SATAN DECEIVES MANY PEOPLE
WITH THESE LYING THOUGHTS AND DEVICES

    Satan does all he can to keep an unsaved person deceived and in darkness.  As it is written, SATAN, WHICH DECEIVETH THE WHOLE WORLD-Rev 12:9.  There is a battle between truth and error going on inside of each person.  That battle is for a person’s soul.  The devil persuades many in their thoughts that evolution is how we came into existence.  The adversary puts in the minds of others that the Bible is not God’s Word but just a book written by men.  He makes some believe that it is too difficult to understand.   And if you do believe the Bible is the perfect Word of God, Satan will do everything possible to stop you from studying it, by using many distractions and other devices.  If you study the Bible, Satan will try to cause you to believe certain passages do not mean exactly what they say.  If you do believe God’s Word, he will try to choke the Word that is in you, by using the lusts of this world, the cares of this life, the pleasures of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and many other devices.  Satan is a master at mixing the truth with deception in your mind and causing confusion.

    Satan persuades many people that there is no heaven, hell, judgment, or God.  He causes many to think that he does not even exist, or that, if he does exist, he is nothing more than a little red cartoon character with horns and a pitchfork, who is mischievous but not dangerous.   He causes some people to be bitter toward God.  He causes many others to be deceived on how to be saved.  He blinds their eyes.

    There are many people that look like they are led of God, but they are not.  They themselves think they are being led of God and deceive many.  Many people go to churches that have blind leaders of the blind.  These blind clergy OUTWARDLY APPEAR RIGHTEOUS "UNTO MEN"-Mt 23:28.  They APPEAR BEAUTIFUL OUTWARD, BUT ARE WITHIN FULL OF DEAD MEN’S BONES-Mt 23:27.  They ARE AS GRAVES WHICH APPEAR NOT, AND THE MEN THAT WALK OVER THEM (people that go to their churches) ARE NOT AWARE OF THEM (they are not aware these are blind leaders)-Lk 11:44.  It never occurs to most people that their ordained minister is, himself, on the way to hell.  Paul told us very clearly, MANY...CORRUPT THE WORD OF GOD-2 Cor 2:17.  These blind clergy combine God’s Word with deception and traditions.  Multitudes of people attend these dead, ceremonial, entertainment, people-pleasing churches and are confident they will be in heaven when they die.  It just never occurs to most people that their church is leading them to hell.  They put their faith in their church or denomination and its half-truth doctrines.  Only after they die, do these realize they were deceived and made an eternal mistake.

    Satan puts in many people’s minds that he can never deceive them; therefore, they are deceived already and let their guard down—as an army that is caught by surprise and is defenseless when the attack comes.  Not only does Satan speak to you in your thoughts, but he speaks to you through many people, and you may never know it.  People can be extremely gullible and lack knowledge in the ways and devices of the devil.  Satan puts in people’s mind that they never sin, and many believe this, even though the Bible says, ALL HAVE SINNED, AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD-Ro 3:23.  Satan has created numerous false religions throughout the world that have led billions of people to hell.  Others may go to good, Bible-teaching churches, yet they are never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  Many of them believe they are saved, but the light that is in them is really darkness, and the darkness has blinded their eyes. They know not where they are going.  There is a battle going on for their soul, but most of them will never understand this until it is too late.

THE STRAIT GATE AND NARROW WAY

    Only through Jesus Christ can a person be saved.

    It is written, Mt 7:13-ENTER YE IN AT THE STRAIT GATE: FOR WIDE IS THE GATE, AND BROAD IS THE WAY, THAT LEADETH TO DESTRUCTION, AND MANY THERE BE WHICH GO IN THEREAT.

    You can only enter heaven through the "strait gate," BECAUSE STRAIT IS THE GATE, AND NARROW IS THE WAY, WHICH LEADETH UNTO LIFE, AND FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT.

    The STRAIT GATE and NARROW...WAY is a total commitment to Jesus Christ. It is not just saying, "Lord, Lord."  It is not just saying you have accepted Jesus as your Savior.  Many name the name of Jesus, but they perish.  The STRAIT GATE and NARROW...WAY is: BE YE DOERS OF THE WORD, AND NOT HEARERS ONLY, DECEIVING YOUR OWN SELVES-Ja 1:22.  As Jesus tells us, AND WHY CALL YE ME, LORD, LORD, AND DO NOT THE THINGS WHICH I SAY?-Lk 6:46.  It is doing THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN-Mt 7:21.

    Mt 7:15-20-BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS, WHICH COME TO YOU IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING, BUT INWARDLY THEY ARE RAVENING WOLVES.

    YE SHALL KNOW THEM BY THEIR FRUITS.  DO MEN GATHER GRAPES OF THORNS, OR FIGS OF THISTLES?

    EVEN SO EVERY GOOD TREE BRINGETH FORTH GOOD FRUIT; BUT A CORRUPT TREE BRINGETH FORTH EVIL FRUIT.

    A GOOD TREE CANNOT BRING FORTH EVIL FRUIT, NEITHER CAN A CORRUPT TREE BRING FORTH GOOD FRUIT.

    EVERY TREE THAT BRINGETH NOT FORTH GOOD FRUIT IS HEWN DOWN, AND CAST INTO THE FIRE.

     WHEREFORE BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM.

    Mt 7:21-23-NOT EVERY ONE THAT SAITH UNTO ME, LORD, LORD, SHALL ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN; BUT HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN.

    It is written, MANY WILL SAY TO ME (to Jesus) IN THAT DAY, LORD, LORD, HAVE WE NOT PROPHESIED "IN THY NAME"? AND "IN THY NAME" HAVE CAST OUT DEVILS? AND "IN THY NAME" DONE MANY WONDERFUL WORKS?  AND THEN WILL I PROFESS UNTO THEM, I NEVER KNEW YOU: DEPART FROM ME, YE THAT WORK INIQUITY.

    Understand, it is not a matter of, if you know Jesus.  It is a matter of, does Jesus know you?-ref Mt 25:12.  Jesus shall say to many that are absolutely positive they are saved, "I KNOW YOU NOT"-Lk 13:25.

    You might ask, "How can this be?"  It is because people base their belief that they are saved on emotions, or what someone tells them, or on lying thoughts in their mind from the devil, or on a lack of understanding of God’s Word, or on other things.  They may say, "I feel I am saved.  I can feel the Holy Spirit inside me.  God is my Father.  God has answered my prayer.  Jesus has done this or that for me.   I have suffered for Jesus.  I serve the Lord.  The Spirit of God leads me.  I sing in the church.  I teach a Sunday school class."

    Their feelings mean nothing at the judgment.  The Word of God (the Bible) shall judge.  As it is written, THE WORD THAT I HAVE SPOKEN, THE SAME SHALL JUDGE HIM IN THE LAST DAY-Jn 12:48.

    Mt 7:24-27-THEREFORE WHOSOEVER HEARETH THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, AND DOETH THEM, I WILL LIKEN HIM UNTO A WISE MAN, WHICH BUILT HIS HOUSE UPON A ROCK:

    AND THE RAIN DESCENDED, AND THE FLOODS CAME, AND THE WINDS BLEW, AND BEAT UPON THAT HOUSE; AND IT FELL NOT: FOR IT WAS FOUNDED UPON A ROCK.

    AND EVERY ONE THAT HEARETH THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, AND DOETH THEM NOT, SHALL BE LIKENED UNTO A FOOLISH MAN, WHICH BUILT HIS HOUSE UPON THE SAND:

    AND THE RAIN DESCENDED, AND THE FLOODS CAME, AND THE WINDS BLEW, AND BEAT UPON THAT HOUSE; AND IT FELL: AND GREAT WAS THE FALL OF IT.

ONCE YOU ARE SAVED,  THERE IS A BATTLE TO BE FOUGHT:
IT IS CALLED SPIRITUAL WARFARE

    Yet despite Satan’s vast arsenal of devices and deceptions, a few, by the grace of God, come to Jesus when "He" calls.  They come by faith and surrender all to Jesus.  They follow Him.  They have overcome the many devices and deceptions of the devil, by the mercy of God, through faith.

    Now they face a new battle.  Satan can be expected to attack the new Christian in ways that do not even come to his mind.  As it is written, BELOVED, THINK IT NOT STRANGE (do not be surprised) CONCERNING THE FIERY (or painful) TRIAL WHICH IS TO TRY (or test) YOU, AS THOUGH SOME STRANGE THING HAPPENED UNTO YOU: BUT REJOICE, INASMUCH AS YE ARE PARTAKERS OF CHRIST’S SUFFERINGS; THAT, WHEN HIS GLORY SHALL BE REVEALED, YE MAY BE GLAD ALSO WITH EXCEEDING JOY.  IF YE BE REPROACHED (or insulted) FOR THE NAME OF CHRIST, HAPPY ARE YE; FOR THE SPIRIT OF GLORY AND OF GOD RESTETH UPON YOU: ON THEIR PART HE IS EVIL SPOKEN OF, BUT ON YOUR PART HE IS GLORIFIED-1 Pe 4:12-14.

    This fiery trial or battle that a person goes through is called "spiritual warfare."

SPIRITUAL WARFARE:
THE BATTLE

    We are in a spiritual battle, a spiritual war, a spiritual fight, a spiritual wrestling match, a spiritual struggle.

    THEREFORE ENDURE HARDNESS (or hardship), AS A GOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST.  NO MAN THAT WARRETH ENTANGLETH HIMSELF WITH THE AFFAIRS OF THIS LIFE (or civilian affairs); THAT HE MAY PLEASE HIM WHO HATH CHOSEN HIM TO BE A SOLDIER-2 Tim 2:3,4.  As a follower of Jesus Christ, you are a soldier.  You are in a war.  That war is against Satan.  It is against the forces of darkness.

    This battle never ends until we die.  If we are on Satan’s side, the Lord may deal with us to get us to repent.  If we are on the Lord’s side, Satan tries to cause us to fall, as the SOW THAT WAS WASHED...returned TO HER WALLOWING IN THE MIRE-2 Pe 2:22. Do not underestimate Satan and his powers to deceive.  As it is written, BE SOBER, BE VIGILANT (be on your guard, be alert); BECAUSE YOUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL, AS A ROARING LION, WALKETH ABOUT, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR-1 Pe 5:8.

    Do not underestimate Satan and his powers of deception.  His ability to put obstacles in your path is great.  He deceives some that are going to hell into believing there is no hope.   He also deceives others that are going to hell into believing they are really going to heaven.  Those that are saved, Satan often tries to deceive them into thinking they are not.

    An army going to war that teaches nothing but victory, health, and success will lose the war.  An army that is prepared for the battle will win.  The army needs to know about the enemy; they need to know who the enemy is.  The army needs to know how the enemy will attack and what weapons he will attack with.  The army needs to know when the enemy will attack and from where, and to be ready at all times.  The army needs to know, if they get wounded, what they must do to get healed.  The army needs to know, if they get captured, what they must do to get free.  The army must know what weapons they have available and how to use them.  This comes from first being trained, then practice, and finally engaging the enemy, and on to victory.

    All facets of warfare must be taught and practiced, lest the enemy gain an advantage and win the war.  We need to know who the enemy is and all there is to know about him, his tactics, and his capabilities.  We also need to know our own weapons and capabilities.  We need to know the consequences of surrender to the enemy.  We need to know when to use our weapons and when not to.  We need to be ever vigilant, for our enemy the devil goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour or conquer.

