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TRANSCRIPT
IN IT TOWIN IT
How to Defeat the Prince of Darkness
Ephesians 6
JAMES MACDONALD
In It to Win It©2009, 2013, 2014 James MacDonald
Requests for permission to quote from this book should be directed to: Permissions DepartmentWalk in the WordP.O. Box 5368Elgin, IL 60121
For more information visit WalkintheWord.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, www.esv.org. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright ©1960,
1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
CONTENTS04 How to Use This Book
06 Introduction
10 Ten Things You Should Know about Satan
26 D-Day Every Day
36 Ready for Battle
50 In It to Win It
64 Six Questions about Satan Answered from God's Word
4
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK FOR PERSONAL OR GROUP STUDYPour yourself into it! Whether you are studying by yourself or with a
group, you’ll want to remind yourself that this battle belongs to the Lord.
Have faith that His Word is true. Your job is to believe Him.
Be thorough. Look up all Scriptures. As you read passages, underline them
in your copy of God’s Word. This is important!
Listen to the audio messages. You’ll enjoy James MacDonald’s
high-impact teaching on spiritual warfare. As you listen, fill in the blanks of the “Listen and Learn” section of the study. Doing so will
help you remember the truths of God’s Word.
For personal study: Fill in your personal answers to the discussion
questions at the end of each chapter.
5
For small group study: Listen to the audio messages together. Provide
copies of the “Listen and Learn” section of the study to the people in your
group so they can fill in the blanks as they listen. Then use the discussion questions at the end of each chapter to facilitate
conversation.
You’ll want to plan five meetings to discuss one sermon/chapter per week. Find a good place to meet, appoint a
facilitator, keep your discussions confidential and encouraging, and remember to keep the focus on God’s power.
6 IN IT TO WIN IT
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary,the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion,seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firmin your faith ...
1 Peter 5:8-9 (NASB)
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INTRODUCTIONC.S. Lewis once said there are two equal and opposite errors we can fall
into regarding Satan and his demons. One is to act like they don’t exist; the
other is to be unduly and overly interested in them.
God communicated Satan’s reality. More than 250 separate times in the
New Testament, God tells us about the chief enemy of our souls. He says,
Watch out for him. He’s trying to get access into your life.
If you think Satan is not interested in messing with you, you are wrong. If
you are a follower of Christ, God’s warnings about Satan’s activity apply to
you.
Second Corinthians 11:14 tells us Satan masquerades as an angel of
light. The devil is not going to show up in some red Halloween outfit with a pitchfork, horns, and pointy tail. He wants you to think he
looks like a cartoon character, posing no threat to you. It is not easy to
recognize him
8 IN IT TO WIN IT
or his work. When you’re least aware, he may be chiseling away at your
emotional and spiritual health.
The battleground for spiritual warfare is located between two words: truth
and lies. Disguised as an angel of light, Satan lies to God’s people. The
battle for truth is going on right now in the mind of every person reading
this.
We experience victory by following Jesus’ example in His battle with Satan.
In Matthew 4, Satan tempted Christ with lies. Command these stones to
become loaves of bread (4:3). Throw yourself down (from the temple) (4:6).
In response to each taunt, Jesus named the lie and inserted the truth.
Jesus said, You say this, but God says this.
Although Satan is powerful, he’s a weakling when faced with Scripture.
He’s unimpressed with our incantations or the clever things we do, but he’ll
run from God’s Word that lives and abides forever. It’s God’s truth that sets
you free.
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Here’s the battle plan: when Satan lies to you about spiritual issues that
undermine your confidence and security in Christ Jesus, name the lieand insert God’s truth. This study will equip your spiritual arsenal with the
powerful, life-saving Word of God. Let Scripture be your sword in battle.
Satan will try to defeat and discourage you. He’ll make you think you’re out
of resources, when in fact you have everything you need to live in joy and
victory.
