Why Has The Homosexual Agenda Succeeded?

Why Has the Homosexual Agenda Succeeded?

      Why indeed. I think we first must admit that it is an agenda. How else can this phenomena be explained? Next, we must also admit that this agenda has worked. We would be fools to think otherwise. Homosexuality has seeped in to every area of life. It is now accepted; so much so that if you do not accept it, you are a bigot, homophobic, hateful, intolerant, judgmental, and there is something wrong with you. It is paraded around everywhere one looks. Literally, there are parades! And that is not all. This agenda has been crammed down our throats by the news, television shows, celebrities, movies, and the courts. The movement has succeeded. Why?

     There are several possible answers to our question. Only one is ultimately satisfying however. We will get to that one in time. Let us begin with history. Man has always desired to be free. This freedom is sought morally, legally, spiritually, and even sexually. Within us is the drive to do what we want, how we want, when we want, and where we want. Since this is in us, we seek to influence others and bring about changes.

     Throughout time, these changes have come slowly, or more quickly depending on the desired changes, the cultural climate, and well, any number of other factors. As mankind ventures farther and farther away from God, they too fall farther away from holiness, decency, righteousness, and uprightness. In a word, the moral compass is broke so man goes anywhere his depraved little heart will carry him. So sin is to blame. Well, partly. It is to blame but there is more.

     Is the church to blame as well? After all, where was the church when gay “rights” were being fought for? To be fair, many churches and denominations did stand for God's truth. But, in the end, the church as a whole was too accommodating, liberal, tolerant, or whatever else one may say. This could be the result of history and our culture. Biblical authority has been eroded in our land. This has taken place for many, many years. Due to history and the sinful tendencies in man, it was only a matter of time until our land, yes America, fell in with the rest of the world and embraced what God calls sinful.

     Which is it? History and culture, sin, or the church? All of these have certainly played a part, but none of them are ultimate. No, the answer to why the homosexual agenda has worked is God. God has allowed it to work. Now I know that this may come as a shock to most and even blasphemous to others. However, when we look at Scripture we see this very thing. At the onset let us be clear about a few things. God is not the author of sin. He does not make man sin. Mankind as fallen beings sin because of a sinful nature. Sin comes naturally to us, it is what we desire, it is the only thing we do and can do until God intervenes.

     Free will often comes into the discussion. Biblically speaking man is not free, we are in bondage to sin. Now, we do make choices and we do act. It must be acknowledged, however, that we are bound to our nature. We can only sin and choose sin until God changes our nature. This is regeneration (something that cannot be discussed here). This means that mankind is fallen, does not desire the true God of the Bible, can only sin, cannot change its nature, is not holy, does not naturally obey God, etc.

      With that said, we now turn to Romans 1. This passage reveals several truths that demonstrates why I say that the homosexual agenda has succeeded because of God.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. (Romans 1:18-32)

     There you have it. God's word tells us that sinners defy God, worship creation, and sin willfully and that God allows them to follow their sinful desires and judges them. By not restraining their sin or changing their natures, God allows sinner to have what they want and to a degree, do what they want. Then, there are consequences. God judges. Let me explain.

      There is a digression. Man knows that there is a God. However, they do not honor God. They worship creation and themselves. Because of this, God gave them over to the lusts of their hearts (vs. 18-25). This means that God did not shower them with grace or change them. In a sense, he gave them or allowed them to do the very things that they wanted. As a result, they grew more dark, impure, dishonoring, and corrupt. God removed his restraining hands from them in judgment.

     Man continued to sin and commit idolatry and debauchery. So, God gave man up to their dishonorable passions. He again removed his restraining grace and allowed man to follow their depraved passions. This resulted in man indulging in homosexual acts and behaviors (vs. 26-27).

If this was not enough, man did not acknowledge God so he gave them up to debased minds. Because of this, man practiced sin more and more. They even invented ways to sin and applauded sin in others (vs. 28-32).

      We see three times in these verses (24, 26, 28) that God “gave them up”. This again is God giving man what they wanted, not pouring out his grace or showing mercy. Instead, justice is poured out. And deservedly so. This is the judgment of God. It is not popular, but it is biblical. God does not have to show mercy or grace, he is under no obligation to do every loving and gracious act that he could possibly do. To the contrary, when he does decide to show mercy and grace, that is what makes it merciful and gracious- it is undeserved and unmerited. We cannot demand grace!

      I cannot say for sure because there is no biblical revelation, but it appears that America fits the description of Romans 1. It seems that God is judging us. God is giving man exactly what he wants. This is not good. Getting our own way only ends in tragedy. The wrath of God is being poured out, is being made known. Not physically, yet, but it is the wrath of God because he is not restraining sin (as much as he could) and we are storing up wrath against the day of judgment. We do not get a pass because we are America.

      Why has the homosexual agenda succeeded? History teaches us that it was just a matter of time before even this was celebrated. Sin is also a culprit. Man is not evolving, if anything, we are devolving. We are moving further and further away from God and deeper and deeper into sin. As such, sin becomes more and more accepted. This is what we are seeing in our day.

      But, we must not forget the sovereign God of the universe. The God of the Bible is sovereign over history and sin. He is orchestrating all things to his appointed end- his GLORY. We cannot begin to explain how all things will eventually bring glory to God, but we trust this is true. The Bible clearly teaches this very thing (Rom. 11:33-36; Col. 1:15-17). I know that this is difficult to perceive but God knows all things, plans all things, and uses all things to bring himself glory, but to also perfect his children (Rom. 8:28).

      What do we do with this? First, if humanity is in as bad as shape as the Bible says, we need to be preaching and teaching the gospel (Rom. 3:9-26). That is our only hope. Earlier in Romans 1, Paul wrote, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation” (1:16). This was immediately before the indictment against man. What this means is that there is still hope. We may be under the judgment of God, but we are still here, there is still time to repent. The gospel is still the power of God for salvation. This salvation, this gospel must be preached to sinners. Yes, sinners. That means homosexuals and heterosexuals. We are not to make distinctions, all sinners may be saved if they repent and trust in Christ alone for the forgiveness of their sins.

