Just want to share a teaching I’ve been working on for the last few weeks. The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesian 6:12 “ For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers, power over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places”. Paul was sharing the same message as Jesus! Be aware of your enemy!! Who’s the enemy? Who are these spiritual forces, and what does Jesus say about them? I have a lot of military friends and the first thing they will tell you about fighting battles, is to know your enemy! Why should you know your enemy? The bible in 2 Corinthians verse 11, says so that we would not be outwitted by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his designs. So what’s important to know about your enemy motives, Jesus warns us in John 10:10 "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy”. This is the enemy’s main objective.
So what are some of the names of our enemy?
Satan, Lucifer, Son of the morning, Iblis, the tempter, the old serpent, Beelzebub, Meririm, god of this world, deceiver of the brothers, the thief and the father of liars. So how can we battle off a spiritual enemys in our life?
First thing; understand it’s not the person in the physical that is causing your problems. SO FORGIVE THEM! Second; submit yourself to GOD and resist the enemy and he has too flee from you. -James 4:7. Now when I say submit yourself to GOD, that’s not going to church, it means in your pray time alone talk with GOD like you would a trusting friend, and then resist evil, whether in thoughts, actions, or in speaking, and the enemy has to leave. (Spiritual law, in action). I always like to remember this; the enemy only has the power I give him. According to the bible the enemy has no creative power, but will try to control your WILL, with suggestions, deception, lies. HE DOES NOT HAVE CONTROL OVER YOU. The battle in the spirit realm is over our WILL’s, and God will not force anyone to love or follow HIM.
Nicely done my friend. You know this is particularly why when I see individuals on facebook constantly complaining about every aspect of the their life. I prefer to remove them from my life. A long time ago my life changed. I always had a dark cloud following me and then an idea came into my head that I was the source of the darkness. I decided to stop looking at my neighbors' yard and worldly good and to wake up every morning and count MY blessing. Take inventory so to speak of all God has blessed me with. It was easy at first but once I got used to it my life changed forever. And God gave me more blessings. My ex was a negative force and I felt he was dragging me back into the darkness which is why I released him. I hope you find your light my dear friend and live in it for years!!
ReplyDeleteJackie, you have been one of the most valuable lights of my life. You understand what it is to be a friend. I am so glad you are taking the steps to keep your bright light shining for us, and peace for you. I know I have been working The LORD and his angels overtime but I'm getting closer to being out of this valley and back on course, renewed and refreshed...(ok still praying on that). Love you my friend.
ReplyDeleteMar'lu, thanks for sharing a great insight. I think it's the same principal as trying to hit a bullseye: it's a lot harder to do if you don't know where the target is!
ReplyDeleteBy the same token, then, your words about "knowing your enemy" make just as much sense. I've seen (and survived) many areas of my life attacked, and didn't recognize soon enough where that attack was coming from, or who was initiating it.
It's amazing, isn't it, how quickly God can equip us to overcome so many challenges--even when they take longer that I'd sometimes like! So I try to remind myself that each day has some level of victory, and that while they sometimes seem small, each one counts. On top of that, when you add them all up together--wow! God -is- good, ALL the time!
Thanks again for sharing this; sorry I took so long to get back to you on it, but maybe today's the day I needed to get to it!
Take care,
Brian