    A person that is never taught about the battle he is in will probably lose.  A person that is taught nothing but victory, success, health, and prosperity will go forth with great zeal but little knowledge.  He will be unprepared for the onslaught of the enemy.  You may go forth with the most advanced and powerful weapons, but these are of little value, if the enemy successfully sneaks up behind you and takes you by surprise.  This is exactly what the enemy is planning to do.

    Jesus had the victory, but do you?  Will you hold firm to the end, or will you fall into Satan’s cunning deceit working in your mind?  Will you be defeated and never realize it till the judgment?  Beware, lest it happen so slowly that you never recognize you are backsliding.  THROUGH KNOWLEDGE SHALL THE JUST BE DELIVERED-Pv 11:9.  "MY PEOPLE" ARE GONE INTO CAPTIVITY, BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE...THEREFORE HELL HATH ENLARGED HERSELF-Isa 5:13,14.

    Beware.  Satan will try to keep you from reading your Bible, as it is your spiritual warfare instruction manual.  It covers everything you need to know.  Read it, study it, hear it, meditate on it, and obey it.

    There is strife between people in the churches today.  There are battles between the preachers and elders.  There are arguments in Bible studies and in church business and planning meetings.  What is going on?

    The battle inside you rages.  Once you are saved, there shall be a battle fought inside you.  It is a battle between the forces of darkness (Satan’s realm) and the forces of light (Jesus is light).  It shall be a battle of victory to those who overcome all things through faith.  It will be a battle of defeat to those who do not obey God’s Word.

    This battle will rage in your mind, in your feelings or emotions, and in your flesh.  If you are unsaved, things may happen to you for the purpose of bringing you to repentance.  If you are about to be saved, you may feel like you are being torn apart.  You may feel like a rope is pulling on one arm to go in a certain direction, and another rope is pulling on the other arm in the opposite direction; you are in the middle being torn apart.   Jesus wants you to repent and follow Him.  Satan wants you to refuse.  It is a battle for your soul.

    If you submit to Satan, you will probably grow harder toward God.  Sin hardens a person against God and against His Word.  Yet the war will go on.  If you submit to God, then Satan will keep trying to pull you back into sin.  The battle will rage inside you.   Because of events stemming from this battle, many turn to drugs and alcohol, instead of to God.  For those who submit to God, He gives them His Spirit and power to overcome evil.  GREATER IS HE (God’s Spirit) THAT IS IN YOU, THAN HE (Satan) THAT IS IN THE WORLD-1 Jn 4:4.  Till the day you die (or are raptured), this battle can be expected to continue for your soul.  The conflict inside you, at times, may seem almost unbearable, but do not give up or despair.  For the Lord Jesus said, THESE THINGS I HAVE SPOKEN UNTO YOU, THAT IN ME YE MIGHT HAVE PEACE.  IN THE WORLD YE SHALL HAVE TRIBULATION: BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD-Jn 16:33.

    There may be four people.  One may say no to the claims of Christ.  The other three say, yes.   Of those three that say yes, one may fall as a result of persecutions, embarrassment, false doctrines, or wrong thinking.  Another may begin to crumble as the cares, pleasures, lusts, and deceitfulness of riches hinder him.  Only one may grow and bear good fruit—fruit that will remain.  Yet it is written, THERE HATH NO TEMPTATION TAKEN YOU BUT SUCH AS IS COMMON TO MAN: BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL, WHO WILL NOT SUFFER YOU TO BE TEMPTED ABOVE THAT YE ARE ABLE; BUT WILL WITH THE TEMPTATION ALSO MAKE A WAY TO ESCAPE, THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO BEAR IT-1 Cor 10:13.

    Of those that forsake the right way, some will turn on their fellow servants and verbally abuse them and worse.   Their countenance will change.  Their joy in the Lord disappears.  They may become angry, self-willed, and rebellious.  You can see it on their faces, but Satan may have convinced them in their minds that they have not fallen or that they cannot fall.  They will usually justify their bad attitude by pointing fingers at others.

    A woman may say, "My life is torn apart.  What is happening to me?  I’m frustrated.   My family is falling apart.  My children are out of control.  My husband’s job is in jeopardy.  It seems everything is going wrong."   What is happening is, we are in a spiritual war.

    We need to look at God’s Word and see what spiritual warfare is, in order to understand what is happening to us.  The Bible shows that spiritual warfare is between God and Satan.   This began when Satan said, "I WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN, I WILL EXALT MY THRONE ABOVE THE STARS OF GOD"-Isa 14:13.  He was actually seeking to dethrone God.   Yet God tells us that Satan will be BROUGHT DOWN TO HELL-Isa 14:15.

    The deceptive powers of Satan are so great, that one-third of the angels of heaven followed him.  This spiritual conflict between God and Satan goes on today.  You are involved.  You cannot get away from it.  There is no place you can go to get out of this battle.   You cannot withdraw.  If you withdraw from God, you go into Satan’s territory.  There is no neutral ground.  You are either in the battle on God’s side, or you are in the battle on Satan’s side.  Satan is so expert in deceiving people that they do not even realize they are in a battle at all.  Why?   It is because most people know very little of what the Bible says, or they do not believe what the Bible says.  This includes priests, rabbis, and preachers.  As it is written, HE THAT IS NOT WITH ME IS AGAINST ME-Mt 12:30.

    If you are a fruitful, born-again Christian, whose light is shining, you are under attack because you represent Jesus Christ.

    If you are carnal (or worldly), lukewarm, and like a wave in your walk with Jesus, you are on very dangerous ground.  When people remain depressed a great deal, whether they are a Christian or not, this shows that their fellowship with God is broken.

    Satan attacks you, trying to get at God.  But remember, SUBMIT YOURSELVES THEREFORE TO GOD.  RESIST THE DEVIL, AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU.  DRAW NIGH TO GOD, AND HE WILL DRAW NIGH TO YOU.  CLEANSE YOUR HANDS, YE SINNERS; AND PURIFY YOUR HEARTS, YE DOUBLE-MINDED.   BE AFFLICTED, AND MOURN, AND WEEP: LET YOUR LAUGHTER BE TURNED TO MOURNING, AND YOUR JOY TO HEAVINESS.  "HUMBLE" YOURSELVES IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, AND HE SHALL LIFT YOU UP-Ja 4:7-10.  BUT SEEK YE "FIRST" THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU-Mt 6:33. THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S-1 Sam 17:47.  To be on God’s side is to be on the winning side.

    When the battle moves on the inside of you, then you need to purge yourself.  You need to move the battle back to the outside, so you can have victory on the inside.  Dwell in God’s Word.  Obey God’s Word.  Keep your mind and focus upon Jesus.  It is written, THOU WILT KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE, WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON THEE: BECAUSE HE TRUSTETH IN THEE-Isa 26:3.

    Consider fasting for 7, 10, 14, 21, or 40 days as God guides you.  Also consider fasting two half days or one full day a week.   When fasting for several days, get alone into seclusion.  Study God’s Word and pray.  Those big fiery darts or uptight knots in your stomach should leave toward the end of a seven day fast.  Eat no food at all.  Drink water only.   Consider doing this at least once a year.  If you have any special medical problem, consult a doctor (preferably born-again) before fasting.

   The devil is a military strategist.  He has his schemes to wage spiritual war.  He has been a warrior from the beginning.  He has a plan for the overthrow of God, for the overthrow of Jesus Christ, and for the overthrow of every believer in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

    Do not underestimate the enemy, "Satan."  Do not think he is haphazard in his plan and his effort.  He has a plan, and he is out to make it work.  But God has told us through the Scriptures, WE ARE NOT IGNORANT OF HIS DEVICES-2 Cor 2:11.   God has given us this knowledge in the Scriptures so we can fight a good warfare and come out victorious.

THE CONFLICT OR TEMPTATIONS COME FROM

    The Bible describes this battle as a conflict between truth and error.  It began with Adam and Eve.   Satan deceived Eve with, "HATH GOD SAID?"  Eve responded.  Then Satan told her that God was not telling her the truth, or God did not mean what He said.   You shall not surely die.

HERE IS THE CONFLICT BETWEEN TRUTH AND ERROR

    It is between the clear Word of God and anything that conflicts with it.

    It is between the clear Word of God and the wrong thinking you have.

    It is between the clear Word of God and your emotions.

    It is between the clear Word of God and your flesh.

    It is between the clear Word of God and your circumstances.

    It is between the clear Word of God and your personal needs and desires.

    It is between the clear Word of God and lusts, cares of this life, pleasures of this life, and the deceitfulness of riches.

    It is between the clear Word of God and things your family, boss, fellow workers, friends, and other people say to you or ask you to do.  BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT WALKETH NOT IN THE COUNSEL OF THE UNGODLY-Ps 1:1.

    It is between the clear Word of God and the traditions of men.

    It is between doing "God’s will" and between doing "your will."

    It is between God’s will for you and your own will.

    It is between the clear Word of God and the voices or thoughts you hear in your mind, which contradict God’s clear Word.  These voices—which you may think are your own—are really from Satan.

    This conflict is between the true God and the god of this world.  You are in the middle of this spiritual battle.  People need to understand that our time on this earth is a time of testing.   You are being tested to see if you will obey God or not.  You are being tested to see if your faith is genuine.  Yet Satan will do what he can to persuade you that it is not a test of obedience.  He may even try to persuade you that God’s Word does not even apply to your situation. Satan puts lying thoughts in your mind.  Your understanding of God’s Word will manifest itself by what you do.

    You will hear God’s truth.  You will hear Satan’s lies.  "You" are the battle ground.  You need the Holy Spirit, for He will lead you into all truth.  That truth will "always" be in harmony with God’s Word.

    Measure every message you hear by the Word of God.

    Measure every thought you have by the Word of God.

    Measure every thing you say and do by the Word of God.

    It is the Word of God that will judge you at the judgment.  Your excuses of why you did not obey God will not hold up then.

TEMPTATIONS

    Ja 1:2-MY BRETHREN, COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YE FALL INTO DIVERS TEMPTATIONS;

    3-KNOWING THIS, THAT THE TRYING OF YOUR FAITH WORKETH PATIENCE.

    4-BUT LET PATIENCE HAVE HER PERFECT WORK, THAT YE MAY BE PERFECT AND ENTIRE, WANTING NOTHING.

    12-BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT ENDURETH TEMPTATION: FOR WHEN HE IS TRIED, HE SHALL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE, WHICH THE LORD HATH PROMISED TO THEM THAT LOVE HIM.

    13-LET NO MAN SAY WHEN HE IS TEMPTED, I AM TEMPTED OF GOD: FOR GOD CANNOT BE TEMPTED WITH EVIL, NEITHER TEMPTETH HE ANY MAN:

    14-BUT EVERY MAN IS TEMPTED, WHEN HE IS DRAWN AWAY OF HIS OWN LUST, AND ENTICED.

    15-THEN WHEN LUST HATH CONCEIVED, IT BRINGETH FORTH SIN: AND SIN, WHEN IT IS FINISHED, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH.

    16-DO NOT ERR, MY BELOVED BRETHREN.

    22-BUT BE YE DOERS OF THE WORD, AND NOT HEARERS ONLY, DECEIVING YOUR OWN SELVES.

