There’s a well known scripture: John 10:10 King James Version (KJV):
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
The church is at war with an enemy. In this world we can’t just live happily ever after. Just like in the fairy tales, the dragon wants to devour the knights in armor. We can’t always understand evil and why the Dragon wants to devour or destroy the princes and princesses of the King. When you have things the enemy the devil doesn’t want you to have, like eternal life, love for God and family, peace and prosperity, the thief wants to take them from you. He is always on the prowl walking to and fro throughout the earth seeking whom he can devour. the Bible tells us to be wary, to be watchful.
1 Peter 5:8 (KJV):
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
And in another verse;
Matthew 26:41 (KJV):
“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
As believers of Christ, we all need to be wary and watchful because the devil our adversary is trying to make us fall. Our flesh is weak meaning that we can be tempted if we are not careful. People often fall into sin when they are not thinking rationally (being sober) but instead thinking foolishly (intoxicated). You always want to be mindful of what you are doing and saying. The lust of the flesh is what the devil is looking to tempt. The devil works through people who listen and obey him. He can’t work through someone who listens to and obeys God. So you won’t encounter an evil looking spirit, he will tempt you through a beautiful, friendly face.
Every day put on the full armor of God. You want to stand in the knowledge and covering of your salvation. You want to walk in righteousness to protect your heart. You want walk in the gospel of peace, speaking authentically, being the real you, is your belt of truth. Your shield is faith, no matter what the devil tries to do to throw at you, especially the things that are contrary to God’s word. Fight back with the word of God, as Jesus did when Satan tried to tempt him.
You need to resist the devil, but it takes practice. You cannot be a warrior for Christ without training yourself.
- Know God’s word but also you must know God. Develop a relationship with Christ. Don’t just know him from afar.
- Fast and Pray, to strengthen your mind and body
- Live out the armor of God, it is your spiritual defense; salvation, gospel of peace, righteousness, truth, faith, and God’s commandments are not clothing on your body. It is a way of life.
- Practice and train daily to bring your body into subjection, it means abstaining from fleshly desires, greed, gluttony, selfishness, pride, lusts of the mind and body, etc.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (KJV):
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 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.”
The heart of Illumine ministries is to share the gospel by applying it to our daily lives.
