Tag: spiritual warfare
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When Love Goes to Battle – Genesis 14:13-16
Genesis 14:13-16And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram. And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own…
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Pressure From the Inside – 1 John 4:4
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. Think about the submarines that descend miles beneath the ocean surface into places like the Mariana Trench. The pressure down there is crushing. Engineers build those submarines…
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The Lord Rebuke Thee – 2 Peter 2:11
2 Peter 2:11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. Peter now makes a striking comparison. False teachers speak boldly, casually, even arrogantly about powers in the unseen realm. But angels, who are greater in power and might than we are, do not speak…
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Reckless in the Unseen – 2 Peter 2:10
2 Peter 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government.Presumptuous are they, self willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Peter is still describing the character of false teachers, and now he shows how deep their corruption goes. They do not simply drift…
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Don’t Run from the Roar – 1 Peter 5:8-9
1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. Peter has just said to cast all your care on the Lord…
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The Flesh Never Fights Fair – 1 Peter 2:11-12
1 Peter 2:11-12 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Peter is…
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Preventive Ministry — Philemon 1:3–5
Philemon 1:3–5 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints. Paul opens this section with words that sound familiar. “Grace to you,…
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When Faith Is Quietly Abandoned — 1 Timothy 4:1–2
1 Timothy 4:1–2 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Paul shifts from structure to warning. He has talked about the message of the church. He…
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The Blocked Road – 1 Thessalonians 2:17–18
1 Thessalonians 2:17–18 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. Paul does not pretend everything is smooth in ministry.…
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Radical Surgery – Colossians 3:5
Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: Paul does not suggest. He commands. Mortify. Put to death. This is not cosmetic adjustment. This is not behavior management. This is execution language. If Christ is your life, then whatever belongs to…
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Axes and Orchards – Philippians 1:11
Philippians 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Paul does not say we are filled with opinions.He does not say we are filled with arguments.He says we are filled with fruit. Fruit grows slowly.Fruit feeds others.Fruit brings glory to God. Now listen…
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Long Range Power – Ephesians 6:18
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. After the helmet.After the sword.After the shield. Paul says, Pray. You may not always be able to engage in hand to hand combat. Your children may live across the country. Your neighbor…
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You Can Stand – Ephesians 6:12–13
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities… against powers… Principalities speak of regions. Powers speak of bondage. In Luke 13:11, a woman was bent over for eighteen years. …and could in no wise lift up herself. Jesus did not simply adjust her posture. He broke what held her. When…
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Fight the Right Enemy – Ephesians 6:12
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities… Paul pulls back the curtain. Your spouse is not the enemy.Your teenager is not the enemy.Your boss is not the enemy.Your political opponent is not the enemy. If you are wrestling against flesh and blood, you are fighting the wrong battle. We…
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Dressed for War – Ephesians 6:11
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Paul does not say, “Discuss the armor.”He does not say, “Admire the armor.”He says, Put it on. The Christian life is not a retreat center. It is not group therapy. It is not…