Spiritual Warfare - December 10

Last week we talked about Satan’s primary attack – our mind. It’s easy to know some of the wrong thoughts – lust, rape, murder, theft, lying, extramarital affairs, etc. Some attacks are more subtle. How do we know what’s good and what’s not?

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV)

How do we do this? It’s so easy to look at the things of the world – the sensuality, the advertisements that make us want to buy stuff to find happiness, the “entertainment” that we feel we need to watch so we can fit in with our peer group. Some of that is beautiful, of course, but what of the things that are just a “little” bad? Can we safely interact then?

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. 2 Corinthians 10:5-6 (ESV)

Unfortunately for us, the answer is a clear NO. If we don’t focus on the true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise, we are disobedient. We are either in God’s will or we are sinning. It’s black and white. We would all like some wiggle room, but it’s just not there!

Are thoughts bad? Absolutely not. What we do with those thoughts is the problem. If we have an ungodly thought and we turn to God for help, we’re in His will. If we continue on with the thought, it can lead to an ungodly action. That’s a sin. If we continue with the same ungodly thoughts, it can become a stronghold or what Paul calls a fortress. God has given us a way out!

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4 (ESV)

We must take time to ask God to help us take down our strongholds. This includes thoughts that could lead to sin. We can’t do it alone. We need His help. Any stronghold is a hiding place for Satan – and those areas are places where Satan becomes victorious.

If you have the courage, take an hour or so and examine your life with pen and paper (or computer) at hand. Honestly evaluate your thoughts and actions from today. Write down every possible stronghold:

Vocabulary used to fit in with your peer group

Visuals you should not have continued to look at

Bitterness and unforgiveness

Gossip

Music with inappropriate lyrics

Lustfully looking at another human being

Envy of an acquaintance’s new possession

Desire to “slack off” when the boss isn’t looking

Temptation to forego reading God’s Word or praying because of your busy day

The list could be endless. With relentless soul searching, prayer and study of God’s Word – and with God’s help – you can begin to tear down your strongholds. Evaluate your thought life today and begin to step closer to God’s will!

See you Thursday.

Spiritual Warfare - December 6

What tactics does Satan use when he targets your mind?

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? Acts 5:3 (ESV)

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3 (ESV)

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (ESV)

The mind is Satan’s primary target. Since we know that this is Satan’s favorite target, what can we do to combat his assaults?

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (ESV)

We don’t wage “normal” war with Satan, and the weapons in this war aren’t worldly. This war is for our mind. If we don’t war in the flesh, what weapons do we have?

I recently discovered that although I thought I had forgiven someone, there were still some unresolved issues in my mind. There were hurts that I need to address and forgiveness that I need to offer. It’s not about the other person at all – I need to have a forgiving heart whether or not that other person ever alters their behavior. Until I can clean my heart of these unresolved issues, Satan has fertile ground to attack. It was quite a surprise for me to find these buried feelings! You might have similar issues that give Satan a place to attack – or it might be a book you are reading. Each of us has different areas for Satan to work in. it’s time to get with God and ask Him to show you what areas are vulnerable to Satan’s attack. Remember, if there’s an area of concern, God gives you a way to deal with it!

Are there areas that need special work? If you’d like a little extra prayer, send me an email. I’d love to share your  burden and take your problems to the Throne on your behalf!

On Monday we will see Paul’s advice for our thoughts. I pray that your weekend is blessed with enjoyment and that your worship is vibrant, with a clear sense of God’s presence. See you Monday.

Spiritual Warfare - December 3

Last week we were reminded that Satan is powerless without God’s permission. We also read about all the horrible things that happened to Job and I challenged you to think about your life in the light of Job. How did your faith stand up?

Satan wants to get us to sin. That’s his primary mission in life. He constantly works at our minds to get u to envy, lust, and think about ungodly stuff. When you watch television you are bombarded with sexual situations, language, adultery, lying, cheating – and it’s laughed at in a sitcom. We know that God doesn’t think any of that is funny, so why do we allow ourselves to watch? Are there shows you watch, books or magazines you read, internet sites you visit, movies you see, entertainment venues you go to, or music you listen to that makes it easy for Satan to get inside your head? Should you ask God to wean you from those shows?

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. Proverbs 15:28 (ESV)

Do you “learn” the right answers from that prime-time television show, or from the Word of God? where is your heart kept? In prayer and God’s Word, or on that internet site?

Are you worried? Anxious? Always obsessing about what’s going on in your life? Could your life improve if you increase your trust in God?

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV)

Jesus had a lot to say about our actions and our words. At one point, Jesus was talking about “clean” and “unclean” food. People were obsessed with making sure that they didn’t eat the “wrong” stuff and offend God. Jesus clearly told them that food wasn’t the issue.

Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” Matthew 15:17-20 (ESV)

Any of those sins apply to you? If they do and you are a Christian, you need to repent and turn away from them. It’s impossible to lead a sinless life, but with Christ’s help we can overcome. Our flesh causes the problems, not God.

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. James 1:13-15 (ESV)

It’s my own desire that causes me to sin. I could choose to stop looking at those images – or I can choose to click further into the web site. I can stop listening to filthy language – or I can make that language a part of my life. When I sin, Satan wins a skirmish. When I refrain, it’s a victory for God.

We all need to assess our lives and get rid of the garbage. We all have stuff that we do that we know isn’t godly. It’s time to face up to it, take responsibility for our actions, and turn from those sins. God promises to help us!

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

Satan can’t do it without God’s approval. If you stay grounded in God’s Word, it’s easier to turn from temptation. When you sin, it’s your own fault – the devil didn’t “make” you do it, and God isn’t the one tempting you: He provides a way out.

Time to take inventory. What do you need to remove from your life, your heart, and your mouth?

See you Thursday.

Spiritual Warfare - November 29

On Monday we saw God holding Job up to Satan as a righteous man and giving Satan permission to bother Job – but not touch him personally. Here’s what Satan did:

Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and there came a messenger to Job and said,

·       “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was yet speaking, there came another and said,

·       “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was yet speaking, there came another and said,

·       “The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was yet speaking, there came another and said,

·       “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”  In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.  Job 1:13-22 (ESV)

Talk about a bad day! If that had been YOUR day, would your first act have been worship? For most of us, the honest answer is “no”.

Satan is very powerful. In a short time, with God’s permission, Satan was able to take everything away from Job except his health and life. However, Job didn’t respond as Satan predicted, and Satan went back to God.

Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord. And the Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes. Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. Job 2:1-10 (ESV)

Satan gets another try at Job, and this time he’s allowed to make Job sick. Job’s wife was amazed that Job didn’t curse God and die. Job knew there was a plan and that he had to trust God, and he refused to say anything against God.

Have you ever gone through a trial and had friends or family members tell you to turn from God? How did that make you feel? Were you convinced you needed to stand by God, or were you tempted to listen to your friends?

So far we’ve seen some pretty vicious attacks against Job. Who was really in control? It wasn’t Satan – he needs permission to do anything. God is ultimately in control!

Now for some navel-gazing. If Satan went to God today, would God have enough confidence in your integrity to let Satan do what he wanted? If your honest answer is “no”, what areas of your life need some strengthening? Do you think that your weaknesses make you generally more or less vulnerable to attacks by the enemy? Are there areas in your life where you frequently succumb to temptation?

When you go through trials, how does your behavior compare with Job’s? What parts of your life need to change so you can go through trials with the integrity of Job?

We’re coming closer to the new year, and people frequently start to think about resolutions. Perhaps your resolution for 2013 would be to develop more integrity so you can withstand the enemy’s attacks like Job.

See you Monday!