The Undistracted Widow | Chapter 13

Battling Your Adversary

1 John 4:4 KJV 1900

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

As probably know already, this chapter deals with adversaries. There is no doubt that we battle three main adversaries in this world. One is within us and the other two come from the outside. The adversary within is our flesh. The two outside of us is the world and Satan. I term them self, society, and Satan. It makes it easy for me to remember.

Our author starts this section relating a time her life as widow when everything was going wrong. From fighting off a bat to having a repairman make a huge mess, everything was going in the wrong direction. She states...

Was it coincidence that on two successive weekends such upsetting circumstances occurred? Fate? Bad luck? No. I believe it was spiritual warfare meant to discourage me and tempt me to doubt God’s love and care.

There is no doubt that we face much from our adversaries. However, I want to caution concerning one important thing. Too many times we blame Satan for a whole host of things. I have no doubt that, at times, Satan does work to discourage us. Yet, we must remember that we often bring a whole host of issues on ourselves. Second, God does allow adverse circumstances in our lives to help us grow and learn to lean on Him. I believe we must be careful and ask God for discernment before we go blaming Satan for everything.

The author further states...

God’s enemies are at work opposing the work of God in this world.

There is no doubt that at all. In fact, the two enemies outside of us, the world and Satan, are diametrically opposed to anything God does and anyone related to God. Hence, we must be aware of their tactics and how to combat them God’s way.

The Battle with the World

There is God’s way and there is the world’s way of doing things.

We war against a worldly system that minimizes God and maximizes man.

Our responsibility is not be drawn in by what the word thinks or advocates. Instead, we are to totally rely upon God’s Word and be obedient to His commands despite the pressures society may place on us.

Romans 12:2 KJV 1900

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1 John 2:15–16 KJV 1900

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

There is whole host of things we could discuss about the world versus God’s way. However, I would encourage you, if you haven’t already, to join the upcoming Basic Discipleship Track. There is a handout in your bulletin. We are going to spend an enormous amount of time on this subject throughout that course. Scripture gives us all the tools we need in combating the world philosophies and pressures.

In her book, the author for some reason dwells on a woman’s looks. I would assume that this is a societal pressure many women face including widows. She notes...

The worldly emphasis on outward appearance is something that all Christian women need to resist and Christian widows are no exception…Please don’t misunderstand-it is fine to look nice and to present ourselves in a pleasing way. But if we become preoccupied with our appearance, we might be setting ourselves up as an idol and following the ways of the world.

I will let you guys spend more time talking about that particular issue in your discussion time. However, suffice to say, the world does apply a tremendous amount of pressure on everyone to conform to its ways. We must resist as believers and stay committed to Scripture.

The Battle with the Flesh

The word flesh is used in a number of ways in Scripture and does not always have a negative sense…In terms of battling the flesh, it is that sinful nature in all human beings through which they rebel against the will of God. But by virtue of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are able not to sin. We are able to deny the sinful flesh what it is demanding. This denial of the flesh is a war, one which will never be fully won until we get to heaven.

Romans 7:18–19 KJV 1900

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Romans 7:24–25 KJV 1900

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Romans 8:8–13 KJV 1900

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

We might be prone to self-pity, indolence, anxiety, depression, hopelessness, or anger. But since the Holy Spirit in us can give us victory over our flesh, we are not helpless in the face of this struggle.

The Battle with the Devil and Other Supernatural Opponents

As we know, there is a great spiritual battle waging all around us.

Ephesians 6:12 KJV 1900

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Additionally, we know that God’s main adversary, Satan, leads this great conflict. Thus, our author notes...

The Devil and demons war against Christians because they hate Christ.

1 Peter 5:8–10 KJV 1900

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

Part of Satan’s diabolical plan is deceive all mankind, to accuse believers before the Lord, and to cripple God’s children by encouraging them to sin. Even though Satan may be more powerful than us, Jesus Christ, through His redemptive death and victorious resurrection as overcome the power of Satan. Thus, Christ’s victory is our victory.

Our author writes...

Once I realized that the struggle was also coming from outside me, I armed myself more effectively for the battle. In Ephesians 6 we are given insight and direction concerning spiritual warfare.

Ephesians 6:16 KJV 1900

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Verse 16 uses the word all twice: in all circumstances you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the Evil One…Anything that the Devil and his cohorts throw at you can be snuffed out by the power of the Holy Spirit…they are no match for the omnipotence of God.

She is correct when she alludes to the fact that Devil is NOT God’s equal. He is nothing more than a created being who has fallen due to his own pride.

The good news is that at the cross Christ triumphed over the Devil and all the powers of evil.

Thus, because of Christ’s victory over sin, death, and hell, we, as believers, can submit to God, resist the Devil, and be overwhelming conquerors in Christ Jesus.

James 4:7–8 KJV 1900

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

1 Peter 5:8–10 KJV 1900

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

John 17:14–15 KJV 1900

14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

Fight the Good Fight

As noted in the book as well as in Scripture, each of our enemies (sinful flesh, society, and Satan) seek to thwart our attempts at living for the Lord. Thus, we must have a strategy that is based on God’s Word utilizing God’s power.

Our author lists some essentials needed in this great spiritual battle.

Keep alert

Remember you are never alone or without divine resources

Trust God and obey Him

Think and act Biblically

Recite Scripture to yourself

Yield to the Holy Spirit’s control

Pray fervently and faithfully

Be humble

Persevere in resisting the Devil

1 Timothy 6:12 KJV 1900

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Discussion Questions

In what ways have you seen each of our adversaries (sinful flesh, society, and Satan) work in your life? Give a testimony of when you felt the weight of spiritual battle.

List some pressures the world places on widows who are believers.

Why is the world always consumed with outside appearances and especially in women? How has this affected you as a widow?

What do you see as God’s remedy for overcoming the flesh?

Does the knowledge that the Devil is not God’s equal and that Christ has won the victory give you the confidence to live God’s Way? If so, then how does that impact how you are to live each day?

In the list of essentials for spiritual warfare, which one stood out the most to you and why?