Be equipped with the tools for defeating the enemy’s efforts against you
through the power of Christ. Enter this study with humility and faith, asking
God to equip you for the battle—the battle in the spiritual war that He who
is faithful and true has already won.
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IN IT TO WIN IT
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, butagainst the ... spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12 (NASB)
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CHAPTER 1TEN THINGS YOU SHOULDKNOW ABOUT SATANMilitary strategists will tell you that learning the truth about your enemy is a
critical factor in winning battles.
Think about these success strategies: 1) Know the truth about your enemy.
2) Know God and His Word. When you know these two things, you’ll
know how to win each battle in the streets and in your home every day of
your life.
— James MacDonald
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IN IT TO WIN IT
OVERVIEWIf you’re a follower of Jesus Christ, Satan is your enemy. You need to know
everything you can about your enemy. You ought to know what he’s doing.
You ought to know how he’s doing it. Maybe you should even copy some
of your notes from this study and put them in the back pages of your Bible.
That’s how important it is to remember what the Bible teaches about the
enemy of our souls. It’s our ammunition in our spiritual warfare arsenal. It’s
the power to blow up some of Satan’s most calculated lies.
And here’s some good news: The victory in this war has already been
declared—and you’re on the winning side. But to live in victory, you need to
know that you know what the Bible teaches about spiritual warfare. So let’s get some facts on the table. In this first of five studies, it’s time
to learn 10 things you need to know about your enemy, Satan.
Father, we are reminded again, even as we take Your Word into our
hands, that it is a sword useful for the battle in which we are engaged.
We thank You that it teaches us about the plans, activities, and
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strategies of Your enemy who is, by virtue of our allegiance to You, our
enemy, too. Lord, help us be valiant for You, and “strong in the Lord
and in the power of His might.” We pray that You would give us great
wisdom and insight, both to sense the reality of the battle we’re in and
to understand this enemy of ours. Please protect us even as we study.
Protect us against his attacks and distractions. Cause Your Word to
come alive in our minds and in our hearts. We pray in Jesus’ name,
amen.
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PART 1LISTEN AND LEARNTake notes as you listen to “Ten Things You Should Know about
Satan.” Write down key thoughts that equip you for spiritual battle by
applying God’s Word.
1. He is and .
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a
roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
2. He is a angel.
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are
cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your
heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne
on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I
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will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most
High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit.”
Isaiah 14:12-15
3. He is an angel of .
And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
2 Corinthians 11:14
4. He Jesus Christ.
And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with
seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. His tail swept
down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the
dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when
she bore her child he might devour it. Revelation 12:3-4
5. He is an of God’s people.
And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the
power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have
come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses
them day and night before our God. Revelation 12:10
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6. He is working .
“Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to
you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath,
because he knows that his time is short!” Revelation 12:12
7. He is a .
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s
desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the
truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his
own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44
8. He is a tempter.
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field thatthe LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say,
‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the
serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said,
‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden,
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neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman,
“You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will
be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the
woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the
eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its
fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her,
and he ate. Genesis 3:1-6
9. He has .
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves
before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. The LORD said to
Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said,
“From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.”
And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that
there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears
God and turns away from evil?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said,
“Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him
and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the
work
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IN IT TO WIN IT
of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch
out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.”
And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only
against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the
presence of the LORD. Job 1:6-12
10. He is a enemy.
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the
key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that
ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand
years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that
he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were
ended. After that he must be released for a little while ... and the devil who
had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented
day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:1-3, 10
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Answers:
1. real, powerful; 2. fallen; 3. light; 4. hates; 5. accuser; 6. very hard; 7. liar; 8. cunning; 9. limitations;
10. defeated
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IN IT TO WIN IT
PART 2GOING DEEPERPersonal Study and Reflection
1. Before this study, how would you have described Satan?
James said in the introduction, “C.S. Lewis once said there are two
equal and opposite errors that we can fall into regarding Satan and his
demons. One is to act like they don’t exist; the other is to be unduly and
overly interested in them.” Where would you fall on this scale? Has your
position changed since listening to this message?
