Tags
1 Peter 5:8-9, 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Ephesians 6:13, James 4:7-8, John 10:10, John 8:43-45, Jude 1:17, Reassurance, Recognizing the enemy, Reflect, Remember, Renewing, Renewing Your Mind, Resist, Revelation 12:9, Revelation 20:10, Romans 12:1-3, Spiritual Warfare, Standing Fast, Withstand in the evil day!
3 R’s To Remember!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #13
Most of us “senior citizens” remember the “3 R’s” from our childhood school days—Reading, wRiting, and aRithmatic!—and as funny as it sounds, as I wrote it out, I sit here almost laughing out loud. Oh, how my heart longs for those simpler days, no not perfect days, but simpler days of laughter, playing outside without fear, riding our bikes, and walking out in the country after dark, moms cooking, and families with dads in the home! But that’s an article for another day; what I’d like to broach today are the three (and maybe more) “Rs” of spiritual warfare, for it is heating up all around us, and I don’t’ know about you, but much of my time is saddened by the crass, rude, and vulgar world we have allowed to develop and flourish around us! But today, I want us to consider how to “stand fast in the evil day”! And boy is it here!
Recognition!
“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.” Ephesians 6:13
We must “suit up” with the “whole armor of God” daily—moment by moment in fact! But what else should we consider? The tactics of the enemy and our God-given responses which will help us to continue to “withstand”! First and of great import is the truth that we do have an enemy of our souls; even Jesus addressed this issue.
“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.” John 10:10
The enemy has a name—and he also has a host of helpers who harass, attack, and oppress believers on a regular, if not continual basis; we must be aware and prepared (and don’t overlook those humans who have aligned themselves with his agenda, but remember “we wrestle not against flesh…”!).
“And the great dragon was cast out,
that old serpent,
called the Devil,
and Satan,
which deceiveth the whole world:
he was cast out
into the earth,
and his angels
were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:9
A deceiver—a liar—the one who makes promises which are smoke and mirrors—but he is good at what he does, so don’t fall for his lies and tricks (wiles as the KJV calls them and he IS wiley!)!
“Why do ye not understand my speech?
even because ye cannot hear my word.
44 Ye are of your father the devil,
and the lusts of your father ye will do.
He was a murderer from the beginning,
and abode not in the truth,
because there is no truth in him.
When he speaketh a lie,
he speaketh of his own:
for he is a liar,
and the father of it.
45 And because I tell you the truth,
ye believe me not.” John 8:43-45
So, my friends, we must recognize this enemy of our souls, in fact the enemy of all mankind—in total contrast to JESUS who loves us so much HE died in our place, that we could “have everlasting life…”, and having recognized that we have an enemy be prepared to “withstand”; and while I don’t see demons behind every tree, I do know that they are real and at work all around us, and I/we must be ready, for their goal is to “steal…kill..and destroy” every thing and every person that they possibly can! So, we must be prepared to effectively
Resist!
“Be sober,
be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil,
as a roaring lion,
walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith,
knowing that the same afflictions
are accomplished in your brethren
that are in the world.” 1 Peter 5:8-9
And James’ reiteration of Peter’s warning!
“Submit yourselves therefore
to God.
Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God,
and he will draw nigh to you.
Cleanse your hands, ye sinners;
and purify your hearts,
ye double minded.” James 4:7-8
We must, must “Draw nigh to God” to be equipped for the battle and prepared to “withstand in the evil day”–being
Ready by Remembering!
“But, beloved, remember ye
the words which were spoken before
of the apostles
of our Lord Jesus Christ;” Jude 1:17
And how do we “remember”, well we must first “member” God’s Word into our hearts and minds. We must read it, study it, pray it, and there we will find the strength, power, and provision of The Holy Spirit to LIVE IT!
“Study to shew thyself approved
unto God,
a workman
that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing
the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
Ready and remembering by God’s power and Spirit, as we learn to trust to the very “breath” of God in HIS WORD!
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable
for doctrine,
for reproof,
for correction,
for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect,
thoroughly furnished
unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Oh, thank you Father God, Jesus our Redeemer, and precious Holy Spirit for the great gift of your written Word, as well as the living Word, Jesus! It’s in this power of THE WORD that we can find remembering power and standing grace to truly be found faithful before our King. And the awesome truth that we win!
Reassurance!
“And the devil that deceived them
was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone,
where the beast and the false prophet are,
and shall be tormented
day and night for ever and ever.” Revelation 20:10
And in closing, one last word of encouragement that I pray will help you know that while God has provided all we need, we must also do our part by seeking HIS face, reading HIS Word, communicating with HIM in prayer and LIVING what we believe before a lost and dying world! We can’t force Jesus on anyone (HE never did either), but we can live in such a way as to draw people to the cross of our blessed Savior, Redeemer, and KING!
Renew!
“I beseech you therefore, brethren,
by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy,
acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed
by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove
what is that good,
and acceptable,
and perfect,
will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me,
to every man that is among you,
not to think of himself more highly
than he ought to think;
but to think soberly,
according as God hath dealt
to every man the measure of faith.” Romans 12:1-3
Amen and Amen!!!
Bible Ballistics 