Thoughts on Pete’s Message October 3, 2014

Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Ephesians 6 is about the spiritual warfare:  for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and might and dominion, against spiritual wickedness from on high.

Therefore, be strong in The Lord and the power of his might.  Only in Him, we live and move and have our being.  Only by putting on the full armor of God can we stand against the schemes of the devil.  Only by taking up the shield of faith, having our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, putting on the breastplate of righteousness, having our loins girt about with Truth, and taking the sword of the spirit which is the Word of Truth, can we withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand.  Our strength, our defense, and offense is only in Him and the power of his might.

Deceit, deception, lies, slander and accusation are the spiritual weapons of the adversary.  The carnal nature of fallen man is defenseless against such deadly weapons.  However, as sons of God, we can either believe the devil’s lies or the Truth of the Word of God.  Only by putting on the full armor of God can men of God stand against the wiles of the devil in this, the evil day.  Only by taking the shield of believing can we quench the devil’s flaming arrows of accusation and deception.

In 2 Timothy 2, the prayer is that men of God may escape the snares of the devil who holds them captive against their own wills.  The devil captures men by laying a trap and then ensnaring them when they take their eyes off of the prize of the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  When men are distracted, they fall into the devil’s snare.  Opening the door to the devil is through the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, the pride of life, and the deceitfulness of riches.

When the Communists took over Russia, they first had to convince the people that anything is permissible as long as it accomplishes the purposes of Communism.  If done for the “good of the society in the name of equality” then the action is justified…  The lie is that the means always justifies the end.

The world rationalizes the actions sanctioned by the wisdom of this world…  I didn’t mean to do it, the devil made me do it.  Most men can resist anything but temptation.  The devil says, “heaven’s just a sin away.”  He shows the bait, but hides the hook.  He shows you the luscious fruit but hides the worms and the stench of the rotten poison inside.

Contrary to popular opinion, the devil is alive and well on planet earth.  The thief cometh not but for to steal and to kill, and to destroy.  The devil catches men in his snare to the point that they have lost all hope.  However, our hope is in Him alone.  Jesus said “I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Resisting the wiles of the devil is only through the power of God through Jesus Christ.  The battlefield is in the mind.  Our strength rests in Him through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Only when we die to self, can we live in him, through him, and for him.

There is always good news and bad news.  The difference is whether we look at circumstances from God’s heavenly perspective or from the devil’s worldly perspective of defeat and destruction.  According to the Word, all things work together for good to them that love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.  What the devil meant for evil, God meant for good.

Beware, lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit.  The devil will twist your mind to “justify” sin…  to look away from the mark of the high calling.  If you’re not aiming at the mark, you’re sure to miss the mark.  Therefore, turn your eyes upon Jesus…  The solution to sin is the Savior from sin.  Only through Jesus Christ can we resist the devil.

In Ezekiel 33, the people came unto the house of The Lord, listened to the words of the prophet, but did not put them into practice.  However, God has called us to be “professional” Christians.  “Profession,” also translated “confession,” is from the Greek word “homologeo.”  Literally translated from two Greek words, “homo” means “same” and “Logeo” means “word.”  Therefore “homologeo” means “same word.”  A professional is one who speaks the same word:  one who makes God’s word his word.  A professional is a disciplined follower, trained to speak his master’s word and to practice following his master’s will.  A professional is trained in his discipline and is a practitioner of his discipline.  When we confess or profess with our mouth The Lord Jesus Christ, we’re professional Christians.  Therefore, be ye doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving your own selves. God has called us to be disciplined followers of Jesus Christ.  A disciple is a professional Christian, called to both deliver the message and to live the message…  to be the message.  God did not call us to be Christian professionals, rather he called us to be professional Christians.

In the midst of the spiritual battle, Jesus says, “come unto me all ye who are weak and heavy laden and I will give you rest.”  He said, “my peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth give I unto you, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Despite the battle that rages around us, thanks be unto God who always causes us to triumph in Christ and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place…

Go ye therefore teach all nations:  proclaim the word, practice the word, live the word and in so doing…  Give ’em heaven!

Your brother in Christ,

Michael