Bible Study: We Fight From Victory Part 2

Introduction

Welcome back to this class on Spiritual Warfare. We’ve been looking at a variety of topics around engaging in spiritual warfare and how we confront the influence of evil spirits in the world.

Just to recap from the last session, because this is vitally important:

We are not fighting for victory—we are fighting from victory.

Let that truth settle into your soul.

There’s a relatively new song that captures this idea beautifully. Here’s an excerpt:

🎶 "You Already Won"

“Yeah, You already won
No matter what I've done
There’s future grace that’s mine today
That Jesus Christ has won…

I know how the story ends
We will be with You again
You're my Savior, my defense
So I don't have to be afraid
No more fear in life or death
You already won.”

It’s powerful, isn’t it? This is the foundation for today’s devotional lesson.

⛨þ Declaring Victory in Christ

Let me be honest: in putting this class together, there have been challenges. Technical issues. Power outages. Unexpected interruptions.

So let’s pause right now and declare our space consecrated to God.

“In the name of Jesus, we command any evil spirits trying to interfere to leave. We send you to Jesus to deal with as He sees fit.”

Now let’s turn our attention from the enemy to our defense—the armor and authority given to us by God.

🛡 Defensive Weapons: The Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10–20 (WEB)

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

Paul teaches us that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against:

• Rulers

• Authorities

• Powers of this dark world

• Spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms

To withstand this, we are given spiritual armor:

The Armor Includes:

• The belt of truth

• The breastplate of righteousness

• Feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace

• The shield of faith

• The helmet of salvation

• The sword of the Spirit (the Word of God)

• Prayer in the Spirit

This is not just poetic language. It is our spiritual equipment for daily battle.

🎺 Hymn Reflection: Onward, Christian Soldiers

Written in 1864, this hymn was a marching anthem for children going into ministry. Consider these lyrics:

"Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before. Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle, see His banners go!"

It has inspired generations—but also stirred controversy. Some view the military imagery as problematic. Still, many see it as a powerful reminder that spiritual warfare is real.

Are we a Church onward and advancing, or a Church retreating?

🔢 Cultural Snapshot: The Church Today

In the most recent U.S. census:

• 30% claimed no religion

• 7% identified as atheists

• 7% as agnostics

• 16% said “nothing in particular”

Church attendance, evangelism, and baptisms have declined significantly in recent years.

One man even wrote a parody hymn titled "Backward, Christian Soldiers":

"Backward, Christian soldiers, fleeing from the fight,
With the cross of Jesus nearly out of sight."

"Like a mighty tortoise moves the Church of God,
Brothers, we are treading where we've often trod."

A bit tongue-in-cheek, but sobering.

⚔️ A Call to Reengage the Mission

We are not called to comfort and compromise, but to battle and boldness. The Church must:

• Stop retreating

• Stop dividing

• Start advancing with love and truth

“Onward, then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.”

We are at war. Not with people. But against spiritual evil.

"We are not fighting for victory. We are fighting from victory."

🙏 Closing Devotional Thought

Jesus has already won. You don’t need to fear. You don’t need to strive. You are equipped. You are empowered.

“Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

Next time, we will walk through each piece of the armor of God in greater detail.

Until then, remember:

Stand firm. Pray boldly. March forward. You already have the victory in Christ.