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2. We see in Scripture that Satan is a liar. If you’ve ever doubted the
security of your salvation, the reality of God’s forgiveness, or the
insignificance of the passing pleasures of this world, most likely the devil
has distorted what God says is true. How should you respond to this?
What does it mean to “name the lie and insert the truth”?
When you feel yourself slipping into the enemy’s camp of lies, read
Romans 8. What assurances do you find there?
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IN IT TO WIN IT
3. First Corinthians 10:13 contains a great promise to hold on to in times of
temptation. It’s a great verse to memorize: “No temptation has overtaken
you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be
tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide
the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” When Satan, your
accuser, whispers in your ear, “Give in to that sin—you can’t win anyway,”
say back to him, “That is a lie.” God says He won’t allow you to be tempted
beyond the point where you can win. God allows the struggle to go on so
that you can draw upon His strength and live in victory.
How will you now be more aware of Satan’s strategies in times when you’re
tempted? What will you do differently?
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4. Review the main Scriptures from this message. Read them in your own
Bible and remind yourself of Satan’s strategies and his limitations:
1 Peter 5:8
Isaiah 14:12-15
2 Corinthians 11:14
Revelation 12:3-4, 10
Revelation 12:12
John 8:44
Genesis 3:1-6
Job 1:6-12
Revelation 20:1-3, 10
In your own words, respond to the following questions:
What confidence should I have in the Lord regarding spiritual warfare?
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IN IT TO WIN IT
What is my responsibility?
What are some of Satan’s strategies for destroying my faith?
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What do I need to remember about spiritual warfare as it relates to my
spiritual life?
Warning: Satan wants to steal God’s Word that has been sown in your
heart. Before you have a chance to apply it, Satan snatches your
understanding away like a bird grabs a seed. If you’ve ever been convicted
of a sin and thought, “Why did I do that? I know better!” the truth may have
been snatched away before it took root. That’s why Walk in the Word
emphasizes not just hearing God’s Word, but being quick about doing what
it says. Memorize James 1:22-25 to help you act on the truth and make it
your own.
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IN IT TO WIN IT
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strengthof his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemesof the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against theauthorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the
27heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:10-12
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IN IT TO WIN IT
CHAPTER 2D-Day Every DayWe are in a battle for our lives. If you are alert spiritually, you can smell
war in the air. We live in a day of intense unrighteousness, unparalleled
perversity, and encroaching darkness. Our lives, our families, and our
homes are smack in the center of a spiritual war zone.
Rather than fill our minds with images that would torture our thinking and give us a vivid picture of the reality of the darkness around
us, we turn our attention to where God puts it—on His strength, providing
His protection. The war is His to fight and His to win.
— James MacDonald
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OVERVIEWBy now, you know we are involved in a war of intense fury. The enemy is
scheming to knock us down. The strength to survive, thrive, and stand
spiritually comes only from God. We don’t have the strength ourselves to
live the Christian life, to battle Satan, or to do anything of lasting value.
Ephesians 6 tells us to “be strong in the Lord.” I tried to come up with a
clever illustration of how to get your strength together with God’s strength.
After a couple of hours of thinking, I finally figured out, we don’t
have any
strength. God wants us to lay down whatever strength we have in ourselves
and label it weakness. “For when I am weak, then I am strong,” says 2
Corinthians 12:10. God wants His children to be strong, but in Him. It’s the
strength the Lord gives to us that provides for our spiritual victory in battle.
Father, thank You for Your Word and Your faithfulness to it. Lord,
we receive into our hearts, deep into the heart of faith, an
awareness
of the reality of the battle in which we are engaged. Give us eyes to
recognize that “our battle is not with flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places.” Cause
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IN IT TO WIN ITus to be
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alert to the conflict. Raise us up as a people who know what it is toput on the whole armor of God and to live in that protection and battle
gear. Cause us to be strong in the Lord today. In Christ’s power,
amen.
