6. Compromise: Nehemiah 5:14-19
Nehemiah refused to compromise. He did not conform to wrong life styles and principles around him. His motto was, "So did not I, because of the fear of God" (Nehemiah 5:15). Satan promotes compromise. He tries to convince believers that something is all right because others are doing it or that such things really are not wrong.
7. Threats and fear: Nehemiah 6:5-9
The enemy made fearful threats against Nehemiah and his workers. Satan knows that fear paralyzes but faith energizes believers to be effective for God. When Nehemiah was offered a way to escape from the enemy, he refused to be fearful and retreat (Nehemiah 6:10-13). He did not take the easy way out. Satan tries to make believers flee in the face of opposition. When you are running you are retreating, and when you retreat you do not gain or hold spiritual ground. When you walk by faith you will encounter opposition of those who walk by sight.
8. Fighting and hindering: Nehemiah 4:8
Open tactics of fighting and hindering were also used. The enemy is not always subtle in his attacks. Sometimes he comes right out in the open to fight and hinder.
9. Conspiracy: Nehemiah 4:8; 6:2
A conspiracy or plot was made against Nehemiah by the enemy. The enemy plots against your life also:
John 10:10 "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy..."
10. Attacks at vulnerable times: Nehemiah 4:6
The greatest attack of the enemy came when the wall was half finished because this was a strategic (important) time. The enemy invades at strategic times when you are vulnerable (most open and affected by his attacks).
-The Prophet Jonah became despondent after the greatest revival ever experienced-Jonah 3-4.
-David fell into sin at a time of great victory in his life. Up until that time he had not known military defeat.
-Samson fell into sin when he "began" to deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines.
When you are being effective for God, you are vulnerable to enemy attack. Satan is concerned most with those who are advancing in the spirit world.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Rebuilding Your Walls (Part 1)
Read Nehemiah chapters l through 7:3. Chapters l and 2 of Nehemiah describe the condition of the walls around Jerusalem. They were in ruin, destroyed by enemy invasion, and the gates had been burned with fire. Without walls and gates, a city was open to invasion on every side from enemy forces. If your spiritual walls are destroyed, you too are open to attack by the enemy.
Nehemiah recognized the walls had been destroyed and the city was in its present condition because of sin. (Nehemiah 1:5-7) When your spiritual walls are in ruin it is also because of sin. Nehemiah felt an intense burden from God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem to provide
protection for the inhabitants. His preparation and plan are described in chapters l and 2. He and his workers were determined to "arise and build" the walls (Nehemiah 2:18).
When Nehemiah determined to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, he met powerful opposition from his enemies. When you determine to rebuild spiritual walls, you will face similar opposition from your enemy, Satan. The strategies of the enemies of Nehemiah are identical to the strategies Satan uses to attack spiritual walls. The attacks are divided into two main categories: External and internal attacks.
External attacks are attacks the enemy launches from without through others who are not part of the body
of Christ. Such attacks include:
1. Direct criticism: Nehemiah 2:19
The enemies criticized, "What do you think you are doing?" They were against the reconstruction project and tried in every way to prevent it.
2. Mocking and scorn: Nehemiah 4:1-3
Nehemiah became a "target for tongues." The enemy tried to defeat him through the mocking and scorn of others. Satan will use the tongue of others to discourage and defeat you.
3. False accusations: Nehemiah 6:5-7
The enemy attacked Nehemiah personally with false accusations. They accused him of being a rebel. Satan is called "the accuser of the brethren." He will use others to accuse you as well as putting accusing thoughts in your mind.
4. Diversion: Nehemiah 6:2
The enemy tried to get Nehemiah to join them for a meeting. This meeting was a diversion tactic
to call Nehemiah away from the work of rebuilding the wall. Diversion from the things of God and the work He has given you to do is still a chief strategy of Satan.
5. Popular influence: Nehemiah 6:2
The enemy said let "us" meet together, trying to influence Nehemiah with popular opinion. Popular opinion said Nehemiah was a rebel and the wall could not be built. Trying to get believers to conform to popular opinion, majority rule, and the principles of the world is a key strategy of Satan. A false prophet claiming to be of God was even used by the enemy to attack
Nehemiah (Nehemiah 6:10-13). Popular opinion would say to listen to a "prophet of God." We are warned of false prophets who would divert us from God.