     Second, we as Christians must be loving (Eph. 5:2). We stand on the word of God and call sin sin, but there is a loving and Christlike way in which to do it. Believers are to guard against all manners of prejudice. A tendency among Christians is to elevate the sin of homosexuality above all other sins making it the sin of all sins. This is not biblical. When this is done, Christians can become hateful, spiteful, and unloving. We are commanded to love.

      Third, we would do well to remember our past, and even our present (Eph. 2:1-10). We are sinners saved by grace. We are still sinners, we still sin. Do not look down on others as more sinful, or more corrupt. Remember your past and what Christ saved you from.

      Fourth, trust that God can save sinners (1 Cor. 6:9-11). I think we often fall into the trap of believing that someone is beyond saving. If there is still breath in a persons lungs, there is still hope!

      Fifth, do not promote hate (Matt. 22:39). We often incite hatred with our speech, actions, and attitudes. Now, again there is a time and place for calling out sin. However, we must make sure of our motives, examine our own hearts, and do so in a Christlike and biblical manner. Christians of all people ought to be demonstrating the love of God.

      Sixth, guard yourself and protect your mind (Rom. 12:1-2). Search out the scriptures and see what God says. Do not listen to or believe everything you hear. Do not fall in with the rest of the world and embrace what they say is right. Saturate your minds with the word of God. Test everything according to Scripture.

      Seventh, pray (1 Thess. 5:17). Pray for the lost. Pray that God would bring a revival to our land. Pray that God will raise up godly pastors and churches that stand on his word. Pray for mercy. Pray that the Lord change hearts and minds in relation to homosexuality. Pray that God delay his judgment.

      Eighth, run to the cross (1 Pet. 3:18). The cross is where the wrath and mercy of God meet. This is mankind's only hope. It is at the cross where God demonstrated his wrath against sin but also his mercy towards sinners. Christ died in order for sinners to be brought to God. This is our desire, sinners being forgiven by God. Sinners reconciled to the Lord. Sinners saved by the grace of God. Sinners that treasure God, desire God, and love God.

      Why did I write this? I wrote this because it is an issue in our country and, unfortunately, in the church. Also, because Christians need to know, understand, and be able to apply the word of God. Believers also should know that God is sovereign and nothing escapes his view. Indeed, God has planned and orchestrates all things for his glory. Further, believers need to be reminded of the grace of God and the saving power of the gospel. No one is beyond the reach of God's saving love if they would only repent and trust in Christ for deliverance from the just wrath of God.

      I wrote this because God's judgment is a reality and the lost need to be warned and the saved need to be exhorted. This was written in order for people to be motivated to share the gospel, show the love of Christ, remember the depths of sin in which they were rescued, trust that God can save, be mindful of their behavior, be aware and guard their minds and hearts, be urged to pray, and to run to the cross.

     In the end, we simply do not know all the details. We are not privy to the plans of God for our nation. What we do know is that this nation needs a mighty work of God; this nation needs an outpouring of the mercy of God. God, send an awakening, send a revival. Strengthen your people, grant them boldness and courage to proclaim your truth lovingly. Remove the hate and prejudice. Fill your people with your Spirit and his fruit. Use us for your glory and the good of our neighbors.

      God, make yourself known. Show us your holiness thereby revealing our sin and driving us to your throne of grace. Show us your glory in order that we become enraptured with you and treasure you above all things including our sin. May we be satisfied in you. Cause us to hate sin and love and desire you! Only you can do this, Lord. Magnify yourself and all of your glorious attributes.

      We deserve your wrath. We deserve justice, damnation, hell, judgment, and anything else you deem fit for such a rebellious, sinful, corrupt, and depraved people. For the fame of your name, for your sake, for the praise of your glory and grace, have mercy, O Lord! Have mercy. Your children beseech you to pity us. We beg of you, Lord, have mercy and display your grace.

Spiritual Warfare: The Application

Spiritual Warfare: The Application

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil 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 firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel pf peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints (Eph. 6:10-18).

Know that you are at war

     One of the main issues with spiritual warfare is to know that you are at war. Christian, you are in a battle. It is raging all around you and in you! Do you realize this? Do you know that you are under attack? The enemy hates the word of God and despises you. Our enemies are just that, enemies. They hate us and want to destroy us. I am convinced that believers today are oblivious to this fact. Or, if they are aware, they boil spiritual warfare down to having a bad day or not getting their own way in something.

     No, it is much deeper and more significant than that. It is a battle for your mind and heart. The enemy attacks the word of God, the preaching and teaching of the word, blinds mankind's eyes to the truth and the glory of Christ, opposes missions, seeks to derail evangelism, places obstacles in the way of growth, dismantles families, and fights on several fronts to spread the war and remove focus from the main thing. The enemy has many, many weapons. They include: people, circumstances, criticism, personal attack, hatred, ignorance, apathy, gossip, slander, backbiting, falsehoods, greed, envy, strife, malice, pride, disobedience, hard-heartedness, unrepentance, idolatry, business, ungodliness, immorality, sex, lust, anger, disunity, and well, you get the point.

Our strength is in the Lord

      Not only must Christians know that they are in a war, but they have to realize that the battle is not fought in their own strength. It is God who gives the strength and ability to fight. It is God who gets the victory and the glory. As believers, we realize that we are weak; and it is in and through our weakness that God gets all the glory. Weakness is not a bad thing. In Christianity weakness is humility and complete dependence on God. We realize that we can do nothing on our own, we rely on God and his strength and might to work in us and through us. When we are weak, God is strong. Admit that your are weak and cannot do anything on your own. Trust God and depend on him to work and energize and mobilize and utilize.

