What is it about the flesh that is so weak? Why do we find ourselves tempted to sin so often? And why is it that we find ourselves struggling with the same things over and over again?
The questions are simple enough but are the answers? Scripture tells us in Ephesians 6:12,
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
Well dang, that sounds like a battle that I am ill equipped to win. Me, fighting rulers and authorities, mighty powers, and evil spirits. I’ve read the story of David and Goliath, and I would love to think I have that much faith, but this sounds like David against many Goliaths, all of which I can’t see with my own eyes. Quite honestly I don’t know how I would handle it if I could see them, frankly it sounds terrifying.
When we fall into temptation and sin, we are in fact losing this battle at that moment. In James 1:13-16 it says, When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
The crazy part is that this war is going on every day, constantly, and the enemy doesn’t get worn down or tired. This war has been going on since the creation of man and will continue until Jesus returns – wow and I thought the 100 Years’ War was long. The fact of the matter is, you CAN’T defeat this enemy… on your own.
Ok, now that we know how hard the battle is, who we are fighting against, and how long we will be fighting them, let’s skip to the good part.
The enemy is big, scary, and relentless, BUT GOD is bigger, badder, and more relentless. God knows how tough this enemy is so he has laid out the tools and battle plan for us to win this war each and every time… for the rest of time.
In Ephesians 6:11 it says, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Do you find yourself losing the battle of temptation and succumbing to your desires? If so, you are likely losing sight of one or more of these things:
Truth (see last week's blog post: Truth, what is it? Can it really set you free?)
Every word spoken by Jesus, John 8:31b-32 - “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”
Jesus himself, John 14:6 - “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Righteousness
We have become righteous through Christ, we must accept and live in that righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:21 - God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
The Gospel of Peace
Keep at the forefront of your mind the sacrifice that was made for our salvation and as it says in 1 Peter 3:15, But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Faith
We must maintain faith and not allow ourselves to succumb to doubt. Matthew 21:21-22 - Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
Salvation
Through our salvation we have been given power over the enemy. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 - “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
God’s Word
The word of God should be your lifeblood as a believer and follower of Christ. Matthew 4:4 - “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Prayer
There is much power in prayer. Ephesians 6:18 - And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray without ceasing
As followers of Christ we must always remember that we are equipped and prepared for this battle. Truthfully we just need to get out of our own way. Jesus tells us,
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
The denying of self can be extremely difficult, but always remember, you have been given the tools needed to win this war every single time, each and every day. Let us take up the challenge as Men of God to fight the enemy by following the instructions laid out for us in scripture.
Remember who you are in Christ my brother and know that you can defeat the enemy each and every time, for the rest of time.
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