Spiritual Warfare

Timely Inspiration: The Fight of Your Life — from the PCAF National Men’s Retreat


I do not fight like a boxer who hits nothing but air.
(I Cor. 9:26)

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The following is this author’s take-away and thoughts from the PCAF National Kingsmen Retreat, held last week in Wisconsin:

You are fighting a real opponent! It doesn’t matter if you are a teen or an adult! (In a sense, the battle starts in the womb and continues on until we become old and breathe our last breath!) Your opponent cares nothing about the fact that you may be weak, female, or elderly. Satan’s powers at work fight to destroy impoverished people as well as the rich. No one is exempt from fighting. If we don’t fight we become defeated! But, so many people are ill-prepared for spiritual war (Eph. 6:11-18)! They haven’t learned how to fight spiritually. They don’t have a working knowledge of the scriptures and they don’t have an intimate relationship with the Lord. Millions who do not pray are left defenseless! So many have not exercised themselves in spiritual warfare, and as a result, they are left vulnerable to an enemy who fights to destroy families, kill dreams, and suggests defeat, as well as suicide as a way of an escape.

We can use the apostle Paul as an example of overcoming and fighting until the end. Here are his words: “I have fought a good fight…I have kept the faith” (II Tim. 4:7).

The scriptures below can be used for spiritual warfare:

  1. “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
  2. “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
  3. “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” 1 Pet. 5:8-9
  4. “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord.” Is. 54:17
  5. “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Eph. 6:11-17
  6. “In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Rom. 8:37
  7. So be careful. When you think you are standing firm, you might fall. You are tempted in the same way all other human beings are. God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted any more than you can take. But when you are tempted, God will give you a way out. Then you will be able to deal with it. I Cor. 10:12-13
  8. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 15:57
  9. “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thess. 3:3
  10. “Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom. 12:21
  11. “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Tim. 6:12
  12. “,,,On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matt. 16:18
  13. “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Is. 40:31
  14. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” Rom. 8:31
  15. “You are tempted in the same way all other human beings are. God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted any more than you can take. But when you are tempted, God will give you a way out. Then you will be able to deal with it. I Cor. 10:13.

 

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Short Inspirations from the Scriptures: “Forgive Us Of Our Trespasses!”


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“Forgive us for doing wrong, as we forgive others.”
(Matthew 6:12 – CEV)

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Afterwards, David’s conscience bothered him
because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.
(I Samuel 24:5 – ISV version)

 

TRESPASSING CHRISTIANS WHO OFFEND
It is impossible for us to go through life without (in some way) offending someone. We can certainly have good motives and well-meaning intentions, but people can misread our motives and intentions and, as a result, become offended by us. We can overstep boundaries with people and either intentionally or unintentionally intrude into areas of their conscience that God deems unlawful (I Cor. 8:11-12, Rom. 14:1-3).

For the most part, Christians are not to intentionally trespass or violate another’s conscience, whether they are saved or unsaved. There certainly are exceptions to this rule. For example, Christians are to uphold biblical standards. The world opposes those biblical standards. So…there will always be opposition, directly or indirectly, between Christians adhering to their beliefs, and many non-Christians, who are often offended by Christians’ beliefs and their standards.

DAVID’S OFFENSE
David, the mighty warrior, during God’s acceptable time in history, slew thousands of His enemies. David certainly was an offense to those who opposed the nation of Israel! He seemed untouched by all the bloodshed because he fought under the banner of the Lord. And yet… It seemed to have affected David to his core that he had cut the garment of the sleeping king Saul (I Samuel 24:4). (This was a king who, in every way, tried to murder David.) It also seemed, at least to David’s men, that Saul deserved to die by the hand of David (vs. 4). What could be emphasized here is that “DAVID’S HEART SMOTE HIM” (vs. 5). Other translations state: “the CONSCIENCE of David was greatly affected” after his “garment trespass” and nearly going all the way by “touching the Lord’s anointed!” (vs. 6; I Samuel 26:8-9).

LISTEN TO CONSCIENCE
Sometimes we have to listen to our conscience when others are affected by something we have said or done…not always for our sake or for something we’ve done wrong, but because they were offended (I Cor. 10:27-29). Then there are times we come to realize we have trespassed against someone due to our negligence or insensitivity toward them. Whatever the case, let us pray daily that the Lord will forgive us of our sins against others, knowing what it is like when others have trespassed against us in so many ways, as well.

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Mind Games!


Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on thee,
because he trusteth in thee.
(Is. 26:3)

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Ever heard of ‘mind games’? It is a treacherous game where the victims struggle and strategize to become the winner. When confronted…the players of the game battle for supreme dominance over their opponents. The object of the game is to stay on top. In desperation, each player struggles to “stay afloat”…similar to someone being rescued who can’t swim. They would push down and attempt to drown their rescuers  to save their own lives. Just like a drowning swimmer…people who play mind games are really not in control (II Tim. 3:13)!

Mind games can be one of the longest games ever played. There are no rules or boundaries! Sometimes the players are subtle and at other times mind games can be fierce and highly competitive. The games are cruel and really, in the end, nobody wins!

According to the Bible, Christians are to stay far from playing mind games (Gal. 5:15). If you choose to play you can easily become a pawn to the master strategist himself! It’s really his game — his turf. He plays it so well and would teach anyone who’s interested how to play to their own detriment! Don’t play mind games!

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix
your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and
pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that
are excellent and worthy of praise.

(Philippians 4:8 NLT)

 

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Short Inspiration from the Scriptures: Ministers!


Ministers

(And the King shall answer and say unto them,
Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have
done it unto one of the least of these my
brethren ye have done it unto me.)
– Matthew 25:40 –

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There are deep longings and unanswered questions that settle in the hearts of masses of people. They look for ways out and would confide in anyone who is trustworthy and able to help them. In countless ways — ministers run to their rescue — they are in place and the world has been touched by these servants of God! The Lord has fashioned some ministers to help reach into the very core of hurting, yet seeking-people (Prov. 20:5; I Cor. 14:24-25). They have gone through experiences that qualify them to be used by God to minister on great levels, as well (II Timothy 2:20-21). Ministers minister in every way imaginable to lonely and despondent people. They are doing a great work for Christ by their shear masses. All across the globe, ministers for Christ have been strategically placed in areas of spiritual leadership, and yet, they have servant hearts (Matt. 25:34-40). Even with all the ministry that takes place, everywhere people are still waiting for these true representatives of Christ to come forth. In comparison, the harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Thousands are ready for spiritual awakening and ministers will lead that cause…for, how shall they hear without a preacher? People must be led into a loving relationship with Christ! Are you that minister? If so…God has given you the power to make a difference and change lives!

Let’s be about our Father’s business!

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Short Inspiration from the Scriptures: Give Up on God?


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(And Jesus said unto him, No man, having
put his hand to the plough, and looking
back, is fit for the kingdom of God.)
Luke 9:62

Many who read this article have experienced God in very real and life-changing ways. We look back on salvation and recall the powers of darkness at work to divert our attention from the glorious message of the gospel! They tried to blind our minds from the deliverance we were being introduced to in Jesus Christ! As we heard the gospel and believed on Him, chains began to break. We were no longer held captive by the dark prince of the power of the air! We now have freedom and experience a newness of life. God truly is our personal Savior! Many of us sense His abiding presence. He has made Himself known to us time and time again. We have experienced the power of God on many levels over the years. God is with us!

Give Up on God? What Will You Do?

As we walk with God, we sense an ever hostile world. Our nation is in unrest. War and violence has increased. Many have no love for God or anyone who represents Him. False Christians and their foundations are beginning to crumble. These are also proving grounds for those who belong to Christ. Times like these have surfaced before across the lines of history. But, we now find ourselves in perilous times like those in the past! The old quote from Thomas Paine states: “these are times which try men’s souls.” Souls are being tried in the household of faith. How about you? What will you and your house do? Serve the Lord? Remember…you have tasted and seen that He is good! You have put your hand on the plough. There should be no turning back. If you turn back what are you going back to? Whatever it is…the one who turns back is not fit for the kingdom of God! Are you lonely? Have fellowship with God. Are you perplexed? Wait on God and give Him the glory. Are you fearful? Trust God and don’t turn back!

(Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also
go away? Then Simon Peter answered him,
Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast
the words of eternal life.”)
St. John 6:68

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