All of the armor must be put on to be effective

     The armor of God is designed to be worn as a whole. It is a unit and is ineffective if incomplete. God provided this armor and each piece is crucial and serves a function. It protects vital areas and if a piece is missing or is not utilized, the soldier is in great danger. Not only so, Christian soldiers are charged to put on the whole armor of God. Trust that the Lord knows best. Disobedience is sin. God has provided everything we need, why wouldn't we take full advantage of the good gifts of God? Why would we leave areas unprotected? Do you know more than God? Do you think that this armor is unnecessary? Do not trust in your wisdom or supposed abilities.

Thank God for providing us with armor

      When was the last time that you thanked the Lord for his gracious gift of armor? Our God has given us the vital pieces of protection that every believer needs. The longer you live in this world the more you realize just how important it is to guard your hearts and minds, to be ready with the gospel, to defend against attacks with your faith, and to wield the sword of God's word. The Christian life is hard enough. Try to imagine living life, constantly being attacked, and not having the armor of God. We are desperate for God's protection. We are weak and weary, ignorant and oblivious, we need all of the help we can get. Praise God for his wonderful gifts. Thank God because he has not left us naked or to our own devices.

The armor is to be put on daily

      Believers, you are to daily put on the armor of God. This is not a one time thing when you were regenerated. No, every day you must decide to utilize what God has provided. There are no days off, no leave. This war does not stop until death. The enemy is stronger and smarter than us. The enemy is determined and relentless. You cannot let your guard down, you must not relax even for a minute. Protect your mind and hearts. Guard the faith given to you. Always be ready with the gospel. Know the word of God to fight off temptations. Repent daily. Worship God daily. Trust Christ daily. Rely on the Spirit daily.

Our battle is spiritual, not physical in nature

      Spiritual warfare is just that, spiritual. The enemy is spiritual and cannot be seen. Attacks are against us spiritually. They impact our souls. However, things that take place in the spiritual realm often manifest themselves in the physical. So, believers have got to realize that any physical attack is actually a spiritual attack. What this means is that when we are opposed or criticized by people, it is not just a physical assault by a physical person. It is spiritual in nature and meant to harm our souls. While people do hurt us and let us down, we must pray for them and watch that we don't grow unloving or spiteful, retaliate, or succumb to the attacks. All of this is spiritual. Behind every physical action there is a spiritual cause.

      But we deal with, live with, and minister to people. This is what makes life so difficult. We see and feel and hear the physical but are affected spiritually, emotionally, which often leads to physical maledies. Remember, there is light and darkness, sin and holiness, Christ and Baal, etc. We live in a world of dichotomies. We are physical and spiritual beings.

Christians are charged to stand

      Christian soldiers are charged to stand, not to advance or retreat. The orders given are to stand firm and to defend ourselves against the barrages launched by the enemy. We are not commanded to move ahead, outflank, do counterespionage, spy, out maneuver, over power, put the fear of God into our enemy by shock and awe, or any other tactic. Likewise, neither are we instructed to retreat, run away, disperse, flee, perform the scorched earth policy, or any other action.

      We stand. We stand firm in Christ and utilize the armor he gave us to protect our souls. Not only do we stand but we trust. We trust that Christ knows what he is doing. We trust that he will protect us and see us through. We trust that he will never leave or forsake us. We do not let criticism, words, feelings, slander, sickness, disease, circumstances, or anything else to move us from this spot. We are standing, we are obeying the orders given us by our Savior. Nothing man can do will deter us. Nothing the devil or his minions could hurl at us will cause us to disobey our Commander.

      Let's face it, we don't always stand. We often fall or do take steps back. We sin. And sometimes we sin badly and the affects are grievous. It is in these moments that we repent, beg God for forgiveness, commit to stand, pray for grace to stand, and stand in Christ and his strength. Until the next time. But praise God because he is gracious and forgiving and merciful and knows that we are weak and prone to fall again and again. Our God is patient and longsuffering. His grace is sufficient. The next time we sin against him, his grace will be sufficient then too! God knows that we will sin and not always stand. It is this that he uses to sanctify us and show forth his glory and strength. He also knows that it is in and through our weakness and sin that he will bring all the more glory to himself when he calls us home, perfects us, and destroys our enemies once and for all.

The armor is mostly defensive in nature

      The spiritual armor provided by God is primarily defensive. It is designed to protect, not to engage the enemy. This is important because we need to realize that our main objective is not necessarily offensive. We are to defend ourselves from attacks not go vigilantly or black ops on the enemy. Believer, are you concerned about guarding your heart and mind from attacks? Do you watch what enters into your soul? Do you examine yourself and determine if you are bearing good fruit for Christ? Or is most of your fruit rotten? If it is, the enemy may have gained a foothold. You must defend. That is your mission. We are to watch, listen, be on guard, recognize the enemy and attacks, not grow weary, be alert, erect protective barriers, and join with others for support. Defend your mind. Defend your heart. Defend your home and family. Defend your church. Defend the gospel.

The only offensive weapons are the word of God and prayer

      There are however, two offensive weapons. The good Lord has seen fit to give us his word and prayer. With these, believers can turn the tide of the war. With these, entire lands are conquered, captives are rescued, sinners are saved, saints are strengthened and empowered, barriers and walls come tumbling down, blind men see, lame people walk again, the desperate are given hope, the lost are found, the dead are given life, the darkness is turned into light, and the glory of the Lord fills the earth! We are more than conquerors only because we have the very words of God and the power of prayer. Do you employ these weapons?

      These are also defensive in nature. The word of God warns, prepares, and equips while prayer unites us to our God and fuels our very lives. Truly, we would be defenseless if it were not for God's word and the ability to pray. Are your defenses built according to God's standard? Are you following the blueprint as laid out in the word of God? Do you communicate regularly with God?

Watch and pray for all the saints

      Spiritual warfare is much bigger than ourselves. The battlefield spans the entire globe. As Christians, we need to get over ourselves and realize that the battle is raging all around. And souls hang in the very balance. War is brutal and hard. It destroys. But, it also makes heroes and forges leaders for tomorrow. With that said, we ought to pray for one another. Believers all over the world, and in your neighborhood, are under attack just like you. Pray for them. Pray that the Lord grant them grace to remain faithful in the midst of persecution and heartache. Pray that they persevere until the end. Pray that God give them grace to fight the good fight, defend themselves and others, stand firm, not retreat, repent, be bold and courageous, and die well.

