Pathway to Victory

David J. Mullins: Hey podcast listeners. Thanks for streaming today's podcast from Pathway to Victory. Pathway to Victory is a nonprofit ministry featuring the Bible teaching of Dr. Robert Jeffress. Our mission is to pierce the darkness with the light of God's word through the most effective media available, like this podcast. To support Pathway to Victory, go to ptv.org/donate or follow the link in our show notes. Now, here is today's podcast from Pathway to Victory.

Dr. Robert Jeffress: Hi, this is Robert Jeffress and I'm glad to study God's word with you every day on this Bible teaching program. On today's edition of Pathway to Victory, the moment you trusted Christ as your savior, Satan put you on his hit list. He's custom-making temptations that are suited just to appeal to you. He will not rest until he has destroyed everything important to you. That is why we need to take inventory. Are we utilizing the resources that God has provided us?

David J. Mullins: Welcome to Pathway to Victory with author and pastor Dr. Robert Jeffress. You know you and I have a supernatural enemy who will not rest until he's completely destroyed everything we hold dear. But gratefully, God has given us the supernatural resources needed to defeat our opponent. Today on Pathway to Victory, Dr. Robert Jeffress helps us take inventory of the spiritual weapons at our disposal. But first, let's take a moment to hear some important ministry updates.

Dr. Robert Jeffress: Thanks, David, and welcome again to Pathway to Victory. I've got some good news and some bad news for you. The bad news is this: you have an enemy, Satan, who spends all day and night looking for ways to take you down. Here is the good news. God has equipped you with supernatural weapons to defeat Satan and win the battle.

In our current series called Courageous and through my bestselling book by the same title, I'm showing you ten of God's strategies for not only surviving but thriving on the battlefield. Just before we get started, I want to offer you a hardbound copy of my book, Courageous. I don't have to convince you that we are living in hostile times. Christians are under attack. Not only by Satan, but we are openly mocked and ridiculed by a culture that believes the Bible is filled with fairy tales.

In my book, you'll receive ten practical ways to remain courageous. A copy is yours when you give a generous gift to support the ministry of Pathway to Victory. Again, it is called Courageous: 10 Strategies for Thriving in a Hostile World. Plus, when you respond today, I'll be sure to include an exclusive collection of ten encouragement cards that you can carry with you or display on your desk as a constant reminder that God is with you on every step of your journey. Let's pick up a message I started earlier this week. Our primary text is Ephesians chapter 6, verses 10 through 20. I titled this next message in our Courageous series survival tip number three: Take Inventory.

The Bible says whether you know it or not, you're in a survival situation. You're living in an environment that is hostile to your Christian faith. You face a culture that is opposed to everything that God values. You're surrounded by an enemy, Satan, who wants to destroy everything important to you. If that were not enough, you and I even as Christians carry around at least the remnant of a nature that is fallen and opposed to God.

How can we ever survive much less thrive in that kind of environment? Just as every survivalist knows there are ten survival tips for dangerous situations, we're looking at the survival tips and looking at them with a biblical application. Today we're going to look at survival tip number three, and that is taking inventory of your available resources. Take an inventory of your available resources.

Turn to Ephesians chapter 6 as we take a spiritual inventory of the resources God has provided to us to fight this very real enemy. First of all, the belt of truth. Look at verse 14: Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth. What does that mean? The Roman soldier would wear a free-flowing tunic. It was very comfortable, but it was also very dangerous in times of battle.

That is why every soldier before he would go into battle would tuck in his tunic so that it would prevent the enemy from gaining an advantage. Paul says in the same way, we need to gird our minds with truth. Secondly, he talks about the breastplate of righteousness. What is the breastplate for the Christian? Paul says it is righteousness. Verse 14 again: put on the breastplate of righteousness.

What does he mean by righteousness? Another word for that would be obedience. Good works are worthless to save you before you're a Christian, but after you're a Christian, your good works, your obedience, means a great deal. That is what he's talking about: the breastplate of righteousness, obedience to God.

The third piece of armor: the boots of the gospel. Foundational to a Roman soldier were his shoes. At the bottom of a soldier's boot were metal studs, just like the cleats in an athlete's shoe. These studs would give him traction so that he could stand firm and withstand the onslaught of the enemy. Paul is saying as Christians, if we want to withstand Satan's attack in our life, we have to have the right foundation in our life, the right shoes.

What is that foundation? He says, having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. What is he talking about there? When Paul says the foundation of our life ought to be our readiness and our ability to share the good news of salvation with others, he's talking about our ability and our willingness to make that the soul purpose of our life.

