Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Sermon on Ephesians 6:10-11

What is the central text that Dr. Lloyd-Jones examines in this sermon?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones focuses on Ephesians 6:10-11, which states: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." This text forms the foundation for his discussion of spiritual warfare and the Christian's only effective means of battling against spiritual forces.

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones claim Christianity is the "only way" to address moral problems?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that Christianity is the only solution to moral problems based on three main evidences: 1) The evidence of history shows that whenever people turned from God, moral decay followed; 2) The nature of the fight against spiritual forces requires supernatural power, not merely human effort; and 3) The high standard to which Christians are called (to be perfect as God is perfect) cannot be attained by human effort alone. He states: "openly, frankly, avowedly and unashamedly, we assert, as the apostle does here by implication, that this and this alone is the only way of victory and of triumph."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the two common misunderstandings of Christianity?

The first misunderstanding is that Christianity is merely "a moral ethical teaching" that we must apply ourselves—reducing Jesus to just another great teacher among many. The second misunderstanding is monasticism—the idea that Christians must segregate themselves from the world to avoid temptation. Both approaches fail because the first leaves people without power to change, while the second fails to address that sin comes from within us and spiritual enemies can reach us anywhere.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones use the "iceberg" metaphor to explain human nature?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones quotes a reviewer who described humanity as an iceberg: "men is a kind of iceberg... standing up above the water is a certain amount, about a third perhaps, which may look very white, but underneath are two thirds out of sight." This metaphor illustrates that humans are mainly driven by irrational impulses, desires, and instincts (the hidden two-thirds) rather than by rational thought (the visible one-third). This explains why mere education or moral teaching is insufficient to change behavior.

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about the relevance of his message to modern moral problems?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones directly addresses contemporary moral problems, noting how medical officers were reporting alarming increases in venereal diseases among adolescents despite unprecedented educational opportunities and social programs. He observes: "It is as religion has declined in this century, that the moral problem has increased." He ties this directly to statistics showing decreasing church attendance coinciding with increasing moral problems, proving the relevance of his message to modern society.

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, why is Martin Luther's experience significant to this discussion?

Martin Luther exemplifies the failure of monasticism as an approach to spiritual warfare. Despite being a monk who fasted, prayed, and tried to conquer his spiritual enemies through severe discipline, Luther only found deeper failure and hopelessness. It was only when he discovered the true nature of Christianity—being strong in the Lord rather than in self-effort—that he found victory. Lloyd-Jones notes: "That was a travesty of Christianity. That wasn't Christianity at all. Christianity was something essentially different."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the true Christian method of spiritual victory?

The true Christian method is not imitating Christ through moral effort, not adopting ethical teaching to practice, and not escaping the world as a monk. Rather, it is: "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Take unto you the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand the wiles of the devil." It is a supernatural, miraculous gospel that empowers believers to be "more than conquerors" right where they are, in the midst of a sinful world.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones respond to the charge of Christians being "narrow-minded"?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones rejects the notion that insisting on Christianity as the only solution is narrow-minded. He states: "When you know that something is the only cure for a disease, that it's specific, that it cures it certainly, and that nothing else does, we don't regard it as being narrow-minded to use that remedy and not to waste time with other remedies. That's not being narrow-minded. That's just being sensible." He compares this to specialization in science, which is considered wisdom, not narrow-mindedness.