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Scripture: Psalm 91:2-3 2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
We all have at some point in our lives, had to deal with what some would refer to as an enemy. A person who seems to have an agenda against us or wishes to do us harm in any number of ways. But, why, and what is an enemy?
The dictionary defines an enemy as:one seeking to injure, overthrow, or confound an opponent; an adversary
A nation may perceive another nation as a potential foe or enemy and send out spies, and or make use of satellites, high tech electronic monitoring as well as sending individuals into the heart of the perceived enemies camp to gather information which would afford them an advantage over this perceived enemy regardless of whether or not there was a conflict.
Coaches and players study video footage of the opposing team’s various plays and tactics, analyzing every move of the opponents offensive, and defensive plays in order to understand the tactics they employ, and thus gain an advantage in being able to counteract these tactics in their coming matches.
Businesses use insiders as spies to gather classified information on the various aspects of the workings, manufacturing and marketing of competing businesses in order to circumvent their actions, or produce a counterfeit and thus gain an advantage in the market place.
So there is always someone, a nation, or organizations seeking to gain the advantage over the opponent or the competition in all aspects of life.
All are attempting to gain that very important foothold, which would give them the advantage and control over the other.
We as individuals, as well as the Christian culture itself, are competing in a heated and deadly game of life and death, with the forces of good and evil. We are up against an unseen enemy which controls the forces of a dark and evil underworld which we are unable to physically see, feel, or even comprehend the power, this enemy possesses.
There is a saying; “to defeat your enemy, you must learn his ways”
The Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu, writing in The Art of War, said this about an enemy;
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.
If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.
If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”
So it’s apparent, and extremely important, that we know, understand, and gain knowledge of the tactics of, and the reasons for having this enemy if we are to defeat him.
We as Christians have an enemy of whom we should be seeking to gain knowledge of, so as to be able to overcome, and defeat any of his attacks?
Yet most give little thought regarding him, and because of this, place themselves in his firm grip and control, without even realizing it.
SO, WHO IS THIS ENEMY AND HOW DO WE FIGHT HIM?
Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians gives us some good information as to the enemy we are faced with and how to protect and defend against him.
The city of Ephesus during the time of the Apostles, was a major trading port between Europe, Asia and Africa, and could be compared to modern day New York City. Ephesus in the 1st century was a bustling busy city of commerce and had as one of its most popular attractions, the temple of Diana; where visitors and travelers from all across the known world, would come to pay homage and worship this pagan goddess in what was considered the largest temple structure of that era, and was also considered one of the wonders of the ancient world.
A large portion of the economy of Ephesus was geared to the worship of Diana. Merchants and craftsman hawked their wares such as trinkets and idols to the constant influx of visitors to the temple.
When the gospel of Jesus was proclaimed by the apostles, the result were vast numbers of people abandoning the worship of this pagan goddess for the worship of Jesus, the living God. A riot nearly ensued because so many were abandoning the worship of a dead idol for a living and
compassionate God, and no longer desired the trinkets and wares dedicated to Diana, which they had been deceived into believing would ward off evil spirits or bring wealth and happiness to those in possession of such idols. Does this sound familiar, of today’s Religious broadcasters and Evangelists?
This affected the economy and the profits of the local businesses to the point that some were going bankrupt from the lack of sales. Their livelihood depended on the Diana worshippers purchasing these good luck charms, trinkets, and assorted merchandise.
Satan used the monetary problems the merchants were enduring as an excuse to begin attacking the Christians of Ephesus, and Paul in his letter to the Ephesians, was emphasizing who and what they were up against and the importance of preparing for, and how to fight the enemy and emerge a victor.
Beginning at verse 11 Paul tells the Christians, they must put on a special armor in order to fight this enemy.
Ephesians 6:11 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil
Since armor is designed to protect one from the weapons of the enemy, they were being instructed to put on armor, but what type of armor?
What was Paul speaking of when he said put on the armor of God?
Who is this enemy?
What are his weapons?
Let’s go on to verse 12
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
So according to verse 12 we are in a battle against unseen forces of extreme power and wickedness, which we can’t see, but must, never the less be aware of. We ask then, what purpose is armor against an enemy not of this world, and which we cannot see?
