Going Forward in Chaos, Part 7
Every Person on Earth is in this War
The Forces of Light vs The Forces of Darkness
A WHITE PAPER
Critical Success Factors for Having Life “to the Full” on Earth and Life Everlasting
“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.”
Colossians 2:2-4
The Bible says human beings live in captivity to the sin nature and Satan’s lies and schemes. But, we are to overcome them.
HOW TO BE AN OVERCOMER
What You Need to Know About Satan and His Schemes
- Jesus said Satan “comes only to steal and kill and destroy” your life on earth and your chance for life everlasting.
- Satan is real and communicates with you in your mind (so does Christ. Read John chapter 10).
- Satan has strategies to keep you from God, Jesus, the abundant life and heaven.
- Satan manipulates “the flesh” to keep you living in the old sin nature instead of the new sinless nature.
- Satan is a liar and father of lies (teaches people to lie).
- Satan is an accuser, making you feel like you are failing in your life & spiritual growth.
- You have Spiritual weapons with supernatural power to defeat Satan.
When developing a Strategic Business Plan, it is imperative to start by defining the Critical Success Factors (CSF) that have caused the success, or develop those needed to make it highly successful. Then, develop strategies and tactical plans to accomplish and sustain the CSF.
The same is true in your natural and spiritual life. God has actually establish the CSF you need to obtain an abundant life on earth and eternal life with him. That includes overcoming the sin nature and the forces of darkness and their schemes (strategies) to derail you. Yes, Satan has strategies just for you.
Following are Critical Success Factors to be an overcomer in this life and the spiritual war. If you have not read Parts I – VI, I recommend you read the Articles at CCBAlliance.org >Resources > Blog.
This White Paper will give you a Big Picture to understanding how what you hear at church and read in the Bible fit together to give you a full life on earth and eternal life when you die.
What You Need to Know About Growing in Spiritual Maturity & Blessings
PART VII – SERIES FINAL
CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS! THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD
Supernatural Power For Life on Earth
CSF #1:
BELIEVE IN GOD!
“GOD IS LOVE”
“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”
King David, Psalm 14:1
If you want documentation concerning God’s reality, read The Case for God and The Case for Miracles, by Best Selling Author Lee Strobel.
“What may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:19-20 NIV
In Part I of these articles, I summarized the scientific proof there is a “higher intelligent power,” God, that created the universe.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV
Action Plan: Believe in God. Do whatever it takes to get there, including reading the Bible, starting with the New Testament and the books above if you have doubts. There is nothing more important in this life!
CSF #2:
OBEY GOD!
WHY?
This theme is throughout the entire Bible!
“All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God…” Deuteronomy 28:2 “However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you:” Deuteronomy 28:15
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 King Solomon.
‘…Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”
John 8:31-32
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
John 15:7-12
“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 observe everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
Matthew 28:18-20
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.”
Revelation 22:14
Action Plan: Make a decision to obey God, the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, King of God’s Kingdom. Understanding of His ways and blessings will come later.
CSF #3:
SEEK REAL CHRISTIANITY!
“THE MYSTERY THAT IS CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY”
Colossians 1:27
The Bible is reality not a religion. Going to church and learning a lot about the Bible, God and Jesus doesn’t help you overcome the sin nature and the forces of evil. It doesn’t provide you with a full life or eternal life. One must believe it and apply it by following it’s teaching and commands.
Who then can be saved? “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27 NKJV
“He [Christ] was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:10-14 NIV
“Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.’” John 3:3 NIV
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” John 14:6 NIV
Action Plan: Unless you are “born again” by believing in Christ and receiving Him into your life. Belief in Christ is demonstrated when you “Hold to His teaching” and learn to walk in them through God’s Spirit daily. Keep reading to understand more.
CSF #4:
RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST INTO YOUR LIFE AS SAVIOR, AND LORD!
