VICTORY IN JESUS

1.  Utilize Spiritual Weapons (2 Corinthians 10:1-6) 

     A. How Not to Fight (2 Corinthians 10:1-3) 

     B. God’s Mighty Weapons (2 Corinthians 10:4-6) 

2.  Authority and Power of Christ (Colossians 2:9-15) 

     A. The Fullness of God (Colossians 2:9-12) 

     B. Evil Forces Disarmed (Colossians 2:13-15) 

3.  Submit to God; Resist the Devil (James 4:4-10; 1 Peter 5:6-10) 

     A. Humble Yourself (James 4:4-10) 

     B. Stand Firm (1 Peter 5:6-10) 

Central Truth: Christians are set free from the power of Satan through victory in Jesus Christ. 

Focus: Recognize and rely on Christ’s supremacy over Satan. 

Evangelism Emphasis: Jesus Christ delivers sinners from the bondage of Satan. 

Text: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). 

INTRODUCTION 

Many well-meaning preachers have exclaimed, “We need to be like the New Testament church!” They believe the apostolic church to be the standard of truth and holiness. In the last few weeks, we have seen that the New Testament church did indeed have the true Faith; but it also suffered from false prophets, false teachers, and immoral members. 

The church at Corinth was renowned for its spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 14:12), but notorious for its divisions, carnality, immorality, and false apostles (1 Cor. 3:1-3; 2 Cor. 11:13). The church at Colossae was captivated by the influences of false teachers, most likely Jews who were influenced by pagan philosophies and traditions (Col. 2:8). The churches to whom James wrote were Jewish believers in Jesus who were tempted by worldliness that was manifested in social discord, quarrels, arrogance, selfish ambition, and double-mindedness (James 4:1-4). Peter wrote to Christians who were persecuted, struggling to remain faithful, and engaged in a great spiritual conflict. Each apostle was writing to encourage believers that Jesus Christ is the all-sufficient Warrior. 

1.   UTILIZE SPIRITUAL WEAPONS 

A. How Not to Fight (2 Corinthians 10:1-3) 

1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: 2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. 

The opponents of Christ, and Paul, at Corinth were false apostles, “deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ” (11:13 NASB). The false apostles were deeply embedded in the church and had the support of many believers. They were arrogant and boastful, articulate and self-sufficient. The false apostles must be confronted, lest they continue to exercise undue authority and lead the church into apostasy (vv. 2-4). So, how does a faithful leader confront trouble-makers in a church? 

Paul sought to encourage the Corinthians in the “meekness and gentleness of Christ” (10:1). The Greek word parakaleō (“beseech, urge, appeal”) speaks to Paul’s tone of voice. Paul did not command his audience in an authoritarian manner, but appealed to them as a caring father (v. 2). Paul did not confront his opponents arrogantly or belligerently, but with meekness and gentleness. Meekness and gentleness represent the character of Christ and, therefore, the example of Christian behavior. Paul’s opponents believed him to be timid and weak. To the contrary, meekness and gentleness signify the power of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). 

The Greek word translated as meekness, signifies “a mild and gentle friendliness, the opposite of brusqueness or sudden anger” (Colin G. Kruse, 2 Corinthians). When Jesus was being interrogated, “He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered” (1 Peter 2:23 NLT). The Greek word gentleness signifies “graciousness.” Just as Christ was gracious to sinners, Paul was gracious to his opponents at Corinth. 

False apostles must be confronted, and sinners must be disciplined; but it is essential that these actions include forgiveness, comfort, and love (2 Cor. 2:5-7). The ultimate goal of confrontation and discipline is “reconciliation” (5:18-20). When Christians act in arrogance and anger, Satan has the advantage (Eph. 4:26-27). 

