Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Spiritual Warfare

What are the wiles of the devil regarding assurance of salvation?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the devil attempts to rob Christians of their assurance of salvation in several ways. He tries to give believers a false joy or peace, make them doubt the possibility of assurance (suggesting it's presumption), or conversely make them believe they can't be Christians without perfect assurance. The devil also resurrects past sins and failures, points to variations in spiritual experiences, causes Christians to misinterpret God's dealings with them, attacks when they fall into sin, and tries to convince them they've committed the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit.

How does the devil use God's discipline to shake a Christian's faith?

The devil uses God's discipline and chastisement to shake a Christian's faith by misinterpreting God's dealings with us. He makes us doubt God's love when we experience trials, suggesting that if God truly loved us, He wouldn't allow such suffering. Alternatively, he suggests that our suffering proves we're not Christians at all, for if we were truly God's children, we wouldn't be treated this way. This causes Christians to completely misunderstand one of the most profound aspects of Christian teaching - that God disciplines those He loves for their growth and development.

What is the purpose of God's chastisement according to Lloyd-Jones?

According to Lloyd-Jones, God's chastisement has several purposes: 1) It helps us grow and develop spiritually - "God is determined that we should grow," 2) It reveals more of God's character to us - "there are depths in God and in his love and in his compassion... that the beginner knows nothing at all about," 3) It prepares us for the glory to come - "We are being prepared for that [glory]... this is God's way of preparing us for it." As the preacher says, "He's only got one object, to get rid of the dross and to refine the gold."

How should Christians respond to falling into sin according to the sermon?

When Christians fall into sin, Lloyd-Jones teaches they should not question their justification or relationship with God. They should remember that sin does not change their relationship to God as His children - "Sin does not change my relationship to God." Christians should confess their sin to God and receive His forgiveness: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." They should not accept the devil's suggestion that falling into sin means they are no longer Christians, as justification is "once and forever, never to be repeated."

What is the sin against the Holy Spirit and how does the devil use it?

The sin against the Holy Spirit, according to Lloyd-Jones, is not simply falling into sin but rather "to ridicule the work of the Spirit" and the "proud, arrogant denial, refusal and rejection of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus." The devil uses this teaching to convince Christians who have fallen into sin that they have committed this unpardonable sin and are therefore beyond forgiveness. However, Lloyd-Jones clarifies that if someone is troubled about possibly having committed this sin, it is proof they have not done so, as those who truly commit it "proudly and arrogantly are rejecting and denying the truth."

How does Lloyd-Jones explain the relationship between justification and Christian failure?

Lloyd-Jones explains that justification is a one-time act that establishes our relationship with God permanently. When a Christian falls into sin, they don't need to be "rejustified." He explains: "A man is justified by faith once and forever. You don't have to be rejustified every time you sin and repent... justification is once and forever." He uses the analogy of climbing a mountain - if you slip and fall while climbing, you don't go back to the beginning; you get up where you fell and continue. Similarly, when Christians sin, they remain God's children and should confess their sin rather than questioning their justification.

What is meant by "the whole armor of God" in relation to the devil's wiles?

The "whole armor of God" is the divine protection believers need to withstand the devil's wiles. Lloyd-Jones specifically mentions having "your loins girdled about with truth" as the first part of this armor. He explains that truth is how we deal with the devil's deceptions: "There's only one way to deal with the wiles of the devil. Truth. You take your truth and you say, well, now then, let's examine what you're saying." The armor enables Christians to identify the fallacies in the devil's arguments and stand firm against his attacks. Lloyd-Jones concludes his sermon emphasizing the importance of being "fully armed" and taking "the whole armor of God that ye may be able to withstand the wiles of the devil."