13, November 2013

Spiritual Warfare (1)

‘The weapons we fight with…demolish strongholds.’ 2 Corinthians 10:4 NIV

In Bible times when an attack was launched against a city, a first strategy was to bring in a battering ram, demolish the gates and defeat the inhabitants. Today you are at war with Satan! Only when you recognise that, is victory possible. And the good news is: ‘The weapons we fight with…have…power to demolish strongholds.’ But you must ‘Put on the whole armour of God…’ (Ephesians 6:11 NKJV) It’s not something you pick up and wear when you feel like it. And you’ve got to keep it on, because the enemy never lets up. He wants you to think he’s equal with God. He’s not! God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent; He can do anything, anywhere, anytime. No question, Satan is a formidable foe, but there are limits on what he’s permitted to do (Job 1:12). Your mind is Command Central; it’s where victory or defeat is decided. Paul told the Corinthians, ‘I fear, lest…your minds…be corrupted…’ (2 Corinthians 11:3 NKJV) Satan knows Christ’s return is imminent and he’s ratcheting up the opposition (Revelation 12:12). The way you win the battle is through: (1) Praise, the garment that protects you (Isaiah 61:3). () Abiding in Christ, your source of spiritual growth and fruitfulness (John 15:8-10). () God’s Word, it’s ‘…living…active…sharper than any two-edged sword…’ (Hebrews 4:12 NAS), and it’s designed to defeat the enemy. When Satan comes against you, combat his lies with what God says. () Walking in love toward others. It’s impossible to be victorious when you’re wrapped up in yourself.

SoulFood: Rom 7:1-9:16, John 10:11-21, Ps 83:1-8, Pr 29:19-22

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright 2013