That is why God has left us here. We get all these different reasons. Why did God create us and leave us here? If it was just to have fellowship with us, he could take us to heaven the moment he saved us. He has left us here for a reason, and that is to share the good news of Jesus Christ with as many people as possible.

What does that have to do with spiritual warfare? How does that help me stand firm against Satan's attack? If you have as your foundational reason for your life to share the gospel with other people, that gives you a reason for not giving in to Satan. Sharing the gospel, your soul foundation reason for life, gives you the reason for not giving in to Satan's attacks. That is what Paul is talking about. Make the sharing of the gospel foundational in your life.

Fourth, he talks about taking up the shield of faith. Look at verse 16: Take up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. The Roman shield was a piece of wood that was two and a half feet wide, four feet in length. It was covered in leather that had been soaked in water.

The reason was the enemy many times would take an arrow and take the tip of that arrow, dip it in pitch, and set it on fire. When the fiery arrow would come at the Roman soldier, all he had to do was lift up that shield. When it impacted that leather soaked in water, it was immediately extinguished. Paul says when you're under the fiery attacks of Satan, you need to hold up the shield of faith.

What is faith? Faith is not a hope, a wish, a positive thought. Hebrews 11:1 says, now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, it is the conviction of things not seen. It is not some hope; it's assurance. Faith is the assurance that God will do what he has promised to do. The shield of faith means holding up the promises of God and trusting in them when those attacks come.

In Satan's arsenal, there are a number of favorite arrows he loves to send into our life because he knows they're particularly effective. Sometimes he fires that flaming arrow of greed. Sometimes he uses the flaming arrow of lust. I personally think one of his favorites to use is that flaming arrow of worry because of its devastating effects on us.

Have you ever been sitting at work or maybe even sitting in church, and all of a sudden this alien thought comes into your mind? You begin to think and obsess: what if this happens, what if this happens? Pretty soon you're paralyzed with fear. You can't do anything. You are in Satan's grip.

I remember years and years ago I was pastoring my first church and it was a Saturday afternoon. I was over in my study at the church, and I was putting the final touches on my sermon for Sunday. I was calling prospects, inviting them to come to church. All of a sudden, I just had this thought. I thought, what if I die early? What if I die soon?

There was a reason I was thinking that way. Both my parents had just died at relatively young ages, and I thought I might suffer that fate. I started thinking about that, and suddenly I started feeling all of these aches and pains that I hadn't felt before. I was in a panic, so I got on the phone and I called some friends. They assured me that what I was feeling was normal because of history and so forth.

I called some doctors that I knew, and they asked me what symptoms and I told them. They said that's probably nothing at all. Then I called a friend of mine in town who happened to be an insurance agent. He was the only one who didn't offer any assurance. He said, you know, Robert, there are people who die at your age. You might want to up your insurance coverage. And I did.

I wasted a couple of hours there obsessing over that until God got a hold of my thoughts and reminded me of the truth of Psalm 139: all of your days were written in my book before you lived one of them. God has the date of your birth and he has the date of your death in his book, and there's not one thing you're going to do to change that.

If you ever get overcome with anxiety about your departure from this life, remember this: every Christian is immortal until his work on earth is done. God's not going to take you out one second before your time here. That is what it means to erect the shield of faith. It means to trust that God is going to do what he has promised to do.

The fifth piece of armor here: the helmet of salvation. Verse 17: And take the helmet of salvation. This piece of bronze was placed over the soldier's head to protect him. There was a flare at the back that was used to protect the neck, and at the front that was used to protect the eyes. The helmet was absolutely essential for a Roman soldier's protection.

What is the helmet that we Christians put on? He says it's the helmet of salvation. Many commentators say that is talking about the assurance of your salvation. That is why it's associated with the head: make sure that you are saved. I think there's an element of truth to that. If you're always wondering whether or not you're in or out of God's family, if you're saved today and lost tomorrow, you'll never be strong in your Christian faith.

God wants you to know for sure. Romans 11:29 says, for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. It's important to be assured of your salvation. It was God's responsibility to save you and it's God's responsibility to keep you saved. You don't have to worry about that. But I don't think that's the kind of salvation he's talking about here.

In the Bible, salvation sometimes refers to being saved from the penalty of sin, but it also sometimes refers to being saved from the power of sin. I frankly think that's what he's talking about here: the salvation from the power of sin. A lot of Christians have foggy thinking about this. They carry around this idea that while, yes, I'm going to heaven one day, but until I get there, I can never be free from sin. I've got this old sin nature in me and it always wants to do the wrong thing, and I can never have victory over it until I get to heaven one day.

