Spiritual Self-Defense –Roy
J. Waggoner
Study Guide: Outlines, Study Questions
Part
One: Know the Adversary
1. The Adversary’s Existence – 1 Pet. 5:8
Two Important Realizations:
A. What We Are Up Against (3 characterizations)
1) An adversary
2) A deceiver
3) A malicious foe
B. What We Need to Do (3 admonitions)
1) Avoid distraction
2) Be alert
3) Take a stand
2. The Adversary’s Objective – Isa. 14:13-14
Two Insatiable Desires:
A. Predominance (2 aspects)
1) Having divine status
2) Being worshipped
B. Dominion (2 aspects)
1) Self determination
2) Universal authority
3. The Adversary’s
Tactics – Gen. 3:1-6
Three
Identifiable Methods:
A. Subtlety (3 examples)
1) Slick talk
2) Familiar friends
3) Pressurized circumstances
B. Deception (2 aspects)
1) The denial of truth
2) The justification of sin
C. Enticement (3 components)
1) The use of bait
2) The appeal to desire
3) An undisclosed aim
Part
Two: Guard the Avenues of Temptation
4.
Pleasure Lane (The Love of Pleasure) – Matt. 4:1-4
Two Critical Alternatives:
A. Indiscriminate Gratification (2 Factors)
1. An unguarded moment
2. A lack of discernment
B. Abstinence (2 Guidelines)
1. Without regard to desire
2. In accord with God’s will
5.
Opportunity Avenue (The Problem of Pride) – Matt. 4:5-7
Two Critical Alternatives:
A. Self-Glorification (3 Components)
1. Public display
2. Selfish motivation
3. Making an impression
B. Humility (2 Aspects)
1. Submission to God’s will
2. Concern with God’s glory
6.
Easy Street (The Danger of Materialism) – Matt. 4:8-11
Two Critical Alternatives:
A. Expensive Acquisitions (2 Considerations)
1. What we want
2. What it costs
B. A Prioritized Life (2 Requirements)
1. Avoid idols
2. Serve God
Part
Three: Access the Armor of God
7. Basic Training – Eph. 6:10-13a
Three Stages of Readiness:
A. Armed for Battle (2 Qualifications)
1. With God’s armor
2. In advance
B. Informed About the Enemy (3 Observations)
1. He is powerful
2. He is a tactician
3. He is virtually omnipresent
C. Determined to Resist (2 Requirements)
1. A refusal to yield
2. Personal engagement
8.
Spiritual Armor (Part 1) – Eph. 6:13b-15
Three Essential Components:
A. The Acknowledgment of Truth (2 Precepts)
1. Truth is objective
2. Truth is protective
B. Doing What is Right (2 Requirements)
1. A practical obligation
2. A predetermined choice
C. The Appropriation of Peace (2 implications)
1. Peace is good news
2. Peace provides freedom from fear
9.
Spiritual Armor (Part 2) – Eph. 6:16-17
Three Essential Components:
A. The Exercise of Faith (2 explanations)
1. Faith is trust in God
2. Temptation involves doubt
B. The Assurance of Salvation (2 explanations)
1. Salvation is certain
2. Assurance provides protection
C. The Application of Biblical Principles (2 Specifics)
1. A precise application
2. A Spiritual application
10. Guard
Duty – Eph. 6:18
Two Important Activities:
A. Praying for Help (2 Aspects)
1. Praying continually
2. Praying purposefully
B. Watching for the Enemy (3 Aspects)
1. Watching continually
2. Watching steadfastly
3. Watching collectively
Part Four: Avoid At Risk Attitudes and Behavior
11.
Dangerous Associations – Prov. 12:26, 13:20, 14:7, 16:29, 22:24-25, 23:20-21,
and 24:1-2
Four Dangerous Associations:
A. Hardheads
B. Hoodlums
C. Hotheads
D. Hooked
12.
False Assumptions – 1 Cor. 10:12-13
Two Costly Mistakes:
A. Overconfidence (2 Results)
1. Reduced vigilance
2. An eventual fall
B. Resignation (2 Contradictions)
1. No temptation is unique
2. We have God’s help
13.
