Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8What is be vigilant? It means to pay attention, be on guard.
What is an adversary? An opponent, an enemy.
Who is your enemy, your opponent?
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12
Our opponents are not people, man, natural enemies. Our opponent is stealing from us, destroying our lives, and even trying to kill us. (John 10:10)
The above verse also goes on to tell us that Jesus came so that we can have life, and that we may have it more abundantly. This indicates that we have a choice.
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: Deuteronomy 30:19
Deuteronomy clearly tells us that we have a choice; blessing or cursing, life or death.
If we have a choice, then we must be able to stop the enemy, our opponent!
Know who your enemy is. The devil.
Know about your enemy.
Know he is a deceiver, and the results of his deception are listed in John 10:10: theft, death, and destruction. Jesus wants us blessed, healthy, prosperous, and living in joy. Satan wants us cursed, sick, poor, stressed, and depressed.
Knowing God and His Word enables us to remain free of the devil's deception. John 8:32 says, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Knowing Truth, the Word of God, we identify the False, empowers us to stay vigilant, guarding against our opponent and stopping him.
Devise a plan to defeat the enemy? Plan to stand by faith on the Truth of God's Word, knowing that His Word always comes forth. (Philippians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 3:8)
What does "stand" mean? It means to know the real Truth that applies to you as a believer: who you are in Christ Jesus as a result of what he did on the cross and rose again. Once you have aquirred knowledge of the Truth, do not waiver from that it, regardless what circumstances look like.
Remember, the enemy is a deceiver. If the circumstances surrounding your life appear bleak right now, you can stand know that it is a lie from the enemy designed to deceive you and produce hindrances to your abundant life in Christ Jesus.
Knowing and having faith in Truth that applies to your life, moves mountains (Mark 11:23, 24) and empowers you to live the life on earth you are intended to live: an abundant and everlasting life!
No comments:
Post a Comment