Just as Paul resisted an authoritarian model of leadership, he resisted the temptation to act with boldness and confidence, which might be interpreted as haughtiness—to act arrogantly superior and disdainful. This type of behavior does not represent the temperament of the Holy Spirit, but is “according to the flesh” (2 Cor. 10:2). Although Christians “walk in the flesh” (v. 3)—that is, live in this present world—we are not to be conformed to the ways of the world (Rom. 12:2). Although false apostles must be resisted, they are not to be persecuted. 

• What is the difference between living “in the flesh” (v. 3) and living “according to the flesh” (v. 2 NKJV)? 

B. God’s Mighty Weapons (2 Corinthians 10:4-6) 

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 

Paul speaks of meekness, gentleness, and warfare with the same breath. This emphasizes the nature of the Christian’s spiritual struggle. Our weapons are “not carnal” (v. 4), “not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]” (Amp.). When Jesus was arrested, Peter defended the Lord with a sword. Jesus rebuked him: “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matt. 26:52 NKJV). The threat against Jesus was of a violent and physical nature, but His defense would be neither. Jesus was vindicated not by an army of warrior angels (v. 53), but “with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:4 NKJV). 

The weapons of spiritual warfare are “mighty through God” (2 Cor. 10:4). The battle for the kingdom of God will not be won with the force of human power, intellect, or ingenuity. This is God’s battle, and it will be fought on His terms. In this battle, standing in the Faith will overcome a demonic assault; righteousness will defend against the fiery arrows of the enemy; an infantry of men and women ready to proclaim the Gospel will overcome the hordes of false teachers; words inspired by God will rebuke doctrines of demons; and praying in the Spirit will be the Christian’s call to battle (see Eph. 6:10-18). 

Paul used military metaphors to signify the objectives of spiritual warfare. Christian warriors are to pull down strongholds, cast down imaginations, and take every human thought into captivity. The word translated as strongholds was sometimes used in reference to persuasive words or reasonable arguments in philosophical debates (Kruse). Various Jewish and Greco-Roman philosophies had gained an audience in the Corinthian church. The false apostles were exalting their human-inspired philosophies above the knowledge of God. 

Paul was adamant that the gospel of Christ is superior to all the philosophies of the human imagination. Those who oppose the Gospel must be confronted (2 Cor. 10:6). In some cases, false apostles must be excommunicated. In other cases, God would act to judge those in rebellion (Acts 5:1-11; 1 Cor. 11:29-30). 

Violence Is Wrong 

Religious violence has marred human history, and some who claimed to follow the Prince of Peace have been guilty. Michael Sattler was a leader of the Anabaptist Movement in Germany during the Great Reformation. In 1527, Sattler was arrested and charged with several heresies against the Catholic Church. He was convicted, tortured, and burned to death. Lest we attribute this horrible act to the evils of Medieval Catholicism, we should be reminded that Protestants, likewise, committed acts of violence against Catholics. Violence is never the way to resist heretics and opponents in the Church. Brutality in the name of Christ is blasphemy. 

2. AUTHORITY AND POWER OF CHRIST 

A. The Fullness of God (Colossians 2:9-12) 

9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 

The religious imagination of the ancient world was filled with various gods and demigods, angels and demons, and other supernatural beings demanding the attention of the people. Paul declared that in Christ “dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (v. 9 NKJV; cf. 1:19). Jesus is not simply Godlike; Jesus is God. The word bodily signifies the Incarnation—God living among humanity as human (John 1:14). Jesus Christ was unique among the gods of ancient Rome. Christ is not a demigod—part divine and part human. Jesus Christ is fully divine and fully human, one undivided person with two natures. 

Paul emphasized the fullness of the Godhead in contrast to the “empty deceit” of the human philosophies associated with diverse religious sects (Col. 2:8 NKJV). Jesus Christ is the divine-human One who possesses all of God’s wisdom, knowledge, and power. Therefore, the gods are revealed to be powerless idols, and their false prophets are exposed as frauds (1 Cor. 8:4-6). 

