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2 Cor 10:1 - 6 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 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;) 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.
There is an unseen force against God's people. When Jesus came, he exposed this force, lead by Satan. Many Christians fight the wrong power and force and blame each other instead of looking into the spirit realm to discern the motivating force behind each other. The evil we face is not a human force that can defeat in our own power. The enemy is an evil spiritual force led by Satan. The enemy includes rulers and authorities, angelic forces created by God through Christ who have rebelled against God and exercise temporary power in the universe. We can wage successful spiritual warfare only by abandoning worldly ways and attitudes. Our approach is to introduce truth which the Spirit use to reshape our way of thinking and perceiving. The ways the worldly person "fights" is of no value in achieving this goal.
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Satan has power within our world. He is the prince of the air. Satan's power lies behind our rebellion against God.
Mat 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
The devil works through his fallen angels, and people to bring to pass his evil designs. The devil seldom takes a life all at once. He does it a little at a time, step by step. Sometimes he is able to assume complete control rapidly, but most often it is a slow process over a period of weeks, months or even years. You can stop him and refuse to let him have control of you're life.
2 Cor 11:14,15 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Satan is deceptive. The devil willfully and deliberately sets snares to capture you. Let's not be fooled by the masks people wear, or their talk.
Mat 12:43 - 45 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
Driving out demons is a grate work, but it is meaningless without a commitment to Christ. The person without faith in Jesus is defenseless against evil powers. How dangerous to have experienced the touch of God, yet hesitate to commit to Him.
Heb 6:4 - 6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Even if our bad habits are overcome, our lives are empty unless we invite Christ in, to empower us for godly living. The Pharisees were great at sweeping out. But their failure to welcome Jesus left them vulnerable to demons far worse than the ones they worked so hard to brush away. Let's be careful to open our lives to Jesus, and let His love fill us with the compassion, mercy, and love.
Satan can and does demonize believers if they are not alert and self-controlled. We are to be victorious, However we can be vulnerable to the enemies attack, we can be influenced by demons. When a person deliberately goes into the devil's territory, while he is there it is possible to become a victim to whatever the devil offers, even though he is a Christian. If you go to the devils side of the fence you are in trouble, opening you're self to Satan. This means that a professing church member can open the doors of his heart, spirit, soul, and mind to lust, jealousy or lying exc. If you live a fleshly, carnal life, you open the door to the devil, and he will take advantage of you and dominates you through evil desires.
Luke 11:17 - 26 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
Even a believer has no defense against evil as long as his or her life is empty. We need the dynamic presence of Jesus Christ filling our lives. We must invite Him to possess us totally if our lives are going to change. How do we go about filling our lives with Jesus? Jesus explained in(v.28). "Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of God and keep it, obey it" . In spiritual warfare we have available to us weapons given to destroy the works of the devil. The most powerful weapon of attack against the lies of the enemy is the Word of God, which is the truth.
Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44).
John 8:31,23 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Satan confuses people making them think they are following God when actually they are following the devil. We must constantly check our lives by Christ's teachings rather than by traditions or what we thank.
The devil brought lies, temptation, and deception against Christ, but he was driven away by the Word of God. Each time the devil brought something against Christ it was in a subtle suggestion to the mind but Christ would quote scripture at that suggestion with this statement, for it is written “the truth”. Jesus brought the truth in and defeted the lie’s.
Truth is that which is in full correspondence with reality of the word. We must experience the reality Jesus' words portray by putting them into practice. If you and I want to "know the truth" about anything, we must hold firmly to Jesus' teaching and put His words into practice. Because the person who sins is not obeying Jesus' words, that person has no contact with spiritual reality, they are denying it by there behavior. Freedom is discovered by us only when we listen to Jesus' words and put them into practice.
1 Cor 10:1 - 15 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
The Israelites were bound to God by redemption and were sustained by God's grace. But they were not immune to temptations to idolatry and the immorality associated with it. Our nature is always vulnerable to temptations. But God is faithful in that with temptation He provides a "way out." God will help us deal with the temptation so we don't succumb. But never forget that we're not to place ourselves in situations where our sinful nature is strong!
These examples should serve as a warning to those who "think they are standing firm, be careful that you do not fall!"
Prov 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Psa 78:18 And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.
Psa 78:29 - 31 So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire; They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths, The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.
Psa 81:10 - 13 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels. Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Rom 2:5 - 9 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
God's wrath is His response to persistent sin and unrighteousness. Wrath is what results from one's refusing to except God's love. A moral order exists and the person who violates it will suffer the consequences of his or her actions. Righteousness will eventually triumph, and evil will suffer.
Rom 12:1 - 3 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
God will not make anyone live right. You must want to live right and be free from the spirits that bind you before you can be free. You must be a living sacrifice. There are several activities which will aid us in our fight against the enemies of God. We need to learn the Word of God. It will transform and renew our minds and lives. Spiritual transformation through learning is a continuing process, not a once-for-all accomplishment. We must remain in the unadulterated word of God, not man's doctrine and theology.
1 Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft
Occult practices are infused with satanic power and are designed to gather hidden, secret, or mysterious truths. The world of the occult covers everything from astrology to witchcraft to Satanism. The devil has symbols of his power. We should never have symbols of the devil's power in our possession. These symbols of the devil's power may have strength that you don't know about. Don’t invite evil spirits in you’re home.
We must place our lives in the hand of God to guide us every day. We must have clean hands and clean hearts, and with clean hands and clean hearts we need a clean home. We must clean out of our homes all symbols of the devil's power and all that has to do with the devil. And if you do have anything that needs to be cleaned out of you house, do it now! Our homes are to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ!
So purge out all rebellion and idolatry and all things that relates to the devil.
1 Cor 9:24 - 27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Every person must keep an appointment with Christ at the final judgment. Believers will be rewarded. Unbelievers will be punished. In sports the awarding of a prize for successful running follow strict training. Salvation is received by faith, rewards are earned by faithful living and serves. It is possible to loss you’re rewards. A Christians reward is the victor's crown.
2 Tim 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
2 Tim 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
We must guard our selves against sin and the consequent loss of rewards. The fact that rewards worked for can be lost should promote us to faithfulness. Continuance in the faith and in obedience to Christ's commands gains a reward.
1 Cor 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Gal 5:7 - 9 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
Gal 5:16 - 26 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
The Holy Spirit leads us away from sin. The Spirit does not over whelm us and force us to do God's will. Rather, He offers His gifts, power, and guidance and then expects us to follow Him. He gives you a new life in Christ. This life is by God, the Holy Spirit within. However, we must cooperate with him. We must live the life to which we are called. We must trust God and His Spirit rather than ourselves.
Sin is an ever present threat even for those that believe in Jesus. This list of sinful acts in v.19,20, and 21 describes behavior we are all capable of performing if we do not walk with the Spirit who dwells within us. We therefore, should not assume that we are immune from committing the most immoral acts. When we trust ourselves, sin rules our lives and leads us to unimaginable actions. Only when we totally trust and obey Christ does the threat of sin lose its power but it can return if you don't abide in Christ.
Eph 4:17 - 32 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Old and new potentials exist within the personality of all of us. God has given us a new self. It is our responsibility to choose to put on our new self and live by its promptings. The "old self" is that person we were when ruled by "deceitful desires." The "old self" is selfish and self-centered. The "new self" is selfless and "like God in true righteousness and holiness."
We are to Put off the former way of life, we are to live with a totally new attitude: a new self that is like God in true righteousness and holiness.