TEMPTATIONS COME FROM SATAN

    Satan is called the tempter.  It is written, AND WHEN THE TEMPTER (or Satan) CAME TO HIM-Mt 4:3.   Satan will tempt you or trick you to disobey God.  Jesus was LED UP...TO BE TEMPTED OF THE DEVIL-Mt 4:1.  Satan wants to cause you to fall.  It is written, LEST BY SOME MEANS THE TEMPTER HAVE TEMPTED YOU, AND OUR LABOR BE IN VAIN-1 Thes 3:5.   Often his temptations come like they did on Eve.  It is very subtle.  It is a very small temptation.  It involves just a little disobedience.  The disobedience or temptation may prompt you to do something that is so insignificant, you do not even consider it as a temptation or a test.  Once you disobey or listen to a little thing, then a little bigger temptation should follow later.  Satan tempts you in very subtle ways, because he knows if you recognize the temptation as it really is that you should resist it and not give in.  Giving in to a little temptation can result in a little blindness.  Then it can grow and grow until total darkness sets in.   Beware of Satan’s devices.  You cannot say you did not know.

TEMPTATIONS COME FROM SATAN WORKING THROUGH PEOPLE

    THE PHARISEES...CAME, AND TEMPTING (Him) DESIRED HIM THAT HE WOULD SHOW THEM A SIGN FROM HEAVEN-Mt 16:1.

    THE PHARISEES...CAME...TEMPTING HIM...SAYING...IS IT LAWFUL FOR A MAN TO PUT AWAY HIS WIFE FOR EVERY CAUSE?-Mt 19:3.

    ONE OF THEM...ASKED HIM A QUESTION, TEMPTING HIM-Mt 22:35.

    THIS THEY SAID, TEMPTING HIM, THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE TO ACCUSE HIM-Jn 8:6.

    Beware, for it is written, NEITHER LET US TEMPT CHRIST, AS SOME OF THEM ALSO TEMPTED, AND WERE DESTROYED OF SERPENTS-1 Cor 10:9.

    Satan will tempt you through people such as your wife or husband, your children, your parents, your relatives, your boss, your fellow workers, your children or your teachers in schools or colleges, your friends, and other people.  The bottom line of these temptations is to try to cause you to disobey God in some way (even in something very minute) that will ultimately lead to more disobedience later.  And through your example of disobedience, someone else may be tempted and fall.  Be an example of Christ in "every" way.

TEMPTATIONS COME FROM THE LUSTS OF THE FLESH

    These are the natural lusts of the flesh, but often prompted by Satan.  Again, these temptations may be small, even insignificant in the beginning, but as you give in to sin, it can increase more and more.

WE PRAY THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE TEMPTED

    As it is written, OUR FATHER...LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION-Mt 6:9,13.  Jesus tells us to WATCH AND PRAY, THAT YE ENTER NOT INTO TEMPTATION-Mt 26:41.  Why then would we be so foolish as to lead ourselves into temptations?

WE LEAD OURSELVES INTO TEMPTATIONS:
THE PRETTY GIRL AND THE CHOCOLATE ECLAIR

    Consider the following.   A person is married.  A pretty girl or a good-looking guy lives on a road that is on the way the person travels to work.  They have a choice to take another way or take the way that leads them into temptation.

    Are you a "chocolate eclair" Christian?  A chocolate eclair is a delicious cream-filled type of donut (or pastry) with chocolate frosting, but it is very fattening.  Now a person who is overweight knows they should not eat chocolate eclairs.  They may pray to God, "God, lead me not into temptation."  Then one day they pass a bakery shop that sells these chocolate eclairs.  They walk in only to look.  Then they decide to buy some, but they promise themselves they will not eat them.  They take a box of them home and put it in the refrigerator, but they are determined they will not eat them.  Every time they walk by the refrigerator, they think of those delicious chocolate eclairs.   Every time they open the door to the refrigerator, they can see these delicious chocolate eclairs just waiting to be eaten and enjoyed.  As a couple days pass, the thought comes into their mind, "You better eat them soon, or they will go bad."   Finally, the temptation becomes too much.  The person runs to the refrigerator, opens the door and eats just one.  But then it was so delicious, they eat another and another.

    Are you a "chocolate eclair" Christian, who prays to God, "Lead me not into temptation," but then you lead yourself into temptation by being disobedient to God’s Word in some way?

    Do you go places you should not go and, as a result, lead yourself into temptation?  When you arrive, Satan is waiting for you.

    Do you associate with people that you should not associate with and, as a result, lead yourself into temptation?   When you do, Satan is waiting for you.

    Do you do things you should not do and, as a result, lead yourself into temptation?  When you do, Satan is waiting for you.

    It is written, NEITHER GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL-Eph 4:27.  Do you disobey this command, yet ask God not to lead you into temptation?  Are you a stubborn and rebellious person when it comes to obeying God’s Word?  It is written, FOR REBELLION IS AS THE SIN OF WITCHCRAFT, AND STUBBORNNESS IS AS INIQUITY AND IDOLATRY-1 Sam 15:23.  AN EVIL MAN SEEKETH ONLY REBELLION-Pv 17:11.

TEMPTATIONS OR TESTS CAN COME FROM GOD

    It is written, GOD DID TEMPT ABRAHAM-Gen 22:1.  As a result of the temptation, Abraham and his seed became a blessing to all nations of the earth, because he obeyed the voice of the Lord-Gen 22:18.   When God tries us, He does not give us all the answers.  He simply says, "This is the way, walk ye in it."  He says, "Climb that mountain.   Make that sacrifice."  You may be in pain and agony for what you are going through.  Your soul may be troubled, but you obey God.  The testings of God are to prove your faith genuine, enabling you to come out of it stronger than before.   Stay with God and in His will, no matter how you hurt on the inside, no matter what the pain.

    It is written, THERE HATH NO TEMPTATION TAKEN YOU BUT SUCH AS IS COMMON TO MAN: BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL, WHO WILL NOT SUFFER YOU TO BE TEMPTED ABOVE THAT YE ARE ABLE; BUT WILL WITH THE TEMPTATION ALSO MAKE A WAY TO ESCAPE, THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO BEAR IT-1 Cor 10:13.

WE TEMPT GOD

    God forbid, then there are times when we tempt God.  It is written, THEY TEMPTED THE LORD, SAYING, IS THE LORD AMONG US, OR NOT?-Ex 17:7.  The people said, WOULD GOD WE HAD DIED IN THIS WILDERNESS!  God said, these men HAVE TEMPTED ME NOW THESE TEN TIMES, AND HAVE NOT HEARKENED TO MY VOICE-Num 14:2,22.  THEY TEMPTED GOD IN THEIR HEART BY ASKING MEAT FOR THEIR LUST-Ps 78:18.

    Beware, as it is written, NEITHER LET US TEMPT CHRIST, AS SOME OF THEM ALSO TEMPTED, AND WERE DESTROYED OF SERPENTS-1 Cor 10:9.

THE EARTH IS A SPIRITUAL BATTLEFIELD

    The battle begins in your mind.  BUT I SEE ANOTHER LAW IN MY MEMBERS, WARRING AGAINST THE LAW OF MY MIND-Ro 7:23.  Rev 20:2,3 shows that deception comes from the devil.  A battle rages in your thoughts.  Your flesh, your feelings, and your thoughts may all say to turn aside from the right way, but you need to obey God.  You need to learn to discipline your mind, to bring your thoughts in line with the Bible.  CASTING DOWN IMAGINATIONS, AND EVERY HIGH THING THAT EXALTETH ITSELF AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, AND BRINGING INTO CAPTIVITY EVERY THOUGHT TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST-2 Cor 10:5.

TEMPTATIONS IN OUR MIND

    Jesus struggled in His mind hours before He was crucified.  Jesus prayed, O MY FATHER, IF IT BE POSSIBLE, LET THIS CUP PASS FROM ME: NEVERTHELESS NOT AS I WILL, BUT AS THOU WILT-Mt 26:39.   AND BEING IN AN AGONY HE PRAYED MORE EARNESTLY: AND HIS SWEAT WAS AS IT WERE GREAT DROPS OF BLOOD FALLING DOWN TO THE GROUND-Lk 22:44.  Here was the conflict.   Satan wanted Him to say He would not obey God, but Jesus said, NOT MY WILL, BUT THINE, BE DONE-Lk 22:42.  Jesus went to the cross.  You must go to the cross and crucify your desires, your will, and your flesh; you must begin living in God’s will.

    Satan will lie to your mind (or put thoughts in your mind), that you must not do this or that, or you must do this or that.  Satan may say, "You must leave that Bible-teaching church, or that Bible school, or that Bible study, or you must move away.  You must not listen to the correction of that spiritual Christian who is coming to speak to you.  He can never understand your problem.  You must work on the Lord’s day and forsake going to church.  Your finances are so bad, you’ll never pay your bills unless you work."  Satan will lie to a person in his mind, and say, "You must, you must, you must."  Your emotions may rise as they also say, "You must, you must, you must."  Satan will contradict God’s Word in your thoughts.   You need to let God take charge of your mind.  Bring your thoughts into harmony with the Gospel.  Read and obey God’s Word.

TEMPTATIONS IN SOLITARY PLACES

    Another place Satan wages his battle is in solitary places.  He gets you alone, apart from spiritual Christians.  It is written, in Ecc 4:10, BUT WOE TO HIM THAT IS ALONE WHEN HE FALLETH; FOR HE HATH NOT ANOTHER TO HELP HIM UP.  He likes to tempt you in the darkness of the night.  He may tell you that you’re a fool for doing those things God has led you to do.  He sows doubt.  He may tell you not to go to that church service or Bible study.  Remember: Job was tempted at home; Paul was tempted in prison; and Jesus was tempted in the wilderness.  In solitary places, Satan also wages his war.

    Whenever you go somewhere that is not in God’s will, Satan can be expected to be waiting for you.   Whenever you go to a place to fulfill God’s will, you may be joyful and excited, but don’t forget: Satan can be expected to confront you.  He may try to stop you from going.  He may try to stop you during your trip.  He may confront you when you arrive and while you are there.

THE CARNAL OR WORLDLY LIFESTYLE

    This lifestyle is very vulnerable to spiritual warfare.  When a Christian is carnal, he still thinks of ways to satisfy the desires of the flesh.  He may be either a newborn babe in Christ, a long-time Christian that has not grown much in Christ, or a backslidden Christian.  He has ambitions that are not God’s will for him.  It is when you are in this carnal state, that you may fall.  You may come to "spiritual indifference."  You may say, "I don’t care anymore."  You may be at ease in Zion, as was spoken by Amos the prophet.  You may have a spiritual attitude of, "Don’t count on me.   I’m not getting involved.  Let someone else do it."  This indifference can cause you to fall.  Beware of Satan’s cunning devices.  He tries to wear a person down day by day, and they wither away-ref Mk 4:6.  He may wear them down and then, at their weakest point, tempt them with something they are very susceptible to.  Then they may fall.

BEWARE OF STUBBORNNESS AND SELF-CONFIDENCE

    A person must become totally unyielding to Satan, the temptations of this world, and the flesh, but must remain totally yielded unto the Lord Jesus Christ.  When you become stubborn to God’s will, you provoke God.  Stubbornness makes you susceptible to Satan, and you may fall.

    Beware of self-confidence.  It is written, WE...HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH-Phili 3:3.   Beware of an attitude of, "I can make it on my own.  I am a self-made man."  Your confidence needs to be placed in Christ.  When fighting Satan, if your feet are not firmly planted on the "Rock," you may fall.  Beware of humanistic self-confidence.  FOR WHATSOEVER IS NOT OF FAITH IS SIN-Ro 14:23.

