A Bible Study by Sandra Higley

Note: This Bible study is formatted for small group discussion. If you use this study by yourself, we suggest that you journal your answers to the discussion questions. Also, please use suggested translations where indicated. Biblegateway.com is an excellent source for looking up passages in translations you may not have on hand.

As I write this, I’ve been evacuated from my home in a beautiful residential area near Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, CO. You may have seen the national coverage and dramatic footage of the firestorm that swept through our neighborhoods in June 2012. Although the mandatory evacuation areas are expanding at the time of this writing, our home still stands. We are hopeful.

I mention this because these events were the catalyst for the time of spiritual warfare prayer initiated by a dear brother in Christ early this morning. He recognized that our struggles are “not against flesh and blood, but against rulers . . . authorities . . . powers of this dark world and . . . spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:12). With the authority given him as a child of the Most High God, this brother did battle in prayer on behalf of those threatened by the fire.

Some may doubt the ability of Satan to have any power over a believer. To them, “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4, KJV) means there is no need to do battle: Christ won the victory, end of story. But the truth of “greater is He that is in you” and “Jesus won the victory” does not preclude the need to fight. Christ appropriated the right to fight and the weapons by which we win—but the enemy will take any ground we give him through disengagement.

Discussion Questions

Read Ephesians 6:10–18. What action words in this passage indicate that the battle is continuous for the believer? _____________________________________________________

Dave Butts is “convinced that the key to spiritual victory is an awareness of the warfare that rages around us—and sometimes in us.” He identifies four major areas of attack: doubt, deception, discouragement, and division.

Break into small groups of 2–4 people, assigning each a portion of the following passages. Analyze and discuss which of those four categories the attacks mentioned in these verses fall into, taking note that a single attack may fit in multiple categories at the same time: Gen. 2:17; 3:1–5; 1 Chron. 21:1–7; Job 1:16, 19; 2:7; Zech. 3:1–2; Matt. 12:22, 24–25; 13:19; 16:21–23; Luke 13:11; 22:31–32; Acts 5:3; 16:16; 1 Cor. 5:5; 2 Cor. 2:10–11; 4:4; 11:3, 14; 12:7; Eph. 4:26–27; 1 Thess. 2:18; 1 Tim. 3:7; 4:1; 2 Tim. 2:26; James 3:15–16; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 2:15–16; 5:19.

Afterward, reassemble as a large group and share your findings.

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Carol Madison’s call to “watch each other’s backs” through persistent prayer is both a defensive and offensive battle posture. We are called to pray first (1 Tim. 2:1) and always (Eph. 6:18).

Discuss ways you see prayer and its counterpart—praise—as battle tactics found in the following passages: 2 Chron. 20; Job 42:10 (KJV); Ps. 8:2; Isa. 54:16–17; Mark 9:17–29 (KJV); Rom. 12:14; Eph. 6:18–20.

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Legal ground and the authority of the believer are the two solid foundations that support the ministry of spiritual warfare, according to Marcus Warner. Satan needs legal permission to attack—permission granted by request or our wrong choices. Discuss where you find evidence of this truth in the following verses: Deut. 7:25–26; Job 1:7, 9–12; 2:2-6; Matt. 6:12–15; 7:1–2; Luke 22:31; Eph. 4:26–27; James 3:3–12, 14–18; 1 Peter 5:8; Rev. 13:7.

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Discuss ways the following verses show the authority of the believer to do battle against the evil one: Matt. 16:19; Eph. 1:17–23; 2:4–7; 3:10–11; 6:10–18; 2 Cor. 10:3–5; Mark 9:17–29; Luke 10:18–20; Rev. 12:10–11.

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God intends for His children to use the authority they have been given. What types of things do you think constitute exploits or greater things as mentioned in Daniel 11:32 (KJV) and John 14:12–14?

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Action Steps

Unless you know who you are in Christ, you will not step out in courage to face the battle that rages around you. Remember: Christ is the Head, you are His Body, and the enemy is under your feet!

As you look up the following references and note your position in each, ask the Holy Spirit to use these assurances to build up your courage: Joel 2:12–32; John 8:31–36; Rom. 8:1, 15, 35–39; 1 Cor. 2:16; Gal. 3:13; Eph. 1:7; 2:4–6; 6:10; Col. 1:13; 2:12; 2 Tim. 1:7; 2 Pet. 1:4; 1 John 4:18; Rev. 21:7.

There are so many benefits to your position in Christ. Recount them daily—or hourly if needed—and thank God for them!

Epilogue: We are back safely in our home that was untouched by the fire or smoke damage. Praise God! Our hearts go out to those who lost so much. Two lives and 346 homes were lost in the fire at the date of this writing, making it the most devastating fire in Colorado history.