That is a lie from the pit of hell. When you became a Christian and trusted in Christ as your savior, he not only saved you from the penalty of sin, a future in hell, he saved you from the power of sin. With the power of the Holy Spirit that now resides in you, sin has no more power over your life than you choose to allow it to have every day. Paul is saying walk in that knowledge. Have that assurance: you don't have to give in to Satan's temptation.

That is why he says in Romans 6:6-7: knowing this, that our old self was crucified with him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. You don't have to be a slave to Satan any longer. You serve a new master. Now, there's one more piece of armor Paul mentions. It's the offensive piece of armor in the soldier's armor. Look at it in verse 17: and take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

This word "sword" here is the word *machaira*. It doesn't refer to the long broad sword the Roman soldier would flail around and maybe hit something with. It was a dagger about 18 inches long. It was used for close-up, hand-to-hand combat. The soldier had to know precisely how to use it, where to strike, if it were to be effective.

That's the same way with us. We need to know scripture well enough not just to recite any verse, but a verse that would give us the strength at the precise moment to say no to the attacks of the evil one. We're going to talk about that more in a couple of weeks. That is the armor of God. Certainly, Paul demonstrated throughout his ministry how to utilize that armor.

If you are ever tempted to have a pity party for yourself, there's a passage of scripture I suggest that you read. Second Corinthians 11:24-28, where Paul describes the incoming he had from all directions. He says, five times I received from the Jews 39 lashes. 40 lashes would kill a person; five different times he came this close to death. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I've spent in the deep.

I've been on frequent journeys: in dangers from rivers, robbers, countrymen, Gentiles; dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren. I've been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food and in cold and exposure.

And if that were not enough, Paul says, there's the daily pressure upon me of concern for all of the churches. How could Paul meet those kind of challenges? He told us about the armor of God. But Paul didn't just rely on the armor of God. There was another resource to take inventory of, and that is the people of God. Not just the armor of God—what Paul could do for himself—but the people of God.

Have you ever noticed in how many of Paul's letters he mentions other people who encouraged him? Philemon, Barnabas, Timothy, and so many others who ministered to him. That is why in Ephesians 6:18 and 19 he says, with all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and pray on my behalf as well. Paul coveted the prayers of other Christians for him.

Paul understood the truth that Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12: two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. If one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him, and a cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. I want you to listen for these next five minutes. Somebody told me after the first sermon that those last five minutes meant more than the other 30 to me. I want you to listen to this. The armor of God is important, but the people of God are equally important to help us in times when we're under attack.

I read this story about a father who gave his young son a bundle of sticks to break. So the boy took that bundle of sticks and he slammed it against his knee. He only ended up with a bruised knee. It didn't break the sticks. He put them up against the wall and tried to kick them. That didn't break them. He tried several other things and finally said, Dad, I can't do it. The father came over, untied the bundle of sticks, and took them one by one, and they were easily broken.

There's a lesson there for all of us. Together, when we're together as Christians, we're not easily broken. But we have an enemy who is intent on dividing us, isolating us, attacking us, and destroying us. That is why we need other Christians. We need the church if we're going to survive and thrive in this hostile environment.

I see this game plan all the time of Satan dividing, isolating, and attacking Christians. Here are two friends who have been friends for years, and they let a petty disagreement separate them, and each is robbed of the encouragement they've received from the other person. Here are a husband and a wife that have a separation of their spirit because of unforgiveness on the part of one or the other or both. That separation of spirit makes them vulnerable to the attacks of Satan and the temptation that destroys their marriage.

Somebody in the church gets ticked off about something he doesn't like in the church, so he takes himself and his family and they separate from the church, depriving themselves of the spiritual instruction and fellowship that they need. That is the enemy's plan to destroy every one of us. That is why the Bible says we need one another. Hebrews 10:24 and 25: consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, but encouraging one another.

Whether you like it or not, the moment you trusted Christ as your savior, Satan put you on his hit list. He's determined to take you out. He's poisoning the culture around you. He's trying to incite your children to rebel against God, convincing them that life apart from God is the only way to freedom. He's custom-making temptations that are suited just to appeal to you. He will not rest until he has destroyed everything important to you.

That is why we need to take inventory. Are we utilizing the resources that God has provided us? In these closing moments, take an inventory of whether or not we're utilizing the spiritual resources that are essential to our survival. Just ask yourself as we read through each of these questions, can you check this off? Yes, I'm doing this.

