Resist the Devil
Now that we have focused on Jesus, we must resist the enemy (The Devil). Once we become believers, we move into the middle of a battlefield. The Devil constantly bombards us with the mortar fire of sin. He wants to capture us and take us as prisoners of war. We need to constantly return the fire of prayer, reading the Bible, seeking God’s face, telling others of His love, and ultimately having a hunger for God. We cannot just fire one servo of attending church once a week, although that should be a part of our arsenal, and expect to win the war. If we do not use our complete arsenal against the Devil and fire all repeated ordnance's at him, we will lose our war. End of story. End of the war. End of us.
It is common knowledge that Adam allowed Eve to persuade him into taking the bite out of the fruit [1]. However, long before the serpent beguiled Eve, Adam and Eve’s own hunger for what they couldn’t have had already induced them to partake. Although the Bible does not tell us these things, I believe that Adam and Eve developed a real craving for the fruit of the tree and they lusted after what they couldn’t have. If lust hadn’t drawn them to the tree, why were they standing there?
Lust doesn’t just happen in an instant. Lust is first born as a thought. In other words, sin begins in the mind as a thought [2]. How many times have we thought about something that we knew was probably not the right thing to do but did it anyway? On the other hand, how many times have we wanted to do something that was the right, but neglected to do that thing? Well, we are in pretty good company. Paul, who expositors credit with the transcription of 2/3’s of the New Testament, had the same thoughts and worries.
v19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
v20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [Romans 7:19, 20 KJV (Romans 7:15-20)].
Thoughts grow to temptation and that is where we need to fight it off…in the mind, 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 [3]. It would follow that if we continue to sin, God’s grace would that much more abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound [4]. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein [5]? Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new [6]. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you [7].
Thought created lust in Adam and Eve’s mind and it drew them to the tree. At that point, they’d already made up their minds to partake of the fruit, long before the tree. The serpent tried to destroy the relationship between God and His human creation but instead fell into God’s plan for Adam, Eve, and the world, of salvation through Jesus Christ [8]. The beautiful fruit had ensnared Eve and she ignored Adam's warning of God's commandment and listened to the snake's manipulation.
Lord Jesus, please give us the strength to win our war. You are our Commander-in-chief and we follow you. We will NOT wait for the **** to crow three times before we reject the enemy's fire, but will cast down ALL imaginations that would exhalt themselves above your knowledge and bring EVERY one of thoughts captive. Just guide each of us in what we should all do at this time. We are focused on you Lord and are following you, our Lord, our King, and our husband. We ask Lord that your kingdom come and that your will be done on the earth as it is in Heaven. Give me my daily manna which is your word and especially your revelation. Please forgive me Lord when I fail. Lord do not let me fall into temptation but please deliver me from the evil one. Because you are all powerful and it is all for your glory and honor, AMEN.
Focus on Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith [9]
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[1] Genesis 3:6
[2] James 1:15
[3] 2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV
[4] Romans 5:20b KJV
[5] Romans 6:1, 2 KJV
[6] 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
[7] James 4:7 KJV
[8] Acts 4:11, 12[9] Hebrews 12:2
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