BEWARE OF HAVING TO FIGHT THE DEVIL ON TWO FRONTS

    One of the tactics in warfare is to divide the enemy, to cause him to divide up his forces in order to fight in two or three areas at the same time; thus, he becomes weaker in each area.  Then the enemy will determine which of the areas is the weakest and concentrate all his power at that weakest point.  We might say, divide and conquer.  Many Christians are trying to fight Satan on the front lines, while they are struggling with guilt, fear, misgivings, unbelief, and not dealing with their own problems.  As long as you do this, you may meet one defeat after another.  You need inner peace.

    You may be asked a tempting question.  Before you can even answer, someone else hits you with another tempting question, and before you can answer, yet another person asks you a tempting question.  Confusion sets in, and you may speak something wrong and trap yourself.   Satan seeks to confuse, then divide and conquer.  Be slow to speak.  When Jesus was tempted with lying accusations, He sometimes answered nothing.

I DON’T SEE IT THAT WAY

    "WARNING, WARNING, WARNING," if you have an apathetic attitude when you are being corrected by God’s Word (regarding something in your spiritual walk that is not right).  Beware, if you say to yourself, "It’s not so bad," or "It will all work out all right, don’t worry."  If you do this, you are on very dangerous ground.   Someone might warn you not to go here or there, which is in harmony with God’s Word, but you believe it will be all right.  You have an indifferent attitude.   So you go, fully persuaded nothing will happen.  Then an unexpected accident happens; your vehicle is smashed.  You are hospitalized, or permanently injured, or some other thing happens that had not even entered your mind.  The unexpected happened.  You chose to ignore God’s warning.  You did not have God’s protection; you gave a place to the devil to attack you, because you were in disobedience to God’s Word.

    Little did Israel suspect, when they brought up an evil report, that it would cause them to have to wander in the wilderness for forty years.  Later on, Israel would not follow God’s ways.  They were warned, but they chose to take an attitude of, "It will be all right."  They were wrong.  Little did they suspect that their nation would be destroyed.  Little did they suspect that they would be carried away captive.   Little did the rich man suspect that he would be in hell, in Luke chapter 16.   Little did Ananias and Sapphira suspect that they would be struck dead for lying, in Acts chapter 5.  When a person chooses to disobey God, even in something small, he is giving a place to Satan to attack him.  Neither does Satan put in the person's mind how he plans to attack him.  Disobedience brings judgment, and MERCY REJOICETH AGAINST JUDGMENT-Ja 2:13.

SPIRITUAL WARFARE:
WE FIGHT

    God’s Word tells us we are in a spiritual battle: a war, a fight, a wrestling match. This battle rages in our mind, in our flesh, and through our feelings.

THE WAR OR BATTLE RAGES IN OUR MIND

    BUT I SEE ANOTHER "LAW" IN MY MEMBERS, WARRING (or waging war) AGAINST THE "LAW" OF MY MIND, AND BRINGING ME INTO CAPTIVITY TO THE LAW OF SIN WHICH IS IN MY MEMBERS-Ro 7:23.   Note the words, MEMBERS, WARRING AGAINST...MIND.  A battle, a war, a conflict is going on in our thoughts.  Satan puts lying thoughts in our mind.  Our defense is to know, understand, and obey God’s Word.  You need to be TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND-Ro 12:2.  For ONCE YOU WERE ALIENATED FROM GOD AND WERE ENEMIES IN YOUR MINDS BECAUSE OF YOUR EVIL BEHAVIOR-Col 1:21 NIV.   WHEREIN IN TIME PAST YE WALKED ACCORDING TO THE COURSE OF THIS WORLD, ACCORDING TO THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR, THE SPIRIT THAT NOW WORKETH IN THE CHILDREN OF DISOBEDIENCE: AMONG WHOM ALSO WE ALL HAD OUR CONVERSATION IN TIMES PAST IN THE LUSTS OF OUR FLESH, FULFILLING THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH AND OF THE MIND; AND WERE BY NATURE THE CHILDREN OF WRATH, EVEN AS OTHERS-Eph 2:2,3.  In the past, prior to submitting to God, you were enemies against God; your behavior was evil.  You fulfilled the desires of the flesh and mind.  But now, you have become transformed and renewed in your thinking.  Again, the Bible describes a battle going on in your thoughts.  The outcome should be a transformation taking place in your thinking.  That transformation is from worldly, carnal, doubtful thinking, to thinking that is in line with God’s Word, even as the "mind of Christ."  For the CARNAL MIND IS ENMITY AGAINST GOD: FOR IT IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF GOD (or God’s Word), NEITHER INDEED CAN BE-Ro 8:7.  FOR TO BE CARNALLY MINDED IS DEATH; BUT TO BE SPIRITUALLY MINDED IS LIFE AND PEACE-Ro 8:6.

    The war rages in your mind.  It is a war between a worldly mind, as opposed to a spiritual, Christ-centered mind.  It is a war between truth and error, between right and wrong, between the holy and the unholy, between the clean and the unclean.  God commands the Christian, PUT OFF CONCERNING...THE OLD MAN, WHICH IS CORRUPT ACCORDING TO THE DECEITFUL LUSTS; AND BE RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND; AND THAT YE PUT ON THE NEW MAN, WHICH AFTER GOD IS CREATED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUE HOLINESS-Eph 4:22-24.  Put off the old thinking and put on new thinking, which is after righteousness and true holiness.  A person needs to be "in God’s Word."  In America and much of the world, people’s minds are full of thoughts of the world, of the programs on radio and television, of certain movies, of what is in the newspapers, but not of Christ.  And when the time of testing comes, they easily fall away.  Their foundation (their thinking) is not built on or filled up with God’s Word.  For it is written, LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU, WHICH WAS ALSO IN CHRIST JESUS-Phili 2:5.

    The battle, the struggle, the war, the fight goes on in our thinking.

    It is also written, LET NO MAN BEGUILE YOU OF YOUR REWARD IN A VOLUNTARY HUMILITY (do not let anyone beguile you who delights in false humility) AND WORSHIPING OF ANGELS, INTRUDING INTO THOSE THINGS WHICH HE HATH NOT SEEN, VAINLY PUFFED UP BY HIS "FLESHLY" MIND-Col 2:18.   This is another illustration of the war that goes on in our mind.  It is between truth and error.  Our emotions and feelings are involved.  Again, it needs to be said, Satan is a master at deceiving people.

    AND THIS I SAY, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BEGUILE YOU WITH ENTICING WORDS.  BEWARE LEST ANY MAN SPOIL YOU THROUGH PHILOSOPHY AND VAIN DECEIT, AFTER THE TRADITION OF MEN, AFTER THE RUDIMENTS (or basic principles) OF THE WORLD, AND NOT AFTER CHRIST-Col 2:4,8.  Again, the Scriptures are showing us a battle and a war going on in our mind.  It is a battle between the lies of Satan and the truth of God’s Word.  These lies enter our mind directly from the spiritual realm and through others, including clergy.  It is a battle that goes on in our mind, our flesh, and our emotions.

    FOR WE WRESTLE (or struggle) NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES (or authorities), AGAINST POWERS, AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD, AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES (or spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms-NIV)-Eph 6:12.  There is a war going on in our mind.  We wrestle against Satan and his forces.  BELOVED, THINK IT NOT STRANGE CONCERNING THE "FIERY" TRIAL WHICH IS TO TRY YOU, AS THOUGH SOME STRANGE THING HAPPENED UNTO YOU-1 Pe 4:12.  BUT CALL TO REMEMBRANCE THE FORMER DAYS, IN WHICH, "AFTER" YE WERE ILLUMINATED (after you received Christ), YE ENDURED A GREAT "FIGHT" OF AFFLICTIONS-Heb 10:32.

    Once you surrender to Jesus, you are going to have to wrestle against Satan’s forces.  It is a fiery trial, and fiery darts will come at you.  It will be a great fight, as Satan lies to your mind.  Big knots will come into your stomach.  The lusts of the flesh seem to be on fire.  The affairs and cares of this life want to swallow you up.  The pleasures of this life will try to draw you away from God.  Riches from Satan may enter the picture to draw you away from God.  Riches are deceitful.  You may become afraid, even ashamed.  You may be persecuted, beaten, or thrown into jail for your faith in Jesus Christ.  But hold fast till the end, your most precious faith.   Paul tells us, FOR, WHEN WE WERE COME INTO MACEDONIA, OUR FLESH HAD NO REST, BUT WE WERE TROUBLED ON EVERY SIDE; WITHOUT WERE FIGHTINGS, WITHIN WERE FEARS-2 Cor 7:5.

    Beware, for Satan goes out to DECEIVE THE NATIONS-Rev 20:8.  For, indeed, he DECEIVED THEM-Rev 20:10.   The Scriptures tell us, SATAN, WHICH DECEIVETH THE WHOLE WORLD-Rev 12:9.  One way he does this is in our mind, our thinking.

A SUMMARY OF WHAT WE SHOULD DO

    Yet despite all we will go through, the seemingly endless struggle in our minds, we are to BE FULLY PERSUADED in our mind-ref Ro 14:5.  We are not to walk as OTHER GENTILES WALK, IN THE VANITY OF THEIR MIND-Eph 4:17.  We are not to be of a DOUBTFUL MIND-Lk 12:29.  For the CARNAL MIND IS ENMITY (or hatred) AGAINST GOD-Ro 8:7.  We are not to be SOON SHAKEN IN MIND, OR BE TROUBLED-2 Thes 2:2.  WHEREFORE GIRD UP THE LOINS OF YOUR MIND, BE SOBER, AND HOPE TO THE END FOR THE GRACE THAT IS TO BE BROUGHT UNTO YOU AT THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST-1 Pe 1:13.

THE WAR IS:

    MEMBERS, WARRING AGAINST…(the) MIND-Ro 7:23

    ENEMIES IN YOUR MIND-Col 1:21

    The DESIRES OF THE...MIND-Eph 2:3

    The VANITY OF THEIR MIND-Eph 4:17

    The FLESHLY MIND-Col 2:18

    The DOUBTFUL MIND-Lk 12:29

    The CARNAL MIND-Ro 8:7

    The SHAKEN...MIND-2 Thes 2:2

FOR OUR WEAPONS ARE:

    NOT CARNAL, BUT MIGHTY THROUGH GOD TO THE PULLING DOWN OF STRONGHOLDS-2 Cor 10:4.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

    BE YE TRANSFORMED-Ro 12:2

    CASTING DOWN IMAGINATIONS-2 Cor 10:5

    Bring INTO CAPTIVITY EVERY THOUGHT TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST-2 Cor 10:5

    BE SPIRITUALLY MINDED-Ro 8:6

    PUT OFF...THE OLD MAN-Eph 4:22

    BE RENEWED IN...YOUR MIND-Eph 4:23

    PUT ON THE NEW MAN-Eph 4:24

    Let the mind of Christ be in you-ref Phili 2:5

    LET NO MAN BEGUILE YOU-Col 2:18

    Let no MAN SPOIL YOU-Col 2:8

    BE FULLY PERSUADED in your mind-ref Ro 14:5

    Do not have a DOUBTFUL MIND-Lk 12:29

    Do not be SOON SHAKEN IN MIND-2 Thes 2:2

    Do not BE TROUBLED-2 Thes 2:2

    GIRD UP THE LOINS OF YOUR MIND-1 Pe 1:13

    BE SOBER-1 Pe 1:13

    HOPE TO THE END FOR THE GRACE-1 Pe 1:13

THE RESULTS SHOULD BE

    A spiritual mind-ref Ro 8:6

    A mind without doubts-Lk 12:29

    A mind that IS NOT SOON SHAKEN-2 Thes 2:2

    A TRANSFORMED...MIND-Ro 12:2

    A RENEWED...MIND-Eph 4:23; Ro 12:2

    A FULLY PERSUADED...MIND-Ro 14:5

    A MIND...IN CHRIST-Phili 2:5

    A GIRD UP...MIND-1 Pe 1:13

    A NEW MAN-Eph 4:24

    Hoping TO THE END FOR THE GRACE-1 Pe 1:13

THE WAR OR BATTLE RAGES IN OUR FLESH

    Adultery is running rampant.  Homosexuality continues to increase.  Illicit sex is out of control.   Drunkenness, drugs, and wicked things to please the flesh seem to be what many desire.  They are ignorant that Satan is behind these.  He prompts us to sin.   Our flesh also lusts after material things.  Many people will lie, cheat, steal, and worse in order to get worldly possessions and money.

