CONQUER OR BE CONQUERED PART 4-DON'T BE IGNORANT

-
2 Corinthians 2:11: "lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devises."
 
The children of Israel were defeated many times because of sin. But we have the Holy Spirit to be victorious. The only way we are conquered is because we want to be! We are the one who gives up. We don't want to fight anymore. We don't want to listen to God. We become weary in the battle. But we are not ignorant of his (Satan's) devices.  We need to remind Satan and ourselves that certain things are under grace. Satan pulls out all the things we have done wrong and takes advantage of us. We need to be smart about it. He tries to get us off track even if it just a little. Just enough to through us off balance.
 
1 Corinthians 14:38: "But if anyone is ignorant, let  him be ignorant."  If we won't pay attention to Satan's devises we will be overcome- conquered. As long as we think we are okay, just did our duty- go to church then leave the same way we came-- there won't be any change in us and Satan will take advantage of that. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5 tells us that "This day" should not overtake us as a thief. We are not in darkness. We can't be conquered if we stay in the light. We are "sons of light and sons of the day". We are in light! There is no reason for us to be conquered when we stay in the light of Jesus Christ.
 
Isaiah 64:6 tells us that "our" righteousness is as filthy rags. We have no righteousness of our own, our accomplishments, our works, etc.  We are what we are because of Jesus Christ and not because of what we have accomplished. When we allow arrogance, pride, self-righteousness, self-promotion to rule in our lives- we will be defeated- because Satan will take advantage of that sin. We deceive ourselves if we think that we are the one.
 
The only way we can truly be defeated by the enemy is because we have allowed it by allowing these things to rule in our lives. We should not be ignorant of Satan's tactics. We must be on guard at all times, totally living our lives in the light of Jesus Christ and not allowing that darkness to be a part of our lives.
 
Don't be ignorant! Be aware- be vigilant!
 
(Taken from Pastor Keith's message 6/23/2013)


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Identity

-
Image
(Taken from Sis.Suzanne Parsons' message- 1/28/2015) Luke 6: 43-45 43 "For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."   In some ways the Church has lost its identity. It seems that we blend in more with the world than we are  separate from it. Years ago many in the Church held on to a strictness in outer appearance, for instance. They stood up against the world in their convictions. Yes, many became harsh and judgmental in this attitude but through the years, the Lord has shown many that it isn't in outward appearance that determines a holy life, but it is our life itself- our actions
Read more

WHAT HAVE I DONE WRONG?

-
1 Samuel 15:13-16 In this text Saul is confronted by the prophet Samuel because Saul didn't obey the command to totally destroy the Amalekites. The  spoil was considered a sacrifice to God. But Saul didn't do that. Instead he spared King Agag, the best of the sheep, oxen, lambs and all that was good. ( Verse9 ). When Samuel confronted him on his disobedience (even while the sheep were bleating and the oxen were lowing)-- Saul denies that he has done anything wrong. What have I done wrong? Instead in verse 13 he makes a statement --"I have performed the commandment of the Lord". It is as if he is saying- Look at me--- I've done a good job! I did what the Lord asked me to do! Aren't I great! Later, Saul gives various excuses as to why he did what he did (or better said- didn't do what he should have done).   Samuel looks at him and says "Be quiet!". When God confronts us on issues that are not pleasing to Him, I can imagine Him looking at
Read more

THE HARVEST

-
Matthew 9:37-39: "Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'"     God has set individual Christians and churches in specific fields. Harvest will come but we must be obedient to the Lord and allow Him to prepare us for the harvest. We can not wait until harvest time and them make sure everything is good to go. No, we must prepare now for time will be short when it is time to harvest.   We must allow God to do the work in us so that His light will shine out from us. Then others will be attracted to that light. Are there people in your pathway that seem to bother you? They may be a nuisance to you or obnoxious or just difficult to get along with. These very people may be part of that harvest to come and we must show them God's love now. As we do this, we are "cultivating" the field for the harvest. Our neighbors, co-work
Read more