God’s Promises Are Yours, but How Can You Receive them?
In Christ, every believer has a God-given inheritance, but there are spiritual forces that seek to hinder us from fully embracing it. These forces, though defeated through Christ’s sacrifice, work to disrupt our peace, distract us from God’s best, and sow seeds of doubt. Like the Israelites who faced seven primary enemies while possessing their promised land, we also face similar spiritual challenges today. Understanding these enemies and relying on God’s Word will empower us to overcome them and walk confidently in our inheritance.
Ephesians 1:3 is a powerful verse that opens the letter to the Ephesians with a theme of gratitude and profound blessing. In this single verse, Paul captures the essence of God’s generosity to believers and the spiritual blessings that come from being united with Christ.
Breakdown of Key Phrases
- “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”
- Paul begins by praising God, emphasizing Him as both the “God” and “Father” of Jesus. This acknowledgment highlights the deep relationship between God the Father and Jesus Christ, setting the tone for the blessings believers receive through that connection. Paul starts with worship, recognizing that God is worthy of praise and adoration.
- “Who hath blessed us”
- Paul speaks in the past tense, “hath blessed,” which suggests that these blessings are not something we need to earn or wait for; they have already been given to us through our relationship with Christ. The phrase “hath blessed us” implies a completed action—God’s blessings are ours now, a gift that has been bestowed upon all believers in Christ.
- “With all spiritual blessings”
- These blessings are described as “spiritual,” which means they are not necessarily material in nature. Instead, they are blessings of a higher, eternal order that affect the soul, the mind, and our spiritual lives. These include things like forgiveness, redemption, wisdom, strength, peace, and the Holy Spirit’s guidance. They provide everything needed for a fulfilling and God-centered life.
- “In heavenly places”
- This phrase suggests that these blessings originate from heaven itself, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. “Heavenly places” also emphasizes that our blessings are not of this earthly realm; they are eternal and secure, untouched by the limitations and struggles of the physical world.
- “In Christ”
- The phrase “in Christ” appears frequently in Paul’s letters and is central to understanding Ephesians 1:3. It signifies that all spiritual blessings are accessible through our union with Jesus. It’s through faith in Christ that we become adopted as children of God and can partake in these heavenly blessings.
Spiritual Blessings Highlighted in Ephesians
Following this verse, Paul outlines several specific spiritual blessings that believers receive “in Christ.” They include:
- Adoption as sons and daughters (Ephesians 1:5): We are welcomed into God’s family.
- Redemption through His blood (Ephesians 1:7): Our sins are forgiven, and we are set free from guilt and shame.
- Wisdom and revelation (Ephesians 1:8-9): God grants us insight into His will and purposes for our lives.
- An eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1:11): As co-heirs with Christ, we have an assured inheritance with God.
The Significance of Being “In Christ”
This verse emphasizes that our blessings come through Christ alone. Being “in Christ” means living in union with Him—receiving His grace, sharing in His life, and embodying His teachings. It also means we are spiritually seated with Him in the “heavenly places,” sharing in His victory over sin and death.
Application and Encouragement
Ephesians 1:3 is a reminder to live from a place of abundance rather than lack. Knowing we are “blessed with all spiritual blessings” equips us to face life’s challenges with confidence and gratitude, recognizing that our resources are unlimited in Christ. We don’t have to strive for these blessings; they are ours as a gift of grace through our faith.
In summary, Ephesians 1:3 calls us to praise God, reminds us of the immense blessings we have received, and encourages us to live with the knowledge that our inheritance in Christ is secure and eternal. This verse is an invitation to embrace the fullness of life that God offers through faith in His Son.
1. Overcoming the Spirit of Shame and Humiliation (The Canaanites)
The spirit represented by the Canaanites aims to bring embarrassment, guilt, and regret into your life, leading to self-doubt and unwise decisions. The enemy attempts to trap you in past mistakes, robbing you of the joy and peace found in God’s grace. Instead, let God’s favor cover and strengthen you as you let go of the past and walk in His goodness.
- Scriptural Antidote: Psalm 112:5 — “A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.”Psalm 5:12 — “For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.”
2. Overcoming the Spirit of Fear and Anxiety (The Hittites)
The Hittites represent a spirit of fear that seeks to invade your peace, often through worry and anxiety. It may bring “night terrors,” disturbing your rest and peace. However, God reminds us that fear has no place in His kingdom, and He equips us with love, power, and a sound mind to resist these fearful thoughts.
- Scriptural Antidote: 2 Timothy 1:7 — “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”Isaiah 24:18 — “And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit…”
3. Overcoming Laziness and Small-Mindedness (The Hivites)
The Hivites symbolize laziness and lack of ambition, encouraging an attitude of complacency. This spirit seeks to keep you passive and unwilling to step into the life of purpose and abundance God has prepared. God calls us to diligence, which leads to blessing and fulfillment.
- Scriptural Antidote: Proverbs 20:13 — “Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.”Proverbs 10:4 — “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.”
4. Overcoming Lack of Boundaries and Moral Limits (The Perizzites)
The Perizzites represent a lack of boundaries, encouraging a fragmented, morally unchecked life. This enemy seeks to cause confusion and disrupt God’s plan by diluting His standards. Instead, God’s Word calls us to surround ourselves with influences that strengthen our character and to live with clear moral boundaries.
- Scriptural Antidote: 1 Corinthians 15:33 — “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”
5. Overcoming Deception and Self-Reliance (The Gergashites)
The Gergashites symbolize deception, leading us to rely on ourselves instead of God. This spirit encourages us to act from selfish motives rather than in trust and obedience to God’s guidance. However, the Bible reminds us that sowing to the Spirit, not the flesh, brings life.
- Scriptural Antidote: Galatians 6:8 — “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”
6. Overcoming Pride and Need for Approval (The Amorites)
The Amorites represent pride and the desire for human approval. This spirit fuels rebellion, pulling us away from God’s guidance and into a cycle of seeking validation from others. God’s Word reminds us that true greatness is found in humility and obedience to Him.
- Scriptural Antidote: Deuteronomy 28:1 — “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments… that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth.”John 14:15 — “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
7. Overcoming Oppression and Hopelessness (The Jebusites)
The Jebusites represent oppression, seeking to crush your spirit and make you feel unworthy or undeserving of God’s help. This spirit sows despair and tries to convince you that your struggles are a result of your own failures. Yet God is a refuge for the oppressed, lifting us out of our troubles.
- Scriptural Antidote: Psalm 9:9 — “The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.”Isaiah 54:14 — “In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.”
Walking in Victory Through Christ
Each of these enemies represents spiritual strongholds that can try to steal your peace and joy. Yet, through the grace and power of God, you are equipped to overcome them. Stand firm in the promises of God, apply His Word, and walk boldly into the life of blessing He has prepared for you. Remember that these enemies have already been defeated by Jesus—your role is to claim your inheritance with faith and perseverance.
With God’s Word as your weapon and His Spirit as your guide, you can overcome any challenge and live in the fullness of His promises.
Living Word Christian Center 