Jesus is the “head of all principality and power” (Col. 2:10)—all rulers and authorities. Christ is the Creator, the source of all created beings in heaven and earth (1:16), including the spiritual rulers and authorities, those “unseen forces working in the world through pagan religion, astrology, or magic” which “tyrannized human beings” (N. T. Wright, Colossians and Philemon). 

The divine-human Christ is the mediator between God and humankind who fully identifies with human suffering (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 2:17-18). Paul said believers are “complete” in Christ (Col. 2:10), which signifies fullness. Just as Christ is the fullness of God, believers are filled with Christ. In other words, whereas false religious systems leave humans empty, Jesus is all we need. Christians need not fear the powers of this age, because the divine-human Christ has authority over all. 

Paul speaks of the believer’s salvation and victory by drawing a parallel between circumcision and baptism (vv. 11-12). In Christ, believers have experienced “the circumcision made without hands.” Since the days of Abraham, circumcision (cutting away the foreskin of the penis) had signified the covenant of faithfulness between God and His people (Gen. 17:10-14; Acts 7:8). While the rite of physical circumcision is not a Christian practice (Acts 15:22-29), believers experience a circumcision “which is of the heart, by the Spirit” (Rom. 2:29 NASB). The heart is the center of the human will and affections. The implication is that the human heart has become hardened, or calloused, against God. Through circumcision by the Spirit, the hardened heart is transformed into a heart of flesh and human affections are turned toward the will of God (Ezek. 11:19-20; 36:26-27). In Paul’s words, “the body of the sins of the flesh” (Col. 2:11) is sanctified so believers may resist their sinful passions and walk according to the ways of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 6:6). 

The circumcision of the heart is signified in water baptism. Just as circumcision was the covenant sign for the descendants of Abraham, water baptism is the covenant sign for all who believe in Jesus Christ (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38). Baptism is a sign of “faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12 NKJV)—a symbol of being united with Christ and an expression of allegiance to Christ. Baptism signifies the death of the sinful human and resurrection to new life (Rom. 6:3-5). Baptism signifies “the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5 NKJV); it is the seal of the Spirit, and anticipates the baptism in the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13; 3:19). 

• What does it mean to be made “complete” in Christ (vv. 9-10)? 
• Why is water baptism vital?  

B. Evil Forces Disarmed (Colossians 2:13-15) 

13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 

Our victory over the forces of evil is totally the work of the resurrected Jesus Christ. Paul declared, “He made you alive together with Him” (v. 13 NASB). Without Christ, we were “dead” in our sins, and dead people are powerless to help themselves. As the dead body of Jesus lay in the grave, the Holy Spirit raised Him from the dead; and the same Holy Spirit gives life to all who believe in Jesus (Rom. 8:11). It is the resurrection from the dead, through the power of the Holy Spirit, that declared Jesus Christ to be the “Son of God with power” (1:4). In His resurrection, Jesus  once for all defeated the powers of sin and death and triumphed over the rulers and authorities, both physical and spiritual, of this present corrupt age. 

In Colossians 3:15, the Greek word apekduomai (“spoiled, disarmed, stripped”) is a military metaphor which signifies the utter defeat and humiliation of the enemy. In ancient Rome, defeated armies were paraded through the streets naked and in chains. Here we see the great irony of the Gospel: Christ, who was stripped and humiliated on the cross as an enemy of the Roman authorities (John 19:23-24), was raised in glory and victory over all God’s enemies. The cross was meant to be the victory of the powers of darkness over the kingdom of God. Instead, the cross is the symbol of their humiliation. 

More and More Alive 

Jesus transcends our every limitation and boundary and enables us to do things we never would have been capable of aside from Him. He is the only One who can give us life before death as well as life hereafter. Without Him, we die a little every day. With Him as our Savior, we become more and more alive.—Stormie Omartian 

3. SUBMIT TO GOD; RESIST THE DEVIL 

A. Humble Yourself (James 4:4-10) 

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. 

