Steps for Spiritual Defense
At a place where you know you are under attack spiritually? Here are some notes on fighting back. We are not defenseless.
What example do we show?
Our love for each other is our witness to those outside the family of God. 1 John 3:18 states; “My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action. (emphasis mine) “The essence of love is not what we think or do or provide for others, but how much we give of ourselves.” Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life. Keep in mind that one day you will be standing before God giving account of what you have done with what you know. You will be giving account of what you have done. How will you explain those times when projects, or things, the to-do list, were more important to you then people?
There is an old saying, the proof is in the pudding. Talk is cheap is another. The real is in the doing. Building relationships is top priority in God’s world. Relationship with Him, and then as commanded, with others is vital to a healthy spiritual life based upon His word. Building the relationships in love and expressing it through our gift of time and attention focused on others must take priority.
How are you showing that you care deeply about those in your world, that God is loving them through you? Is God able to love them through you?
Holiness and our wills
Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for [His] good pleasure.
“…we must learn how to bring our wills into submission and obedience to the will of God on a practical, daily, hour by hour basis….” Pursuit of Holiness, Jerry Bridges.
Understanding what makes up our will, what influences our will, that it is primarily responsible for our choices is necessary. Before a decision is made, thought is engaged, reason is engaged, and feelings/emotions are engaged. The statement; “I feel ….” is made. The statement; “I think…,” is made. So what is in our minds and hearts, our desires and what we listen to or watch is going to have a lot of influence on what we choose.
We then must be careful what goes into our minds and hearts. Are we filling up on the Word of God or TV? Are we listening for His voice or to the voices of our friends and relatives? Do we think on and meditate on what we read in His Word, or in the news or magazines, or on the Internet? We are surrounded by messages brought to us through many mediums. We can shut out much of it if we choose. We must consciously disregard that which we have no control over.
To combat the influence brought upon us unasked and out of our control, we need to fill up on the Voice of God heard through his messengers and the reading and study of the Word. Fill up the spaces, think on and reflect upon His message rather than that handed to us by the world-system.
Our responsibility outlined in scripture:
Romans 6:19 I speak in human [terms] because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members [as] slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness [leading] to [more] lawlessness, so now present your members [as] slaves [of] righteousness for holiness.
Prior to salvation our minds were self-centered. We based our decisions upon our desires as we felt and following the world-system mind set. We were primarily concerned with what was good for us based upon our own understanding.
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Following salvation, our minds are now taking on the mind of Christ. Now we ask first, what do you want me to do? Our focus is on His mind set, not on our self-centeredness. Colossians 3:1-2 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
What is good for the kingdom of God takes priority.
James 4:7-8 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [you] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [you] double-minded.
Our daily living then becomes purposeful, not mindless. We don’t just follow a routine but consciously set our minds to do the will of God. We purpose to do everything; brush your teeth, wash your face, etc. with our mind set on Him and the question, “What can I do for you?”
I challenge you to begin everyday and then every task with the question directed toward God, “What can I do for you?” When stirred to reach out to others ask, “What can I do for you?” Your focus will turn upward and outward, rather than inward. Opportunities will come your way, you will be blessed with doing the work of the Father for the kingdom rather than for yourself. In this we can be found faithful.
Holiness in the body
This is a departure from the usual take on these verses. What do you think?
A prudent [man] foresees evil [and] hides himself; The simple pass on [and] are punished.
Proverbs 27:12
The wise see evil ahead and remove themselves from the place of temptation. They leave! The unwise stay and fall victim, then receive the consequences for their inaction.
If I see a situation is tempting me to do something I prefer not to thanks to the Spirit’s prompting, I leave. One area is gossip in the workplace. Many times I walk away rather than participate. Sometimes I’m not so wise and engage in the conversation only to experience the conviction later. Sometimes the words that are spoken come back to haunt me.
Romans 13:14
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to [fulfill its] lusts.
Spend time in the Word, get to know Jesus so you can emulate him. Provide sustenance for the spirit’s growth, not for the carnal nature.
Where is my time spent? In the word or satisfying selfish desires. Trading time to play games rather than study the word, would be one example. A constant battle to achieve a balance that pleases the spirit not the flesh. Another would be other media entertainment or outside entertainment. The point is to not give up time in the Word for time in entertainment of any type. The point is not the avoidance of all play, where is the emphasis?, the focus, the desire?
2 Timothy 2:22
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Lets see, youthful lusts: the “me” time of life, what serves my purpose, putting others down, scuffling over what I want and often turns to words that are hurtful and blows, more concerned if I am first, focus on what happens to me. My students provide a good picture of this. They struggle with preferring others, saying only kind words, not bragging.
So in my life, I still have struggles with a large ‘me’ complex. When stories are shared, I must insert mine rather than just listen and enjoy and encourage. Fear can enter quickly as in driving in the snow rather than having faith that God has protected me, is protecting me and will protect me. Loving those who rub you the wrong way. There are those at work who seem to constantly say things that are disparaging, or seemingly disrespectful. On closer examination, they are not maliciously maligning, they are used by the enemy to create offense in us. This is my struggle.