Nehemiah recognized the walls had been destroyed and the city was in its present condition because of sin. (Nehemiah 1:5-7) When your spiritual walls are in ruin it is also because of sin. Nehemiah felt an intense burden from God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem to provide
protection for the inhabitants. His preparation and plan are described in chapters l and 2. He and his workers were determined to "arise and build" the walls (Nehemiah 2:18).
When Nehemiah determined to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, he met powerful opposition from his enemies. When you determine to rebuild spiritual walls, you will face similar opposition from your enemy, Satan. The strategies of the enemies of Nehemiah are identical to the strategies Satan uses to attack spiritual walls. The attacks are divided into two main categories: External and internal attacks.
External attacks are attacks the enemy launches from without through others who are not part of the body
of Christ. Such attacks include:
1. Direct criticism: Nehemiah 2:19
The enemies criticized, "What do you think you are doing?" They were against the reconstruction project and tried in every way to prevent it.
2. Mocking and scorn: Nehemiah 4:1-3
Nehemiah became a "target for tongues." The enemy tried to defeat him through the mocking and scorn of others. Satan will use the tongue of others to discourage and defeat you.
3. False accusations: Nehemiah 6:5-7
The enemy attacked Nehemiah personally with false accusations. They accused him of being a rebel. Satan is called "the accuser of the brethren." He will use others to accuse you as well as putting accusing thoughts in your mind.
4. Diversion: Nehemiah 6:2
The enemy tried to get Nehemiah to join them for a meeting. This meeting was a diversion tactic
to call Nehemiah away from the work of rebuilding the wall. Diversion from the things of God and the work He has given you to do is still a chief strategy of Satan.
5. Popular influence: Nehemiah 6:2
The enemy said let "us" meet together, trying to influence Nehemiah with popular opinion. Popular opinion said Nehemiah was a rebel and the wall could not be built. Trying to get believers to conform to popular opinion, majority rule, and the principles of the world is a key strategy of Satan. A false prophet claiming to be of God was even used by the enemy to attack
Nehemiah (Nehemiah 6:10-13). Popular opinion would say to listen to a "prophet of God." We are warned of false prophets who would divert us from God.
The Whole Armor (Part 3)
The helmet of salvation is not something you put on when you get saved. Remember, we are dealing with spiritual armor here, and it is assumed that you are a believer and a member of God's army before you start putting on the armor.
The helmet of salvation represents a regenerated mind. It represents a transformed and renewed thought life. You will learn that Satan desperately fights for control of the mind. An undisciplined mind makes the Christian warrior easy prey to sinful deceptions of the enemy.
Paul speaks of the helmet as the "hope of salvation" in 1 Thessalonians 5:8. Salvation, when properly experienced and understood, protects your mind. Salvation embraces the past, present, and future. You have been saved from the guilt and penalty of past sin. You are being saved
from the power of sin in the present. The "hope of salvation" refers to salvation in the future tense. It is final salvation from the presence of sin when Jesus returns. The hope of this future salvation strengthens your mind against the attacks of Satan. You have a confident hope in the future because God is working out His purpose:
Ephesians 1:9, 10 "...according to His good pleasure, which He hath purposed in Himself; That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in Heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him."
The "sword of the Spirit" is the Word of God. It is both a defensive and offensive weapon. You have surely learned how Jesus used the Word in defense against the attacks of Satan. As you grow in Christ you will learn how this weapon is used offensively.
The helmet of salvation represents a regenerated mind. It represents a transformed and renewed thought life. You will learn that Satan desperately fights for control of the mind. An undisciplined mind makes the Christian warrior easy prey to sinful deceptions of the enemy.
Paul speaks of the helmet as the "hope of salvation" in 1 Thessalonians 5:8. Salvation, when properly experienced and understood, protects your mind. Salvation embraces the past, present, and future. You have been saved from the guilt and penalty of past sin. You are being saved
from the power of sin in the present. The "hope of salvation" refers to salvation in the future tense. It is final salvation from the presence of sin when Jesus returns. The hope of this future salvation strengthens your mind against the attacks of Satan. You have a confident hope in the future because God is working out His purpose:
Ephesians 1:9, 10 "...according to His good pleasure, which He hath purposed in Himself; That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in Heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him."
The "sword of the Spirit" is the Word of God. It is both a defensive and offensive weapon. You have surely learned how Jesus used the Word in defense against the attacks of Satan. As you grow in Christ you will learn how this weapon is used offensively.
