“that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ”
Paul here expresses that his desire was for the spiritual welfare of the Christians in the Lycus Valley. His concern was always, first and foremost, their spiritual maturity. He did not design his ministry around their health, wealth, success, or prosperity. His concern was for their spiritual prosperity. Four lines of defense protect the believer from the enemy’s counterattack assault. The first relates to truth.
“that their hearts may be encouraged”
This phrase indicates the first protection from the assault on truth. When their faith is under attack, the first defense for the Christian is to personally orient to God’s Word. God’s revelation is our first line of defense. We find how to cope with adversity and frustration in this principle.
Principle:
While under pressure to question our faith, orientation to God’s Word is our first line of defense.
Application:
What should we do when we face adversity? Scream and fall apart? Find someone with a sympathetic ear? We will never liberate ourselves from Satanic attacks without getting behind this first line of defense. God fortifies our hearts with the Word first.
