WEEKEND RECHARGE!

JANUARY 24, 2026

Monday, January 19—Eze. 28 and Isaiah 14
Tuesday, January 20—Ephesians 2:1-3
Wednesday, January 21—Matthew 4:1-11
Thursday, January 22—Ephesians 6:10-20
Friday, January 23—Ephesians 6:10-20 

This past week, we considered the spiritual battle. We began by examining Satan’s origin and how he works to destroy believers. We saw that the battle is on three fronts: the world, the flesh, and the devil. The devil deceives us, the world normalizes sin, and the flesh desires the short-lived pleasures of sin. We learned from Adam and Eve that we are no match for Satan, and from Jesus that the “sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God,” is the best weapon against Satan’s evil pursuits. We also learned from Ephesians 6:10-20 that we must put on our battle gear to be truly battle-ready. 

The World. The Flesh. The Devil. Knowing God, J. I. Packer 
Packer says that many people teach “that the world, flesh, and the devil will give us no serious trouble once we are Christians; nor will our circumstances and personal relationships ever be a problem to us; nor will we ever be a problem to ourselves. Such suggestions…are false.”

“God exposes [Christians] to as much testing by the pressure of opposed and discouraging influences as they are able to bear . . . Thus he builds our character, strengthens our faith, and prepares us to help others. Thus he crystallizes our sense of values. Thus he glorifies himself in our lives, making his strength perfect in weakness.” 

Timothy Keller, Counterfeit Gods, 132-133
“Why did our culture largely abandon God as its Hope? I believe it was because our religious communities have been and continue to be filled with false gods. Making an idol out of doctrinal accuracy, ministry success, or moral rectitude led to constant internal conflict, arrogance and self-righteousness, and oppression of those whose views differ. These toxic effects of religious idolatry have led to widespread disaffection with religion in general and Christianity in particular. Thinking we have tried God, we have turned to other Hopes, with devastating consequences.” 

The Gospel is not just the ABCs from a Sept. 2003 Timothy Keller sermon 
I am weary of people saying they “shared the gospel,” meaning they explained to someone how to become a Christian or left a gospel tract on a restaurant table. The gospel is how we become, grow, live, and die as Christians. Keller says it this way:

The gospel is not just the ABCs but the A-Z of the Christian life. It is inaccurate to think the gospel is what saves non-Christians, and then Christians mature by trying hard to live according to biblical principles. It is more accurate to say that we are saved by believing the gospel, and then we are transformed in every part of our minds, hearts, and lives by believing the gospel more and more deeply as life goes on. 

THIS WEEK’S DAILY DEVO OVERVIEW:

EZEKIEL 28 AND ISAIAH 14: BATTLE READY: THE ENEMY

Satan Was Created as a Beautiful Being (Eze. 28:12-13)

• Satan is a created being. 
• He was created by God and was full of wisdom and beauty. 

Satan Was a High-Ranking Angel with Access to God (Eze. 28:14)

• Satan is described as an “anointed guardian cherub,” indicating a position of high authority and closeness to God. 
• Cherubim served as protectors and proclaimers of God’s holiness and glory. 
• Satan’s role placed him in God’s presence, underscoring both the privilege he held and the depth of his eventual fall.

Satan’s Pride Led to Rebellion (Eze. 28:15–19; Isa. 14:12–14; Jude 1:6)

• Though created blameless, unrighteousness entered Satan’s heart when pride took root.
• His beauty and splendor became the source of self-exaltation rather than worship of God. Isaiah records his internal rebellion through five “I will” statements, revealing his desire to ascend, rule, and ultimately replace God. 
• Satan’s sin was not merely disobedience—it was attempted dethronement.

Satan Was Cast Down from Heaven (Eze. 28:16-17)

• Using his influence, Satan persuaded many angels to join his rebellion. 
• God’s response was swift and decisive—Satan was cast out of heaven along with those who followed him. 
• Jesus later affirmed Satan’s exile, declaring that he saw Satan fall “like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:18). 
• Though still active, Satan now operates as a defeated enemy within God’s sovereign limits.

EPHESIANS 2:1-3: BATTLE READY: THE ENCOUNTER

The Battle Is Fought on Three Fronts: World, Flesh, and Devil (Eph. 2:2-3)

• The World: Provides values and systems that normalize and rationalize sin, presenting truth as relative.
• The Flesh: Our sinful nature desires the short-lived pleasures of sin.
• The Devil: An evil being who tempts us through our flesh and the world’s systems. He lures us into ignoring God’s plan by leading us to pursue our own desires. 

MATTHEW 4:1-11: BATTLE READY: THE BATTLEFIELD (PART 1)

Temptation #1: Act Independently of God (Matt. 4:1-4)

Temptation #2: Take Advantage of God’s Grace (Matt. 4:5-8)

Temptation #3: Fulfill Your Purpose Apart from God (Matt. 4:9-11)

EPHESIANS 6:10-20: BATTLE READY: BATTLEFIELD (PART 2)

The Battle Is Real and Personal (Eph. 6:12)

• All who follow Jesus are engaged in spiritual warfare. 
• This spiritual battle is not primarily against people or circumstances, but against spiritual forces of evil. 

The Strength to Stand Comes from the Lord (Eph. 6:10)

• God commands believers to stand firm and makes it clear that victory comes only through his strength. 
• This tension reminds us that spiritual responsibility and divine dependence go hand in hand. 

The Battle Takes Place in the Heavenly Realm, Yet Victory Is Assured (Eph. 6:12)

• Spiritual battles are taking place beyond what we can see, yet they affect everyday life.
• Scripture reveals that God’s angelic armies are active and that believers fight from higher ground because of Christ’s victory at the cross. 
• Although we may not see the battle in the heavenly places, we experience it every day. We stand with confidence, knowing that God goes before us.

EPHESIANS 6:10-20: BATTLE READY: BATTLE GEAR

The Enemy Is Real, but We Are Not Left Defenseless (Eph. 6:10-20)

God Provides the Armor That Guards Our Lives and Anchors Our Faith (Eph. 6:14-17)

• Belt of Truth anchors us in biblical integrity in a world of relative truth.
• Breastplate of Righteousness protects the heart through both justification and daily obedience.
• Shoes of the Gospel of Peace gives us a sure footing—peace with God and the peace of God.
• Shield of Faith extinguishes Satan’s fiery arrows of doubt, discouragement, and desire.
• Helmet of Salvation guards our minds with the certainty of eternal security.
• Sword of the Spirit—the Word of God—Just as Jesus answered Satan with “It is written,” believers overcome deception by knowing, trusting, and applying Scripture.