After describing the Christian soldier's armor, Paul comments:
Verse 18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
Prayer and its associated practice of fasting are also powerful spiritual weapons. These two weapons can be used both offensively and defensively.
So remember:
-The girdle or belt of truth protects from the deception of Satan which can lead to unrighteousness (sin).
-The breastplate of righteousness protects from unrighteousness (sin) which leads to confusion.
-Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace protects from spiritual confusion which results in unbelief.
-The shield of faith protects against unbelief which results in bondage. The helmet of salvation protects from bondage.
-The sword of the spirit, the Word of God, is used as both an offensive and defensive weapon.
-The breastplate of righteousness protects from unrighteousness (sin) which leads to confusion.
-Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace protects from spiritual confusion which results in unbelief.
-The shield of faith protects against unbelief which results in bondage. The helmet of salvation protects from bondage.
-The sword of the spirit, the Word of God, is used as both an offensive and defensive weapon.
Note the downward progression of one not protected by the armor of God: Deception leads to unrighteousness (sin) which always results in confusion. Confusion results in unbelief, and unbelief always results in spiritual bondage.
So put on the whole armor of God. You won't regret it!
The Whole Armor (Part 2)
There are many types of shoes for different purposes. Some are for walking, others for specific sports activities. A soldier's shoes are another kind. They are shoes designed for warfare. A soldier who cannot advance on the battlefield is disabled in warfare.
"Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace" indicate a readiness to advance in the spiritual realm. These spiritual shoes protect your will from the temptation of the enemy who would lead you in wrong paths. They indicate your willingness to do every good work and to spread the Gospel to all nations. These spiritual shoes will also enable you to stand against the
enemy as Paul encourages you to do in Ephesians 6:14.
In the natural world, the shield was used to provide protection to the warrior's entire body. Your spiritual shield is called the "shield of faith."
There are several types of faith mentioned in the Bible. There is saving faith, the gift of faith, and the spiritual fruit of faith. But the word "faith" when used in relation to the "shield of faith" speaks of defensive faith. This faith is a firm trust and confidence in God which protects your whole being. It protects you from flaming missiles of doubt and unbelief sent by the enemy.
This shield of faith is a calm and confident trust in God which deflects all the fiery arrows of the enemy from their target. The shield of faith is the constant application of God's Word to the issues of life. It is a faith that enables you to overcome the evil forces of the world:
1 John 5:4 "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
Combined with love of God, faith is most effective:
1 Thessalonians 5:8 "putting on the breastplate of faith and love..."
It is faith based on truth:
Psalm 91:4 "He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler."
It is faith based on salvation:
Psalm 18:35 "Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great."
Without faith, you have no grasp of truth. Without faith you cannot receive salvation. Without faith you cannot go forth with the Gospel of peace. Without faith you cannot claim the righteousness of Christ and effectively use the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.
Faith is not an assumption or presumption. It is a fact based upon God's Word. You can increase your faith by hearing God's Word according to Romans 10:17, acting upon your present faith in Romans 1:17, and seeking God in Hebrews 12:2.
"Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace" indicate a readiness to advance in the spiritual realm. These spiritual shoes protect your will from the temptation of the enemy who would lead you in wrong paths. They indicate your willingness to do every good work and to spread the Gospel to all nations. These spiritual shoes will also enable you to stand against the
enemy as Paul encourages you to do in Ephesians 6:14.
In the natural world, the shield was used to provide protection to the warrior's entire body. Your spiritual shield is called the "shield of faith."
There are several types of faith mentioned in the Bible. There is saving faith, the gift of faith, and the spiritual fruit of faith. But the word "faith" when used in relation to the "shield of faith" speaks of defensive faith. This faith is a firm trust and confidence in God which protects your whole being. It protects you from flaming missiles of doubt and unbelief sent by the enemy.
This shield of faith is a calm and confident trust in God which deflects all the fiery arrows of the enemy from their target. The shield of faith is the constant application of God's Word to the issues of life. It is a faith that enables you to overcome the evil forces of the world:
1 John 5:4 "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
Combined with love of God, faith is most effective:
1 Thessalonians 5:8 "putting on the breastplate of faith and love..."
It is faith based on truth:
Psalm 91:4 "He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler."
It is faith based on salvation:
Psalm 18:35 "Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great."