If we look at Revelation 12:12, John tells us who this enemy is.
Rev.12:12…..Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time
John informs us that the Devil has come down with a vengeance against mankind, spreading misery, pestilence, and stirring discord, doubt and fear to not only the inhabitants of the earth, but also the sea. This has got to be a very angry and vengeful being to go after the life in the sea as well as the inhabitants; and those not girded with the armor will not escape his grip.
Kind of reminds you of a child having a temper tantrum because he is denied a piece of candy, and as a result of being denied the candy, he begins throwing toys, smashing and destroying anything in his path, just for pure spite or vengeance.
If we look around at the condition of the world today, we see this as a battle of escalating proportions against anything moral and Christian unfolding. Constant victories are being racked up by the enemy against God’s people on almost a daily basis. All one has to do is look at the constant legal and unconstitutional rulings against the Christians of this once God fearing, God worshipping nation.
By compromising and capitulating with the moods and fads of society, the Church has in essence fell asleep, which has helped to enhance the increasingly hostile attacks from all aspects of society, including some of the Christian community itself, but mainly the homosexual agenda, which has become an extremely powerful tool in the hands of this enemy, and with each victory they attain, he becomes increasingly stronger.
As an example of these attacks, there is a major battle in the state of Iowa taking place at this very moment, which will have a major impact on the sermons and teachings of the Christian Churches nationwide. The State of Iowa recently passed a nondiscrimination law pushed by the LGBTQ organizations, which would muzzle, and literally specify what can and cannot be said in a sermon preached from the pulpit.
A legal battle is now in full swing against this law, as it would place controls on the practice of religion, a direct violation of the constitution. At issue is the state’s nondiscrimination requirements that specify any “public accommodation” can be ordered not to say anything that might make a homosexual or a transgender feel “unwelcome,” such as even reading from the Bible a condemnation of such behavior."
And here is another example of the increasingly hostile attacks against the Christians, and from the Christians themselves;
An Air Force Major at the U S Air Force academy in Colorado has come under a vicious attack, simply for having an open Bible on his desk. One complainant, claiming to be a practicing Christian, made the following comment in the complaint against the Bible being on the Majors desk; “I am intimidated by the display, and I am a practicing Christian,” the unnamed airman wrote. “This open Bible is discrimination at the highest level.” The airman went on to say that he wasn’t just offended by the Bible – he was “outrageously offended.”
The complaint went on to say; “We have 33 very scared Air Force families,”
source Fox news 8/17/16
This is only 2 examples of the many hundreds of daily attacks on the Christian faith here in the United States where our motto is;
“ IN GOD WE TRUST’ , BUT, Do we? Or is this just a feel good saying that has no substance?
There has not been in recent history such vicious attacks directed against God and His people as is going on today here in America.
Today, more than ever we are in need of this armor, not compromise and capitulation.
This armor spoken of by Paul is not referring to actual physical armor, but the armor spoken of here is the word of God used as a shield to ward off the attacks Satan hurls at us on a daily basis.
And if we go to 1st Peter, we see another warning about this enemy, who he is, and what measure we should take, and the importance of dressing in the whole armor of God.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Peter also informs us that SATAN IS OUR ENEMY, and Paul tells us that we must don the armor of God in order to fight this unseen enemy which rules over the forces of darkness, and spiritual wickedness of this world, as he seeks to destroy anything moral, decent, and or associated with Jesus Christ.
How do we fight such an enemy?
1st Peter reminds us, we must be awake and fully aware, vigilant, always on guard to counteract the subtle attacks hurled at us on a continuous daily basis; in other words you need to be prepared, you need to know your ENEMY.
Referring back to Ephesians 6:13-17, Paul goes on to explain the type armor to be used in this battle.
Ephesians 6:13-17 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Now that we know who the enemy is, and what armor we should put on, we also need to know why he is our enemy.
For that, we go to the book of Ezekiel where we gain a little more insight about this being known as Satan or the Devil and where he came from.