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.
And do not present your members [as] instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments of righteousness to God.
Romans 6:12-13
Holiness in the body is putting yourself last. The closer we get to the Lord, the more we know Him, the more we love Him and our desires become His. When I give in to what I want to do to satisfy my own desires whatever they may be, use of time is most basic, I am once again putting myself under the law and subject to the wages of sin is death. When I am focused and driven by what He wants I am operating in freedom. It doesn’t mean doing without, it means being in touch with his will in my life.
God is Holy
| Zec 8:17 | Let none of you think evil in your [fn] heart against your neighbor; And do not love a false oath. For all these [are things] that I hate,’ Says the LORD.” |
We are called to be holy as God is holy. God hates evil and so should we. If we hate evil we cannot participate in evil.
| 1Sa 13:13 | And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you. For now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. |
| 1Sa 13:14 | But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him [to be] commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.” |
God is holy. The consequence for not obeying God is given here. Saul was picked by God, serving God but he disobeyed.
| Psa 51:4 | Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done [this] evil in Your sight– That You may be found just when You speak, [fn] [And] blameless when You judge. |
When we participate in sin, against a neighbor, loved one, family, we are doing so against God.
| Rom 6:14 | For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace |
God loved us so much He sent His son and when we accept the sacrifice of Jesus we are covered by His blood and can be reunited with God. He can look upon us. For that gift alone we should be driven to avoid all sin in our lives. We should strive to be like Him. We should acquire the same distaste for evil that He has.
What is holiness? Why holiness?
Leviticus 11:44,45 repeats twice the command to “be holy because I am holy.” Jesus states in Matthew and John that men are cleansed or defiled by the thoughts of their hearts and God will be worshipped wherever men seek Him in spirit and in truth. So I must be holy, it is a command and to be holy I must understand what holy is. In studying what has been written and looking at the definition of holy as it is used in the Old Testament, (Hebrew kodesh) and in the New Testament (Greek hagios) I find the following words reappearing consistently.
Separation, ethics, purity, consecrated, contrite, humble, conduct. Separation as in separating something from common use to dedicated use. Ethics as in a manner of action that is in total obedience regardless of the degree. Purity as in focus on things of God and not of self. Consecrated as in dedicated. Contrite and humble as in clearly understanding ones position in relation to the Creator. Conduct as in responsibility on my part, the part of mankind.
To put that into action I must place my focus on the Lord. I must become ‘obsessed’ with Him. I must see everything as an act of obedience to His Word. I will need an attitude change, from self-centered to God-centered. I will need to pick up my responsibility to act according to His Word. Therefore I will need to know His Word. I will need to assess every thought and action and see if it is obedient to His Will and I can know His Will by knowing His Word.
Obedience is obedience, not in degrees. In Eden there was plenty to eat, the tree wasn’t needed. The point was obeying the command to not eat from that tree. Knowledge of good and evil came about with the introduction of evil to contrast with the good. Disobedience brought sin. Disobedience is sin and all sin is disobedience. If I wish to be holy as He is holy, I must obey Him, the One who is holy. I must strive to be like Him.
I must become immersed in His Word.
Are stress and worry indications of God neglect?
Reading author Francis Chan’s Crazy Love, specifically chapter 2, stimulated a response from me strong enough to write about it. Read and then share what you think.
“Worry implies that we don’t quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what’s happening in our lives.” This statement resonated in my soul – I agree!!
“Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip of control.” Again, I found agreement and recognized the actions.
“Basically, these two behaviors communicate that it’s OK to sin and not trust God because the stuff in my life is somehow exceptional” Not sure I’d say it this way, more that it indicates looking at my situation rather than focusing on Jesus. Pulling from myself first, before I give it to Him. It’s an indication of how I start the day. Asking for my assignment and help with what is necessary or deciding for myself what I will do.
These behaviors suggest I’m immersed in myself rather than Him. Not that I’ve decided it’s OK to sin. This statement would indicate a deliberate, conscious decision to disobey – I don’t think we’re even aware we made the shift from God-centerd decisions and actions, God-in-control, to self-in-control much of the time.
We arrived (the author and I) at the same place: “I am still dumb enough to forget that life is all about God and not about me at all.”
The question is asked:”How is it possible that we live as though it (life) is about us? Answer: (mine) because it (life) is. God gave that life to us because He loved us and wanted that love returned. So it is about us and Him and a love relationship. Mankind so disappointed Him. Mankind took the gift without a backward look or thanks and ran with it. Because mankind did this, God gave death also. Now mankind must choose, life or death. Do not be fooled, death comes as sure as life is given. Do we also accept Christ, God’s second gift of life? and so doing defeat death. Now upon accepting the second gift of life, does mankind turn and run again? or stay and love the God who gave the gift, showing that love by developing the love relationship God desired in the first place. That response involves getting to know Him, spending time with Him, waking with Him, going to bed with Him. That involves having Him involved in every single decision we make.
