Lessons for Living

Lesson 1: Help in the Daily Battle to Live Holy

EPHESIANS 4:3-21

By Niares A. Hunn

Key verse

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind. Ephesians 4:17

After completing this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify the real ene(ME)y to having a victorious life in Christ.

2. Discover the connection between the Word, prayer, and a victorious life.

3. Apply biblical principles found in God’s Word in their daily struggle to live holy.

As Christian we often struggle in our daily walk to live holy. We have been told after we have been baptized in in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and having been filled with the Holy Ghost that we are a new creature. We are now dead to sin and alive unto God. Yet this all deals with our inner man while sin in yet raging war again our mind, body, and soul. Thus, new Christians often drop out of the race because they feel defeated and unable to fulfill God’s request to be holy.

The Apostle Paul, once again provides a three step remedy to help every believer to overcome: (1) the ene(ME)y within every believer, (2) the enemy without or outside of the believer (the world and the flesh 1 John 2:16), and (3) the other enemy to us all, Satan himself who has already been defeated. The Apostle Paul states that three are three solid things that every believer needs to do battle with the enemy: (1) prayer, (2) knowledge of God’s Word, and (3) strength in the inner man. The last one is certainly predicated on the believer fulfilling the first two requirements. Thus, we cannot defeat the enemy without prayer.

Prayer is essential because it unlocks the door to everything about God and grants us continual access to God. Prayer connects us with God to allow Him to make His abode in our hearts since we were bought with the price of Jesus Christ own precious blood. Once Jesus makes His abode in us, we are no longer the driver. Now we must allow God to occupy in our hearts until He comes. When the believer get out of the driver’s seat and allows Jesus to take the wheel, we can be victorious. This means we can’t be a co-pilot or a back seat driver. The Lord does not need a co-pilot. He just needs you to pray and invite him to Him to come in. As you commune with Him daily through prayer, he will lead and guide you and tell you how to defeat all the enemies at war against your very soul.

It is interesting that the Apostle Paul states in verse 14 that for this cause I bow my knee. Normally in the Jewish tradition, prayer was rendered standing up with your hands lifted. It was only when under pressure or when in dire straits such as a serious situation would they bend their knee, lay prostrate, or change their position and posture of worship. When you are under attack by the enemy there will be so much pressure at diverse times just like a woman in labor you will have to bear down and push – pray until something happens. Pressure will cause you to bend your knee or as the Psalmist Lady Karen Clark Sheard sings, I just can’t take it no more; my strength has left me, and walked out the door. It is at this moment that it is time to bow at your knees to gain strength in your inner man to finish the course set before you.

But strength in the inner man not only comes from bending our knees in prayer but when we comprehend , understand, and possess knowledge about the things of God, the enemy we are fighting, and how to overcome the challenges we are facing in our day to day lives. The Apostle Paul states brethren I would not have you to be ignorant and the prophet Hosea stated that my people perish for lack of knowledge. Thus, the Apostle Paul concludes by stating in verses 18-19, that I want you to comprehend and understand the breadth, length, depth, and height of God’s love, His power, and His anointing. The Apostle Paul really wants them to experience or have a full Christian experience of God living on the inside of them by connecting with God in prayer, through His Word, and with other believers.

Discussion Questions

1. What is the connection between prayer, the Word, and walking in total victory?

2. Identify the three enemies listed in our lesson today.

3. Describe an area in your life where God has given you total victory.

Thought to Remember

It’s not our outward appearance that makes us Holy. Rather it is in our obedience to the Word of God that proves we are holy and sanctified unto God.