Without faith, you have no grasp of truth. Without faith you cannot receive salvation. Without faith you cannot go forth with the Gospel of peace. Without faith you cannot claim the righteousness of Christ and effectively use the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.
Faith is not an assumption or presumption. It is a fact based upon God's Word. You can increase your faith by hearing God's Word according to Romans 10:17, acting upon your present faith in Romans 1:17, and seeking God in Hebrews 12:2.
Friday, March 31, 2017
Spiritual Wrestlemania (Part 5)
1 Corinthians 9:27 "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."
The objective of wrestling in the natural world is to defeat the opponent by causing him to fall or pinning him to the ground. This results from a series of strategic moves and/or by wearing the opponent down. Satan constantly wars against believers trying to wear them down. His objective is to cause believers to fall, throw them, and trap in the bondage of sin. His goal is to destroy your supportive points, just as a wrestler does to his opponent in the natural world. The goal is to
make you prostrate spiritually.
Victory in natural wrestling also comes through a process of scoring by the judges. The wrestler with the highest points for the most effective strategic moves wins the match. Your spiritual opponent has already been judged. Satan was overcome by the most effective
move in all history, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. You wrestle with an enemy who is already judged as a loser in the match. Because of this you do not need to be afraid of his power or strategies in the wrestling match in which you engage. You do not have to fall or be
pinned by the bondage of sin. You can stand confidently in the wrestling match of spiritual warfare and resist him steadfastly in the faith.
Mental attitude is very important in wrestling. In a study on the subject, the following attitudes are said to be necessary for championship wrestling in the natural world. These attitudes also are true in the spiritual realm:
-To wish and want to win is not enough. The champion wrestler must have a will to win. Desire is an emotion which transcends all else in life.
-Sustained effort is required for championship wrestling. A champion wrestler must be persistent and not accept defeat.
-Winning is the goal and purpose of wrestling. To achieve this goal he must not only know he is master of the situation, but he must also let his opponent know.
The objective of wrestling in the natural world is to defeat the opponent by causing him to fall or pinning him to the ground. This results from a series of strategic moves and/or by wearing the opponent down. Satan constantly wars against believers trying to wear them down. His objective is to cause believers to fall, throw them, and trap in the bondage of sin. His goal is to destroy your supportive points, just as a wrestler does to his opponent in the natural world. The goal is to
make you prostrate spiritually.
Victory in natural wrestling also comes through a process of scoring by the judges. The wrestler with the highest points for the most effective strategic moves wins the match. Your spiritual opponent has already been judged. Satan was overcome by the most effective
move in all history, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. You wrestle with an enemy who is already judged as a loser in the match. Because of this you do not need to be afraid of his power or strategies in the wrestling match in which you engage. You do not have to fall or be
pinned by the bondage of sin. You can stand confidently in the wrestling match of spiritual warfare and resist him steadfastly in the faith.
Mental attitude is very important in wrestling. In a study on the subject, the following attitudes are said to be necessary for championship wrestling in the natural world. These attitudes also are true in the spiritual realm:
-To wish and want to win is not enough. The champion wrestler must have a will to win. Desire is an emotion which transcends all else in life.
-Sustained effort is required for championship wrestling. A champion wrestler must be persistent and not accept defeat.
-Winning is the goal and purpose of wrestling. To achieve this goal he must not only know he is master of the situation, but he must also let his opponent know.
1 Corinthians 9:24 "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."
Spiritual Wrestlemania (Part 4)
1 Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.."
In wrestling, a mobile opponent is considered dangerous. This is why you want to pin your opponent down. In the spiritual world, Satan is a mobile opponent. He goes "to and fro" as a lion seeking to devour. You must be on guard for his constant mobility. Satan also recognizes the effectiveness of your mobility. He wants to prevent you from being on the move for God. This is why he strives to throw you and pin you down spiritually.
Any error made in wrestling results in an action that can be taken advantage of by the opponent. How true spiritually! Any error you make in spiritual wrestling is quickly taken advantage of by the enemy. It is important in wrestling to learn how to recover from a fall. It is necessary to be able to convert the bottom position into an advantage. There are moves of escape and reversal
which will enable this.
In spiritual wrestling you may at times experience a fall and be temporarily pinned by the enemy. But you do not have to remain in this position. God has given strategies in His Word which, if followed, will convert your disadvantage into an advantage. He has provided strategies for escape and reversal spiritually just as are used in natural wrestling.
