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Just let me know what you guys think. I would like for you guys to help me have a message to lead in to this message. Thanks for reading!
To win a war one must know they are in a war.
Who or what is it that we war against? Are we at war with the flesh?
We are at war with those who would see us follow the flesh.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds wink Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
What is “Carnel?”
Worldly or Fleshly.
Who would see us follow the flesh?
The devil.
Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the LORD and the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of GOD, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
What are “Wiles?”
Devious or cunning stratagems employed in manipulating or persuading someone to do what one wants. >> to lure or entice.
What are “Stratagems?”
A trick in war for deceiving the enemy.
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not Flesh and Blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of GOD, should shine unto them.
“The rulers of darkness of this world…”, “the god of this world…” Refering to the devil.
This in mind, so then, is it not foolish for a man to go to war unprepared? Without the proper equipment a soldier would be completely vulnerable to attack. Is it then any less foolish for a warrior of GOD to go to war with the devil without proper armor?
Ephesians 6:13-14 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of GOD, that ye shall be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
The devil is a master of lies. He uses these lies to fight against us, and sometimes the lies can seem like truth.
Genesis 2:17 says, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”
The devil uses these words when deceiving Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge by changing only one word in Genesis 3:4 “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:”
It is with GOD’s truth that only believers can defeat Satan’s lies.
Satan often strikes at our hearts. Our Hearts are a direct tie to our emotions, self esteem, and trust. If the devil can kill or even wound our hearts he can keep us from GOD’s plan for us. GOD’s righteousness is the breastplate that guard our hearts and ensures his approval.
So in this we must do as Paul says in Ephesians 6:14 and “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;”
Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
The devil does everything possible to make think that that it is a hopelessly large task to spread the word of GOD. Or that the negative impact from our peers and others would be too much to bare.
In Jeremiah 1:6 Then said I, Ah, LORD GOD, behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
You see Jeremiah was scared that he would not be received by the cities of Judah. But in Jeremiah 1:8-9 it says, “Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.” The LORD had put his words in all believers who choose to listen, receive and study the word.
Luke 1:37 For with GOD nothing is impossible.
Romans 1:16-17For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
By standing in the word and by spreading the word we equip ourselves with the boots of GOD.
Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
The shield of faith is our protection against Satan’s attacks. His attempt to insult us, to stop us on our missions, or cause us to falter.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
It is by remaining in the word on a constant basis that we can understand GOD’s view of things. And in doing so we can see that victory in this battle is ours for the taking through GOD.
Romans 8:38-39For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of GOD.
The helmet of salvation is used in the protection of our mind. If the devil can cause doubt to enter your mind, he can cause you to remain stationary. Satan’s only wish is to keep you from the things of GOD.
Proverbs 23:7 As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he,
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
If a man has his mind in the things of the spirit he will live in the spirit. Just as a man that thinks of evil things will sin against GOD.
The sword is our only weapon of offense. We must use and know the word of GOD.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
If we do not know the word the devil can use the word against us. The word is a powerful tool and the devil knows it well. The devil quoted scripture when tempting Christ in the desert.
Matthew 4:6-7 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Christ used the sword, the word of GOD to counter Satan’s attack on him.
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplications for all saints,
We may find it difficult to think, and stand, and walk, pray through and to GOD everyday and all day. So perhaps we should make our reaction to every situation through out the day, to pray. To make a habit out of praying.
Job 1:20-21 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
Job did this and prayed this prayer immediately after he had lost everything. He lost all of his estate and lost all of his children, but still Job’s immediate response was to pray to GOD and praise him. We can follow this example or even make our life a prayer. To live in GOD’s word and walk the path of GOD to be a living prayer to GOD. In other words you life becomes a prayer in a world that needs GOD desperately, but just doesn’t know it.
I hope you guys enjoyed the read.
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