    The Scripture asks us, WHO DID HINDER YOU THAT YE SHOULD NOT OBEY THE TRUTH?-Gal 5:7.

    We are in a war.   Will we obey God?  Will we become a servant of righteousness or a servant of sin?

    The Bible asks us, FROM WHENCE COME WARS AND FIGHTINGS AMONG YOU?  COME THEY NOT HENCE, EVEN OF YOUR LUSTS THAT WAR IN YOUR MEMBERS?-Ja 4:1.   Note the words, "WAR IN YOUR MEMBERS" (in your body).  DEARLY BELOVED, I BESEECH YOU AS STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS, ABSTAIN FROM FLESHLY LUSTS, WHICH WAR AGAINST THE SOUL-1 Pe 2:11.  FOR THE FLESH LUSTETH AGAINST THE SPIRIT, AND THE SPIRIT AGAINST THE FLESH: AND THESE ARE CONTRARY THE ONE TO THE OTHER-Gal 5:17.  There is a war going on between the lusts of your flesh and your soul.  There may be a war going on between your flesh and mind.  There is a war going on between the flesh and the Spirit.  You may determine in your mind not to yield to your fleshly lusts.  The fleshly lusts then war against those thoughts.  The inner conflict continues.   It is a spiritual war.  It is a battle between doing God’s will and doing Satan’s will.

    As unbelievers, WE ALL HAD OUR CONVERSATION IN TIMES PAST IN THE LUSTS OF OUR FLESH, FULFILLING THE DESIRES OF THE "FLESH" AND OF THE "MIND"-Eph 2:3.

    God gives us a warning of judgment.  FOR IF YE LIVE AFTER THE FLESH, YE SHALL DIE-Ro 8:13.  FOR TO BE CARNALLY (or worldly) MINDED IS DEATH-Ro 8:6.  FOR HE THAT SOWETH TO HIS FLESH SHALL OF THE FLESH REAP CORRUPTION-Gal 6:8.

    So What Should We Do?  WATCH AND PRAY, THAT YE ENTER NOT INTO TEMPTATION: THE SPIRIT INDEED IS WILLING, BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK-Mt 26:41.  BUT PUT YE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND MAKE NOT PROVISION FOR THE FLESH, TO FULFILL THE LUSTS THEREOF-Ro 13:14.  For we should no longer live the rest of our time IN THE FLESH TO THE LUSTS OF MEN, BUT TO THE WILL OF GOD-1 Pe 4:2.  THIS I SAY THEN, WALK IN THE SPIRIT (or in the Word), AND YE SHALL NOT FULFILL THE LUST OF THE FLESH-Gal 5:16.  ABSTAIN FROM FLESHLY LUSTS-1 Pe 2:11.  Indeed, we should hate EVEN THE GARMENT SPOTTED BY THE FLESH-Jude 23.

    The good news is, THERE IS THEREFORE NOW NO CONDEMNATION TO THEM WHICH ARE IN CHRIST JESUS, WHO WALK NOT AFTER THE FLESH, BUT AFTER THE SPIRIT-Ro 8:1.  THEY THAT ARE CHRIST’S HAVE CRUCIFIED THE FLESH WITH THE AFFECTIONS (or passions) AND LUSTS-Gal 5:24.  For HE THAT SOWETH TO THE SPIRIT SHALL OF THE SPIRIT REAP LIFE EVERLASTING-Gal 6:8.   FOR AS MANY AS ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, THEY ARE THE SONS OF GOD-Ro 8:14.  The Spirit of God will never lead a person contrary to the Word of God.  Many say they are being led of the Spirit, but they do not obey God’s Word.  They are deceived.  To be led of the Spirit of God is to be led by the Word of God.  To be led by the Word of God is to "follow Jesus."

THE WAR OR BATTLE  RAGES IN OUR FEELINGS, OUR EMOTIONS

    It is written, ABOVE ALL, TAKING THE SHIELD OF FAITH, WHEREWITH YE SHALL BE ABLE TO QUENCH ALL THE FIERY DARTS OF THE WICKED-Eph 6:16.  Thoughts trigger our emotions.  Often, we may get big knots in our stomach or mid-section.  It can feel like a big, flaming arrow inside or a fiery dart.  You may get ready to witness to someone about Jesus, and your emotions get tense.  Whenever you are about to do what God wants you to do, you may get fiery darts inside you.  Your emotions can get stirred.  You have a thought to give a person a tract.  Your emotions become stirred.  Satan uses fiery arrows to try to stop a person from obeying God.  The person that is ignorant of spiritual warfare does not understand these things, so when they "feel" through a fiery dart that something is wrong, they go by their emotions rather than God’s Word.   Nevertheless, the shield of faith can quench these fiery arrows.

   Beware when these knots, these feelings, these thoughts are not in harmony with the Scriptures.  It is God’s Word that will tell you if your thoughts and feelings are from God or Satan.  A person needs to study God’s Word, so he can discern what is right and wrong.  Examine everything by God’s Word.

    Paul witnessed to Felix. FELIX TREMBLED-Acts 24:25.  His emotions rose up.  He was uptight.

    Stephen testified of God.  And those that heard him CRIED OUT WITH A LOUD VOICE, AND STOPPED THEIR EARS-Acts 7:57.  Their emotions rose up.  They had fiery darts.  They were uptight.

    The unprofitable servant of God said, I WAS AFRAID-Mt 25:25.  He had fiery darts.  He was uptight.

    Jesus said, LET US GO INTO JUDEA AGAIN.  HIS DISCIPLES... said...MASTER, THE JEWS...SOUGHT TO STONE THEE; AND GOEST THOU THITHER AGAIN?  The disciples' emotions rose up.  They had fiery darts.  They were uptight.  Thomas said, LET US ALSO GO, THAT WE MAY DIE WITH HIM-Jn 11:7,8,16.  His emotions rose up.  He had fiery darts.  He was uptight.

    The fiery darts hindered Felix, those that heard Stephen, and the unprofitable servant.

    The disciples also had fiery darts and were afraid, but they did not turn back.

    Thomas also, it appears, had fiery darts and was afraid, but he did not turn back.

    Obey God’s Word, not your emotions.  For often your emotions will run contrary to God’s Word.  Wrong thinking can prompt your emotions to be in disagreement with the Word of God.

THERE WAS WAR IN HEAVEN

    Remember, as followers of Jesus, we are called soldiers.  We are in a war here on the earth.

    There is also war in heaven.  During the Tribulation, it is written, AND THERE WAS WAR IN HEAVEN: MICHAEL AND HIS ANGELS FOUGHT AGAINST THE DRAGON; AND THE DRAGON (Satan) FOUGHT AND HIS ANGELS-Rev 12:7.

    The Scriptures have shown us a war going on between God and Satan.  It is a war between light and darkness.  It is a war between spirituality and carnality.  It is a war between truth and error.  This war takes place in the heavens and inside you.

    During the Tribulation, it is written, AND IT WAS GIVEN UNTO HIM (the beast or Antichrist) TO MAKE WAR WITH THE SAINTS-Rev 13:7.  And THESE (the beast, who is called Antichrist, and the ten kings of the Tribulation period) SHALL MAKE WAR WITH THE LAMB (Jesus), AND THE LAMB SHALL OVERCOME THEM-Rev 17:14.  HE (the Antichrist) SHALL ALSO STAND UP AGAINST THE PRINCE OF PRINCES (Jesus); BUT HE SHALL BE BROKEN WITHOUT HAND-Dan 8:25.

WHAT IS SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS?

    One definition of "spiritual blindness" is this: not being able to examine yourself correctly by God’s Word.

THE SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION OF THE BATTLE

    There is a battle, a war-Ro 7:23; a struggle, a wrestling match-Eph 6:12; a fiery trial-1 Pe 4:12; a fight-1 Tim 6:12; being fought inside you.  It is between Satan’s deceptions and God’s truth (the Bible).  It is a battle of victory to those who read and obey the Bible, and of defeat to those who do not.  This battle rages in your mind-Ro 7:23, your flesh-1 Pe 2:11, and your feelings-Eph 6:16.  At times, you may feel like two ropes are pulling you apart.  You get uptight (darts in your stomach)-Eph 6:16.   Jesus wants you to follow Him.  Satan wants you to refuse.  It is a war between obeying God and doing your own desires.  Your soul is at stake.  You are either in the battle on the Lord’s side or on Satan’s side.  It is a conflict between truth and error, between the true God and the god of this world (Satan).   It is between the Word of God, and half truths, error, and wrong thinking.  It is between sound doctrine and doctrines that suit your own desires-ref 2 Tim 4:3.   Satan puts wrong thoughts in your mind like he did to Peter and to Eve.  If you wish to draw closer to God, he will try to stop you.  He will try to keep you from reading your Bible, going to church, fellowshipping only with other believers, Bible studies, praying and fasting, serving God, and obeying the Gospel.  Some of Satan’s weapons include: worry, cares of this world, pleasures, lusts of your flesh, depression, hardships, fear, and riches.  These choke God’s Word.  Satan uses people and clergy to persecute, embarrass, and deceive others.  Pride, sex outside of marriage, loving this world, watching wickedness on TV, rock music, stubbornness, smoking, drugs, alcohol, astrology, pornography, and attending spiritually dead churches (which mix the Bible with deceit) need to be forsaken.  If your job causes you to disobey God, cut it off.  People provoke God to anger through the work of their hands (their job)-Deut 31:29.  It is written, WHO HATH BEWITCHED YOU, THAT YE SHOULD NOT OBEY THE TRUTH?-Gal 3:1.  HOW LONG HALT YE BETWEEN TWO OPINIONS?   IF THE LORD BE GOD, FOLLOW HIM: BUT IF BAAL, THEN FOLLOW HIM-1 Ki 18:21.   Jesus makes it clear who are His.  HE THAT HATH MY COMMANDMENTS, AND KEEPETH THEM, "HE" IT IS THAT LOVETH ME-Jn 14:21.  Which voice do you follow, God’s voice or Satan’s voice?  God’s SHEEP HEAR HIS VOICE; they FOLLOW HIM-Jn 10:3,4.

    There is a war going on for your soul.  There is a war going on for the souls of many.  As it is written, God is NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE-2 Pe 3:9.  It is a spiritual battle.  You need to be prepared.   You need to read the Bible, meditate in the Word, study the Word, and rightly divide the Word.  You need to put away the things of this world and learn how to fight Satan, lest you fall.  It is written, THE LORD SAID UNTO SATAN, WHENCE COMETH THOU?  THEN SATAN ANSWERED THE LORD, AND SAID, FROM GOING TO AND FRO IN THE EARTH, AND FROM WALKING UP AND DOWN IN IT-Job 1:7.  Why does he do this? BECAUSE YOUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL, AS A ROARING LION, WALKETH ABOUT, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR-1 Pe 5:8.  Satan is looking for someone to devour.  Satan is an expert at his job.   He is well prepared.  He has thousands of years of practice in causing people to fall.  He knows how to do his job and does it well.  He has a vast arsenal of worldly weapons, a huge following, and much practice.  He wants to devour you, sift you as wheat, cause you to be an unprofitable servant, cause you to fall, and cause you to come over to his side.  He seeks to cause you to return to sin, to become stubborn and rebellious toward God, and follow his will.  He seeks to cause you to forsake God.

