"Be strong in the LORD and in His mighty power. Put on the full armour 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" Ephesians 6 10-12.
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" Galatians 5:1.
As Christians, we have an enemy. Lucifer / satan / devil ; a fallen angel created by God and for the time being allowed a measure of power. (Isaiah 54:16, Job 1, Revelation 10:12) His end is certain but the trouble meanwhile / destruction can be a problem:
- father of lies - decieving, misleading John 8:44
- evil one - stealing Matthew 5:37
- murderer - destroying John 8:44
- accuser of brethren - slandering Revelation 12:10
- anti - christ
We must be careful who/what we associate with. Bad company corrupts good character. (1 Corinthians 15:33) Relational bonds can bring us evil and tie us in to ungodliness (manipulation, intimidation, control). Ephesians 5:11, Titus 3:10. We need God's weapons so that we can tear down satan's strongholds and remain true to Christ - avoiding temptation and the snares of the enemy. Proverbs 6:2, 22 24-25.
"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up aginst the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience.." 2Corinthians 10:4
"They triumphed over him by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much so as to shrink from death"
Revelation 12:11
Review: previous pages on freeing captives, releasing from darkness, binding up brokenhearted...
Act: ..."submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you" James 4:7
Pray:
Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet, and let them be,
Swift and beautiful for thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold:
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Ev'ry pow'r as thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be a royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, All for Thee.
(Frances R. Havergal. 1874)
Psalm 91:11 "He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.."
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