The word knowledge in the Bible denotes an understanding, a recognition, or an acknowledgment. To “know” something is to perceive it or to be aware of it. Many times in Scripture, knowledge carries the idea of a deeper appreciation of something or a relationship with someone.
The Bible is clear that the knowledge of God is the most valuable knowledge a human being can possess. But it is also clear that simply being aware of God’s existence is not sufficient; the knowledge of God must encompass the deep appreciation for and relationship with Him.
Knowledge of God is also a Christian’s front line of spiritual self-defense against the powers and schemes of Satan. Growing in Knowledge and understanding of God enables followers of Christ to stand firm against the enemy. There are three key ingredients that Christians must understand to avail themselves of the power of knowledge of God for spiritual self-defense.
Understanding God’s full provision of and access to His Knowledge is critical. The Apostle Paul wrote in the first three chapters of Ephesians the necessary doctrinal foundation that God has provided for us in Christ. Strong Christians are doctrinally grounded in the truth of Scripture. Unless you know the Word well, as Jesus did when He defeated Satan, you will not stand firm and strong when challenged by those who attack truth and offer plausible and fine sounding arguments (Colossians 2:4;8).
A Christian also must understand how Satan works and the nature of his schemes. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 2:11... “so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.” If you’re ignorant of his schemes, the devil will be able to take advantage of you, and you may not even be aware of it.
His schemes invariably use cunning and deception. He often works through secular culture, to carry us downstream with the prevailing ideas of the day. In our day, many Christians are deceived by the ideas of postmodernism, which asserts that there are no absolute truths in the spiritual or moral realms (except for the absolute that there are no absolutes!). Satan launches repeated attacks on the credibility of Scripture, whether through evolution or by attacking the person of Christ. Satan lures us into sin by portraying it as pleasurable and by hiding its consequences. He uses discouragement, pride, selfishness, the love of money, lust, and many other traps to lure us away from the Lord. To stand firm against the enemy, we must understand his schemes, what they look like and how we can be drawn into his web of deceit.
We need to understand where to stand firm, when to stand firm and where to be tolerant of differences. If Satan doesn’t get us through his scheme of going along with our tolerant culture, he pushes us off the other end by making us intolerant of anyone who does not agree with us on every point of doctrine.
Anyone who claims to have “biblical discernment,” but then spends all their time criticizing godly men over minor differences in doctrine or practice are working for the “wrong” team!
Standing firm against the schemes of the devil means that we stand firm on the core doctrines of the Christian faith. We cannot budge on the Trinity, the person and work of Christ, biblical salvation, or the inspiration and authority of Scripture. But the Scripture also tells us to show tolerance for one another in love (Ephesians 4:2). That verse implies that we will not always agree with one another on every point of doctrine or on every method of how to go about the Lord’s work. To stand firm, grow in understanding of where to do battle and where to be tolerant of differences.
Standing firm against the enemy is the result of putting on God’s full armor. We stand firm against the enemy by growing in biblical understanding... and love and patience with one another.
Finally, we stand firm against the enemy with active practice. In other words, put into practice what you believe. Walk your Talk. Test your armor by gaining some victories in real life situations. Resist temptation. Avoid Satan’s traps. Get out of your comfort zone and do something where you have to trust God to get you through. As Hebrews 5:14 states, “But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” Or, as James 1:22 puts it, “Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers, who delude themselves.”
How about you? Are you standing firm in your faith... in your walk with God? To stand firm against the enemy, you must be strong in the Lord and put on His full armor.