Demoralizing Circumstances – Jam. 1:2-4
Two Necessary Responses:
A. Rejoice (3 Methods)
1. Rejoice deliberately
2. Rejoice in every situation
3. Rejoice with understanding
B. Remain Faithful (2 Obligations)
1. Be responsible
2. Become mature
Chapter
One
1. Why is knowledge of an enemy so important?
2. How do we know that Satan is real?
3. How do we act as if the world is a playground rather than a battleground?
4. What is it about his character that makes Satan such a threat to us?
5. In general, what must we do to protect ourselves against Satanic attack?
Chapter
Two
1. What kind of things are we often tempted to place before God?
2. What does it take for Jesus Christ to be the Lord of our life?
3. Can Jesus be our Lord, if we occasionally yield to temptation?
4. Who, if anyone, benefits from our sinful behavior?
5. Why does Satan want us to sin?
Chapter
Three
1. How can we reduce our exposure to negative influences?
2. What are some untruths accepted by the world that we must reject?
3. What are some specific situations that can lead to temptation?
4. In what ways do we often justify our sins? Is there ever any justification for sin?
5. What kinds of “bait” does Satan use to tempt us?
Chapter
Four
1. How is temptation similar to a virus that enters our body? Are there any similarities in how
they may be detected?
2. Since God created us with physical desires, why would he ever want us to deny any of them?
3. How can deprivation or suffering make us more vulnerable to temptation?
4. We all have physical desires. Why must we be careful about satisfying these desires?
5. What good does “fleeing from lusts” do for us? Isn’t it enough to simply recognize our lusts
in order to avoid sin?
Chapter
Five
1. You’ve just achieved a significant goal and or perhaps received some public recognition. You
are proud of your accomplishment. Is there anything wrong with this pride?
2. Is Satan directly involved in every temptation?
3. Why would Satan want us to glorify ourselves? What is wrong with self-glorification?
4. Why is it so important to submit to God’s will? Hasn’t God given us sharp minds and the
ability to figure things out on our own?
5. Why is pride an important factor where God’s will is concerned?
Chapter
Six
1. Is there any danger in just looking at something desirable? Explain.
2. Why is it that the possession of material things may be dangerous for us?
3. Why is Satan called “the god of this world”? And who made him so?
4. What is an idol, and what makes it wrong?
5. When we recognize Satan’s tactics, can we simply order Satan to depart from us (either
audibly or inaudibly)?
Chapter
Seven
1. Is Satan always trying to destroy us, or is this just an exaggeration?
2. When we “sign on” as Christians and are placed at odds with Satan and his forces, God makes
certain defenses available to us. What are these defenses and do we always make use of them?
3. What are the three means by which Satan tempt us (covered in earlier chapters)? Which
one(s) of these did Satan use against Eve in the garden?
4. What other helpers does Satan use and what could be their tasks in this world?
5. In general, what is the Christian’s single most important response to Satan’s temptations?
Chapter Eight
1. What are some ways we must prepare for the following?
· a trip
· a new baby
· a specific career
2. How does Ephesians 6:14-15 teach us to take advantage of God’s protective power?
3. What untruths are common to every temptation?
4. What is the difference between practical and positional righteousness?
5. How does simple every-day obedience prepare us for unexpected spiritual battles?
6. How does fear affect us as Christians in spiritual battles?
Chapter Nine
1. Compare our spiritual warfare to that of the first ironclad ships used in the American civil war.
2. Does temptation involve doubting God? Explain.
3. Why does Paul tell those of us that are already believers to put on the helmet of salvation?
4. Why is it important to understand that our salvation cannot be lost after we receive it?
5. Why is the knowledge of specific scriptures beneficial in our daily battle with temptation?
Chapter Ten
1. What is the principle danger of not staying spiritually alert?
2. What does it mean to “pray continually”?
3. According to Charles Spurgeon, what will prayer make you do? How so?
4. What must be the focus of our prayers in regard to temptation?
5. Why did Peter and the other disciples fail to resist temptation in the garden of
Gethsemane?
Chapter Eleven
1. Who should comprise our innermost circle of friends and why?
2. Why should our outermost circle of friends contain unbelievers?
3. Consider your multiple circles of friends. Perhaps you know a few who might be described as
hardheads, hoodlums, hotheads, or hooked individuals. List some dangerous habits they have
that you might pick up from them if you are continually exposed to them.
4. Once again considering these friends, does your innermost circle consist only of the most
trustworthy people you know?
5. Are there people you know who should be moved either to your inward circles or to your outer
circles depending on their ability to influence you in a positive way?
Chapter
Twelve
1. What are the two results of overconfidence mentioned early in this chapter?
2. Why are our temptations not unique?
3. Why is overconfidence dangerous?
4. What is the potential danger of convincing ourselves that we are powerless against some
specific temptations?
5. What does God do to assure that we are not overwhelmed by any temptation?
Chapter
Thirteen
1. Why are trials and difficulties a normal part of the Christian life?
2. What are the two specific responses to trials that we need to make?
3. What is the appropriate way for us to express joy in our trials?
4. Describe the role of obedience in accepting God’s chosen burdens for us.
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