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IN IT TO WIN IT
PART 1LISTEN AND LEARNTake notes as you listen to “D-Day Every Day.” Write down key thoughts
that equip you for spiritual battle by applying God’s Word.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the
whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes
of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the
rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present
darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:10-12
1. We are involved in a of intense fury. (6:12)
2. The enemy is scheming to us
. (6:11)
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Satan’s threefold attack:
D
D
D
3. We can be strong only in the . (6:10)
CONCLUSION:
Answers:
1. war; 2. knock, down; Disguise, Divide, Destroy; 3. Lord
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IN IT TO WIN IT
PART 2GOING DEEPERPersonal Study and Reflection
1. Look at Ephesians 6:12. Considering all the words that could have been
used to describe our spiritual battle, this verse uses the word “wrestle.”
Why do you think this word was chosen?
2. James said, “The enemy would like to use our strength against us. But
we can use our knowledge of his strength to defeat him. Imagine if you
were going to battle and you could get your hands on the playbook of the
enemy, his whole strategy and everything he’s going to do and how he’s
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going to do it. Well, we have that knowledge in the battle that really matters. This is why
God’s children need not fear this enemy of our souls.” What plays do you
know your enemy uses in his battle against you?
3. We learned in this message that Satan customizes his attacks. He
knows our areas of weakness. He knows what sets us off. He’s looking for
a foothold. In order to be aware of his schemes, identify your vulnerable
areas. Are you at your weakest when you’re tired? Frustrated? Feeling
slighted? What stirs your fleshly response?
Gather your weaknesses and imagine yourself surrendering them to the
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IN IT TO WIN IT
Lord. Take time now to pray. Help me, Lord, with these areas (name them
specifically). Provide your strength when I am weak. Help me see where I
am vulnerable and help me to lean on you.
4. We heard that Satan often distracts us in five ways:
• He makes little things big.• He takes big things and makes them little.• He gets us to carry tomorrow today.• He gets us to carry yesterday today.• He gets us to live apart from God’s Word.
Which ones can you identify in your life? Describe an example.
5. Memorize Ephesians 4:26 and let it prompt you to be quick to confess
your sin and not give Satan an opportunity to derail your spiritual life.
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IN IT TO WIN IT
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may beable to stand against the
schemes of the devil.
Ephesians 6:11
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CHAPTER 3READY FOR BATTLEI can step out every day into this spiritual battle because I’m dressed
like a warrior. I’ve got on the belt of truth, which speaks of sincerity. I’m
not just playing games. I really do love God. I have on the breastplate of
righteousness. I am who God says I am. He has declared me and He is
treating me as righteous. I’ve got on the shoes of readiness to share the
gospel. Every day, I’m looking for opportunities to tell people about Jesus
and what He’s done for me. That’ll put the enemy to flight in a hurry. When the enemy begins to attack and resist me, I’ve got the shield
of faith. I’ve got on the helmet of salvation. I know where this all ends up. I
am going to win at the end. You are, too, when you fight on God’s side.
— James MacDonald
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IN IT TO WIN IT
OVERVIEWIf you’ve made a personal commitment to following Jesus Christ, if you’ve
turned from your sin and embraced Christ by faith as the only basis for your
forgiveness, then all God is really asking of you is that you would stand for
Him, faithfully and firmly.
No retreat, no backing off, no compromise. No matter what.
If you fall, you get up again, and you stand and keep the commitments that
you’ve made. That’s what God is asking—that we would all stand firm.
That means standing firm even when I want to quit, and even when living for Christ becomes difficult. That means standing firm even when the fiery darts of the enemy are weakening my resolve. God
wants me to get up and stand firm for Him.
I want to do that! But how? That’s exactly what we’re going to learn in
this section.
