Fighting for Peace
The Armor of the Gospel of Peace (Part 1)
Today's Three-minute Bible Study
Print, Study and Apply
Title: Fighting for Peace
----------------------- Date: 04/013/1999
Keywords: "armor" "gospel" "peace"
W
elcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in
the face of sexual temptation.
The
following is one of 42 studies on the "armor of God" as it relates to resisting
Web porn. Some of the studies will examine Ephesians chapter six, which is famous for the
armor theme. Some of the other studies, however, will examine how the armor pieces are
discussed elsewhere in Scripture. All 42 studies are listed in the three-minute
study index for the dates April 1 through May 12, 1999. Feel free to study and/or
download the entire set. We welcome your feedback
to this thematic approach in the three-minute studies.
Passage: Ephesians
6:12-18 (especially verse 15)*
12. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that
when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done
everything, to stand.
14. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled
around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
15. and with your feet fitted with the readiness
that comes from the gospel of peace.
16. In addition to all this, take up the shield of
faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of
the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all
kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for
all the saints.
Questions
1. Why might peace be attractive to a porn viewer or actor (see
verse 15)?
2. What is the source of peace referenced in verse 15?
Practical help
It's good to have clear objectives when fighting an enemy.
What are yours as you fight the temptation of Web porn?
Earlier verses in this series (see note
above) have examined defensive goals such as protection. Verse 15 above suggests an
offensive objective — a reason for combat that rises above self-preservation.
Feet fitted with "the gospel of peace" suggests a grand
mission: fighting for peace.
This doesn't mean settling a conflict at any cost — such as
giving in to the enemy's terms.
Fighting for peace means eradicating the need for war in the first
place.
How does this apply to you as you struggle against Web porn?
Consider these steps:
1. Encourage your fellow strugglers. Remind them of the peace
that comes from following a battle-tested victor and commander, Jesus Christ.
2. Pray for your enemy. Ask God to replace the porn actors'
self-degradation and inner turmoil with self-dignity and real peace that comes only from
switching battlefield allegiance to Jesus.
You may find that fighting for peace increases your own resolve and
self-respect as you struggle against Web porn. How? Because you're engaged in more than a
personal cleanup action; you're part of a noble cause — spreading peace among people
who need it desperately.
No wonder the passage above calls this endeavor the gospel (good
news) of peace.
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*Scriptures are from The Holy Bible: New International Version, © copyright 1973,
1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved.