The Believer's Warfare
D. Kelson





There has ever been a constant battle between two opposing forces, the one contending for the TRUTH and the other for the LIE.

Eph 6:12 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.

There are two goals that Satan desires most of all. One of his desires is to be worshipped and the other is to blind the eyes of men which destroys the purposes of God for mankind. For God would want all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim.2:4). This can only be done by believing in His finished work on the cross.

Know thy Enemy - Satan's First Attack

Genesis 3 gives us a good example of how Satan operates. He not only causes DOUBT in the mind of Eve when the Serpent asked her " Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden"?
But also convinced her into believing that God didn't really mean it when He said "Thou shalt SURELY die". Satan then proceeds to add his own words to totally contradict what God had told her with "Thou shalt NOT surely die, (v.5) For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."
When Eve believed Satan's lie it caused DISASTROUS effects, which brought death and sin into the world.

What are the ramifications of believing what Eve had been told by Satan? To believe such a lie is to believe that we can be independent of God in life or in death. To believe the lie is to also disbelieve in the work of Christ on the cross. He died so that we might have life and those that believe in Him will follow Him in resurrection on the day he calls them to their eternal home.  We have no life of our own as an "immortal soul". We cannot release ourselves from the powerful grip of death. Christ alone has the power to release us from the grave (Phil.3:10,11). Why would we need Christ's resurrection power if we already possess this power within ourselves?
Think about it.

REFUSING INSTRUCTION

2 Tim 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
2 Tim 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Here is another example of how Satan works. Notice that the devil had captured them, not by their immorality or carnality, but by their refusal of instruction that would have given them repentance to the acknowledging of the TRUTH. It has always been Satan's greatest desire for man to turn away from the Truth, to believe in fables and lies, and to believe that we can have never-ending life within ourselves. He would have us to be confused about the Word and about our calling and walk in Christ. Pride can get in the way of repentance, but the Lord gives grace to the humble and resists the proud (1 Pet.5:5). Therefore we must always welcome instruction and correction from the Lord.

Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Be No More Children

Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Children really don't know any better when it comes to beliefs. They tend to believe about anyone or anything, even in fables if it sounds good to them. The Corinthian church is a good example of how carnally minded children behave. They could only stomach a little milk of the Word with only a few doctrines (1 Cor.3). Because of their carnality, they were not equipped to go on to perfection because they were walking in the old carnal nature and not the new. In order to walk in the new nature, the new believer must be fed with the pure milk of the Word of God.

1 Pet 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Tim 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Growth can only occur by feeding on the Word of God. When we grow from milk to strong meat, then we are fully equipped to discern what is the truth and what is a lie.

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