Spiritual Warfare, Part 6

The Gospel (the Bible) builds a foundation of reality that enables you to have peace in your soul as you live in a fallen world, face death, and stand against the devil’s schemes. Why? Because the weapons we wield have supernatural power to demolish strongholds, myths, and lies, and to protect your body and soul!

The Gospel of Peace

God wrote the Bible through His Holy Spirit communicating to godly men in their mind. He “knit you together in your mother’s womb.” He Loves you, and “it is impossible for Him to lie.” Therefore, rest assured He knows exactly what you need to have peace in your soul!

“I read the Bible like I do every other book, like it means just what it says. When I was finished, I recognized it as the truth.”
Francis Schaeffer, American theologian and philosopher

Please consider that the Great Commission is an imperative, not a recommendation. It is a calling for Christians to help build the Kingdom of God on earth by making disciples. It doesn’t matter whether you work for a for-profit or non-profit organization, or no organization.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
Matthew 28:18-20

The Holy Spirit will give you the words to say at the moment when you need them.
Luke 12:12

Satan is very intentional about dissuading you from Christ’s mission because it brings life, peace, and power to others. Therefore, I recommend that you understand the enemy and his schemes.

It is wise to learn how to defend yourself against Satan because he will make every effort to make your life miserable or reward you for not helping Christ. The Gospel of Peace will give you and your disciples the insights to remain peaceful when facing the enemy’s attacks.

Fitting Your Feet with The Gospel of Peace

Because of this spiritual war, Apostle Paul instructs us to fit our feet with the Gospel of Peace so that Satan cannot derail us from being effective in building the Kingdom of God on earth. Protecting your feet is crucial to your health and comfort in battle. If you can’t move around confidently, you leave yourself vulnerable to an agile enemy.

“A shoeless soldier could run into real trouble in the heat of battle. Unless he is fighting on AstroTurf, he is going to encounter some debris. This can cause serious pain to a bare feet—and the last thing you want to deal with in the middle of a fight is worrying about where you can step. Just as shoes allow us to walk on otherwise painful terrain without fear, so too the preparation of the Gospel of Peace allows us to traverse the otherwise painful trials and tribulations of life without fear, knowing that what awaits is greater than anything we could possibly suffer in this world.” [freebiblestudyguides.org]

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Romans 8:18

The more you obey the Great Commission and the Great Commandment, “Love each other as I have loved you (John 15:12),” the more Satan will try to create chaos in your mind, your emotions and your relationships. Pastor Parker says that Satan’s “chief objective is to knock us down, while our primary goal is to remain standing.”

As we switch from defense to offense by taking the Gospel into the marketplace, we must have a good foundation to stand on in order to work in the power and authority of Christ while enduring the enemy’s onslaught. Knowing that God is with us and has provided a way for us to be at peace with Him – through Jesus – we can experience that peace and face whatever the enemy may hurl our way.

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.“
Romans 5:1

Battles and Struggles in This Life

When you share the Gospel of Peace with others and they accept Christ as Savior and Lord, you are putting on Gospel shoes, which make you special in the Kingdom of God. “How beautiful…are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace (Isaiah 52:7)!” You bring true peace into the life of another person by inviting them into God’s family and introducing them to Kingdom citizenship.

As you recall, Christians are engaged in three struggles in this life: the Sinful Nature (sin living in you); the devil (Satan); and the World. The war with Satan and the Sinful Nature have been discussed already, so let’s examine our struggle with the world.

The World and its Temptations and Tribulations

Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary has this to say about the trials we face in the world: “The Bible warns against philosophies whose highest realities and concerns are atoms, energy, cosmic laws, or humanity – those founded on the elemental spiritual forces of this world, rather than on Christ (Colossians 2:8).”

Christians ought to beware that their minds are not taken captive by such philosophies as secular humanism, communist materialism, and capitalist materialism. These philosophies are best fought with spiritual weapons. “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).”

Christian wisdom appears to be foolishness to the people of the world (1 Corinthians 1:18). But God is wiser than the philosophy of this age, which comes to nothing (1 Corinthians 1:25; 2:6).

Christians speak the wisdom of God(1 Corinthians 2:7 NKJV), which is revealed through His Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10) and received by His Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:12-14). Christians have the highest and most complete wisdom in Christ (Ephesians 1:17).

“Satan’s influence in worldly affairs is also clearly revealed (John 12:31). His various titles reflect his control of the world system: the prince of this world (John 12:31), the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4), and the ruler of the kingdom of the air (Ephesians 2:2). The Bible declares, “The whole world is under the control of the evil one (1 John 5:19).” It’s crucial to fight him by putting on the full armor of God rather than the weapons of the world.

Since the world operates under belief systems that are a mixture of God’s truth, Satan’s lies, and man’s philosophies, the children of God – those who stand on God’s truth alone – do not fit into this world any better than Christ did. So you can expect to encounter tribulation while living in Satan’s domain.

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed My teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of My name, for they do not know the One Who sent Me.”
John 15:18-21

You can obtain wisdom and peace amid all tribulation by “keeping your eyes on Jesus” and His power (something my earthly father taught me). Christ said, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Additionally, God’s prophet Isaiah assures us, “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You(Isaiah 26:3 NKJV).”

Satan’s Power vs. God’s Power

We must know our enemy and his schemes! As an archangel, Satan had significant power, more than any other angel. Despite his fall from grace, he is still powerful enough that Michael the archangel viewed him as a foe too powerful to oppose directly (Jude 9). Satan exercises that power through demons – his agents of evil (Matthew 12:24, 25:41). He is also highly intelligent, as evidenced by his deception of Adam and Eve so he could gain authority over this world (Genesis 3:1-7). Yet, Satan does not possess unlimited power.