      Also, watch. Look out for your brothers and sisters in Christ. Warn them of temptations or traps. Watch that they are standing firm on the word of God and rebuke them if they are not. Watch for them growing weary or tired. Watch for discouragement, pride, apathy, and any other sin that easily entangles believers. Watch that the gospel and Christ are preeminent in their lives. Watch that they are growing, repenting, worshiping, learning, advancing, bearing fruit, praying, reading the word, etc. Watch because you love them and desire for them to glorify God in all things. Watch because you see things that they don't and have a different perspective. Watch because you have others watching over you, it is what we do as Christians.

Christ is our armor

      This armor is nothing other than Christ. Christ is our all in all. We are to put on Christ, to think of him, follow him, desire him, emulate him, obey him, and trust him. We are nothing without him and conquerors with him. He is our salvation, strength, hope, life, shepherd, friend, commander, and protector.

      Christ is the truth. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn. 14:6). Christ is our righteousness. “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption...” (1 Cor. 1:30). Christ is our peace. “For he himself is our peace... (Eph. 2:14). Christ is our source of faith. “...looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith...” (Heb. 12:2). Christ is our salvation. “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25). And Christ is the Word. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us...” (Jn. 1:1, 14).

      The battle belongs to the Lord. We are merely soldiers in the Lords army. But we are soldiers and we have our orders. So, stand against the enemy. Know that God is your strength. Know your enemies and their tactics. Put on the whole armor of God. Withstand the onslaught and stand firm. Utilize the armor God has given. Pray. Keep alert. Make supplication for the saints. Put on Christ. These are our orders. By the grace of God and in the strength of his might, perform them for his glory and for your sanctification. And remember, Christ is the victor!

Spiritual Warfare: The Armor (Part 2 of 2)

Spiritual Warfare: The Armor (Part 2 of 2)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil 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 firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel pf peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints (Eph. 6:10-18).

     The fourth piece of armor provided by God for his soldiers is the shield of faith. The shield, in addition to many other uses, was primarily used to protect the soldier from long range attacks. Likewise, Christian soldiers have to be prepared to defend against fierce and fiery attacks. They may be from long range, or they may be at close quarters. We must be ready for anything and everything. The shield of faith is a trust and dependence on God and the ability to quickly apply our beliefs to the present battle, temptation, situation, or circumstance. Faith points to God, to his promises, to his power, to his faithfulness, to the finished work of Christ, to the intercession of Christ, and to the indwelling Spirit.

     This faith, this trust, puts Christ between us and the devil. Believers acknowledge that they are hid in Christ. We also have learned to trust Christ in every situation and at all times. Christian soldiers also live by faith in Christ, rest in Christ, hear Christ, rejoice in Christ, surrender to Christ, cling to Christ, embrace Christ, love Christ, suffer for Christ, know Christ, honor Christ, serve Christ, and triumph in Christ. Christ is our all in all! This faith not only unites us to our blessed Savior, it also denies doubts, repels accusations, silences slander, smothers lusts, destroys sin, and seeks to glorify God in all things. Our faith accomplishes all this only because of the fact that our faith is a trust in and reliance on the sovereign God of the universe.

     The fifth piece of armor is the helmet of salvation. Obviously, the helmet protected the head and neck of the soldier. The Christian soldier is to protect his head, or his mind and guard his understanding, his attitude, and his thinking. So often attacks are aimed at the believers security and assurance of salvation. These attacks take different forms. Sometimes they come when we are fatigued or weary. At other times we may have doubts or experience trials that hamper our assurance or cause us to take our eyes off of Christ. It must be mentioned that the devil is not to blame for all attacks, as we have seen, we are at war with the flesh and world as well. Other sources of doubt or lack of assurance may come in the form of being preoccupied with details, looking at the faults of others, growing depressed and discouraged at the condition of the church, obsessing over the sin in the world, becoming distracted by non-issues, focusing only on the negative, or becoming apathetic and complacent.

     Christians are to dwell on their salvation and future hope when under distress and attack. Remember that whatever is against us may be used by God to perfect us and draw us closer to him. We also have hope and look forward to being with him in glory. This places the war in the proper perspective. Another truth that propels us along is the fact that Christ is interceding for his warriors and will come again.

     All of this means that believers must guard their minds, thoughts, understanding, and attitude by dwelling on the amazing salvation afforded them by Christ. Soldier, are you confident and assured of your salvation? Do you realize that you are being saved (being sanctified or conformed into the image of Christ)? And, that one day they will be completely saved (glorified)? Putting on the helmet of salvation means that the believer understands and trusts that salvation will be completed in heaven. Because of this truth, we know that conditions on earth are not perfect. There will be ups and downs, bumps and bruises, and maybe even death for the sake of the gospel. But, our hope is not on this earth. Our hope is in heaven and he is seated on his throne!

     Putting on the helmet also means that the believer knows, trusts, and is assured that the benefits of Christ are freely given to him. It also means that the believer can rest assured that the love of God will never let him go. Believers are secure. Not because of anything in them but because of who our great God is. God cannot fail. He will not fail. He will not lose one of his own. Be assured! Trust!

      The sixth piece of armor is the sword of the Spirit. The sword was both an offensive and a defensive weapon. As a defensive weapon, the believer wields the sword to ward off attacks by trusting in the words of God and his promises. As an offensive weapon, the believer is directed, motivated, captivated, equipped, instructed, and encouraged as he confronts the enemy. Believers are to know and apply the scriptures when being attacked, but also in every circumstance of life.

     It is the Spirit that gives us the word and the ability to understand and apply it. He teaches us how to use it properly and effectively. Hence, the Bible must be read, known, treasured, stored in the heart, applied, lived out, memorized, quoted, meditated upon, heard, obeyed, trusted, studied, and sought. Christians are to be saturated by the scriptures; all of the Bible.

