1 John 3:8
Rather you believe it or not, we are in a
major spiritual battle. Just like you
have a choice of heaven and hell, we also have a choice of who’s side of this
spiritual battle we will be on. The
bible makes it plain.
He that committeth sin is of the Devil; for the Devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the Devil.
1 John 3:8
It’s interesting, though we know that the devil is a defeated foe, he didn’t just toss in the towel, throw his hands up in surrender nor slink away with his tail between his legs. No, no, no, he is fighting as if he doesn’t know the battle is already won.
The basic battle for spiritual warfare is a strategy resting upon understanding the purposes of our warfare and based upon communication with our Commander-in-Chief by prayer, fasting, and the written Word of God.
When we don’t understand God's purpose and plan, we may be tempted to become discouraged in the conflicts of life, tempted by the influences of life; the lust of flesh and the pride of life. This is why many believers fail in spiritual warfare: They do not understand the divine purpose behind the battle nor has their mind and heart been set to win. Not only that, we don't know or believe that God is sovereign and in control of the battle. But the bible says:
But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to
fight against God. Acts 5:39
This scripture is referring to those (the high priest and hierarchy) who wanted to halt the spreading of the gospel. . . . Note in that account that Peter and the other apostles made a decisive choice when they stated that “they ought to obey God rather than man.”
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29
God is our commander-in-chief and as long as we are
following Him; His strategic plan, we have no reason to be dismayed,
discouraged or to quit because we are on His side.
From the beginning of time, every natural battle that has been fought always had a purpose for which it was waged. Before we examine God's battle plan, it is important to understand the purpose of spiritual warfare. This involves understanding the purposes of God the Father as well as God’s purpose in the son.
It is God's purpose - this long-range, long-reaching plan - . . .
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times [the end of history, the climax of the ages] he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: Ephesians 1:10
From the beginning of time, Satan has battled against the fulfillment of this purpose. Your own warfare in the spirit world is related to this purpose of God. Satan battles to bring your heart, mind, and spirit into allegiance to him instead of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
God works in us to accomplish His purpose:
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13
God also works through our life to accomplish His purposes:
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness
unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead,
and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Romans 6:13
That tells me that a friend of God is an enemy of
Satan. Don’t let Satan play you by
making you think that you can straddle the fence by doing a little bit of God
and a little bit for him.
When you yield yourself to become "instruments of righteousness unto God," it means you bring your life and ministry in harmony with His purpose and plans. By doing this, you become a target for God's enemy, Satan.
Jesus said:
He that committeth sin is of the Devil; for the Devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the Devil. 1 John 3:8
The reason Jesus came into the world was to destroy the works of Satan and to set us free from the bondage of sin. This immediately set Him in opposition to the enemy:
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10
Jesus wasn’t trying to be friends with Satan, He wasn’t trying to play nice with him and we shouldn’t either. Jesus came to fight for us! From the beginning of His earthly ministry, Jesus set about destroying the works of Satan:
¨ He revealed the bondage of sin (John 8:34).
¨ He forgave sins (Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12,17; Luke
4:17-32).
¨ He stressed the heart condition rather
than the deception of outward appearance
(Matthew 15:16-20; Mark 7:20-23; Luke 6:45; 11:39).
¨ He healed the sick (Matthew 11:5).
¨ He raised people from the dead (Mark 5:35-43; Luke 8:49- 56; John 11).
¨ He released people from demonic powers (Matthew 8:16).
In summary, He destroyed the works of Satan in the hearts, minds, and bodies of men and women:
The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them. Matthew 11:5
Jesus not only destroyed the works of Satan; He also exposed the devious strategies of the enemy:
Although Jesus came to bring the peace of God (John 14:27; Philippians 4:7), and peace with God (Romans 5:1), His coming also brought division:
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. Matthew 10:34-36
Jesus divided all men into two battle camps. It is not possible to be neutral. You can’t simultaneously be friends with God and friends with Satan; it won’t work! Jesus said:
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:24
He that is not with me is against me . . . Luke 11:23
Jesus also spoke of this great division in an account about two paths, one which was straight and narrow and one which was broad. He warned of the deception of Satan's broad path which many took. He said,
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13-14
Through the account of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), Jesus removed the veil between life and death. He let men see the end result of choosing the wrong way.
Because He destroyed and exposed the works of Satan, Jesus was under assault throughout His earthly life. The enemy constantly tried to destroy Him or prevent Him from fulfilling the mission for which He had come. The moment He was born, an attempt was made on His life. During His public ministry there were several plots on His life. He met the opposition of demonic powers, religious leaders, His own followers; yes attacks come from within, and Satan.
But, we have no reason to fear, Jesus lets us know that He conquered Satan:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Sermonette
(03/10/22)
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