The powers of darkness have been defeated by the risen Christ, so they are not an existential threat to Christianity. The greatest threat to Christians is the love of this world. Even with hearts transformed by the power of the Spirit, the temptation to love the world is a continuous struggle. James accused his readers of being “adulterers and adulteresses” (v. 4). James was using the language of the Old Testament prophets who accused the people of God of spiritual adultery—giving their devotion to the gods of this world (Jer. 3:20; Ezek. 16:23-34). James had encouraged his audience to “keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:27 NASB). James’ concern does not seem to be idolatry. In other words, his audience was not practicing pagan religions, or following after false prophets. But, they had opened their hearts to the ways of the world—gossiping and lying (1:26); social prejudice (2:1); jealousy, arrogance, and selfish ambition (3:14-16); and the love of money (5:1-6). They heard the word, but were not “doers” of the word (1:22-23); and their faith was without works (2:14-17). James insisted that true faith is manifested in works of love toward others (2:8). The true faith is more than belief—it must include action. 

James’ audience had become “a friend of the world” (4:4). Earlier he spoke of Abraham as “the friend of God” (2:23). Abraham is the exemplar of faithfulness to God. Abraham’s heart was undivided—his primary allegiance was to God. In the ancient world, friendship was a lifelong covenant between people with shared values and loyalties. James’ audience broke its friendship covenant with God, and made a friendship covenant with the world. The world is the “enemy of God,” and to love the world is “enmity with God” (4:4). 

The condition of the heart is revealed in the speech and actions of the person. Just as a faithful heart is proven in good works, a hate-filled heart is manifested in hostility. In the words of Jesus, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other” (Matt. 6:24). 

The words of James 4:5—“The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy”—are difficult to understand. There are three possibilities. First, the spirit refers to the Holy Spirit; second, the spirit refers to the human spirit; or, third, the spirit refers to an evil spirit, an evil attitude that provokes conflict. The first option is preferred: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us” (4:5 NASB). God is “jealous” (Ex. 20:5; Deut. 4:24), and, in divine jealousy, God has placed the Holy Spirit within His people, and the Spirit is consistently working to turn our hearts away from the world and back to God. James is calling believers to repent of the passions and lusts which provoke conflict with God. God gives the Holy Spirit as “a greater grace” (James 4:6 NASB) that empowers believers to overcome their passions and lusts. 

Verse 6 continues, “God resisteth the proud.” It can also be said that the proud resist God. Human arrogance is the greatest offense against God, for in arrogance humans see themselves as God’s moral equal. Arrogant humans prefer self-righteousness over the grace and righteousness of God. Arrogant humans resist the laws of God and do what is right in their own eyes (Judg. 17:6). God withholds grace from the proud and gives them over to the depravity of their own minds (Rom. 1:28). However, “[God] gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6 NKJV). Humility before God is manifested in submission to the will and ways of God. That means Christians are to cease resisting the Spirit, stop resisting God’s grace, and resist the devil (v. 7). Friendship with God means to be an enemy of the devil and enmity toward the world. In resisting the devil, we gain the victory. 

James issued an altar call in verses 8-10: “Come close to God [with a contrite heart] . . . Wash your hands . . . purify your [unfaithful] hearts. . . . Be miserable and grieve and weep [over your sin]. Let your [foolish] laughter be turned to mourning and your [reckless] joy to gloom. . . . Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord” (vv. 8-10 Amp.). Worldly Christians who resist the Spirit’s call to repentance will fall into apostasy (spiritual death). James hoped to provoke them to sorrowful repentance (2 Cor. 7:10), which is an emotional response provoked by the Holy Spirit’s conviction of sin. Sorrowful repentance is often accompanied by tearful mourning. Sin may be pleasurable for a season, but it produces a lifetime of misery. The Holy Spirit is grieved by our sinfulness, and the Spirit’s grief is expressed in our mournful cries. Mourning in the Spirit purifies our hearts and heals our souls. The same Spirit who provokes sorrowful repentance also brings “comfort and salvation” (2 Cor. 1:6 NASB). 