    God’s advice to us is, WHOM RESIST STEADFAST IN THE FAITH, KNOWING THAT THE SAME AFFLICTIONS ARE ACCOMPLISHED IN YOUR BRETHREN THAT ARE IN THE WORLD-1 Pe 5:9.  SUBMIT YOURSELVES THEREFORE TO GOD. RESIST THE DEVIL, AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU-Ja 4:7.  COME NEAR TO GOD AND HE WILL COME NEAR TO YOU.  WASH YOUR HANDS, YOU SINNERS, AND PURIFY YOUR HEARTS, YOU DOUBLE-MINDED.   GRIEVE, MOURN AND WAIL.  CHANGE YOUR LAUGHTER TO MOURNING AND YOUR JOY TO GLOOM.  HUMBLE YOURSELVES BEFORE THE LORD, AND HE WILL LIFT YOU UP-Ja 4:8-10 NIV.

    Fight a good warfare.   FIGHT THE GOOD "FIGHT" OF FAITH-1 Tim 6:12.  I THEREFORE SO RUN, NOT AS UNCERTAINLY; SO FIGHT I, NOT AS ONE THAT BEATETH THE AIR: 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-1 Cor 9:26,27.

    As a follower of Jesus Christ, you have been chosen to be a soldier in a war against Satan and his forces.   It is a bitter conflict.  Satan will do all he can to discredit you, to hinder you, to buffet you, to persecute you, to deceive you, to tempt you, to snare you, to beguile you, to oppress you, to provoke you, to bring sickness on you, to embarrass you, to make you ashamed, and to make you afraid.  Satan will try to entangle you with lusts, pleasures, and the cares of this world.  He may use the deceitfulness of riches against you.  Satan can give you false dreams.  He can try to cause you to develop pride, to become stubborn, to become rebellious, and to despise correction.   Satan can be expected to send all types of his forces against you to try to stop you.

    But remember, GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN YOU, THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD-1 Jn 4:4.  AND THIS IS THE VICTORY THAT OVERCOMETH THE WORLD, EVEN OUR FAITH-1 Jn 5:4.

    And, ultimately, God wants you to be able to say, I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH-2 Tim 4:7.  Let us press on in the battle, so we may hear the words of Jesus, saying, WELL DONE, THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT: THOU HAST BEEN FAITHFUL OVER A FEW THINGS, I WILL MAKE THEE RULER OVER MANY THINGS: ENTER THOU INTO THE JOY OF "THY" LORD-Mt 25:21.

WHAT IS TRUTH?

    Jesus said, I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE: NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER, BUT BY ME-Jn 14:6.

    It is not the Bible plus someone’s writings.

    It is not the Bible plus another gospel.

    It is not the Bible plus the traditions of a church or people.

    It is not the Bible plus the traditions of a denomination.

    It is not the Bible plus someone’s interpretation.

    It is not the Bible plus what man says.

    It is not the Bible plus dreams, visions, or prophecies.

    It is not parts of the Bible, but the entire Bible of sixty-six books.

    The Bible stands alone.   The Bible is the Authority by which all things are to be judged.  This is "truth."

SPIRITUAL WARFARE
(Eph 6:10-17)

(Scripture)

Eph 6:10-FINALLY, MY BRETHREN, BE STRONG IN THE LORD, AND IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT.

    11-PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD, THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO STAND AGAINST THE WILES (or schemes) OF THE DEVIL.

    12-FOR WE WRESTLE (or struggle) NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES (or authorities), AGAINST POWERS, AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD, AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES (or spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms-NIV).

    13-WHEREFORE TAKE UNTO YOU (or put on) THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD, THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND (or stand your ground) IN THE EVIL DAY, AND HAVING DONE ALL (or everything), TO STAND.

    14-STAND THEREFORE (firm), HAVING YOUR LOINS GIRT ABOUT WITH TRUTH (or the belt of truth buckled around your waist-NIV), AND HAVING ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS;

    15-AND YOUR FEET SHOD (or fitted) WITH THE PREPARATION (or readiness) OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;

    16-ABOVE ALL, TAKING THE SHIELD OF FAITH, WHEREWITH YE SHALL BE ABLE TO QUENCH (or extinguish) ALL THE FIERY DARTS (or flaming arrows) OF THE WICKED.

    17-AND TAKE THE HELMET OF SALVATION, AND THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD.

(Scripture with commentary)

    Eph 6:10-These passages are addressed not to all people, but to the believers, MY BRETHREN.  God then commands the brethren to BE STRONG.  However, that "strength" does not come from ourselves but from IN THE LORD.  Further, our "power" comes from THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT.  Our power comes from being in union with Jesus.  We are in a struggle, and we need to defend ourselves using God’s ways, not man’s ways.   We need His strength and His power.

    Eph 6:11-Again a command comes forth, PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD.  The armor we are to put on is not worldly armor, not worldly ways, not worldly defenses; but God’s ways, God’s armor, God’s defenses. God’s armor is referred to as the ARMOR OF LIGHT-Ro 13:12.  It is also called, THE ARMOR OF RIGHTEOUSNESS ON THE RIGHT HAND AND ON THE LEFT-2 Cor 6:7.  Armor is for protection.  This is how we can get the victory.   That protection is so we can STAND and not fall.  We are to STAND AGAINST THE WILES (or schemes) OF THE DEVIL.  Note the words, STAND AGAINST.  The strongest defensive position is usually standing still, feet firmly planted on the rock, while watching, being ready, and alert.  The devil is scheming and planning how to cause each of us to fall.  He wants to knock us off our feet.  He wants us to fall back into the bondage of sin and disobedience against God.  Satan is the enemy of every born-again Christian.  He is clever and sneaky.  He often attacks in ways that do not come to our mind until it happens.  Satan masquerades and IS TRANSFORMED INTO AN ANGEL OF LIGHT-2 Cor 11:14.  When he puts thoughts into your mind, he does not tell you it is him.  He tells you it is your own thoughts or the thoughts of God.   He mixes truth and lies together and tries to make you think it is all truth.   Satan is a master of deception.  Satan often speaks to you through ministers that appear to be ministers of God, but they are not.  THEREFORE IT IS NO GREAT THING IF HIS MINISTERS ALSO BE TRANSFORMED AS THE MINISTERS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS-2 Cor 11:15.   Satan seeks to take what is the pure truth and make it something different, such as a compromise or a lie.

    Eph 6:12-FOR WE WRESTLE (or struggle).  We are in a war, a battle, a fight.  In a wrestling match, one person tries to throw the other down and defeat him. We are in a personal match or battle with the most cunning, deceitful foe ever created.  It is a life and death struggle.  That battle is for our soul.  God, in His love, is not willing that any should perish.  His will is that we follow "Him."  Satan, on the other hand, wants us to follow him.  Thus, we are in a struggle.  At times, it feels like we are being pulled in two different directions at once.  At times, it feels like we might be torn apart.  God is telling us how to win this struggle.   We wrestle NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD.  Our battle is not physical.  FOR THOUGH WE WALK IN THE FLESH, WE DO NOT WAR AFTER THE FLESH-2 Cor 10:3.  Our struggle is really against PRINCIPALITIES (or high ranking demonic authorities), AGAINST POWERS (those that have certain powers or authority), AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD (the unseen rulers of darkness), AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES.   We are in a struggle with unseen wicked spirits.  Satan has a vast army of demonic forces that he uses in the unseen realm of darkness.  He is THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR-Eph 2:2.  He also has access to heaven at this time-ref Job 1:6, but will be cast out during the Tribulation-ref Rev 12:7-9.

    Often our mind becomes filled with wicked thoughts.  It becomes filled with thoughts of wrong things to do.   Then our emotions become involved.  We may yield to sin.  We often think these thoughts are our own, when in reality, they come from the darkness of this world.   During the millennial reign of Jesus Christ, Satan will be bound and a seal shall be upon him, so he should DECEIVE THE NATIONS NO MORE-Rev 20:3.  For one thousand years there will be peace upon the earth.  Sin, as it is today, will almost disappear.  The world will love the Jew.  You might wonder how this can be?   It is because Satan will no longer be able to fill a person's thoughts with wickedness.  We wrestle or struggle against these things.  There is a spiritual realm—a whole unseen world of darkness that we cannot see, yet can feel.  The evil thoughts people have, cause much of the wickedness that is in the world today.

    Let's say, for example, that you are walking down the street.  You hear a still, small voice say to walk up to a certain person and witness to him about Jesus.  Immediately, this seems like a wonderful idea.  This is from the Lord.  You begin walking toward that person.   As you do, other thoughts come into your mind.  Thoughts telling you not to witness to that person.  Then as you get closer, you begin to be afraid.  You begin to wonder how the person will respond.  You may think he will become violent toward you and hit you if you try to witness to him.  All of a sudden, it feels like you need to use the toilet.  As you approach the person, you are now almost shaking with fear.  It becomes hard to speak.  You have trouble thinking what to say.

    There is a struggle going on inside of you.  The Spirit of God is telling you to witness to this person.   Satan is telling you not to.  Your faith is being tested.  Your heart is being tested.  You can "feel" the darkness screaming in your thoughts.   You can "feel" your emotions rising.  Although you cannot see the rulers of the darkness, you can hear them in your thoughts telling you to disobey God and sin.  You can "feel" the pressure they can exert against you when you seek to do God’s will.  You can observe the obstacles they put in your path to try to stop you.  You can see many things coming against you, including people trying to turn you away from obeying God.  Satan has a whole arsenal at his command to try to defeat us.  He uses fear, the lusts of the flesh, the pleasures of this world, the cares of this world, the desires for other things, and the deceitfulness of riches to lead us astray.  But behind it all, is Satan speaking to us in our thoughts with the things he knows we are susceptible to.  Satan can be very persuasive when he puts thoughts in our mind.  We WRESTLE.  We struggle against the forces of the darkness.  Nevertheless, by faith we overcome all things.

    Why do many people never get saved?  Because they choose to believe the lying thoughts that Satan puts in their mind rather than God’s Word.

    Why did Eve sin?   Because she chose to believe the lying thoughts that Satan put in her mind rather than God’s Word.

    Do not underestimate the power of the devil to deceive.

    Eph 6:13-WHEREFORE TAKE UNTO YOU (or put on).  God’s Word has told us to be strong.  It has already told us to put on the whole armor of God.  It has told us to stand.  It has told us that we struggle.  Now, it is further telling us to take THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD.  We need to understand that THE WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE ARE NOT CARNAL, BUT MIGHTY THROUGH GOD-2 Cor 10:4.  Why should we take the whole armor of God?  THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND (or stand your ground).  Verse 11 said, that we may be able to stand.  Here we are being told that we may be able to WITHSTAND.  In addition to the normal onslaught that comes against the born-again Christian, there are certain evil days when the Christian seems to get hit with a barrage of things.  It is written, the RAIN DESCENDED, AND THE FLOODS CAME, AND THE WINDS BLEW, AND BEAT UPON THAT HOUSE, which is you-Mt 7:25.  The Christian feels like they are beaten down and can take no more.  The rains keep coming, the floods never seem to stop, and the winds keep blowing.  Nevertheless, God’s Word is telling us how to withstand such days.  God’s Word is showing us what to do to prepare for these things, so when Satan blasts us (remember Job), we do not fall and turn from God to the enemy and perish.  It is written, that ye may be able to withstand IN THE EVIL DAY.  This verse, Mt 7:25, is describing specifically the evil day mentioned in Eph 6:13.  The verse continues with AND HAVING DONE ALL (or everything), TO STAND.  Most Christians have not obeyed this command.  They have not done everything to stand.  Does your faith in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, Who is come in the flesh, reflect itself in the following?