He is still subject to God’s power and restrictions on his activities (Job 1:7-12).

Even though Satan has power and intelligence, you can overcome him and have peace in your heart and mind. “After all, the One Who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4).” “‘Does Job fear God for nothing?’ Satan replied. ‘Have You not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land’ (Job 1:9-10).” No matter what you face, God is always enough!

Ironically, putting the Gospel of Peace on our feet is an offensive tactic as well as a defensive one. Romans 16:20 says, “The God of Peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” Peace not only becomes our protection, but a weapon against the enemy!

Suffering and Trials A Tale of Two Partnerships

Partnerships, as beneficial as they are, can bring a lot of stress, temptations, and testing into your life.

Years ago I was working with a partnership of two Christian men who had built a very successful business over about fifteen years. The economy went into a downturn and business fell off significantly, putting a lot of financial pressure on the two owners. They became very angry and self-seeking, focusing on the worst in each other. I advised them to see past the current circumstances, put their trust in Christ’s teachings, and focus on working together to get through the downturn. I suggested they see an industrial psychologist who specialized in conflict resolution. Filled with anger, one of the partners refused to cooperate with any suggestions or recommendations. It was “his way or the highway.” He bought the other partner out (on his terms) and the company failed. Satan won that battle.

A few years later, I was working with another partnership comprised of two Christian men who had also built a successful business over about twenty years. One of the partners became burned out and was not carrying his weight. As a result, the other one became frustrated and angry. Their two objectives became divided. However, they were both committed to following Christ’s teaching and they began to pray about the situation and seek business and spiritual counsel. They hired the industrial psychologist specializing in conflict resolution. The owner who was burned out hired a personal psychologist to help him through his burnout. The burned out partner recovered, the other partner was patient, and together they made some compromises. By putting their trust in God, advisors, and each other, they restored their relationship and built their company into a top industry leader. Satan lost.

The Gospel of Peace Lightens Our Suffering!

People have sufficient suffering, trials, and tribulations to make their lives turbulent, stressful, and painful. So what is the solution?

Suffering equips us to be a comfort to others who are suffering (2 Corinthians 1:3-6). Suffering also helps us to identify with Christ and brings us into a closer bond with Him (Philippians 3:10).

No one likes suffering or going through trials. But if you trust in God’s ways, you will like the outcome!

Submit to God and be at peace with Him; in this way prosperity will come to you (Job 22:21).
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones (Proverbs 14:30).
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering” (Mark 5:34).

God’s children are called to broadcast the good news of God’s Kingdom. Putting on our gospel shoes of peace, we are prepared to walk as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6) and spread the Gospel of Peace to others.

“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? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things’!”
Romans 10:14-15 NKJV

When Satan attacks your mind, when your job is filled with stress, when relationships are stressed, when the world hates you, and when you feel you are losing the battle with life, Satan, or your sinful nature, stand firm (trust and believe in the Word of God – the Gospel of Peace). You will have peace in the midst of suffering, trials, and tribulation as you live through your sanctification process.

When you choose to believe the Gospel of Peace, you are putting on your Gospel shoes and you will have peace. Why?

You no longer doubt God’s love (Romans 8:38-39).
You obey God (John 15:9-17).
You have a complete understanding (Colossians 2:2-3).
You no longer fear death (Romans 8:38-39).
You have victory over Satan (Revelation 12:10-11).
You understand how to have victory over your sinful nature (Romans 8:1-17).
You no longer fear God’s judgment or hell (1 John 5:13).
You no longer have to fear man or the forces of darkness (Romans 8:28-31 and Psalm 56:11).
You no longer fear that your life counts for nothing (1 Corinthians 15:58).
You participate in God’s divine nature (2 Peter 1:3-4).
You will have sincere love for others (1 Peter 1:22).
You will experience the abundant (full) life (John 10:10).
You know deep in your heart who you are – a child of God, the Father Almighty (1 John 3:1)!

Stand Firm After Putting on Your Gospel Shoes!

When Satan fills your heart with fear and doubt, hold firm to the Gospel of Peace. “Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain (1 Corinthians 15:1-2).”

The following will help you stand firm:

Remember to rely on God’s power, not your own. “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s (2 Chronicles 20:15b).”

Trust God’s sanctification process. “For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin — because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him (Romans 6:6-8).”

Rely on Christ living in you. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body (of sin), I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law (works), Christ died for nothing (Galatians 2:20-21)!”

If you belong to Christ, You are a child of the Almighty God. He is with you!

The Key to Overcoming Satan

“IT IS WRITTEN”

Jesus Christ, King of God’s Kingdom

After over 40 years of business consulting, I can most assuredly tell you that people will not do something they believe is impossible!

Satan is counting on that and he will do anything to make you believe God doesn’t exist and His teaching and promises are not true.

So it is imperative to make a decision to believe Christ’s teachings. Even if you don’t understand them or don’t feel like it! Understand will come as you hold to (follow) his teaching throughout your life. It comes from applying the truth, not just knowing it!!

Satan’s core strategy, He will work on your mind with his lies, masquating as an angel of light and persuading you to believe that achieving Christ’s teachings is impossible, or a waste if tune. Believing Satan leads to a decline in the renewing of your mind, your obedience, and your Spiritual transformation – resulting in limiting God’s blessing in your life. Or worse, rejecting Christ, disqualifying you from the gift of eternal life in Paradise!!!

When Satan tempts you, hit him with “It Is Written” and quote Scripture!