The Right Posture 

When my heart is postured before God humbly in my daily life, in moments unseen by the rest of the world, humility informs and drives my other activities. . . . In my opinion, true humility is about agreeing with God about who I am, nothing more and nothing less.—Audrey Assad 

B. Stand Firm (1 Peter 5:6-10) 

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 

James and Peter speak with common inspiration and concern for God’s people. The following commentary will address only those points that are unique to Peter. 

Living as Christians in this present age of evil spirits and fleshly passions can provoke anxiety in us. Peter reminds us of God’s care and encourages us to place all our anxiety on Him (v. 7). “Drawing on Psalm 55:22, where the psalmist expresses confidence that God will never permit the righteous to be moved and will eventually bring evildoers to justice, Peter exhorts his churches to express a similar confidence in God’s justice” (Scot McKnight, 1 Peter). 

As believers, we must “be sober, be vigilant” (v. 8). Peter may be remembering the night Jesus was arrested, when he and the other disciples fell asleep. Jesus exhorted, “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation” (Matt. 26:41 NASB). 

Peter warned believers of ever-present danger: “Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8 NASB). Peter may be thinking of the Roman arena, into which first-century Christians were sometimes thrown to the lions. Also, he could be thinking metaphorically of the public arena in which Christians suffer the roars of slander and false accusations (2:12; 3:16). These “afflictions” are common to all believers throughout the world. Christians must “resist stedfast in the faith” (5:9). The devil is real, persecution is real, but Christians are not to cower before the demonic beast. In the face of spiritual warfare and physical danger, Christians must stand their ground. Peter is calling for a courageous faith. 

The battle is God’s to fight and win. We must “humble [ourselves] under the mighty hand of God” (5:6). The people of Israel were delivered from Egyptian oppression by the “mighty hand” of God (Ex. 32:11); and it was the “mighty hand” of God that delivered Israel from the Babylonian Exile (Ezek. 20:33-34). After His resurrection, the Lord Jesus ascended to the “right hand of God . . . after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him” (1 Peter 3:22 NASB). The “mighty hand of God” and the “right hand of God” are metaphors of power and grace. 

After we “have suffered for a little while” for Christ’s sake, this mighty God who has “called” us will “perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish” us (5:10 NASB). This is a promise of future victory. We can remain confident in the “mighty hand of God” to deliver us. 

• In the face of suffering, why should we remain hopeful? 

COMPLETE SALVATION 

Pastor Tony Richie has written an excellent summary of salvation from a Pentecostal perspective, which is a perfect summation for the lessons of this quarter: 

First, salvation has an antagonistic element. Life is a battle, often an intense conflict involving sustained struggle. Evil is real. Actual survival—here and hereafter—is on the line. 

Second, salvation has a cosmic context. Individual believers and communities of faith are integral parts of a larger, panoramic, even universal-sized scale of events and issues in which their own fates play a significant role in the ultimate outcome. 

Third, salvation has an impossible scenario. Hopeless against insurmountable odds, helpless in the face of inconceivable opposition, inadequate to the point of absurdity, unable to accomplish the effects necessary for their own existence and flourishing. Disaster, destruction, is inevitable—and usually, imminent. 

Finally, and most of all, salvation has an omnicompetent Champion. The all-powerful, all-wise, all-good God dramatically and totally defeats all the forces of evil. God completely rescues and abundantly blesses those who believe, those who put their trust in God and obey God’s will (Tony Richie, Essentials of Pentecostal Theology). 

Daily Devotions  

M. Craftiness of the Serpent (Genesis 3:1-7) 

T. Satan Permitted to Afflict (Job 2:1-7) 

W. Satan Accuses (Zechariah 3:1-4) 

T. Jesus Withstands Satan (Matthew 4:1-11) 

F. Jesus’ Supremacy Over Satan (Luke 10:17-20) 

S. The Triumph of the Cross (Colossians 2:13-15) 

Adopted from the Evangelical Sunday School Lesson Commentary 2021-2022.