In the previous post, I told you of my opinion, you must hate something before you can have victory over it. I also mentioned Satan and how I have declared war against him. I have received a mixed response.
What is Satan's only real weapon? Isn't it deception? Tell me a better deception than making yourself imaginary or not really a factor. If Satan can get people to think it crazy to even have a discussion about him, hasn't he gained tremendous ground? Now my intention is not to shine the light on Satan, it is to smoke him out in the open.
When I was a kid I watched a movie called "The Invisible Man". I thought it would be cool to be invisible. You could do anything you wanted and be anywhere you wanted and no one could stop you. That is where Satan is in most people's (including Christian's) lives. He is the invisible man. He can do anything he wants to do in their life. Most people then blame God for all the problems he (Satan) has caused.
That fires me up. Would a loving God give someone cancer? Would a loving God allow disease, destruction, death? No, the answer is, it is not God that brings all of the bad things, it is Satan.
How do you defeat the "invisible man"? The Bible has the answer;
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)
Why would James talk about the devil if he was not real? He is alive and well. What he has to offer, as well as, what Jesus offers is found in John 10:10.
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.
What a contrast, one side steals, kills, and destroys. The other side gives live and if YOU choose it can be an abundant life. You must choose sides. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Both are trying to enter your life. Jesus waits for an invitation. Satan, the thief, only needs to wait for an opening (sin).
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
Satan gains access in every one's life through sin (missing the mark). You and I must recognize it and learn to actively kick him out.
Choose life, start drawing near to Jesus. He is waiting on you. After telling you to submit to God, James 4:8 instructs you to draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Notice who has to make the first move.
Do you want Satan out of your life? You have to make the first move, Jesus is waiting.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Monday, October 1, 2007
You Must Learn to Hate
Wow, what a title for a Christian. Does God hate? Since we are to be imitators of God, we need to see God hating before we dive in. Read Proverbs 6:16-19
These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him. A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.
Yes God does hate. Look closer and you will see Satan behind all of the things God hates. The Bible also states:
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)
So what does that have to do with you and me? I know Satan is real, he hates you and me, so why are we still trying to ignore or play nice with Satan?
I believe you can not defeat or gain victory over something you do not HATE. Until the body of Christ (the church) declares war on Satan and his schemes, we will continue to limp to heaven. I for one am sick of all the lies, deception, death, destruction brought about by Satan and I have declared war on him.
Some of you probably think that is a little "over-the-top", but you know what? I don't care. Satan is alive and well in most peoples lives because we have not taken our rightful authority over him. This is a great teaching on the believer's authority.
Read the book of Ephesians, as a small child, (concentrating on the first two chapters) and then try and tell yourself the body of Christ has no power. We have the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead living on the inside of us.
We have tremendous power at our command, we most learn to use it, or continue to take a "beating" from a defeated foe. Jesus has gained the victory, it is our job as believers to learn to walk in the victory.
These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him. A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.
Yes God does hate. Look closer and you will see Satan behind all of the things God hates. The Bible also states:
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)
So what does that have to do with you and me? I know Satan is real, he hates you and me, so why are we still trying to ignore or play nice with Satan?
I believe you can not defeat or gain victory over something you do not HATE. Until the body of Christ (the church) declares war on Satan and his schemes, we will continue to limp to heaven. I for one am sick of all the lies, deception, death, destruction brought about by Satan and I have declared war on him.
Some of you probably think that is a little "over-the-top", but you know what? I don't care. Satan is alive and well in most peoples lives because we have not taken our rightful authority over him. This is a great teaching on the believer's authority.
Read the book of Ephesians, as a small child, (concentrating on the first two chapters) and then try and tell yourself the body of Christ has no power. We have the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead living on the inside of us.
We have tremendous power at our command, we most learn to use it, or continue to take a "beating" from a defeated foe. Jesus has gained the victory, it is our job as believers to learn to walk in the victory.
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