The life of Joseph is an excellent example of this. He had the disadvantages of being sold into slavery and put in prison. But he converted disadvantages to advantages. In the end, he triumphed over the enemy. There are other moves in wrestling which result in taking an opponent down from behind, dragging, pinning, throwing, and pulling him. Can you recognize similar moves by the enemy spiritually?
1 Peter 5:9 "Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."
In wrestling, a mobile opponent is considered dangerous. This is why you want to pin your opponent down. In the spiritual world, Satan is a mobile opponent. He goes "to and fro" as a lion seeking to devour. You must be on guard for his constant mobility. Satan also recognizes the effectiveness of your mobility. He wants to prevent you from being on the move for God. This is why he strives to throw you and pin you down spiritually.
Any error made in wrestling results in an action that can be taken advantage of by the opponent. How true spiritually! Any error you make in spiritual wrestling is quickly taken advantage of by the enemy. It is important in wrestling to learn how to recover from a fall. It is necessary to be able to convert the bottom position into an advantage. There are moves of escape and reversal
which will enable this.
In spiritual wrestling you may at times experience a fall and be temporarily pinned by the enemy. But you do not have to remain in this position. God has given strategies in His Word which, if followed, will convert your disadvantage into an advantage. He has provided strategies for escape and reversal spiritually just as are used in natural wrestling.
The life of Joseph is an excellent example of this. He had the disadvantages of being sold into slavery and put in prison. But he converted disadvantages to advantages. In the end, he triumphed over the enemy. There are other moves in wrestling which result in taking an opponent down from behind, dragging, pinning, throwing, and pulling him. Can you recognize similar moves by the enemy spiritually?
1 Peter 5:9 "Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."
Spiritual Wrestlemania (Part 3)
2 Corinthians 2:11 "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."
Anticipation is important in natural wrestling. A wrestler who can discern when a particular move is going to be made is usually able to block or counter attack. When the intended move is made it is not as likely to be successful since it is anticipated and the wrestler is prepared.
The same is true in the spirit world. If you are not ignorant of Satan's devices and anticipate his strategies, then you are prepared. You are not thrown off balance when attacks occur.
There are moves in wrestling which are made to "bait" an opponent, to tempt and entice him into making a move which will weaken his position. In the spirit world Satan is constantly tempting you to moves which will weaken your spiritual position.
In natural wrestling, moves are planned to place an opponent in a position that leaves him open to attack. Situations are purposely created to do this and advantage is taken of an opponent's weakened position at the instant it occurs.
Spiritually, Satan creates situations which leave you open to attack Then he immediately takes advantage of your weakened position. But you must remember as you wrestle that it is Satan who holds the weakened position. The power within you is greater than his power. He has
already been dealt the final weakening blow by the Lord Jesus Christ. But you must exercise the advantage given you by the Lord in order to win the match.
In natural wrestling, every move you make sets you up for a response from the opponent. The same is true in the spirit world. When you make a move for God, Satan will always counterattack with a move of his own.
Be prepared by studying the Word of God. His Word can help you when the battle comes to your front door.
Anticipation is important in natural wrestling. A wrestler who can discern when a particular move is going to be made is usually able to block or counter attack. When the intended move is made it is not as likely to be successful since it is anticipated and the wrestler is prepared.
The same is true in the spirit world. If you are not ignorant of Satan's devices and anticipate his strategies, then you are prepared. You are not thrown off balance when attacks occur.
There are moves in wrestling which are made to "bait" an opponent, to tempt and entice him into making a move which will weaken his position. In the spirit world Satan is constantly tempting you to moves which will weaken your spiritual position.
In natural wrestling, moves are planned to place an opponent in a position that leaves him open to attack. Situations are purposely created to do this and advantage is taken of an opponent's weakened position at the instant it occurs.
Spiritually, Satan creates situations which leave you open to attack Then he immediately takes advantage of your weakened position. But you must remember as you wrestle that it is Satan who holds the weakened position. The power within you is greater than his power. He has
already been dealt the final weakening blow by the Lord Jesus Christ. But you must exercise the advantage given you by the Lord in order to win the match.
In natural wrestling, every move you make sets you up for a response from the opponent. The same is true in the spirit world. When you make a move for God, Satan will always counterattack with a move of his own.
Be prepared by studying the Word of God. His Word can help you when the battle comes to your front door.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)