“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” (Matthew 24: 6-8)
And so, here we are, watching these things occur before our very eyes. After enduring over 2 years (and counting) of coronavirus with a new variant emerging, we now have food shortages looming on the horizon. Adding to this horrid global picture we see the atrocity and brutality of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as the world teeters on the brink of World War III. While these events unfold in real time we are brought face-to-face with the sobering reality of the inescapable consequences of armed conflict which are pain, suffering, destruction and death. And no one is spared. Not men, not women, not the elderly, not children, not toddlers, not infants. And though we pray for peace and for the leaders of our country and every other country to do what is right, we know that evil is an ever-present menace in this world that we occupy.
There is a constant conversation with many supposed answers about the cause of this depraved condition we find ourselves in, but our conclusions usually miss the mark. While the world focuses on the current war being waged that we can see with our physical eyes, another more destructive internal spiritual war has been raging since the beginning of time that we cannot see.
In this spiritual war there lurks a beast in the hearts and minds of men everywhere. A beast that has perpetrated all manner of viciousness and barbarism against everything and everyone God has created. Sometimes out in the open, sometimes in secret. A beast that is encouraged and influenced by a master manipulator who came for no other reason “but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” (John 10: 10) He is the chief thief, the father of lies, the emperor of oppression and the monarch of murder. He is none other than Satan himself.
But we know all about that Devil, his bag of tricks and his ultimate objective to separate us from God so we will die in our sins, therefore we are well aware that we need to constantly be on the lookout for the elaborate schemes he designs to entrap us. So today let’s talk about that beast we just mentioned that he so effectively uses in his war against us. And as the first rule in the problem-solving process is always recognition, the purpose of today’s discussion is to illuminate something vitally important about this war that our adversary wants us to ignore. And we’re gonna have to make this personal, so here we go.
As we prepare to fight the good fight of faith, endeavoring to be the spiritual warriors God has called us to be, the first thing we do is to get suited up. Putting on the whole armor of God, we tighten up the truth around our loins, strap on the breastplate of righteousness, lace up our combat boots ready to march forward with good news from the Prince of Peace. We then wield faith’s shield with the expertise of the valiant Spartan gladiators who battled the mighty Persian army at Thermopylae, not forgetting to snugly secure our cranium protection which is the helmet of salvation, while brandishing our spiritual sword in a manner that would undoubtedly extract an approving nod from a master Samurai.
Though the above description of the armor of God may prompt an amusing grin, the subject at hand is no joke. It is extremely serious because we are talking about our daily spiritual battles. And so, continuing with our preparation, we are now confident that we are completely and appropriately outfitted for war. We wisely anticipate the inevitable evil assault that will surely come, scanning the horizon with watchful eyes preparing to repel any frontal, flanking or sneak attack. We stand prepared and ready to engage the enemy. But then, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, we are knocked out cold by a punch we never saw coming. After we wake up we’re dazed, confused and discouraged because we can’t understand how, after all of our meticulous preparation and training, our defenses were so easily penetrated.
What could it have been? A new weapon beyond our ability to comprehend? A cloaking device so deceptive it escaped detection? It was neither. Quite frankly, it was a simple oversight on our part. A failure to adequately consider and guard against all possible scenarios, situations or conditions which might expose a secret passageway to our own vulnerability. But how can that be? We were completely covered with the armor, poised for action in our fighting stance, watching from the walls for any sign of danger. We were okay ……. or so we thought.
See what happens when we think. 1 Corinthians 10: 12 says “Let him that thinks he stands take heed or else he will fall.” To illustrate this point, recall the story of the citizens of ancient Troy who thought they were okay as a Greek-manufactured wooden horse sat in the middle of their city waiting to spill death on the unsuspecting population. Or how America thought it was okay keeping us safe from terrorists until a home-grown thug brought down the Federal Building in Oklahoma City with explosives. Or how the last victim of the West Nile virus thought they were okay until they finally realized that their life was being slowly sapped away by what apparently was just a mosquito bite.
It is very sad that we are so prone to losing our focus and wandering about exposing ourselves to danger. As Isaiah 53: 6 says, “All we like sheep have gone astray.” And because of this hazardous tendency, it is vitally important that we always “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” (Proverbs 3: 5-7)
Now how many of us have shaken our heads at those people whose lives have been cast into turmoil by something close to them that caught them off-guard. More importantly, how many of us are wise enough to understand that we all have something in common with these same people. And just what is that “common something” that lurks in the shadows of our own homes, coiled up like a rattlesnake in a corner waiting for the opportune moment to strike and unleash a torrent of pain, misery and death from its murderous fangs? For dramatic purposes, let’s call that common enemy the beast within.
Our first order of business is to identify from whence this beast hails. About 3,000 years ago, King David of Israel was furious at a report he received from the prophet Nathan about a particular individual’s vile behavior. After pronouncing a death sentence on the perpetrator, King David was then shocked by Nathan’s somber disclosure of this adulterer and murderer’s identity. Dismissing all theatrics and dramatics, Nathan simply told David, “Thou art the man.” (2 Samuel 12: 7) Using the same formula of simplicity to describe who is providing sanctuary for the beast we are speaking of today, I will simply say to us all, “Thou art the man.” More specifically it is your desires, your lusts, your passions, your sinful nature. Straight to the point, it’s your flesh!