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Father, thank You for the great privilege we have to take Your
Word into our hands and to be instructed about eternal matters,
spiritual matters, and matters with incredible practicality for our
lives today.
I pray Your Word would be life to us and nourish our faith, that we
would glean wisdom and stand firm against the enemy of our souls who would disguise himself and divide and destroy our lives.
Open our eyes to Your truth. Give us wisdom to know how we can
stand in this battle. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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PART 1LISTEN AND LEARNTake notes as you listen to “Ready for Battle.” Write down key thoughts
that equip you for spiritual battle by applying God’s Word.
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the
breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the
readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the
shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil
one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God. Ephesians 6:14-17
1. Put on as a protection against
. (6:14a)
2. Put on as a protection against
. (6:14b)
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3. Put on as a protection against
. (6:15)
4. Put on as a protection against damaging
. (6:16)
5. Put on as your promise of ultimate
. (6:17a)
CONCLUSION:
Answers:
1. truth, hypocrisy; 2. righteousness, condemnation; 3. boldness, complacency; 4. faith, emotions;
5. salvation, victory
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IN IT TO WIN IT
PART 2GOING DEEPERPersonal Study and Reflection
Take a close look at the spiritual armor described in Ephesians 6:10-18 and
covered in the message. Read over the passage several times, specifically
focusing on verses 14-17.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on
the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the
schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic
powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all,
to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth,
and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for
your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
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In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can
extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet
of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To
that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all
the saints.
1. The belt of truth. (6:14a)
Within every one of us is a great tendency to live apart from the things we
know are true. In the message, James said, “Many times as believers we
find ourselves in a situation where, ‘Man, I’m just not doing the things that
I know are right to do.’” Even when we know something is wrong, we do it
simply because we want to.
Consider your life right now. Is the Spirit pointing out something you know
doesn’t please the Lord, yet you’re doing it because you want to? Confess
and turn right now.
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IN IT TO WIN IT
The belt of truth is a sincere desire to love and to live for God, a hatred of
hypocrisy in my own life, and an adamant refusal to allow a gap between
what I profess and what I actually live. I don’t want to just look like a
Christian or talk like a Christian. I don’t want to just play the part of a
Christian. I want to really follow Jesus Christ. I want to love Him and live for
Him with my whole heart.
2. Breastplate of righteousness. (6:14b)
What do you see as your protection against God’s condemnation? The
good person you try to be? Your holy intentions? When we’re honest with
ourselves, we know that we always fall short. It’s Christ in us and His
righteousness that God sees, forgives, and accepts in us.
Do you see yourself today as you really are, a sinner saved by grace? If you
hear Satan condemn you, say, “I’m covered over with the precious blood of
Jesus, and He lives in me. When He looks at me, He sees not what I used
to be, but He sees Jesus.”
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3. Shoes of readiness. (6:15)
When was the last time you shared the gospel with someone who didn’t
know Christ as Savior? One of the defenses we have against the
attacks of the enemy is being prepared to boldly speak up for Jesus at
every opportunity.
Get your shoes on! Think about it now. What would you say to someone
the Lord puts in your path about the great things God has done for you?
Are you ready to share with others what the Lord wants to do for them?
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4. The shield of faith. (6:16)
Feelings, feelings, feelings—they cause such problems. In the message,
James said, “Faith is trust in God to be as He said He would be: attentive
and compassionate and merciful and unchanging, loving and able ... and
He will do as He said He would do—give us strength, protection, comfort,
and peace.”
Are feelings ruling you today? Or is faith? What is it that you need to trust
God to be or to do in your life?
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5. Helmet of salvation. (6:17)
A soldier never goes into battle if he can’t find his helmet. It’s the essential
piece of protection. Can you remember a time in your life when you
turned from sin and embraced Jesus by faith as the only basis for your
forgiveness? Have you done that? Was there a point in time when you
made that decision? You have to come to the place where you’ve made
that choice. And if you have, John 1:12 says, “As many as received Him, to
them He gave the right to become children of God” (NASB).