Are you regularly reading, memorizing, and meditating on God's word, the belt of truth, so that you can confront destructive thoughts with God's truth? How obedient are you to God's commands? Are there any chinks in your life, areas of disobedience that Satan could use to destroy your faith, your family, and your future?

How committed are you to God's mission to reach people with the gospel? What specific plan do you have to share your faith with those in your circle of influence? Do you possess a strong faith, the kind that can deflect satanic attacks? What specific promises of God are you relying on right now in spite of the attacks Satan has launched against you?

Are you acting consistently with the truth that you've been saved not only from the penalty of sin, but from the power of sin? Is there any habit or addiction in your life that you've surrendered to? Can you immediately recall specific passages of scripture to use when you're tempted with lust, greed, anger, doubt, or fear? Are you actively involved in a local church in which you can experience the spiritual strength, accountability, and prayers of other members of the body of Christ?

The spiritual battle you're in is real. The enemy you face is formidable. But the resources God has provided are more than enough to give you victory.

Dr. Robert Jeffress: As Christians, we can't afford to become complacent while Satan lurks in the background. I'm urging you to take action, to become courageous, and to use the tools God has given us. In my bestselling book Courageous, I'll show you ten key strategies for winning the battle and overcoming your fear. Along the way, you'll read stories of men and women whose courage carried them through impossible situations, and you'll discover how God offers us a way to thrive despite our problems.

My book is titled Courageous: 10 Strategies for Thriving in a Hostile World, and a hardbound copy is yours when you give a generous gift to support the ministry of Pathway to Victory. Let me add a word about your financial partnership. In the past few years, God has uniquely positioned Pathway to Victory for such a time as this. Our world is in chaos. In my lifetime, I've never witnessed the kind of angst we're witnessing across our nation.

At the same time, I'm watching God open doors for spreading his truth like never before. People are looking for answers. Pathway to Victory is on a trajectory of growth that has God's handprints all over it. When you give, you're part of this movement of God to bring light where there's darkness. We are doing this together, and today I want to thank you for your gift by providing my latest book, Courageous.

David J. Mullins: You're invited to request your copy of Courageous, the book by Dr. Robert Jeffress, when you give a generous gift to support the ministry of Pathway to Victory. To request your copy, call 866-999-2965 or go online to ptv.org. You could also support this ministry by texting PTV to 78800. When your gift is $75 or more, you'll receive the complete Courageous leader kit, which includes a copy of the book, the personal and group study guide, the complete teaching series on DVD and MP3 format audio disc, and a set of Courageous encouragement cards.

To request the Courageous leader kit, call 866-999-2965 or go to ptv.org. A lot of folks prefer to contact us the good old-fashioned way. If that's you, write to PO Box 223609, Dallas, Texas, 75222. Again, that's PO Box 223609, Dallas, Texas, 75222. I'm David J. Mullins, wishing you a great weekend. Join us again Monday for survival tip number four: Develop a Victor, Not a Victim Mindset, here on Pathway to Victory. Pathway to Victory with Dr. Robert Jeffress comes from the pulpit of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas.

Dr. Robert Jeffress: What if your next vacation changed the way you read your Bible forever? Join me for nine nights sailing the Mediterranean with every detail taken care of. When you stand where Paul stood, your Bible comes alive in ways it never has. Sail with us on the Pathway to Victory Journeys of Paul cruise, May 2027, and ask about our optional Athens pre-extension. Call 888-280-6747 or visit ptv.org.

David J. Mullins: You made it to the end of today's podcast from Pathway to Victory, and we're so glad you're here. Pathway to Victory relies on the generosity of loyal listeners like you to make this podcast possible. One of the most impactful ways you can give is by becoming a pathway partner. Your monthly gift will empower Pathway to Victory to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and help others become rooted more firmly in his word. To become a pathway partner, go to ptv.org/donate or you can follow the link in our show notes.

We hope you've been blessed by today's podcast from Pathway to Victory. One last thing before we go: don't forget to reserve your spot on the 2027 Journeys of Paul Mediterranean cruise. You've heard me and Dr. Jeffress talk about it, and cabins are going quickly. Just picture yourself aboard the beautiful Celebrity Infinity, sailing round trip from Athens, standing where the Apostle Paul stood in Ephesus, and taking in the breathtaking Greek islands. Nine unforgettable nights with stops in Mykonos, Rhodes, Santorini, and more. Every meal prepared, every detail taken care of, plus fellowship with like-minded believers. There's also an optional pre-cruise extension to Athens. To book your spot, go to ptv.org.