“The point of your life is to point to Him. What ever you are doing(eating a sandwich on a lunch break, drinking coffee at 12:04 am so you can stay awake to study, or watching your four-month-old take a nap) God wants to be glorified, because this whole thing is His. It is His movie, His gift.” Stated by Chan.
Psalm 73:3, 13, 16-17 For I [was] envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked….Surely I have cleansed my heart [in] vain, And washed my hands in innocence….When I thought [how] to understand this, It [was] too painful for me–Until I went into the sanctuary of God; [Then] I understood their end.
Chan continues; It’s easier to become disillusioned with the circumstances of our lives compared to others’. But in the presence of God, He gives us a deeper peace and joy that transcends it all.
The point of your life is to point to Him.
Again within my spirit there is a connection. When I find myself bored – am I pointing to Him or looking to entertain myself. Whatever I do, is it pointing to Him or entertaining me?
A Storm’s Aftermath
There is a period of time after a storm when the refuse stirred up comes floating by. All the trash, the broken wood, the ’stuff” that surrounds us. The sea is filled with debris, rivers are choked with it, the land cries out with the brokenness. So too, with our daily lives, storms leave behind broken pieces that are in need of cleaning up. This period of time has the potential to bury us once more in distress as we relive the storm over and over again and long for ‘how things were’.
Colossians 3:1-13
Col 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new [man] who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave [nor] free, but Christ [is] all and in all. Therefore, as [the] elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also [must do]. Blue Letter Bible. “Colossians 3 – New King James Version.” Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 2 Jul 2009. < http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Col&c=3&t=NKJV >
Do not be enslaved to natural man’s emotions, thoughts, actions. Be set free to the life led by the Spirit – His Spirit leading our spirit – ever in tune with Him. Set our minds above – not below – it raises us above the level of earthly disputes and focuses us on our Father – knowing how to live peacefully with one another, knowing we can live eternally with Him…
Not filled with anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language, all these tear down. But clothed in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, these build up.
When the logs of discord – be they from memory or present – come by you in the stream of life – let them pass…don’t stop them, pull them up on the bank, build a house of pain and disruption, then live in it. Rather, let them go on by, down the stream or out to sea. That will allow you to reach that place where you can “forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Then you can act in the victorious lifestyle of; ”over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” This will allow you to express compassion toward those who have brought you harm, treat them with kindness, remain humble in the Lord for He raises you above the hurt, be gentle in response to harshness, and have patience as you see the Lord work out His will in you and others.
A challenge
Isaiah 6:9 Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving. Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.
I do not want to be in this group – rather the remnant in verse 13 – Holy seed…in the land. I am reminded they did have to suffer through the purge of the ungodly sent by God. But they were kept to reseed the land. How many times over in history has this been necessary in the eyes of God? What do you think, will we be subject to it again?
Making sense of faith
I’ve been immersed in the Word, reading specifically on faith. I’ve listened to others preach on faith and read books on faith. Now I’m trying to put it together so that it makes sense to me. I’ll share this journey with you, comments are welcome. My hope, a part of faith, is it will bring us closer to God. That our relationship with Him will deepen and grow.
Starting with scripture, where else?!??!!!
1. Romans 10:17 So then faith [comes] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him], for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and [that] He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
3. Romans 10:8-10, 13,14 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” [fn] (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
4. Acts 14:7-10 And they were preaching the gospel there. And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. This] man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.
5. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, [fn] for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
6. Acts 8:5-8 Then Philip went down to the [fn] city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.
7. James 5:14,15 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
8. Matthew 8:17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities And bore [our] sicknesses.”
9. 1 Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness–by whose stripes you were healed.
10. Isaiah 53:4,5 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He [was] wounded for our transgressions, [He was] bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace [was] upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
I begin with a definition of what salvation really means. We use the word in religious circles rather loosely at times. For a lot of us it has lost its full meaning. I went to the Hebrew definition for the word used for salvation. Hebrew and Greek words for Salvation= deliverance, safety, preservation, healing, soundness.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto Salvation (deliverance, safety, preservation, healing and soundness) to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
There were signs following the preaching of the Gospel ( message of Salvation):
Acts 8:5-8 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
Christ = gospel, salvation, deliverance, safety, preservation, healing and soundness.
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them; and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.
So preaching salvation allows us to hear the Word. Hearing the word creates faith, faith pleases God, and faith allows His power to manifest. Physical healing is part of the gospel of salvation:
Isaiah 53: 4,5 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He [was] wounded for our transgressions, [He was] bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace [was] upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
James 5:14,15 Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
I note here that salvation includes the whole man. Spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical, all are made whole with salvation. I note that for many around me it is easier to accept wholeness spiritually, usually translated to mean sins are forgiven, eternal life is given and will be spent with an awesome God. For the same, it is difficult to accept that part of salvation that includes the physical. When under attack through disease, we lack faith to believe in healing. We often can’t accept that gift. Some even deny the ‘miracle’ aspect of it saying that was meant for another time. My question is then, has the definition of salvation changed? Why then do we pray?
Storm Stories
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Responses