Father, we thank You that You are a loving and faithful God. And
we have faith to believe that Your Word is true. We ask for Your
help in putting on this belt of sincerity, to be faithful and fervent in
meeting
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IN IT TO WIN IT
with You, walking with You, and loving You with our whole hearts.
God, we need that strength. Teach us what it means to live in the
righteousness of Christ. Thank You for His incredible grace. Thank You
that He doesn’t see me as the sum of my recent failures. Thank You
that I am forgiven—past, present, and future—and that there is “no
condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Lord, cause us to be
faithful in speaking Your truth. Thank You for the way that it invigorates
our hearts when we tell people about the Lord. Help us to have our
shoes on. Help us to be filled with hope about our future. Fill us with
obedience and faithfulness to You and Your Word today. We trust You.
We believe in You. We are resting upon Your Word. It is in You and
Your faithfulness that we stand. Amen.
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I want you to be wise in what is good and innocentin what is evil. The God of peace will soon crushSatan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
Romans 16:19-20 (NASB)
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CHAPTER 4IN IT TO WIN ITSome people think the way to defeat the enemy is to get your PhD in
Satanology, but Scripture is very clear that the way to defeat the enemy is
to be wise about what is good. Spend yourself in doing what’s right, and
that by itself will win most of the battles.
— James MacDonald
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IN IT TO WIN IT
OVERVIEWIf you were to ask the average person how to conquer the things you want
to conquer in life, he would say, “Well, you’ve got to try harder and you’ve
got to be more aggressive. You’ve got to go out there and take hold of it
and get after it.” But that’s not what the Bible says. “We walk in the flesh,we do not war according to the flesh” (2 Corinthians 10:3 NASB). The real way to victory is not to power up. It’s not talent or strength or
personality that wins the real battles. The battle is not won with swords and
spears; it’s not won with guns and tanks.
Here’s the secret weapon: “For the weapons of our warfare are not of
the flesh but divinely powerful.” That word translated divine means they are to God, for God, and with God. These divine weapons
are for God’s advantage. They are for God’s purposes. And when I war, when I fight, when I pick up my weapons, they must be used with
proximity to God, used for God, and used with reference to God.
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God doesn’t want Satan quieted in your life; He wants him silenced. God
doesn’t want Satan contained; He wants him quarantined. He doesn’t want
him wounded or minimized or somehow limited; He wants him destroyed.
And so the weapons that God has given us are divinely powerful for
destruction. That’s what these weapons do.
Pick up the Word of God and you will devastate the enemy’s attempts at
destroying your life.
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IN IT TO WIN IT
PART 1LISTEN AND LEARNTake notes as you listen to “In It to Win It.” Write down key thoughts that
equip you for spiritual battle by applying God’s Word.
1. The battle can be .
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the
flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine
power to destroy strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
2. The battle is fought in our .
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge
57of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5
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IN IT TO WIN IT
3. The battle is won with .
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the
word of God. Ephesians 6:17a
4. The battle is won when displaces
.
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by
the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And
the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command
these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written,
‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the
mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the
pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw
yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning
you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot
against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put
the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high
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mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and
worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,
‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”
Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to
him. Matthew 4:1-11
5. We are
in the battle.
CONCLUSION:
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IN IT TO WIN IT
Answers:
1. won; 2, minds; 3. Scripture; 4. truth, deception; 5. not alone
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PART 2GOING DEEPERPersonal Study and Reflection
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For
the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for
the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every
lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every
thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3 NASB
1. Be very honest. Do you think there are some areas where you will always
be defeated in your struggle with sin? In what situation(s) do you feel like
you can never win?
