Book Club—Week 2 | Jonathan Pokluda | Your Story Has a Villain

2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV... the god of this world ...

1 John 4:4 NASB... greater is He who is in [us] than he who is in the world.

Acts 19:15-16 NIV One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

Ephesians 6:10-13 NIV Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Ephesians 6:14 NIV Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist ...

1.Walking in Truth

Ephesians 6:14 NIV... with the breastplate of righteousness in place ...

2. Acting in Righteousness
Ephesians 6:15 NIV...and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

3. Ready With the Gospel
Ephesians 6:16 NIV In addition to all this, take up the shield offaith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

4. Firm in Faith
1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV ... Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith ...

Luke 22:31-32 CSB “... Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. 32But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. ...”

1 John 4:4 KJV… greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Ephesians 6:17 NIV Take the helmet of salvation ...

5. Aware of Your Salvation
Ephesians 6:17 NIV ... and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

6. Responding With the Word
Matthew 5:28 NIV “... anyone who looks ... lustfully has already committed adultery ... in his heart.”

Job 31:1 NIV “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.”

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 NIV Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:7 ESV ... casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Matthew 6:27 NIV “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV “... he will never leave you nor forsake you. ...”

Matthew 6:33 NIV “... seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Ephesians 6:18 NIV And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

7. Engaged in Prayer
John 10:10 NIV “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”