Are you afraid of things that go bump in the night?
I can only imagine that Sam and Dean from the CW series Supernatural were once very afraid of those things, because one of them murdered their mother.
But now they are 20-somethings with incredible power and a deep-seated motivation to take out the demon that destroyed their family. Armed with the warrior training imparted to them by their late father and the secrets of supernatural victory in his diary, they are on a fantastic crusade to destroy as much evil as possible and ultimately save the world.
Just a plot for a TV series, right? After all, that’s why so many people tune into shows like Supernatural, because it provides fantasy food for the imagination and an adrenaline rush for the mind.
However, I would like to propose that if you are a follower of Christ, you are more like Sam and Dean than you probably realize. The Bible paints a picture of the universe that naturalistic viewpoints simply cannot explain. This world is not just made up of things we perceive with our five senses, because there is an unseen world that is superimposed over ours.
And if we could put on special glasses that would allow us to see the unseen, it would send our heads spinning!
Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), we don’t have glasses like that—but we do have the secrets of spiritual battle written down for us by our Father in heaven. Here’s how the Bible puts it in Ephesians 6:12-13:
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
It’s also clear from these verses that God has given us the armor we need to enter the fight. Do you want to make a difference? Are you ready to get off the sidelines and into battle? If so, here’s what you need to do.
1. Put on the full armor of God. If you walk into spiritual warfare without spiritual armor, you’ll be pummeled into spiritual silly putty. The armor is listed in Ephesians 6:14-17.
Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.
2. Pray! Pray! Pray! Samuel Chadwick once said: “The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.”
Did you get that last part? He trembles when we pray! That’s why Paul finishes up in Ephesians 6 with this command:
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere (Ephesians 6:18).
Bottom line: We live in the supernatural, so let’s use the supernatural weapons we have been given to fight for the souls of our friends!
Flashpoint: Ignite Into Action
Like Sam and Dean, we have a chance each day to fight the unseen and be a part of advancing God’s Kingdom! So enter the fray and engage with your friends about the spiritual realities of the world in which we live. Try using Supernatural as an opportunity to introduce God into your conversation with your friends. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Ask your friends if they think there are spiritual forces of good and evil at work in the world.
- Do they think there is a cosmic battle being waged? Listen, then share what you believe about this battle.
- Sam and Dean are in a battle against evil—this hero role in stories is sometimes known as the “messianic” role. Ask your friends if they know the story of the real Messiah, who came to earth, battled evil and rescued a planet from spiritual destruction.
Accelerant: Fuel for THE Cause
Pray: Father, thank You for providing the armor of God for us so that we can fight in the battle. Help us keep our eyes fixed on You so we can be victorious
Read: 1 Chronicles 5:20. They cried out to God during the battle, and he answered their prayer because they trusted in him.
Get: www.lifein6words.com. For help explaining the real battle between good and evil and Jesus our Messiah to your friends, check out this seeker friendly website.
Discussion Guide for Leaders
Want to use this Soul Fuel as a bible study with your students this week? Copy and text them the following: “Jesus tells us that our fight is not against other humans. Find out in this week’s devo who our fight is against and how we can arm ourselves: http://hubs.ly/H01gvrV0”
Big Idea: We are called to put on the armor of God and prayfully join in supernatural battle being waged around us.
Key Scripture: Ephesians 6:12-18
Discussion Questions:
- How have you seen spiritual warfare in your life?
- How do you see God using you in the battle?
- Why is it important to put on the armor of God?
- What other ways could you apply this Soul Fuel to THE Cause?