You may hear many arguments attempting to make a case against the reality of God and Christ and their teaching that may appear true. But they are lies from the enemy, Satan. You are to “take captive” such thoughts (dismiss them as lies) and trust Their teaching. God and Christ are real and Their teaching is truth and life. God loves you so much that by His grace and mercy, He gave Christ, His only begotten Son, as a gift to lead people out of confusion, and to die, thereby paying the penalty for all humans sins, including you! “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23. NIV
The Bible says you can’t earn your way to Heaven by being good or doing good works. Salvation from our sins, the old nature and Satan’s schemes, are a gift from God. That gift is not just forgiveness for your sins, it is also a gift of freedom from your old sinful nature and power to to defeat Satan and his forces of darkness!
What you are instructed to do is receive the gift by believing in Christ and receiving Him into your life as your Savior and Lord. By doing this you receive the right to become a child of God, born not of by a human decision, but born anew spiritually by God himself. See John, Chapter 1
As such, you become a member of God’s family and you live in a new nature on earth and with Him in Heaven for eternity. And that, dear fellow human, is a big deal. A very big deal!!!
Jesus Christ Came to earth as an undercover boss, so to speak, to understand what it’s like to be human, to teach us and pay the penalty for our sins (wrongdoing). In doing so, He set us free! This CSF will focus on being set free from the bondage of the Sin Nature. I will focus on salvation from Satan and his schemes below in The Sword of the Spirit.
Christ died for our sins to set us free from sin “living in” our bodies before we are born again, to provide a path to an abundant (full) life on earth, and to give us eternal life. “Sin” here is a noun, not a verb, something living in your body. Sin is passed from generation to generation and resulted in a dysfunctional humanity and a world population influenced by Satan and his forces of darkness.
Christ, as the righteous One, died on behalf of the unrighteous, so that He may open a new and living way for us to enter into and enjoy God. Christ came as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world. He died on the cross as the Lamb of God to deal with sin in our nature and sins in our conduct.
The Sin Nature (Sin that lives in you as a result of the fall of mankind). See CSF #2 above. Only Christ can set you free from the sin nature and keep you free if y0u keep your eyes on Him, trust Him – daily.
Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now, a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
John 8:31-35 NIV
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
John 1:12-13 NIV
Some may be asking, “how do I receive Christ into my life?” You can easily do it by praying. Follow this example. Begin by being honest with Jesus Christ and pray about what’s troubling your heart. Admit to Him that you have sinned against God and His law (the ten commandments). Thank Him for dying on the cross as payment for your sins and invite Him into your life as your Savior. Receive him as the Lord of your life. Ask him to direct your steps and to give you guidance, wisdom, and knowledge. Pray about anything else that is on your mind. Then read the Bible, asking Him and the Holy Spirit to guide you to the truth. If you have not already done so, start with reading the New Testament. Then follow His teaching.
When you do this, you are born again, into God’s family and you receive a new sinless nature from God – made in His likeness. To be effective, you need to choose to live in the new nature (the new self) daily. This is another “big deal!” There is more about this in CSF #8
“…be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Ephesians 4:23-24
Action Plan: Pray (talk) to Christ and thank Him for dying for your sins. Invite and receive Christ into your life as Savior, setting you free from the sin Nature. Ask Him to help you live in the new nature by choosing to live in it daily. Satan will tell you, in you mind, or through others, that you don’t need this or it doesn’t work. Don’t believe him or them!
CSF #5:
HAVE FAITH THE SIZE OF A MUSTARD SEED!
“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Galatians 3:29
Christ said it only takes faith in God the size of a mustard seed to move a mountain. Why? Because, it is not about how big your faith is! It’s about how BIG God’s power is and asking Him for help! Then simply trusting Him to be with you and help you in life with His power. After all, God and Christ created the universe.
“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’”
Matthew 19:26 NIV
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country…
Hebrews 11:1-3,6,8-9 NIV
The Anchor for Your Soul is God and His promise to Abraham to bless his descendants. Those who believe in Christ are spiritually born again into God’s family. As such become descendants of Abraham and heirs of the promise that God would bless Abraham and his descendants! And, that they, would be a blessing to the nations (people groups – any people group).
Action Plan: Practice your faith in Christ. How do you do that? Obey Him like Abraham did. And use your blessings to bless others.
CSF #6:
THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE!
