, result in their being able to bring down every deceptive teaching or fantasy and every destructive argument that opposes the truth of God. All those false teachings and practices that oppose God and his will can be destroyed by believers who enter into the spiritual battle empowered and protected by God. The believers thought life can be held captive by Satan but when empowered by God, believers can gain power over their thinking (taking every thought captive). The spiritual battle can be won in Christ.

Christians face the supernatural powers of Satan and his demons. In human strength, they cannot overcome these powers. But God has provided in his Spirit all that is needed to overcome and win the battle. Christians need not fear the battle. Christ is stronger than Satan, and in Christ’s power, we will win the victories.