     The seventh and final piece of the armor is prayer. Now, technically prayer is not a piece of armor. But in this context, Paul clearly taught that prayer was to be an integral part of the soldiers uniform. Prayer is critical, it is crucial. The armor would be useless without it.

     Christian soldiers are to pray at all times. This means that we should have a set time of prayer. We should pray in every season of life. Prayer ought to be exercised when we are tempted, filled with joy, discouraged, lonely, being tried, excited, thankful, depressed, weak, confident, in trouble, at peace, when alarmed, fearful, doubting, prayerless, hopeless, etc. Pray for long periods of time. Pray short petitions throughout your day. Pray when you feel impressed to pray. Pray with other believers and at appointed times of prayer. Pray privately and publicly. Continually be in the presence of God and be conscious of him.

     Pray with supplications. Pray with all your heart and plead with God in prayer. Perseverance in prayer is paramount. Remember, you are at war. You need to be in constant communication with the King. Pray with all prayer. Bring all of your prayers to God. Pray about needs, pray as worship, intercede when you pray, pray in loud cries, pray in soft whispers, pray deliberately, pray kneeling, standing, lying down, or on your face, pray for God to be glorified, pray for his kingdom to expand, pray for his will to be done, pray to God for forgiveness for you and on the behalf of others, pray to God for guidance and protection, pray to God for your sanctification, pray that God make you holy, and pray about spiritual warfare.

     Pray in the Spirit. Pray in the name of Christ. Pray consistently with the nature and will of God. Pray sincerely and with faith. The Spirit will teach us and enable us to think properly about God. He will lead us in prayer, and when we don't know how or what to pray, the Spirit groans on our behalf, interceding for us and bringing our prayers to God. The Spirit also convicts and reveals our sinfulness. He grants us faith as we pray. Our hearts and thoughts will be guided by the Spirit as we pray. The Spirit often warms our hearts as we pray. What sweet communion! It is the work of the Spirit to make us lean on Christ and make a priority out of prayer.

     Alertness and perseverance are two things no soldier can be without. Things to be aware of as Christian soldiers are: your own sinful heart, your family, needs in the church, conditions of fellow believers, weaknesses, strengths, needs in the community, spiritual condition of church leaders, problems in the church, and current events. Make supplications for the saints. They too are battling the flesh, the world, and the devil. They are fighting right along side of you. Pray for them. Intercede for leaders, church members, the sick, those who are struggling, those who are being tempted and tried, those who are facing difficulties, family, missionaries, the lost, etc. Pray specifically.

     A good soldier perseveres in prayer. Do not give up. Be determined and consistent. Also, be watchful. Look for answers to prayer and remember to thank God. Watch for snares and traps for yourself and others. Watch for warning signs of sin in your life and the lives of the saints. Watch your heart. Watch what you are putting in your mind. Watch what you are feeding your soul. Watch out for apathy and spiritual lethargy. Watch for pride. Watch for discouragement. Watch that you don't fall asleep and take your eyes of off Christ. Part of watching is repenting. Repent when you sin against God. Do not delay repentance. Repent at once. Always be repenting because you will always be sinning.

      We serve an amazing God. Not only has he saved us, but he has provided so wonderfully for us. We have a responsibility to take up the armor of God. We must put it on and put it to use. Thanks be to God who gives such great gifts.

      It must also be mentioned, it cannot go unsaid, this armor that God has provided is nothing else than our Christ. He is the truth (Jn. 14:6), our righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30), our peace (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:14), the source of faith (Heb. 12:2), our salvation (Heb. 7:25), and the Word (Jn. 1:1, 14). In other words, by putting on the armor of God we are putting on Christ. This is commanded in the New Testament (Rom. 13:14; Gal. 3:27). Christ truly is our all in all. He is our everything. With Him we have everything. Without Him we have nothing. With Him we need nothing. Without Him nothing is everything. Worship, trust, obey, adore, glorify, treasure, magnify, honor, enjoy, and proclaim the excellencies of our Christ. He is eternally worthy of all praise, adoration, exultation, and worship! Praise him, praise him, tell of his excellent greatness. Be strong in the Lord. Put on the armor of God. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Warfare: The Armor (Part 1 of 2)

Spiritual Warfare: The Armor (Part 1)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil 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 firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel pf peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints (Eph. 6:10-18).

The soldier

     Spiritual warfare is done by Christians who are in Christ. It is only done in Christ because he is the conqueror and he alone has all authority in heaven and on earth (Col. 2:15; Phil. 2:9-11). God provides abundantly for his soldiers. He provides grace (Jms. 4:6), leadership (Jms. 4:7), weapons (2 Cor. 10:4), strength, (Eph. 6:10), and armor (Eph. 6:11).

    Christian soldiers have duties they must perform. Believers are to: fight the good fight (1 Tim. 6:12), be dedicated (2 Tim. 2:4), be watchful, stand firm, be strong (1 Cor. 16:13; Eph. 6:10), pray (Eph. 6:18), be alert (1 Pet. 5:8), be sober (1 Thess. 5:8), resist the devil (Jms. 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:9), fight with the word of God (Matt. 4:1-11), and utilize the armor God has provided (Eph. 6:10-18; 1 Thess. 5:8).

Purpose of the armor

     We must never forget that this armor is from God. Nothing mentioned in discussing the armor is produced in or by man. What a great gift from a great God. The fact that God has provided armor assumes that we need it. And we need it because we are at war. Believers must not forget this truth. If you are truly in Christ, there is a battle raging and you are in the middle of it.

     The armor has been provided to us by God for standing against the devil (Eph. 6:11). Again, this is assuming that the devil and his demons attack us and that we need to be protected. You will notice that the armor is spiritual in nature and not physical. If the war we are fighting is spiritual, then our armor must be spiritual as well. If the enemy we are warring against is spiritual in nature, then physical weapons will be useless. The soldier also must utilize the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:13). It does the soldier no good if he picks and chooses what he will wear and what he will not. God knows best and he saw fit to provide his soldiers with a complete set of armor. We would do well to put on all of it. The purpose of the armor is to withstand the onslaught of the devil (Eph. 6:13). Battle after battle will be fought; soldiers must be prepared and do all to stand firm (Eph. 6:13).