Jesus Christ came to bear witness to the truth and set you free. In short, he came to define reality and create order out of confusion.
In Strong’s Concordance, the meaning of alétheia (truth) is summarized: “In ancient Greek culture, 225 (alḗtheia) was synonymous for “reality” as the opposite of illusion, i.e. fact.” Christ came to define reality and the Bible instructs us to renew our minds with truth (reality).
The Belt of the Armor plays a very important role. It holds the sword of the soldier and much of the rest of the armor together. It represents reality, truth you can believe in, put your trust in, live your life by and make your decisions by. God has defined reality for us to live life by in the Holy Bible. I highly suggest your read it.
To put on the Belt of Truth, it is imperative you read the Bible to effectively understand the rest of the armor and be able to use truth to fight off Satan and his schemes. If you use a red letter Bible, it will have everything Jesus said in red. Pay very close attention to what Christ said!
Ask the Holy Spirit, the “Spirit of Truth,” to counsel and guide you to the truth! To help you, Christ has sent the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth to guide and teach us the truth (reality). He will confirm in your spirit what the truth is. Ask him for help and be persistent. Be patient. Sometimes it takes a while. I can testify that He will do it!
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine.”
John 16:13-15 NIV
When I asked Christ what the truth is, He told me, I would not find the whole truth from any one church or denomination. He told me to look horizontally, not vertically, and to primarily read the Bible and test everything else related to what the Bible says. It is “the word of God.”
Action Plan: Read the Bible, asking Christ and ask the “Spirit of truth” to guide you to and teach you “the truth.” Start with the New Testament. As you learn the truth (reality) and apply it, Christ will set you free and keep you free as you apply it daily!
Then read the the Old Testament, It has a lot of history and wisdom. It also contains stories of God’s power that are true. And it has examples of what happens to people who obey God and those who don’t obey Him.
CSF #7:
KNOWING & UNDERSTAND WHO YOU REALLY ARE IS IMPERATIVE!
To be an effective Christian, you must know and understand who you are in Christ!
At the very moment you invite Christ into your life, five very significant changes happen. And they are all, as I have said, to put it in the vernacular, a big deal! A very big deal!!!
- You are born into God’s family and you become one of His children! He is your Father in Heaven, a very powerful Father who created the universe with and through Christ. You will spend eternity with them in Heaven.
- Christ enters your life and dwells in you through God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth. The same Spirit God used to raise Christ from the dead! All Authority in heaven & on earth has been given to Him.
- Your old sinful nature dies on the cross with Jesus, and you receive a new nature, made in the image of God. Your new nature has no “sin” living in it! You can choose to live in it daily! Therefor, you have no excuses for for not trying to grow up Spiritually.
- You become a descendant of Abraham and an heir of the promise God made to bless him and his descendants! Read the Blessings in Deuteronomy and pay close attention to Chapters 28 and 29, they apply to your life.
- You have access to powerful spiritual weapons to grow to maturity and defeat Satan and his forces of darkness! You will need them because Satan is at war with Christ (which includes His Body on earth which you are part of). Don’t worry, it is simple to use the spiritual weapons. Keep reading.
Action Plan: Every time you look in mirror, remember who you are in Christ! And the next time you look at the stars, remember the power of your Father in heaven and Christ. They created it.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
CSF #8:
SET YOUR MIND ON LIVING IN THE NEW NATURE WITH WHAT THE SPIRIT DESIRES!
Righteousness is the quality of being right in the eyes of God, living and succeeding His way. To accomplish that you need to: 1) Be righteous and 2) Live righteously. God has provided a way to accomplish both.
You don’t have to live like you are captive to the weaknesses of sinful nature, Satan schemes or the world’s values. When you invite Christ into your life, you receive(d) that “new nature.” As such, you become a “new creation in Christ.”
However, it is important to learn how to live in the new nature and stop being controlled by the habits of the old sinful nature. And, allow Christ to be your Lord and live in you, applying his teaching, you grow in maturity. Included in this process is learning how to respond to Satan and his schemes to derail you, which enables you to overcome him.
