“Finally be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10). Paul penned these words to a group of believers who endured severe persecution for their faith. Each day, they were confronted with new attacks from their spiritual enemy against their faith in Christ, their love for one another, their calling as God’s ambassadors in the world, and in their heavenly Father. So, Paul encouraged them—each day—to stand strong and “put on the full armor of God” so they could take their stand “against the devil’s schemes” (verse 11).
Jesus described the nature of this enemy when He said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” But He also promised, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10). Today, the enemy has been seeking to steal much from God’s followers. For this reason, we need to “suit up” and make sure we are equipping each piece of God’s armor—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God, prayer—so that we can see through Satan’s schemes, stand strong in God’s power, and repeal the enemy attacks.
In this five-session video Bible study (study guide sold separately), bestselling author Jim Cymbala will guide participants on how to recognize they are in a spiritual war, understand the enemy’s plots against them, and develop practical strategies for fighting back. He will reveal that as believers in Christ, we have been given everything we need to stand strong and take the fight to the enemy. As we do, we will recognize—in the words of the apostle Paul—that God “gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57 NLT).