The armor

      The first piece of the armor discussed is the belt of truth. Soldiers wore belts to hold their clothing and equipment in place in order for them to be free for action. Belts gave a sense of security, orderliness, confidence, and above all, readiness. Standing in the truth is a believing and trusting in the knowledge revealed in Christ. Christians are to master the truth and to be mastered by the truth. The truth of Christ binds and holds all things together. This truth is not merely known intellectually but it governs the entirety of the Christian life. The truth must be known, but it must also be believed, trusted, and acted upon.

      Believers must put on the truth first. This means that we are to be settled in our convictions. The Christian must know whom he believes and what he believes. Christian soldiers are to know and be able to apply the fundamental truths of the faith. Doctrine is to be studied and lived out. Another word for this is a Christian worldview. Christ and his truth is the standard by which we live, judge, and act.

     As can be expected, the devil attacks the truth. He tries to confuse and attempts to lead people away from the truth. Two of the favorite weapons of the devil are lies and accusations. How is a believer to withstand the lies and accusations of the devil? By knowing the truth. How is the believer to repel the devil? By applying and living the truth.

     Believer, do you know and are you able to apply the truth of Christ and God's word? What follows is a partial list of truths that believers should be familiar with. Scripture is the inspired and authoritative word of God (2 Tim. 3:16). God is Triune (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14). The Father is the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all things and sent his Son to be a sacrifice for sinners (Eph. 3:9; Rom. 11:36; Jn. 3:16). The Son is fully God and Man and accomplished redemption by giving his life as an atonement for sin, was buried, rose on the third day, ascended to heaven, intercedes on the behalf of his own, and is coming again (Jn. 10:30, 14:9; Col. 2:9; Jn. 1:1, 14; Rom. 3:24-25; 1 Pet. 2:24; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Heb. 7:25; 1 Jn. 2:1; 1 Thess. 4:13-18).

      Believers are to know also that the Holy Spirit is God, applies the work of Christ to the elect regenerating them, sanctifies believers, and gives gifts to the church (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Cor. 12:13; Rom. 8:9-11; Eph. 1:13; 1 Cor. 12:4-11). Certain knowledge of the doctrine of man should be known. Man was created in the image of God but fell, fallen man is now spiritually dead, objects of God's wrath, depraved, and lost apart from the saving work of Christ (Gen. 2:7; Jms. 3:9; Gen. 3:1-19; Jn. 3:36; Rom. 3:23; Eph. 2:1-10).

     That salvation is by God's grace through faith in the person and work of the Son applied effectually by the Spirit would be something good to know (Eph. 1:3-14, 2:1-10; Jn. 3:3-8; Tit. 3:5). Believers should have an idea of the doctrine of justification. Justification is the act of God's free grace whereby he pardons the sins of those that repent and trust in Christ alone for salvation, and accepts them as righteous in his sight only due to the righteousness of Christ being imputed to them (Rom. 3:24-25, 4:6-8, 5:17-19; 2 Cor. 5:19-21; Gal. 2:16; Phil. 3:9). A cursory understanding of the church would also be helpful. Christians ought to know that the church is the body of Christ, who is its Head, and exists to minister the word, make disciples of men, proclaim the gospel, edify believers, and glorify God on earth (1 Cor. 12:12-13; Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18; Acts 2:42, 6:4; Matt. 28:19-20; 2 Tim. 2:2; Eph. 3:21, 4:13-16).

     The second piece of the armor is the breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate was designed to protect the vital organs in the chest and abdomen. Likewise, the believer is to protect his affections, heart, mind, will, and conscience with the breastplate provided by God. This righteousness comes from God; it is the righteousness of God through faith in Christ (which is imputed) and results in an imparted righteousness. The righteousness that is imparted is the sanctifying work of God where he conforms the believer into the image of the Son. God declares sinners righteous upon conversion and begins to actually make the believer righteous through the process of sanctification (Phil. 3:9; Rom. 3:22, 5:17; Phil. 2:12-13).

     The believer, when combating the enemy, can stand confident in Christ's righteousness because of who he is and what he has done on the behalf of those whom he redeemed. Standing assured of salvation gives believers a sense of the victory achieved by Christ which defeated the devil. 

     Christian soldiers cannot stand in or rely on their own righteousness. The devil will accuse, slander, and hurl insults so the believer must know and trust that he is in Christ, justified, being perfected, at peace with God, and not condemned (Rom. 5:1-2). This means that Christian soldiers are to depend on Christ, the High Priest, when the enemy attacks and points out sin and lawlessness (Heb. 4:14-16). Further, redeemed soldiers ought to repent and confess sin in order to be forgiven and restored by Christ our Advocate and Righteousness (1 Jn. 2:1). 

     A responsibility for all soldiers is to be alert and remain watchful. Soldiers must never let their guard down. Also, Christians must not allow their emotions to be hurt or their consciences wounded. Be aware of falling into apathy, growing discouraged, focusing on the negatives instead of the positive, not looking for what God is doing, letting insignificant things rob you of your joy, becoming depressed, or living defeated lives. These are all symptoms of sin that easily beset us. We allow them to take our eyes of off Christ. Why can we not fall prey to these sins? Because Christ lived a perfect life, died a cursed death, bore the penalty of sin, experienced the wrath of God, rose victoriously, ascended to the Father's right hand, is sovereignly orchestrating history, is coming again for his bride, and has imputed his righteousness to his elect and now imparts it so that we can triumphantly pass through this life! We don't have to fall prey to these sins because of who Christ is and what he has done for us and continues to do in us.

