Eph 2:1 We were Dead pt2

last week

1John 2:12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you on account of His name.

13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.

14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God remains in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

Stage #2: “Young men” – Christian workers

“Young men” (2:13,14) is neaniskos, which refers to a young adult (c.f. Matt.19:22; Mk.14:51). 

Most cultures do not acknowledge “adolescence” as a developmental stage (let along stretching adolescence into almost 10+ years!). People go from childhood into young adulthood – from being primarily under the care of their parents to taking on adult responsibilities like marriage, parenting, soldiering, etc. In the same way, 

John speaks of “young men” as Christian workers. In this stage (which covers many years), John emphasizes engagement in the spiritual battle against Satan – both resisting his attacks on their own lives and (presumably) and helping others to escape his control.

• Have you been a Christian for a couple of years or more? 
• Is spiritual warfare a reality in your life? 
• Are you aware of how Satan typically attacks you? 
• Are you fighting for other people’s spiritual welfare? 
• If your answers are chronically “No,” you may be more of a spiritual casualty than a “young man!”

John names three provisions God has given you “young men” for this stage of our development. These provisions also imply a responsibility on our part to use them.

1. “You have overcome the evil one” – “young men” stand on Jesus’ authority over Satan. 
   • We have already been delivered from his domain (Col.1:13). 
   • We already have access to Jesus’ authority over him (Eph.1:20,21; 2:6). 
   • We are already assured of Jesus’ future conquest (Rev.20: 6)
     Do you keep this in focus – or listen to Satan’s threats and intimidations?
2. “You are strong” – “young men” depend on the power of the Holy Spirit in daily life. 
   • “Strong” refers to the power of the Holy Spirit, who is greater than Satan is (1Jn.4:4). 
   • This is why Paul tells us to “be strong in the strength of God’s might” in order to stand firm against Satan’s attacks (Eph.6:10,11). 
   • As we walk learn to live by the power of the Spirit, we can tear down Satan’s fortresses of deception (2Cor.10:3,4) rather than get taken captive by them. 
   • Every Christian has this power – but many do not wield it consistently.
3. “The word of God abides in you” – “young men” know and use God’s Word in battle. 
   • Satan’s main tactic is deception – about who God is, about who we are, about what life’s purpose is, etc. 
   • Therefore, our main weapon is the truth – what God says in His Word. Eph.6:17 calls us to take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word (rhema – utterance) of God. 
   • We are to use God’s Word to counter Satan’s lies (just as Jesus did in the desert) – lies directed to us and to others, speaking God’s truth to ourselves and to others, both in conversation and intercessory prayer (Eph.6:18). 
   • We have access to God’s Word – more access than any Christians in the history of the church. 
   • The question is: “Does the Word of God abide in me?”
   • are you deeply familiar with it?
   • do you regularly use it to recognize and overcome the lies of the evil one? 
   • How tragic when Christians have such access to God’s Word – yet live as prisoners of war!

Are you appropriating these provisions? If so, you will be effective in your part of the battle. Stay at this, and God will move you into the next stage of spiritual development…

next week