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2. In the message, James said, “God doesn’t want Satan quieted in your
life; He wants him silenced. God doesn’t want Satan contained; He wants
him quarantined. He doesn’t want him wounded or minimized or somehow
limited; He wants him destroyed. So the weapons that God has given us
are divinely powerful for destruction. That ought to fire you up.”
In what areas have you been content to merely cope with sinful tendencies
rather than destroy them?
3. Write on a notecard, “Take every thought captive to the obedience of
Christ.” Carry it with you in your pocket. As you notice fearful, bitter, or
anxious thoughts creeping into your mind, pull out the card and write down
your response: “I take this bitter thought toward captive to
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Christ,” or “I take this anxious thought about captive,” or whatever
your personalized, biblical response needs to be. Continue doing this until
“taking thoughts captive to Christ” becomes a habit.
4. In the message James said, “Let’s identify five specific fortresses or
‘speculations’ that are very prevalent in our culture. These are so
intertwined with our culture and our upbringing that it’s hard for the follower
of Christ sometimes to even discern them. But if we’re going to tear them
down and take them captive, we’ve got to know what they are.”
Consider what you think of the following issues:
• Evolution: how creation came into existence and developed• Egalitarianism: men’s and women’s roles• Economics: happiness equals having• Experience: the freedom to satisfy every desire• Ego: it’s all about me
How do you see wrong thinking on these issues promoted in the media?
How has the popular thinking of our culture affected your thinking? Give
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two or three examples of how these slippery issues influence your values.
5. Of all the pieces of the armor of God, the sword is the soldier’s only
offensive weapon. The sword is the Word of God.
a. What does James 4 promise if you submit yourself to God in the
face of the enemy’s attacks?
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b. How does Matthew 4 illustrate Jesus using Scripture as a weapon
against Satan’s temptations?
In the same way, how can you use Scripture to correct Satan’s lies?
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IN IT TO WIN IT
c. What does Romans 16:19 promise as a sure-fire way to win battles
with the enemy?
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[God] disarmed the rulers and authorities andput them to open shame, by triumphing over themin [Christ].
Colossians 2:15
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IN IT TO WIN IT
CHAPTER 5SIX QUESTIONS ABOUT SATANANSWERED FROM GOD’S WORDIt’s just a matter of time. Revelation 20 makes very clear Satan’s ultimate
end in the lake of fire. Satan has already lost the fight. Jesus took the fire out of his battle plans at the cross. Satan must have thought, “If I
get Him up on the cross, it’s over.” But wait a second—Jesus is alive
again! The greatest victory of all time is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
His victory guarantees our victory in the spiritual war of the ages.
— James MacDonald
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OVERVIEWWe’re coming to the end of our study and yet there are still so many
questions to answer.
Can a Christian be demon possessed?
When is it appropriate for a believer to bind a demon or cast it out?
What is the role of angels in spiritual warfare?
Let’s sum up the answers with this: dealing with demonic influences is not in essence a power encounter; it is a truth encounter.
And Jesus has showed us very clearly that the truth defeats the enemy.
The ground that Satan takes in my life is only by virtue of lies I believe.
All believers have authority due to their position in Christ—authority in the
sense that we do not need to allow the enemy to overrun us, and we don’t
need to be cowardly or hesitant in our assertion of truth.
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IN IT TO WIN IT
When facing intense spiritual warfare, seek the counsel of spiritual leaders
in your life. Approach one of your pastors or another mature Christian who
can advise you according to God’s Word. Spiritual leaders are there to
teach you the truths that will replace those lies and disciple you to a place
of strength where you can stand victoriously against the enemy’s attacks.
Father, we thank You for Your Word. It is a joy to open it and allow its
truth to come to bear upon many things that we have thought and
heard. We thank You for Your Son, the Lord Jesus, and for the price
He paid for our forgiveness and the victory He won on the cross of
Calvary.
