Spiritual War, 14of20

~ Spiritual War: Know Your Enemy ~ 

The Commander of the Opposing Army  ~  He is called Abaddon in Hebrew, Apollyon in Greek, or in English he is the destroyer.  Satan is the arch-enemy of mankind.  He is the supernatural enemy of God and of His people.  He will destroy all in his path unless they take refuge and strength in Jesus Christ as their Commander-In-Chief. 

Opposing Army  ~  The devil has a multitude of soldiers and they are all bent on our destruction of human beings along with obliteration of everything that has to do with Jesus Christ.  “Then He [Jesus Christ] will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels’” (Matthew 25:40).  “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).

What are the characteristics of our enemy?

Ruler of This World (during the present time)  ~  “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19).  Even our Lord was tempted by this temporary world ruler.  “Again, the devil took Him [Jesus Christ] up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.  And he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me’” (Matthew 4:8-9). 

An Invisible Enemy  ~  “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:11-13). 

An Opportunist  ~  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9).

A Deceiver  ~  “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.  And no wonder!  For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:13-14).

A Murderer  ~  “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him” (John 8:44a). …

A Liar  ~   …  “When he [the devil] speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44b).

Closing Comment  ~  the bad news:  Satan is constantly slandering each of us before God the Father.  the good news: God sees each person who has accepted Jesus Christ as clothed in the righteousness of His Son Jesus Christ.  “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He [the Spirit of God] who is in you is greater than he [satan] who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Temptation, 8of13

~ 3 Major Categories of Temptation ~

A Clear Scripture  ~  “Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17). 

Physical Appetite (lust of the flesh)  ~  Heavily oriented towards the body.  This includes hunger and desires of many types.  The “world” in this passage is the world system which at this time is under the control of Satan.  Humanities first sin was wanting to eat the forbidden fruit—Eve saw it, wanted it, and intended to eat it. (Genesis 3:6).

Aesthetic Nature (lust of the eyes)  ~  Heavily oriented towards the spirit.  Eve saw that the fruit was “pleasant to the eyes” (Genesis 3:6).  There is so much in our world which appears good—but is a false momentary pleasure. 

Spiritual Ambition (lust for power)  ~  Heavily oriented towards the soul.  The root here is pride—and pride is a root of all sin.  Eve believed that the tree was desired for gaining wisdom (Genesis 3:6).

Our Example  ~  It is interesting to note that when Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness Satan came at Him in these same three areas!  In each case, Jesus Christ stood strong withstanding the temptation because of the Word of God.  Lust of the flesh (Matthew 4:1-4), lust of the eyes (Matthew 4:5:7), and the lust for power (Matthew 4:8-10). 

Summary  ~  Satan tempted Eve with the world, the flesh, and the devil.  Satan also tempted Christ in these three areas.  Today, Satan tempts us in these same three areas.   

A Clear Command  ~  “Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15) …  

A Clear Teaching  ~  … “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world” (1 John 2:16) ...

A Clear Reality  ~  … “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Jesus Was…, 19

~ Jesus Christ Was and Is A Ransom For All Who Will Accept Him ~

Passages  ~  “And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers.  But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.  Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.  And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many’” (Matthew 20:24-28). 

Comment  ~  Are you one of the many?  Have you bowed your head in faith to the only One who can forgive your sins and put you in right standing before God the Father?  If not, why not?  You can be totally forgiven of all your sins. 

Additional Scripture  ~  “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:14-17).

Significance  ~  You can escape the coming judgment by looking unto Jesus and accepting the payment He made for your sin—providing everlasting joy rather than everlasting torment. 

the key question:  “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .