Food for Thought for the week of July 31, 2005
(Questions and Scriptures for further study)

1. This weekend we saw that when it comes to the spiritual battle, it’s a battle we can’t win on our own or in our own power.  The following Scriptures will give you some insight on what it takes to have victory over the enemy.  Jot down any insights or principles you find.

1 Corinthians 10:12-15
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! [13] No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
[14] Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. [15] I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. [NIV]

James 4:7-8
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [NIV]

1 Peter 5:5-11
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."
[6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. [7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
[8] Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. [9] Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
[10] And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. [11] To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. [NIV]

1 John 4:4-6
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. [5] They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. [6] We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. [NIV]

 

2. It’s also vital that we recognize our vulnerability.  Proverbs 4:23-27 identifies some areas of vulnerability.  Read the passage and put into your own words the areas of vulnerability that he describes.

Proverbs 4:23-27
Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
[24] Put away perversity from your mouth;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
[25] Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you.
[26] Make level paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.
[27] Do not swerve to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil. [NIV]
 

Now read all of Proverbs chapter 4 and jot down the specific preparations Solomon prescribed so that we’d be in the best position to withstand the enemy’s salvo.

3. Jesus went through a significant spiritual battle early in His ministry. Read about it in Matthew 4:1-11. What principles from this weekend’s teaching do you see Jesus using?

Matthew 4:1-11
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. [2] After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. [3] The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
[4] Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
[5] Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. [6] "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:
" 'He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"
[7] Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do 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 splendor. [9] "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
[10] Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"
[11] Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. [NIV]

 

4. Being as forthright as you can – at this moment in your spiritual journey how well are you doing when it comes to gaining victory in the spiritual realm?  If you’d like to be stronger, which of the four “Bring It On” points would make the biggest difference in your readiness to face the enemy’s best shot?



5. Read about the beginning of Job’s spiritual battle in Job 1:6-2:10. Keep in mind - Job himself had no idea of what was happening in the unseen realm!

l How does this passage help you “understand your enemy”?

l How does it strike you that God allows Satan a second chance at Job?

l How does Job’s response to his troubles match up to your typical response when you face trials, tribulations or troubles as Job did?