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20 NIV
“IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS is a free gift from Christ to those who receive Him into their life as Savior and Lord, asking forgiveness for their sins and accepting God’s free gift of Christ’s righteousness. This righteousness is accredited to them through His death on the cross where He paid the penalty for your sins. As a result of this gift, His righteousness is imputed to you and you are righteous in God’s eyes.
Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness (Romans 4:4-5). This is a singular event in your life and it NEVER changes. Once you become a child of God, the penalty for your sins (past, present and future) is paid for and you are made righteous in God’s eyes.” Bob Benson, Stand Firm With God’s Power in Business
“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.”
Romans 6:11-12 NIV
“IMPARTED RIGHTEOUSNESS is a process referred to as sanctification. Learning how to live in your new nature and keep the old “body of sin” dead. This is a process accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit living in you and the “renewing of your mind” (see Romans 12:1-2). As you walk in the Spirit and by the truth, Christ’s righteousness is imparted to you. In other words, you are taught how to live righteously every day of your life through the power of Christ inside you! This is a continuous process that enables you to live more and more like Christ daily.” Bob Benson, Stand Firm With God’s Power in Business
“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”
Romans 8:5-6 NIV
Jesus Christ came to provide you with a New Nature.
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self [old nature], which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self [the new nature], created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Ephesians 4:20-24 NIV
Action Plan: Trusting Christ, practice putting on the new nature daily until it becomes a natural part of you. Set your mind on what the Spirit desires and on seeking first the Kingdom of God and HIs righteousness.
CSF #9:
READ THE BIBLE AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
All Scripture is designed to bring peace into your life knowing that no matter what is happening in your life, your ultimate future is safe. God and Christ love you and while on earth they are “with you” using Their supernatural power, authority, and wisdom to help you succeed and protect you as you obey them and follow their teaching.
“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
John 15: 5-12 NIV
Action Plan: Read through the entire Bible at least once and then on a regular bases as Christ directs you. “All the treasures of knowledge and wisdom are hidden in Him,” see Colossians 2.
Start with the New Testament. Then read the the Old Testament, It has a lot of history and wisdom. It also contains stories of God’s power that are true. And it has examples of what happens to people who obey God and those who don’t obey Him.
Love each other and Look back in your life for ways God and Christ have been faithful to you. Practice meditating on His promises and the truth when you are not at peace.
CSF #10:
LEARN TO OVERCOME SATAN AND HIS SCHEMES!
The Sword of the Spirit is Scripture, the word of God.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12 NIV
The influence of Satan and his forces of evil are not to be underestimated. They are masters at mixing truth and lies to lead you astray and preying on your weaknesses. Read my comment near the end of this article and Ephesians 6:10-18. “He that is in your is greater than he that is in the world.”
“The one who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”
1 John 3:8 NIV
At one time in my life I am convinced I viewed Satan as a character in a story book. That was naive and a major mistake.
If you think Satan doesn’t have any affect on your life, you are already in bondage to his lies and schemes. He is very crafty with a custom strategy for each person. For example, if you are doing little or nothing for the Lord, Satan will leave you alone because you are not following Christ’s teaching and commands. But then, where do you stand with the Lord?
This includes your business life too. Satan will include your business in the spiritual war also. His tactics include areas like people clashes, anger, finances, prospects, discouragement, fear of failure, separating your spiritual and business life, etc. Make no mistake about it, you only have one life and God expects you to live all of it with Him in it, and with His values.
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:17
Putting on the Armor of God is about learning to have Faith in God and Trust in His Word and Power to live life. The Bible says sinning (actions that disobey God’s Commands) are punishable by physical and spiritual death. That’s why Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins and mine. Satan wants you to keep sinning. God wants you to walk in the new nature, in His Spirit and with “Christ in you.”
Satan and his forces of darkness can only be overcome by the power of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, God has given us everything we need and wants us to be familiar with them and to put on our spiritual weapons to battle with Satan and his forces. The Bible calls them The Armor of God.
Jesus Christ came to defeat Satan.
“A thief [Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I [Christ] have come so they may have life. I want them to have it in the fullest possible way.”