     The third article of armor are the shoes of peace. Shoes provided stability, traction, mobility, and protection for the feet of soldiers. A soldiers footwear were very important. Christian soldiers are to be ready and prepared to do battle with the gospel against spiritual forces. However, the gospel in this sense is not in relation to missions and evangelism since the context is spiritual warfare. Believers must be assured of and confident in the gospel of Christ when under spiritual attack. We are at peace with God so must not let the enemy tell us otherwise. Assurance of the love of God, our bond with Christ, and the knowledge that God will defend us are potent weapons in the believer's arsenal supplied by God. 

     Christian, do you stand firm in the gospel when facing conflict or do you waiver or fall? Standing firm in the gospel will even erase fear when being bombarded by the enemy. To be good soldiers, Christians must be resolved to stand on the truth of the gospel no matter the onslaught. Standing firm on the gospel means that you know, believe, and will fight for: the Bible as the inspired word of God, salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, the divinity and humanity of Christ, the virgin birth of Christ, the substitutionary atoning death of Christ, the literal and bodily resurrection of Christ, the response to the gospel as repentance from sin and faith in Christ, the deity of the Spirit, and any other essential doctrine that comes under attack.

     It does not only include doctrine but life. Christian soldiers stand with the Lord. This means: living for and obey God, not being friends with the world, seeking to glorify God in all things, resisting temptation and fleeing from sin, spreading peace and love, identifying with Christ, and being ready to fight the good fight.

     Being prepared and ready with the gospel also means to be alert and watchful. Soldiers are always in danger of being attacked. These attacks usually come unexpectedly so we must be ready. Watch for ambushes. Do not let your guard down even for a minute. Be discerning; our enemy is cunning and subtle. Be aware of your enemies tactics and how they may change or be adapted. Our enemy may appear as a fierce lion or as an angel of light. Cruelty and harshness may be replaced by pleasantness and agreeableness so watch out. Some truth is often mixed with lies so be mindful. Often the enemy even uses our terms and words but with a very different meaning, thus be warned.

     Be aware of the enemies methods. The enemy may attack violently at one moment but flatter you the next. A bold attempt to drive you to sin may be utilized in a season while at others, the enemy may seek to entice you subtly. Attacks may come from the front and aim for your head, and the next time, an assault may come from the rear aiming to merely slow or stall you.

     All of this is frightening and daunting. Be of good courage, we are soldiers in the Lord's army. He marches before and leads triumphantly. Remember, we do not do this in our own strength. It is only by the grace of God that we live, and fight, and advance, and grow, and persevere, and minister, and love, and glorify him. So, trust him, rely on him, depend on him, look to him, cry out to him, obey him, and find your strength and hope in him. Also, know that he has supplied more armor for his own. Believers also have access to the shield of faith, helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit, and prayer.

Spiritual Warfare: The Enemy

Spiritual Warfare: The Enemy

     That a war is being waged has already been seen. Christians are at war. But who is the enemy? How does the enemy seek to advance? What can believers do to combat these forces?The Bible speaks of and warns us of three enemies: the flesh, the world, and Satan.

The flesh

     The first enemy that believers fight against is their flesh. Christians are new creatures in Christ, however, we are still awaiting the redemption of our bodies. Our salvation is not yet complete. Until Christ returns and our bodies are glorified, old appetites, attitudes, and habits surface. This is the sin that indwells us. We are saved and are being sanctified, but our flesh, our old nature is still clinging to us. This flesh is at war with the Spirit that indwells us.

     Conversion does not eradicate the flesh. In fact, the battle is intensified as we live and walk like Christ. Texts such as Romans chapter 6 and 7 and Galatians 5 speak to the struggle between the flesh and the Spirit and the fruit each produces.

     With that being said, we must know that sin does not have dominion over the Christian. Through the power of the Spirit and God's word, the flesh is slowly mortified, put to death. Believers are to consider themselves dead to sin and alive to God (Rom. 6:11). We are instructed to not present the members of our bodies to sin, but to present ourselves to God (Rom. 6:12-13). Paul tells believers that sin cannot have dominion over them because they are under grace and not the law (Rom. 6:14). Christians are not debtors to the flesh but are to put to death the deeds of the flesh by the Spirit (Rom. 8:12-13). Finally, believers are told to walk by the Spirit in order to not gratify the desires of the flesh (Gal. 5:16).

     So, that is easy enough. Who am I kidding? This is not easy. That is why the Christian life is called a war. So, how does a believer combat the flesh? First, recognize and acknowledge your sin (Ps. 51:3-4). Second, resolve to not sin (Ps. 51:10). Third, realize that you do not have to sin or give in to temptations because sin no longer has any power over you (Rom. 6:11). Fourth, rely on the Spirit and his power to mortify sin (Rom. 8:12-13). Fifth, repent of sin and your desires to sin (2 Cor. 7:9-11). Sixth, remember that God is in control and can sanctify you in and through anything (Rom. 8:28-29). Seventh, respond by trusting God (Ps. 51:14-17). Eighth, recollect the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).

     Beyond these, believers are to pray. You are at war and you need to be in constant communication with God. Pray that God will strengthen you against assaults and temptations. Pray that God lead you and that you will obey and follow. Pray that God sanctify you and cause you to hate sin. Pray that God be glorified in and through you. Pray that God will convict you of sin. Pray that God change your heart so that you desire God above all things.

The world

     The second enemy is the world. The world is shaped by the sinful and ungodly desires of sinful and ungodly men and aggravates the believer by promoting and providing opportunities to indulge the flesh. The world has a way of programming the mind, changing convictions, restructuring priorities, conforming standards, opposing the truth, promoting evil, applauding corruption, and confusing values. Lines are blurred by the world. Right and wrong, godly and ungodly, just and unjust, bitter and sweet are all confused or redefined.

     The world has the ability to tempt people to seek the approval of man rather than the approval of God. It also magnifies and draws attention to temporal things rather than the eternal. For instance, the world placed great value on wealth, power, prestige, popularity, and rank. Believers wrestle with and feel the tension of living in the world but not being of the world. We live in this world but we must not be influenced or molded by it.