Ezek.28:14-15 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
We see in this passage that God created Satan perfect in all his ways, and he was then appointed to cover (oversee) a portion of God’s creation.
The Greek word for anointed is Rhantismos--- rhän-tç-smo's and is defined as;
- a sprinkling (purification)
- blood of sprinkling
- i.e. appointed for sprinkling (serving to purify)
But if Satan was made perfect, and given such a role, then why did he become our enemy?
For that answer, let’s go the book of Isaiah where we are given more information on Satan.
Isaiah 14:12-14 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
The books of Isaiah, Ezekiel and Revelation, provide us with a fair amount of information on this being which Revelation 12:12 warns of, and whose main goal it seems, is to bring strife, dissention, grief, confusion, conflict and a host of other ills on mankind including the separation from God, as he sows the seeds of discord and doubt among all of mankind, and especially the Christian Church in his attempt to tear away and drive a wedge between God and his people, ripping away as many as possible from the protective grace and love of Jesus Christ.
So what happened to this perfectly created being whom God blessed with such an honorable position of authority and trust that would cause him to become so vengeful towards God, and have such wrath for the inhabitants of this planet?
As we read the text of Isaiah 14, a picture emerges of someone filled with an exceptional amount of pride and arrogance; “I will be like the most High.”, “I will sit….” “I will exalt….”, “I will ascend…”, and “I will be…”
We see Satan has become afflicted with the “I” problem, which has resulted in him being filled with an overwhelming portion of pride, arrogance and jealousy, believing he can overcome God, and be like God, but, there is a verse in the Bible which warns of the very consequences of the pride and arrogance which Satan exhibited, and we can find that text in Proverbs 16:18 .
Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall”.
And we see an example of this Proverb as Jesus tells the disciples of Satan’s fall from grace; Luke 10:18 “And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven”
According to Jesus then, who, by the way, witnessed Satan, full of self- righteousness and pride, fall with a bang, wounded, but not destroyed.
Because of his fall from the high position God had appointed him to, his anger and wrath was magnified towards God and His people with a vengeance, and all we have to do is look around, and observe the results of this vengeance in the rapidly accelerating downward spiral of morality as the Christians and the Churches, with the plying of Satan’s deceptive practice of political correctness, and the fear of offending those practicing the immorality now gripping this nation, have begun to compromise the word of God for the sake of this political correctness.
Satan is dancing and jumping with pride at the recent legal victories against the Christians and Churches which adhere to the moral laws of God. These legal victories have begun casting a dark cloud over the Christian community, bringing with it an increase in attacks by the media, government, individuals, and even from some in the Christian community, against anything associated with the God of Christianity, and the Bible.
The Christian community has failed to gird their loins with the truth, or put on the breastplate of righteousness, they have not shod themselves with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Churches today seem to be more inclined to pacify the immoral politically correct agendas of society with their feel good, entertaining prosperity style of preaching, than teaching the true word of God.
Satan’s plan is working magnificently as he takes full advantage of the constant victories he is amassing against the Christians of this nation, as evil is now considered the norm, lies are now the truth, immorality is now moral and what- ever feels good do it.
Hitler’s propaganda chief, Herman Goebbels, was quoted as saying. “Tell a lie long enough and it will be accepted as the truth”
The Bible warns of the consequences of this 2nd Thessalonians.
2nd Thes.2:11-12 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness
This verse speaks volumes concerning the Christian society of today, where compromise on the grounds of political correctness has resulted in the delusion of believing these lies as being truth.
By not knowing the enemy and not being girded with the protective armor of God, therefore, not knowing the enemy or themselves, they have begun believing Satan’s lies as truth, and have succumbed in the battle with this enemy of God, as the Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu said ; If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”
And with the increasing attacks of hatred, city and county ordinances being established, and legal rulings against the morals of Gods laws and His servants, it would appear the majority of the people today, know neither themselves nor the enemy, and are succumbing in this battle.
When Satan attacked Jesus in the wilderness, was Jesus prepared?
Did He roll over to be politically correct?
Was He afraid to offend Satan?
Find out in part 2
Copyright 2016 by Paul L. Taylor all rights reserved worldwide
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