    Have you truly repented of all sin?  How about drinking?  How about smoking?  How about astrology?

    Do you have an overwhelming thirst to read God’s Word?  Have you been faithful in both reading and studying many chapters in your Bible every day?  Do you truly believe that all of the Bible (sixty-six books) is God’s Word and that it is all true?

    Do you hate people?   Are there people you refuse to forgive?

    Are you attending a Bible-believing and teaching church faithfully?  Are you attending a dead church and refuse to leave, because you are of that XYZ denomination and you will die in that XYZ denomination?  Do you refuse to leave a church that teaches false doctrines because your friends or relatives go there?  Do you go to a church that puts any other book on the same level as the Bible?  Do you go to a church that combines church traditions with God’s Word?  Do you go to a church that is a political arena rather than totally centered on and led by Jesus?

    Are you ready always to give an answer to any person that asks you about the reason of the hope that is in you?   That hope can only be Jesus.

    Are you still using filthy language?  Is your conversation centered on Jesus or the things of this world?

    Do you still love this world or Jesus?  Are you laying up treasures in heaven or upon the earth?

    Is Jesus the center of your universe, your thinking, your life, or are "you" the center of your universe?

    Are you still fellowshipping with the unsaved?  Are you dating an unsaved woman or man?  Are you planning to marry an unsaved person?

    Do you watch garbage on television or listen to it on the radio?  Do you find pleasure in evil, or do you hate every evil way?

    Do you pray daily?   Do you pray over all your meals and give thanks, or are you embarrassed, especially when others are present?

    Do you acknowledge Jesus in all your ways?  When a person looks at you, do they see a reflection of Jesus, or do they see a reflection of the world?  Does Jesus come out of your mouth, but the world shines forth in what you do?

    Do you fear God?   Do your actions show you fear God?

    Do you love all born-again Christians, no matter what denomination or church they may be in?

    After you believed on Jesus and repented of your sins, have you obeyed the Bible and been baptized by full immersion in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost?

    Are you soft and childlike towards correction from God’s Word?  When being corrected, do you have a sweet spirit or another spirit?

    Do you obey God’s Word, or do you argue with God’s Word and say it does not mean what it says?   Does your love for God reflect itself through obeying "His" commandments?

    Do any of these questions offend you?  Do you disagree with any of them?

    Have you truly DONE ALL (or everything), TO STAND?  Are you giving a place to the devil to attack you?

    Eph 6:14-STAND THEREFORE (firm).  Again, we have a command to STAND.  HAVING YOUR LOINS GIRT (or buckled) ABOUT.  Jesus spoke these words, LET YOUR LOINS BE GIRDED ABOUT, AND YOUR LIGHTS BURNING-Lk 12:35.  Peter spoke these words, GIRD UP THE LOINS OF YOUR MIND-1 Pe 1:13.  It is the girdle around the loins that holds all things together.   It is not an ornament.  Our loins are to be girt about WITH TRUTH.  Truth is to govern the struggle we are in.  Standing in Jesus must be based on truth.   It must be based on being FOUNDED and BUILT upon "the" ROCK-Jesus.   Jesus is the Word-ref Mt 7:24,25; Jn 1:1,14.  It is written, HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT THE SON (or the Word) SHALL NOT SEE LIFE-Jn 3:36.  HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT GOD (the Word) HATH MADE HIM A LIAR-1 Jn 5:10.  AND YE HAVE NOT HIS WORD ABIDING IN YOU: FOR WHOM HE HATH SENT, HIM YE BELIEVE NOT-Jn 5:38.  Our loins must be GIRT ABOUT WITH TRUTH (or the belt of truth).  Our waist is to be belted with truth.  Truth should reflect righteousness.  It is written, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL BE THE GIRDLE OF HIS LOINS-Isa 11:5.  The sword, which represents God’s Word-ref Eph 6:17, can be fastened to the belt-ref 2 Sam 20:8.  The Word is fastened to truth.

    AND HAVING ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.  A breastplate is part of our armor.  The breastplate protects our vital organs in the chest area, including our heart.  That armor or breastplate must be of righteousness.  It is written, HE PUT ON RIGHTEOUSNESS AS A BREASTPLATE-Isa 59:17, and also PUTTING ON THE BREASTPLATE OF FAITH AND LOVE-1 Thes 5:8.  Note, "faith and love."  Love is the fulfilling of the Law, thus, righteousness.  The righteousness here is denoting the righteousness of Christ coming forth in the believer’s life.  The fruits we should bring forth are those of the Spirit of God.  Our integrity, character, and conduct should reflect Jesus.  We should walk worthy of the calling we have received-ref Eph 4:1.  Our righteousness is of Jesus.

    Note-LOINS GIRT-WITH TRUTH-which holds all together.

    Note-The Word-fastened to truth.

    Note-BREASTPLATE-RIGHTEOUSNESS-which covers the chest, including the heart.   Faith in Jesus Christ and love denote righteousness.

Eph 6:15-AND YOUR FEET SHOD (or fitted).  Again, we see another piece of the armor that God is telling us to have on.  Our FEET are to be SHOD WITH THE PREPARATION (or readiness) OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE.  We should be ready and prepared.  We are to stand on the "Rock," the Gospel.  We are to put on armor and be ready for the struggle, yet our message is "peace," the GOSPEL OF PEACE.  Indeed, peace on earth and good will toward men-ref Lk 2:14.  We are to have peace, even in the midst of the struggle—the peace which passes all understanding-ref Phili 4:7.

    As it is written, FAITH COMETH BY HEARING, AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD-Ro 10:17.  Our feet need to be fitted with God’s Word.

    Jesus gives us the example of how to defend ourselves against Satan.

    Mt 4:1-THEN WAS JESUS LED UP OF THE SPIRIT INTO THE WILDERNESS TO BE TEMPTED OF THE DEVIL.

    2-AND WHEN HE HAD FASTED FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS, HE WAS AFTERWARD AN HUNGRED.

    3-AND WHEN THE TEMPTER CAME TO HIM, HE SAID, IF THOU BE THE SON OF GOD, COMMAND THAT THESE STONES BE MADE BREAD.

    4-BUT HE ANSWERED AND SAID, IT IS WRITTEN, MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDETH OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.  Jesus overcame Satan with God’s Word.

    5-THEN THE DEVIL TAKETH HIM UP INTO THE HOLY CITY, AND SETTETH HIM ON A PINNACLE OF THE TEMPLE,

    6-AND SAITH UNTO HIM, IF THOU BE THE SON OF GOD, CAST THYSELF DOWN: FOR IT IS WRITTEN, HE SHALL GIVE HIS ANGELS CHARGE CONCERNING THEE: AND IN THEIR HANDS THEY SHALL BEAR THEE UP, LEST AT ANY TIME THOU DASH THY FOOT AGAINST A STONE.

    7-JESUS SAID UNTO HIM, IT IS WRITTEN AGAIN, THOU SHALT NOT TEMPT THE LORD THY GOD.  Satan misused God’s Word.  Jesus, again, overcame Satan by rightly using God’s Word.

    8-AGAIN, THE DEVIL TAKETH HIM UP INTO AN EXCEEDING HIGH MOUNTAIN, AND SHEWETH HIM ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD, AND THE GLORY OF THEM;

    9-AND SAITH UNTO HIM, ALL THESE THINGS WILL I GIVE THEE, IF THOU WILT FALL DOWN AND WORSHIP ME.

  10-THEN SAITH JESUS UNTO HIM, GET THEE HENCE, SATAN: FOR IT IS WRITTEN, THOU SHALT WORSHIP THE LORD THY GOD, AND HIM ONLY SHALT THOU SERVE.  Again, Jesus overcame Satan’s temptations by using God’s Word.

  11-THEN THE DEVIL LEAVETH HIM, AND, BEHOLD, ANGELS CAME AND MINISTERED UNTO HIM.

    Christians need to have their feet shod or fitted with the Gospel of peace.

    Note-FEET (our foundation) SHOD-THE GOSPEL.  Our feet are to be shod with the Gospel, which is God’s Word.  We stand firm on the Rock, which is the Word (Jesus).

    Eph 6:16-ABOVE ALL (or overall, or in addition).  This next thing is essential and needs to be done.   TAKING THE SHIELD.  Thus far, we have had our loins girt, a breastplate, our feet shod, and now a shield that is to be taken.  The shield for a Roman soldier was about two and a half feet wide, and four feet long.  It was oblong in shape.   The shield for the Roman soldier was made in such a way that it could absorb fiery arrows, thus, protecting the other parts of the armor.  The shield can be used to protect any part of the body according to how the person uses it.

    We are to take the shield OF FAITH.  Faith is complete trust and dependence on God in all ways and for all things.  It is an unwavering confidence in Jesus Christ.  We need to have childlike faith.  Faith in Jesus Christ (your shield) puts "Him" between you and the enemy.

    It is written, THE LORD CAME...SAYING, FEAR NOT, ABRAM: I AM THY SHIELD-Gen 15:1.  THE LORD, THE SHIELD OF THY HELP-Deut 33:29.  The SHIELD OF VICTORY-2 Sam 22:36 NIV.  The shield of faith is faith in the Lord.  Through faith, all things can be overcome.

    In each of the seven churches, promises are given only to those that "overcome."

    TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH-Rev 2:7

    HE THAT OVERCOMETH-Rev 2:11

    TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH-Rev 2:17

    HE THAT OVERCOMETH-Rev 2:26

    HE THAT OVERCOMETH-Rev 3:5

    HIM THAT OVERCOMETH-Rev 3:12

    TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH-Rev 3:21

    HE THAT OVERCOMETH SHALL INHERIT ALL THINGS-Rev 21:7

    How do we overcome all things?  How do we overcome the wrong attitudes we have?  How do we overcome temptations?  How do we overcome even our very emotions and worldly, sinful desires?   The answer is, AND THIS IS THE VICTORY THAT OVERCOMETH THE WORLD, EVEN OUR FAITH-1 Jn 5:4.  In Eph 6:16, we read, TAKING THE SHIELD OF FAITH.  Faith is a shield whereby we overcome all things.

    What can we do with this shield of faith?  It is written, WHEREWITH YE SHALL BE ABLE TO QUENCH (or extinguish).  Consider the words "YE SHALL BE ABLE."  With the shield of faith there is no question that you can QUENCH (or extinguish) ALL THE FIERY DARTS (or flaming arrows) OF THE WICKED.  Note the word, "FIERY" DARTS.  These are flame-tipped darts or arrows that are dipped in combustible materials, set on fire, and shot at people.   It is written, BELOVED, THINK IT NOT STRANGE CONCERNING THE "FIERY" TRIAL WHICH IS TO TRY YOU, AS THOUGH SOME STRANGE THING HAPPENED UNTO YOU-1 Pe 4:12.