We tell you by faith right now:
I believe in Jesus Christ. I believe that He died for my sins, according
to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He rose again. I
believe that He lives to make intercession for me. I believe that there
are
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ministering angels on my behalf. I believe that no ground can be given
to the enemy, can be taken against my will. I believe that I can be
strong and stand firm in the faith. I believe that prayer and truth arethe ultimate weapons of victory, and I purpose afresh in my heart to
use them for myself and for my family and for those whom I love. I
purpose to stand strong in this place of prayer, near Your cross.
Jesus, keep us near Your cross. Might that shadow cast across every
experience we face, every circumstance, and bring to us true and
lasting victory. We rejoice in Your cross. We delight in it and
celebrate it. We do so in Your strong, conquering name. Amen.
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IN IT TO WIN IT
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PART 1LISTEN AND LEARNTake notes as you listen to “Six Questions about Satan Answered from
God’s Word.” Write down key thoughts that equip you for spiritual battle by
applying God’s Word.
1. How could Jesus’ temptation be real if He could not sin?
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our
weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet
without sin. Hebrews 4:15
Take-away: I can have over temptation.
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IN IT TO WIN IT
2. Can a Christian be demon possessed?
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient
slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads
to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? Romans 6:16
Take-away: Satan cannot control against
my will.
3. When is it appropriate for a believer to bind a demon or cast it out?
“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind
on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be
loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19
Take-away: The of my church are available to
support me in times of intense spiritual warfare.
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4. What is the relationship between demonic activity and sickness?
That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons,
and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.
Matthew 8:16
Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to
him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. Matthew 12:22
Take-away: Whenever I am sick I should explore
physical and spiritual causes.
5. What is the role of angels in spiritual warfare?
Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those
who are to inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:14
Take-away: I am alone and am
by those who resist the enemy with me.
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IN IT TO WIN IT
6. What one thing can I do for greatest effectiveness against the enemy?
... praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that
end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:18
Take-away: at
times with all perseverance for the saints.
Answers:
1. victory; 2. anything; 3. leaders; 4. both; 5. not, comforted; 6. Pray, all, all
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PART 2GOING DEEPERPersonal Study and Reflection
1. Which of the “take-aways” described in this message is especially
meaningful to you? Why?
2. Who is Satan’s most hated enemy? Why is that important to know and
remember? How are you a pawn in Satan’s hand when you succumb to his
strategies?
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3. Read Ephesians 6:18. After the armor of the Lord is described, what
does the Lord tell us to do? Why do you think this is so pivotal?
Put this most effective strategy to work right now. If you are in a private
place, get on your knees before the Lord. Tell Him your desire to walk with
Him and not to get distracted or deceived by the enemy.
4. Review the main Scripture passages from this study. Read them aloud.
Summarize in your own words what these verses have taught you about
your spiritual battle.
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted
by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was
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hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son
of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he
answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by
every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took
him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and
said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is
written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their
hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your
God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain
and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he
said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship
me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You
shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” Then
the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to
him. Matthew 4:1-11
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IN IT TO WIN IT
What I’ve learned from this passage:
I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. The
God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our
Lord Jesus be with you. Romans 16:19-20 NASB
What I’ve learned from this passage:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on
the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the
schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,
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but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic
powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all,
to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth,
and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for
your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can
extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet
of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
Ephesians 6:10-18a
What I’ve learned from this passage:
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IN IT TO WIN IT
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to
the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have
divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every
lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every
thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
What I’ve learned from this passage:
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Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from
you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. James 4:7-8a
What I’ve learned from this passage:
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IN IT TO WIN IT
At the end of the day, as followers of Christ, we need to stand. We need to
stand firm in our position in Christ and know who we are in Christ. We don’t
have to give in to the lies and the attacks of the enemy. Our strength is in
the Lord. With the sword of the Spirit in our hands and wearing the armor
He has provided and standing close to the cross, in that place, close to the
Lord, is our place of victory.
—James MacDonald
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