John 10:10 NIRV
“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. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV
The influence of the world we live in. The world is currently under the control of Satan’s lies and power. Many lies have been programmed into the world’s system and into our minds since the day we were born. We are instructed to renew your mind with “the truth”.
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
1 John 2:15-17 NIV
Action Plan: Use the Sword of the Spirit (Scripture) to help correct your behavior, correct your perception of truth and correct Satan for the lies he puts in your mind and tempts you with, including your business life. See CSF #12 to understand how to use the sword to “stand firm” in the Armor of God. Ask God to put a hedge of protection around your family and business!
CSF #11:
PRAY AND GIVE THANKS!
Pray for yourself, your family and those close to you. Pray for those in need, for those God puts on your heart and for your brothers and sisters in Christ around the world – the Body of Christ. Prayer is simply talking to God and the Lord Jesus Christ, by voice and or your mind. Do it anytime during the day when you want to give God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ thanks, you need their help, or you would like their advice.
Ask “according to God’s will.” At one time in my life I asked God to help me understand how to love my strong-willed child more. He answered my prayer for certain, because I was praying according to His will, and our relationship got better.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
Ephesians 6:18 NIV
“…You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives…”
James 4:2-3 NIV
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you. Be alert and of a sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
1 Peter 5:6-8 NIV
Action Plan: Pray on all occasions, according to God’s will, with faith in Him and His power.
CSF #12:
PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD AND STAND FIRM WITH HIS POWER!
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
Matthew 24:18 NIV
“And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him [Christ] to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
Ephesians 1:22-23 NIV
All of the CSF (Critical Success Factors) above are part of the Armor of God. You put on the armor by believing each one with faith in God and acting on His truth and teaching.
The following is from Barnes Commentary on Revelation 12:11, concerning the three primary ways believers overcome Satan and his forces. “They overcame him:
1. “By the blood of the Lamb – The Lord Jesus – the Lamb of God. The blood of Christ was that by which they were redeemed, and it was in virtue of the efficacy of the atonement that they were enabled to achieve victory. Christ himself achieved victory over Satan by his death (see Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14-15), and it is in virtue of the victory which he thus achieved that we are now able to triumph over our great foe.
2. “And by the word of their testimony – The faithful testimony, which they bore to the truth. That is, they adhered to the truth in their sufferings, they declared their belief in the truth, even in the pains of martyrdom; and it was by this that they overcame the great enemy. [Note: The “Sword of the Spirit,” (using Scriptural truth as an offensive weapon) in Ephesians 6:10-18 instructs us to “put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” When Jesus was tempted by Satan, He used Scripture as a weapon. Satan, knowing the power of God, finally left Him.
“The Bible instructs us to also use Scripture as a weapon. Anytime you use the word of God with love in witnessing, testimonies, or defense, your words are anointed with power.”
3. “They loved not their lives so much as to shrink from death – They did not love their lives so much that they were unwilling to die as martyrs. They did not shrink back when threatened with death, but remained firm in their attachment to their Savior, and left their dying testimony to the truth and power… It was by these means that Christianity was established in the world, and John, in the scene before us, saw it thus triumphant, and saw the angels and the redeemed in heaven celebrating the triumph.”
You overcome Satan and his forces by relying on the power of God’s Word.
“The devil led Him [Jesus] up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, ‘I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.”‘”
Luke 4:5-8 NIV
Christ Resisted Satan in this way in each of his three temptations and Satan went away. When you read this in Luke, note that Satan used three strategies. He uses the same variation of them all throughout Scripture, and on us!
- The Lust of the Flesh.
- The lust of the eyes.
- The pride of life.
“For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”
1 John 2:16 NIV
“God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7 NIV
Action Plan: Put on the Full Armor of God daily as outlined in the CSF. Then quote Scripture to Satan like Jesus did. Satan, in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, “IT IS WRITTEN,” then quote or read a scripture to him.
Then stand firm with God’s Power! Resist Satan’s temptation and lies, and he will go away. Satan fears Christ’s power and authority!
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“So he said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty.'”
Zechariah 4:6 NIV
CSF13:
YOU HAVE A PURPOSE & CALLING
USE THEM IN SOME WAY FOR CHRIST!
