Monday – January 25, 2016
Once again it is time for the Monday God’s Word. We are so fortunate to still have free access to the Word of God. Make no mistake, our spiritual enemies want to erase the Word of God from America. The freedom to worship according to our conscience and especially to give that any kind of expression in the public space is under vicious assault. Yes people are involved but remember our battle is not with flesh and blood (people) but with the spiritual beings influencing to one degree or another the people.
Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
For the last several days I have been teaching on the topic of Spiritual Warfare and we will be continuing with this topic until the Lord lets me loose. Our primary text is from Colossians.
Colossians 2:1 (KJV)
1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; (Bold added)
The Apostle Paul is talking about doing Spiritual Warfare on behalf of the saints and faithful brethren (people) at Colossae. Although the intercession of others on our behalf is necessary and even lifesaving, the very best and effective spiritual warfare is that which we conduct ourselves day in and day out. This Spiritual Warfare fight with evil spirits is a faith fight. They are trying to change what we believe.
1 Timothy 6:12 (KJV)
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (Bold added)
Faith is what we believe and a good profession is to say exactly the same thing that God says. I started the discussion saying there are three major ways to resist temptation. Remember our Heavenly Father has given us a way out of every attempt of the enemy to entrap us.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV)
13 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. (Bold added)
We have been talking about the three major ways to resist temptation and win the battle 100% of the time. First, do not enter into the temptation. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit, ministering spirits, and our knowledge of Scripture making us well able to recognize the temptation and refuse to enter into the temptation. Be reminded of the Words of Jesus to His disciples then and now.
Matthew 26:41 (KJV)
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
This can be reviewed in the January 21, 2016 issue. In that teaching we looked at Adams temptation in the Garden of Eden. Like all temptations they had the choice to enter into it or not. Unfortunately they entered in with disastrous results not just for mankind but God as well. If the devil can get us out of the spirit and consider the flesh, the carnal side of an issue he likely will have entrapped us.
1 John 2:16 (KJV)
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
If resisting temptation was easy than it would not be a true temptation. Resisting temptation requires diligence and a high level of self-discipline especially concerning our thought life. The exercise of diligence means involving the Father in every aspect of our lives, what the Bible refers to as praying without ceasing. We must be diligent to be responsive to the Holy Spirits direction for all types of prayer. We must without fail have time every day when we are quiet before the Lord. We must be persistent in the renewing of our mind being molded day by day into His image and likeness. Our goal, which is possible and His command, is to be just like Him. We must actively discipline our thought life. Yes, it does matter because what we have in abundance in our heart is who we are and it will manifest in words and actions which determine the course of our lives and for that matter the course of others.
Second we talked about resisting temptation with Scripture. That is to say that we answer the lie with the Truth. When the devil asks, “did God really say?” we can say, “yes, and listen to it again now.” In the January 22nd issue of The Three Minute Word I spoke at some length about resisting temptation with Scripture using the passages of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness after His baptism in the river Jordan. He answered the Devil with Scripture even when the Devil used Scripture. Many time the Devil (usually through people) will use Scripture to tempt us, that is to corrupt the Truth, the Word of God which we believe. It is corrupt because it is out of context or just not what that passage says. The Devil quoted out of Psalm 91 and although it was the Truth, it was not the Truth in the context the Devil used it and Jesus set him straight. Tomorrow we will pursue this just a little further and then move into the next weapon to win over temptation which is to cast down imaginations and words that are being lifted up against our knowledge of God.
By Pastor David R. Wood