     How does the believer wage war against this enemy? How can we combat the world? First, renew your mind (Rom. 12:2). Do not think like the world. Second, pray for faith, which overcomes the world (1 Jn. 5:4). Third, be discerning and disciplined (Rom. 12:1-2). Do not give in, fight against the pull of the world. Fourth, do not be friends with the world (Jms. 4:4). Do not entertain the things the world hold dear. Fifth, know that the world and its lusts are passing away (1 Cor. 7:29-31; 1 Jn. 2:15-17).

     Sixth, believers are united to Christ and he lives in us and through us (Gal. 2:20). This means that you are dead to the world and its power and hold on you. Seventh, trust that Christ our Lord has overcome the world (Jn. 16:33). Eighth, remember that Christ has defeated the ruler of this world (Jn. 16:11; Col. 2:15). Believers, through the power of Christ, can overcome as well. And ninth, be certain that Christ delivers believers out of the world (Gal. 1:4; Heb. 2:14-15; 1 Jn. 4:4).

The devil

     The third enemy of the Christian is the devil. His position and powers are described for us throughout the Bible. The devil is called the ruler of this world (Jn. 12:31, 16:11), the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2), the god of this age (2 Cor. 4:4), the ruler of demons (Matt. 12:24; Lk. 11:15), Lucifer (2 Cor. 11:14), the serpent of old (Rev. 12:9), and the great dragon (Rev. 12:3-4).

The practices of the devil are also revealed. He opposes (Zech. 3:1; Lk. 22:3; 1 Pet. 5:8), slanders (Lk. 4:2; 1 Pet. 5:8), is evil (Jn. 17:15; 1 Jn. 5:18), destroys (Rev. 9:11), tempts (Matt. 4:3; 1 Thess. 3:5), and accuses (Rev. 2:10). The devil also deceives, murders and lies (Rev. 12:9, 20:3; Jn. 8:44).

One of the devil's primary goals is to work against believers. He seeks to destroy reputations and ministries (Lk. 22:31; 1 Tim. 3:7). The devil will incite persecution in an effort to hurt Christians or to silence the gospel (Rev. 2:10). He may try to hinder plans (1 Thess. 2:18). Another tool of the devil is to encourage doubt of the love of God and his goodness toward the believer (Gen. 3:1-5). The devil accuses believers of sin; cries out against the sins of God's children (Rev. 2:10). He may even promote impenitence (Eph. 4:26-27). And the devil tempts. His favorites are lying (Acts 5:3), sexual sins (1 Cor. 7:5), unforgiveness (2 Cor. 2:10-11), pride (1 Tim. 3:6), discouragement (1 Pet. 5:6-10), and worldliness (1 Jn. 2:15-17).

     The devil is highly skilled in his ability to tempt. He is spiritually and intellectually superior to us. The devil is very experienced. He has learned and perfected his art for thousands of years. Not only this, but he is tireless and relentless in his temptations and hatred for believers and everything that his holy, right, and good. And if this was not enough, he has an untold number of demons at his disposal to do his bidding. Wow! Believers, did you realize this about your enemy? This should be enough to drive us to Christ and to stop depending on ourselves and our own devises in this battle.

     The devil has several strategies that he utilizes to work against Christians. First, he entices to sin. He offers pleasure but hides the sin or the consequences. The devil often makes sin appear virtuous (pride becomes self-esteem, covetousness becomes ambition, etc.). He minimizes the seriousness of sin and depicts repentance as easy and that can be done at any time which encourages further sinful behavior. The devil also encourages friendship with the world. Beware of these traps.

     Second, the devil seeks to hinder spiritual disciplines. The focus is placed on the difficulty of the disciplines instead of the rewards and benefits. Distractions and opposition may be used by him to hinder focus. The intellect over the heart may be magnified. This means that believers may be tempted to only fill their heads and not meditate on the truths of God's word or allow them to saturate and penetrate their hearts. Another temptation may be to make disciplines seem impractical or unnecessary.

     Third, the devil misrepresents God. He tries to make God out to be a cruel taskmaster. Or, he may try to temp believers by stressing the love and mercy of God over against his holiness and justice. This makes it easier for us as believers to do what we want and ask for forgiveness later. After all, God has to forgive us, right? This is a dangerous game to play. Do not fall into this trap.

Fourth, the devil persecutes. This has been a favorite of the devil for thousands of years. It never works, however. It is during times of persecution that the church has grown and spread the most. Fifth, the devil attacks through doctrinal confusion, lies, and falsehoods. Sixth, he may tempt believers and hinder them from serving. Seventh, the devil may instigate and cause division among believers or in churches. Eighth, the devil may attempt to persuade believers to trust in themselves, their abilities, and their resources. And ninth, he tries to lead believers into hypocrisy, temptations, worldliness, and disobedience.

     All of this is very daunting. But, this does not close the book on the devil. We know that he is limited. We also know that he can only do what our sovereign God allows him to do. The devil is limited. He is limited in his knowledge and in his power and abilities. Christ has limited the devil. He is not free to do whatever he wills. He is on a leash. The devil is also limited in what he can do to Christians. It does not appear from Scripture that the devil can read the minds or thoughts of believers. He cannot posses a believer. All that he can do is try to influence us from the outside. But, beware because he is good at that. Another limitation of the devil is that he can only be at one place at a time. And he was defeated by Christ. I'd say he is very limited. We must not give too much credit to the devil. We are never tempted by the devil himself (who are we). I would venture to guess that most temptations come from ourselves (the flesh) and occasionally from demonic forces. Granted, there are powers at work and we must not drop our guard. They would be powerless however, if we were not already corrupt and so easily perceptible to sin.

     So, what can we do? How are we to respond to the tricks of the devil and demons? We must walk in Scripture. We must not grieve the Spirit. Christians would do well to seek godly wisdom. Resist the devil quickly. Pray to be filled with the Spirit. Be humble. Watch. Be alert. Commune with the Lord. Do not attempt to battle sin and temptations in your own strength. Pray. Pray some more. Remember that your identity is in Christ. Trust God. Learn from mistakes. Grow. Repent. Seek to glorify God in all things. And put on the armor of God.