Why is Christ building a body of believers? To accomplish His vision and plan.
His vision and plan are to build His Church, the body of Christ, and then He will return with “the armies of heaven” to overcome the nations and the forces of evil on earth. After that, Christ will rule over the earth for 1,000 years. Read the book of Revelation for what happens after that.
The Body of Christ is composed of believers in Christ, those who obey Him. To us, it is somewhat of a mystery, but the Body is a functioning organism being built up to accomplish Christ’s mission to redeem mankind and creation, and overcome Satan.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
John 15:5-8 NIV
“This makes for harmony among the members so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad… All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it…”
1 Corinthians 12:25-27 NLT
Did you know that “Only half (52%) of born again Christians say they actually did share the Gospel at least once this past year to someone with different beliefs, in the hope that they might accept Jesus Christ as their Savior” Pew Research Center.
The following is from a blog by The Calendar of Scripture:
“An interesting quote from the 1915 ‘Gospel Advocate’ (Pg. 589) says: ‘The word “Church” is really not a translation of any word that was used by either Christ or His Apostles, but is the Anglican form of a different word which Roman Catholicism substituted in place of the word used by Christ and His Apostles… It is in our English scriptures by order of King James, who instructed his translators of 1611 not to translate the word “Ecclesia” by either “Congregation” or “Assembly” but to use the word “Church” instead of a translation.’
“The word ‘Church’ is neither Hebrew nor Greek. In point of fact, when these languages were translated into English Bibles, the word ‘Church’ was already in existence. The Greek word used in the renewed covenant for ‘Church’ is ‘Ekklesia’ which basically means ‘Called Out ones’. Ekklesia does not refer to a building, but rather a group of people. Proper English translations should read: Congregation, Assembly or Group. Strangely in Acts 19:32, 39 and 41, Ekklesia is the word that is translated as ‘Assembly’, but in other passages, it is translated as ‘Church.’”
Taken in context, it appears that the real meaning of Jesus’ words is, I’m going to build a body of believers in Me, and that body, “the body of Christ,” with Me as the head, will be an offensive weapon that will overcome the gates of Satan; and the gates of Hell.
Then ultimately, Christ will come back to rule on earth. In the meantime, the body of Christ is to grow in maturity and size, increasing the Kingdom of God on earth in preparation for His return. Satan currently rules on earth so he wants to stop or slow down the process.
Satan will not be able to stop Christ’s plan. Don’t let Satan or people persuade you with misconceptions about God, Christ, Satan or your roll on earth and your eternal life.
Every believer has a high calling from God to serve Christ, a purpose and talents for life in the Body of Christ and a call to honor to use them!
You don’t have to be working for a church or a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your calling might be right where you are, in your family, personal life or at work!
Action Plan: Be faithful in helping with Christ’s plan in any way He asked you to, no matter how small or how large. It is an honor to serve Him!
CSF14:
JUST DO IT!
JESUS CHRIST
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.
That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.”
Ephesians 1:18-23 NIV
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
Matthew 28:18 NIV
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Matthew 28:45-51
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.“
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Action Plan: Listen for His voice in your mind and “GO and make disciples,” “teaching them to obey everything Christ has commanded.” It matters not if He calls you to do this at home, at work, with your neighbors, with your friends or anywhere or anytime he tells you to. He will be with you and pleased with you!
CSF #15
REMEMBER GOD IN YOUR FINANCES!
Action Plan: Consider tithing. It demonstrates to God that you know He is the one who gives you the ability to make money.
The following verse is the only place in the Bible where God tells you (actually, even allows you) to test Him!
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
Malachi 3:10 NIV
Be a Blessings to Others & Give God the Glory!
THE LORD BE WITH YOU AND BLESS YOU!
FOOTNOTE: THESE CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE ALL INCLUSIVE. ONLY GOD REALLY KNOWS YOU. THEREFORE, YOU SHOULD READ THE BIBLE TO SEE WHAT INSIGHTS GOD GIVES YOU ABOUT YOUR LIFE AND NEXT STEPS.
