The Christian Warfare: An Exposition of Ephesians 6:10-13 by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Author:D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones [Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Reference
ISBN: 9780801058004
Amazon: 0801058007
Goodreads: 1594626
Publisher: Baker Books
Published: 1976-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

15

Physical, Psychological, Spiritual

As we have been examining the wiles of the devil it has become increasingly clear that the devil is the great counterfeiter of God and His works, and that he has a fundamental method. God Himself always works on a fundamental plan, as is evident in creation and in nature. There are variations, of course, in the application and operation, but there is an essential plan. The same is the case with the wiles of the devil. His particular use of this plan can vary so much that at times it is almost impossible to recognize it; but if you take the trouble, you will always find that it is there. It is good and right, therefore, that we should keep our eye on this fundamental plan.

We now turn to consider ‘the wiles of the devil’ as they are to be seen in the confusion he creates between the physical, the psychological and spiritual realms. ‘What has this got to do with me?’ says someone. The answer is that this is a subject which is, perhaps, one of the most practical we can ever consider. This is a realm in which the activities of the devil are particularly frequent and most damaging. We are strange creatures, made up of body, mind, and spirit; these are interrelated and react upon one another. Many of our troubles in life are due to this fact, and to our failure to realize the place, function, and sphere of each one of these realms. The devil, of course, takes full advantage of this, and attacks along this line. Let it be clear that we are dealing with Christian people. It is to them only that the exhortation to ‘put on the whole armour of God’ is addressed.

It is extremely difficult to define the limits of these three realms; or, to put it in another way, difficulty arises because of the borderline cases, which are not easy to classify. Hence this subject has been largely neglected, and helpful books—and they are few in number—are only to be found in a certain type of Roman Catholic literature or in Puritan literature. The Roman Catholics who developed an elaborate system of teaching on the theme, have what they call Manuals on the Devout Life. As for the Puritans, three hundred years ago they were real experts in this matter. They were primarily interested in the pastoral side of their work, and as you read their fine, voluminous works you will find that they are concerned with unravelling the problems and the difficulties of the Christian life. They not only stand comparison with the Roman Catholic writers, they are altogether superior because they are more biblical. I am thinking, not only of such great theological writers as Dr. John Owen, but this is equally true of John Bunyan, whose Grace Abounding, Pilgrim’s Progress, and Holy War are really intended to do this very thing. Bunyan was aware in his own experience, and in his knowledge of the

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