Some may have a hard time accepting this fact, but the Bible is very plain when speaking of why we fall victim to temptation. James 1: 14 says “every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed.” Not someone else’s lust, our own. The Apostle Paul also understood this when he wrote in Romans 7: 18, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing” and continued in Verse 21 saying, “when I would do good, evil is present with me.” He describes how even though he delighted in the law of God after the inward man, he saw another law at work in the cravings of his flesh which was at war with his new nature and constantly trying to overtake him and imprison him in sin. (Romans 7: 22-23)
In other words, as Galatians 5: 17 tells us, the flesh opposes the spirit and the spirit opposes the flesh. They are at war with each other, contrary, conflicting and antagonistic towards one another with one unalterable purpose ..... to control, or if possible, to annihilate the other. And we must not be misled by the enemy about how vitally important this war is. At stake is our soul and its eternal destination. "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8: 13-14) Therefore it is crucial to take complete and total control of the flesh and dominate it to where it surrenders with the ultimate intention of eradicating it entirely. Here are your targets: "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are these: sexual immorality (adultery/fornication), impurity, salacious behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, murder, drunkenness (intoxication), carousing 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. (Galatians 5: 19-21 KJV & NASB) So take no prisoners! As stated in Galatians 5: 24, “They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”
Now who will win this war, the flesh or the spirit? I can tell you right now ….. whichever one to whom you relinquish control of your life. Galatians 5: 16 says “walk in the spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” But don’t think that your flesh will go quietly. You must realize that the power of your weak flesh rests in its ability to disguise itself where it takes advantage of your preoccupation with external battles to mount an internal insurrection. You’ll be so busy worrying about things coming at you that you’ll overlook things coming out of you.
Perhaps you’ve experienced this during those times you’ve had good intentions but found yourself losing battles miserably. Have you ever found yourself wondering why you are having so much trouble with your own self? How you try so hard to do the right thing and then, BAM! Out of nowhere you do, say or think something which causes you to be disgusted with yourself. Matthew 26: 41 says “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And the enemy wants us to be so embarrassed by our missteps that we will be too ashamed to confront ourselves, let alone admit we have fallen short. And he certainly doesn’t want us to confess our fault to God and ask for help.
Sounds like a war we can’t win and a hopeless situation, but not so! I’ve got good news. God knows what a mess we are. “For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.” (Psalm 103: 14) But He loves us anyway. Paul’s lament to the Romans was this: “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7: 24) Who do you think he's talking about? Let me tell you Who. In fact, I’ll let Paul himself tell you as he continues with this glorious exclamation, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7: 25) So Who is it that will deliver you? God, through His Son Jesus, that’s Who! Therefore knowing, understanding and believing this, our mentality should be, "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? "Romans 8: 31)
And so, even though we truly are inadequate, with our blessed Savior we are more than conquerors! His strength is made perfect in our weakness and we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. What’s impossible with man, with God, all things are possible. Only believe! And though the Devil may be roaming about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, by faith we shall stop the mouths of lions! So no matter how brutal the battle may get, be determined to fight to the finish. “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Matthew 24: 13)
I declare to you that you are not , I repeat YOU ARE NOT at the mercy of the Great Deceiver obligated to do his bidding. And even though we have all done wrong we have a God Who loves us so much that this is what He does for us. “And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 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: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.)” (Ephesians 2: 1-5)
Now how awesome is that! But there’s more! We are now given “exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1: 4) Praise God that “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5: 17) Just always follow the rules of engagement our Commander gave us for guaranteed victory in battle ….. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4: 7) And with him goes any power the beast (your flesh) has to control you with. But he’ll be back, so be ready.
And though that serpent is very crafty, he still can't force you to do anything. He can only deceive you or you can just decide to be disobedient. It is your choice to allow him to have power and influence in your life. He wants you to be afraid of him, but if you take a good look you will realize that he is nothing. When you see him for who he really is you will be amazed and ashamed that you ever allowed yourself to be manipulated, subjugated and terrorized by this cowardly thug. As Isaiah 14: 16 & 17 says “They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms, that made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?”
So choose Jesus. Then take a good look at that wily serpent and do what Adam did with all the beasts within the Garden of Eden in Genesis 1: 26 & 28 and 2: 19-20) …. he gave them names and that’s what they were. This is why you must be careful about what you allow people to call you. You see, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18: 21) So use your God-given ability and verbally designate that Devil as Defeated. Prophetically articulate him as Powerless and orally mandate that he is as good as DEAD (Destined for Eternal and Absolute Destruction). Tag him and bag him then take your rightful place as Ambassador and Emissary of the Kingdom of God placed here for the express manifestation of His glory and undisputed reign as Master of the Universe.
When we allow ourselves to be manipulated by the Devil through our inward beast (our flesh) we voluntarily surrender the majesty, the power and the glory that belongs to God and God alone. We owe it to God to protect His interests and possessions here on earth. Psalm 24: 1 says, “ The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” You and everything else on this planet belongs to Him. He deserves all of your love, all of your affection, all of your praise, all of your attention and all of your effort. He's given you everything, so give Him everything. "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." (Romans 12: 1)
So be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. War a good warfare and "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5: 1) Be encouraged and be determined to honorably complete your tour of duty on the righteous battlefield that God has called you to. "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him Who hath chosen him to be a soldier." (2 Timothy 2: 3-4)
May the Lord bless you to live powerfully and passionately in Him, to seek peace and tranquility through Him and to live pure and holy by Him. Keep working for God’s Kingdom and may the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit in every battle so you may remember that "the battle is not yours, but God's. (2 Chronicles 20: 15)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Galatians 5: 22-23)
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