    Satan can be expected to shoot darts or arrows that can penetrate inside you.  These darts are also fiery.   They are like an igniting flame.  When they strike you and penetrate, they kindle a fire inside you that keeps burning and tearing you up inside.  These flaming arrows can hurt so badly, it seems that there is absolutely no way to stop or extinguish them from hurting you, except you give in to them.  What are these flaming arrows?

    They can be summed up in three words: thoughts, emotions, and flesh.  These are usually intermixed and affect the other.   In other words, a thought stirs your emotions and causes your flesh or mouth to sin.

    You may get big knots or flaming arrows in your stomach.  You get really uptight.  These huge knots often occur when you go forth to do God’s will.  Your emotions can get so stirred up that sometimes it feels like there is a raging fire inside you.  It seems as if the only way you can put out that horrible, raging fire, is to fulfill the very thoughts that are prompting the fire to keep burning and tearing you up inside.  These flaming arrows usually prompt you to disobey God in some way; however, there are many times that your thoughts will tell you that you are not disobeying God at all.  They may tell you that you are doing God a favor.  What would prompt a person to commit murder?   The answer is a flaming arrow.  Yet it is written, THE TIME COMETH, THAT WHOSOEVER KILLETH YOU WILL "THINK" THAT HE DOETH GOD SERVICE-Jn 16:2.   Fiery darts can cause fear.  They can inflame your desires and flesh.

    What causes a person to believe there is no God, no heaven, no hell, or no eternal judgment?  What can prompt a person to run from God’s Word and not believe the truth?  What encourages a person to listen to false teaching, go to blind churches, turn to false ways, believe lies and deceit, or turn to idols such as worldly possessions?  What can cause a person to put unnecessary things in place of reading and studying the Bible?  What can drive a person to steal, to lie, to commit murder, or to take drugs?  What can stir a person to commit rape, fornication, adultery, or any such sin?  The answer is flaming arrows.  These are wrong thoughts, which prompt your emotions and flesh.

    You cannot trust your feelings.  You cannot trust your heart, which is deceitful and desperately wicked.  You can trust the Word of God.  Can a person’s senses or feelings ever be trusted?  Only when they line up with the Word of God, and in those few Christians WHO BY REASON OF USE HAVE THEIR SENSES EXERCISED TO DISCERN BOTH GOOD AND EVIL-Heb 5:14.

    How can we extinguish these flaming arrows that penetrate so deeply?  The answer is, THE SHIELD OF FAITH.   The shield of faith comes from hearing, reading, and believing God’s Word.   Thus, Satan’s attacks can be expected to try to stop you from partaking of God’s Word, by which faith comes to them that believe.  Faith becomes a shield.   With this shield, you can quench the FIERY DARTS that Satan shoots at you.

    It is written, CASTING DOWN IMAGINATIONS, AND EVERY HIGH THING THAT EXALTETH ITSELF AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, AND BRINGING INTO CAPTIVITY EVERY THOUGHT TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST-2 Cor 10:5.   Take the shield of faith wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  Overcome it by faith.

    For example, you sit down to read your Bible.  All of a sudden, a thought comes to you as you look at the window.  You think you have to clean that dirt off the window.  The fiery dart inside you stirs you up.  Finally, your thought and emotion prompts you to get up and clean the window.  Now you sit back down to read your Bible.  Again, another thought strikes you as you look at the dirt on the floor.  You resist it, but the fiery dart burning inside you seems to force you to get up and clean the floor.  You sit back down to read your Bible.  Then the telephone rings.  An irresistible impulse tells you to answer that phone.  You answer it.  It is a friend that talks, and talks, and talks.  You know you should hang up, but a fiery dart inside you tells you, "You do not want to offend them," so you stay on the phone for a half hour.  Finally, you sit down again to read your Bible.  As you read, you begin to get tired.  You yawn, and your eyes grow heavy.  For some reason, you just can’t seem to stay awake.  Then your eyes look at the clock.  It is now late, and you have a fiery dart inside, telling you to go to bed.  Three hours have passed since you first sat down to read your Bible.  You have only read one verse.  Do you understand what is happening?  It is written, SUBMIT YOURSELVES THEREFORE TO GOD.  RESIST THE DEVIL, AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU-Ja 4:7.  Fight the devil with God’s Word as Jesus did.  Take the SHIELD OF FAITH that will enable you to extinguish the flaming arrows of the devil.

    It is written in the Lord’s prayer, AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION -Mt 6:13.  Yet so many people lead themselves into temptation.  They go to the unsaved and listen to their ungodly advice.  They intentionally go by a certain woman’s house just so they can look and lust after her.  They buy a newspaper just so they can read the wicked astrology section.  They attend a church where the minister does not exhibit the fruits of the Spirit of God, neither is he an example of Christ.  They lead themselves into temptations, and this gives a place to the devil to tempt and mislead them.  They fall, and there is none to help them up.  They lead themselves into an atmosphere that is full of fiery darts by not obeying God’s Word.

    Note the SHIELD "OF FAITH."  Faith can overcome everything.  This shield can quench the flaming arrows and protect all the body.  It can overcome all things.

    Eph 6:17-AND TAKE THE HELMET.  God is now giving us another piece of armor, a helmet.  The helmet protects the head.  From the head we see, we hear, we smell, we think.  This helmet is OF SALVATION.  Multitudes of people sit in churches on Sunday, listening to the preacher, and are confident of their salvation.  Should the minister ask to see the hands raised of those who are fully persuaded they are saved, they will raise their hands.  They are among approximately eighty percent of the people that are positive they are saved, but are not.  They have never taken THE HELMET OF SALVATION.   They sit in the church and sing songs about a God they do not know.  The minister talks to them and preaches to them as if they are God’s children.  They wander in darkness and do not know they will perish.  The Lord is commanding to take the HELMET OF SALVATION.  It is written, AN HELMET OF SALVATION UPON HIS HEAD-Isa 59:17, and also FOR AN HELMET, THE HOPE OF SALVATION-1 Thes 5:8.

    AND take THE SWORD.   The sword can be used for both defense and offense.  With it a person can block another weapon coming against him, but it can also be used to strike an opponent.   We are to take the sword OF THE SPIRIT.  The Spirit of God moved through holy men of God to speak God’s Word-ref 2 Pe 1:21.  As it is written, NOT BY MIGHT, NOR BY POWER, BUT BY MY SPIRIT, SAITH THE LORD-Zech 4:6.  What is the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT?  Verse 17 concludes with, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD.  Take God’s Word.  FOR THE WORD OF GOD IS QUICK, AND POWERFUL, AND SHARPER THAN ANY TWO-EDGED SWORD, PIERCING EVEN TO THE DIVIDING ASUNDER OF SOUL AND SPIRIT, AND OF THE JOINTS AND MARROW, AND IS A DISCERNER OF THE THOUGHTS AND INTENTS OF THE HEART-Heb 4:12.  The Word of God can cause some to flee.  The Word of God can make people tremble.   It is written, as PAUL...REASONED OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, TEMPERANCE, AND JUDGMENT TO COME, FELIX TREMBLED, AND ANSWERED, GO THY WAY-Acts 24:24,25.  With the Word of God, Jesus overcame Satan after He had fasted.

    FOR THOUGH WE WALK IN THE FLESH, WE DO NOT WAR AFTER THE FLESH: (FOR THE WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE ARE NOT CARNAL, BUT MIGHTY THROUGH GOD TO THE PULLING DOWN OF STRONG HOLDS;)-2 Cor 10:3,4.  LET US PUT ON THE ARMOR OF LIGHT-Ro 13:12.  AS SERVANTS OF GOD WE COMMEND OURSELVES IN EVERY WAY...BY THE WORD OF TRUTH, BY THE POWER OF GOD, BY THE ARMOR OF RIGHTEOUSNESS ON THE RIGHT HAND AND ON THE LEFT-2 Cor 6:4 NIV.

    Note the HELMET "OF SALVATION."  The helmet covers the head, which is where we think, hear, and see.

SUMMARY OF EPH 6:10-17

    The devil is scheming against you.  Thus, you need to learn how to stand against his schemes, against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. You need to learn how to extinguish the flaming arrows of the devil—those misleading thoughts, elevated emotions, and fleshly desires that burn inside you—prompting you to sin against God.

    God has now given us the prescription for being strong, for standing, for wrestling or struggling, for withstanding in the evil day against Satan.  The conclusion of these verses might be summed up in this: take and put on, be fitted with and have on the whole armor of God; this includes your loins being girt about, a breastplate, your feet shod, a shield, and a helmet.   Take, put on, be fitted with, and have on truth, righteousness, the Gospel, faith, and salvation.  Your strength is in the Lord, in the power of His might.  Do everything possible to stand.  And take God’s Word, rightly divide it, and use it as the Holy Spirit directs.

TODAY’S CHURCH

    In these days in which we live, the masses of professing Christians are almost totally ignorant of, or indifferent to, these truths.  Others openly criticize and oppose them.  The church of today is getting further and further away from the strait gate and the narrow way of the Bible.  New ideas and doctrines are coming into most churches at, what seems to be, an ever increasing rate.  People are being tossed to and fro with the winds of all kinds of misleading doctrines.  The God-fearing, born-again, love-filled, fruit-bearing, obedient, Bible-reading, and discerning Christian, who understands spiritual warfare, who demonstrates his love for God by obeying His commandments, who reveals his faith by serving God and taking a stand for truth, and who is watching and ready for Jesus to return, seems to be a disappearing figure in this generation.  Most churches today are places where make-believe Christians gather on Sundays to feel comfortable and be entertained.  They leave church confident and reassured that all is right in their life.  Then they die and are shocked, as they find themselves in a place called "hell."

    We need to search God’s Word and let God’s Word search us.

    We need to have the Word in our hearts and our hearts in the Word.

WHAT IS THE DEVIL DOING?

    Scheming against you-ref Eph 6:11 NIV

COMMANDS AND ADVICE :  
WHAT ARE WE TO DO?

    BE STRONG-6:10

    PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD-6:11

    STAND-6:11

    FOR WE WRESTLE (or struggle)-6:12

    TAKE UNTO YOU THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD-6:13

    HAVING DONE ALL (or everything), TO STAND-6:13

    STAND THEREFORE-6:14

    HAVING YOUR LOINS GIRT ABOUT WITH TRUTH-6:14

    HAVING ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS-6:14

    TAKING THE SHIELD OF FAITH-6:16

    TAKE THE HELMET OF SALVATION-6:17

    TAKE...THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD-6:17

STAND OR WRESTLE AGAINST WHAT?

    AGAINST THE DEVIL'S SCHEMES-6:11 NIV

    AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES (or authorities)-6:12

    AGAINST POWERS-6:12

    AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD-6:12

    AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES-6:12

HOW?

    IN THE LORD-6:10

    IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT-6:10

WHEN?

    Now-Eph 6:10

    IN THE EVIL DAY-6:13

ARMOR

STRENGTH AND POWER FROM?

    IN THE LORD-6:10

    IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT-6:10

WEAPON

    THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT-6:17

    THE WORD-6:17

WHY AND WHAT ARE THE RESULTS?

    THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO STAND-6:11

    THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND (or stand your ground)-6:13

    WHEREWITH YE SHALL BE ABLE TO QUENCH (or extinguish) ALL THE FIERY DARTS
   (or flaming arrows) OF THE WICKED-6:16

MISCELLANEOUS  WORDS

    TAKE-6:13,17

    TAKING-6:16

    Fitted WITH-6:15

    PUT ON-6:11

    GIRT-6:14

    HAVING ON-6:14

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