"I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."
John 17: 15-16

                            BEWARE OF SATAN'S DEVICES

Satan has many evil schemes with which he tries to deceive people and we are not to be ignorant of his many devices. His delight is to blind others to the truth as he is the tempter, and at times may even appear as an angel of light. Just as he deceived in the Garden of Eden, he still desires to capture souls today and lead them astray.   Knowledge has increased in this day and age but godly wisdom still comes from above.  Earthly wisdom can lead to wrong paths but the wisdom of God is to be sought as a treasure from God which will guide us in His right ways. The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.  By wisdom princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.  Earthly knowledge cannot discern righteous judgment but the wisdom of the Lord makes godly rulers.

There is only one way to walk in this life and that is in the way of the Lord. As we trust and obey, we have victory in Christ through his shed blood.  We do not have to fight for victory, but we must enforce the victory Christ has already given us through his finished work.  He has prayed that his followers be kept from evil and we are to be sober, vigilant, as our adversary goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. We need spiritual discernment in these last days and are told to "try the spirits" and see if they are of God.

We are told we can know the spirit of truth and of error. Many ask how do we try the spirits? We can test, discern, and examine by the Word of God as we have the truths which must be followed which our Lord has given us to be successful in our walk with Him.  To test the spirits is to know by proof or experience. How do we know by experience? We must first have patience as we wait upon the Lord. Patience is bearing trials with hopeful endurance and perseverance.  We are told that patience accomplishes or fully works experience in our lives and hearts.  As we wait upon the Lord, we abide in His word and our will lines up with his ways and will.

The Apostle Paul said he gloried in tribulations, knowing that tribulation worked patience, and patience experience, and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Rom. 5: 4).  What great love is seen in these Scriptures! We do not have to be ashamed when we stand before the Lord if we have been forgiven and are workers of righteousness.  His love has not just been given, but has been "poured forth" on hearts by his Spirit in an abundant measure. Our troubles can actually work patience which worketh or accomplishes experience and hope in God.  His love and goodness is bestowed upon us as we trust fully in Him and his power to lead us.  In all of life's many trials, we can get bitter or we can get better.  If we choose the Lord's way, every day with Jesus can be sweeter than the day before.  He will walk with us through every storm or fiery trial and will see us safely through.

We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places.  We have nothing to fear as we have been raised up by God and quickened together with Christ to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Eph. 2: 6) God has raised Jesus from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world but in that which is to come.  And, he hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. (Eph. 1: 20-23)

God did not promise that the Christian life would be easy, but it will be worth it for all eternity.  He asked before his crucifixion that his disciples should be protected from the evil one but not be taken out of the world.  We are in the world but we are not of the world.  Our spirit was born again and we now have a heavenly citizenship and conversation in Him.  When discouragements, doubt, temptation, or trials come our way, we can cast all our cares upon the Lord and know he careth for us. He will carry our burdens and help us in all things.

Instead of taking his disciples out of the world, he sent them into the world and they knew they would have to face temptation just as Jesus.  They were over comers by the power of the Lord and resisting the enemy. We can only resist the enemy through our confession of faith in the Living Word and his shed blood.  He is the word of our testimony and his blood will never lose it's power.  It is not by might nor power but only by his spirit that we can live the victorious life.  Fleshly discernment deceives and leads people astray but wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (James 3: 17-18)  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called "the children of God."

Jesus Christ died to overcome sin and bring salvation but he did not chain the devil.   Satan is still subtle and will try all of his many tricks and schemes on people today.  He will look for their weakest point and make an attack there.  Sometimes it seems as if he doubles his efforts on new Christians in an attempt to regain those he has lost to Christ.  The enemy does not want us to recognize God's work through servants of righteousness and seeks to cause lack of trust or doubt in the body of Christ.  Satan does not want us to know or rightfully divide God's Word as it tears down all strongholds.  Therefore, he seeks to attack, and cause division when truth is proclaimed.  We are to beware of those who sow discord in the Body of Christ and are warned that this is one of the things which God hates.  Discord is the opposite of being in "one accord" or unity as we are commanded.  We are to be sober and vigilant as our adversary goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.  One who has the mind of Christ will resist the pattern of this present world and discern the plans and schemes of Satan to avoid them.. 

Satan is both an instigator and a reactionary, the one who starts fights and the one who desires to frustrate and obstruct God's Kingdom in every way.  He knows the power of God but does not want others to discern truths of God's Word or the reality of God's overcoming power.  His desire is that souls remain defeated by rejecting the truths of Scripture as God reveals it to them by His Spirit.  His goal is to keep souls in bondage, legalism, and trusting in self instead of  the Savior which will lead to destruction.

By the Sword of the Spirit, one can ward off Satan and the lust of the flesh,  lust of the eye, and the pride of life just as Jesus did.  We have been equipped for success with weapons of warfare and armor to make us strong in Christ.  In the name of Jesus, no weapon formed against us shall prosper and we can give thanks for the One who is there at all times to help us be victorious in Him.  We will not be denied when we ask the Lord for his help in all things.  His promises are faithful and true. Claim victory in Jesus today and each day and be blessed.  We are free, yes free indeed, and can sing with the saints of old,  "I will  not be denied!"

 

 

OVERCOMING POWER        We are over comers through the blood of the Lamb We have the victory because of His finished work at Calvary We can continue on in faith and defeat the schemes of the enemy Through the power of His Spirit we are saved and we are free. Christians look to Jesus and his supreme sacrifice There is no other who can keep us on this gospel path, He has filled our hearts with joy and a love that cannot fail, We have been set free from sin's bondage and wrath. Pressing on with confidence in our blessed hope We are one day nearer home than yesterday, If we keep the faith and look unto the Lord, We will be secure in this blessed gospel way.      Jo Ann Kelly (c) 2003 J. P.'s Inspirations

 

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