Extinguishing Satan's Fiery Darts (from "Drawing Near")(Protestant/Evangelical Caucus)

Grace to You.org ^ | 1993 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

"In addition to all, [take] up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one" (Eph. 6:16).

Don’t elevate Satan’s will above God’s will in your life.

In Ephesians 6:13 Paul characterizes Satan as "the evil one" who attacks believers with flaming missiles. The Greek word translated "evil one" literally means "bad," "vile," or "wretched." All are apt descriptions of the archenemy of our souls, who seeks to maim and destroy us spiritually.

The term "flaming missiles" pictures one of the Roman weapons of Paul's day: arrows that had pitch-soaked cotton material affixed to their tips. In battle they were set on fire and shot at the enemy. As the arrow hit its target, flaming pitch spread onto clothing and other flammable surfaces. Under such attacks a Roman soldier without a shield was in a perilous situation indeed.

Satan's flaming arrows come in many forms: solicitations to impurity, selfishness, doubt, fear, disappointment, greed, vanity, covetousness, and the like. But whatever the specific form, all are seducing temptations aimed at eliciting ungodly responses.

Your faith protects you from such attacks when you elevate God's will above Satan's in your life. When tempted by Satan, Jesus responded by saying in effect, "I will not violate my Father's will by yielding to your devious schemes. In His own time He will feed Me, anoint Me as Messiah, and give Me the kingdoms of the world. I will not elevate your will and timing above His" (Matt. 4:1-11).

Jesus could have created food. He is the Messiah and the sovereign Lord over the kingdoms of the world. But He trusted the Father and yielded to His will, even though it meant personal discomfort and, eventually, the cross. When Satan saw that Jesus' trust in the Father was unshakable, he left Him (v. 11). That's the power of faith.

I pray you will show similar strength in times of testing. Satan will flee from you if you "resist him, firm in your faith" (1 Pet. 5:9).

Suggestions for Prayer

Praise Jesus for His sinless character and His example of how to triumph over temptation.

For Further Study

Memorize James 4:7 as a reminder of the importance of resisting Satan.

[metmom]

God’s Word ping

[StoneWall Brigade]

To dodge the darts we must have on the full armor of God as always master EPHESIANS 6

[Bob434]

God’s will is that we love one another- Satan’s will is that we hate one another- MOSt Christians, whether backslidden, carnal, or filled with God’s Spirit in a close relationship obey God’s command to love others as we love ourselves-

The commands of God are as follows, and most Christians, even in carnal conditions, follow many of the commands- Man can not keep all the commands of God, and I don’t think God expects us to- IF we could, we would not need a Savior after all

Love Your Neighbor

Render to Caesar

Bring In the Poor

Be a Servant

Honor Marriage

Forgive Offenders

Beware of Covetousness

Go to Offenders

Despise Not Little Ones

Deny Yourself

Honor Your Parents

Fear Not

Beware of False Prophets

Do Unto Others

Do Not Cast Pearls

Judge Not

Lay Up Treasures

Love Your Enemies

Go the Second Mile

Keep Your Word

Do Not Lust

Await My Return