SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Spiritual warfare is a battle against the forces of darkness (evil).

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to STAND against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to WITHSTAND in the evil day, and having done all, to STAND.

STAND therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints." Ephesians 6:10-18 (emphasis added)

The Christian and His Disposition in the World - by CGB

Our Verses - Jude Ch. 1:3 and 2nd Tim. Ch. 2:24

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude Ch.1:3

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.” 2nd Tim. Ch.2:24

I want to speak about what may appear to be a contradiction in terms, as they say, but it is not in any way. I want to sound the alarm in what I see to be a misunderstanding regarding our duty as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Notice in our first verse the admonition to “contend for the faith.” The faith we find in the Holy Scriptures that was delivered once to the saints. The faith delivered by men that we can trust completely as they were directed by the Holy Spirit. What does contend mean? 

The Bible and Politics

The more I read my Bible and listen to the “news” the more I “see” the Bible “IN” the news. The Bible… the Word of God, written by men chosen and inspired by God, is full of prophecy – some fulfilled… some not yet fulfilled. The Bible is a self-revealing book. And what it is revealing is what is “happening” in the news. The “news” is ALL political, and the world is being consumed by the politics of a collective degeneration and collapse of the mind, body, soul, and spirit.

RIGHT vs WRONG

To do what is "RIGHT" has been the standard and the goal of civilized, compassionate, loving man from the beginning. It is a hallmark of decency. It is the essence of the “golden” rule… “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” …summarized in, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matt 22:39

[The Golden Rule or ethic of reciprocity is a moral maxim or principle of altruism found in many human cultures and religions, suggesting it may be related to a fundamental human nature. The Golden Rule differs from the maxim of reciprocity and is rather a unilateral moral commitment to the well-being of the other without the expectation of anything in return. The concept occurs in some form in nearly every religion and ethical tradition. It can also be explained from the perspectives of psychology, philosophy, sociology, and economics. Psychologically, it involves a person empathizing with others. Philosophically, it involves a person perceiving their neighbor also as "I" or "self". Sociologically, 'love your neighbor as yourself' is applicable between individuals, between groups, and also between individuals and groups.”] --Wikipedia

WHO PAINTED THE LIGHTS

by Randy Amos

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil.     Isa. 5:20

To go through a green light is legal and safe. To go through a red light is illegal and destructive.  But what if an enemy painted the green light red and the red light green?  In one case you would move with legal confidence and no fear only to end up in wreckage. In the other you would not move thinking you were obeying but making no progress.

Man’s red paint over God’s green lights

God has given us many liberties and men have come along to take them away, making up rules that God never intended.  The Pharisees required all sorts of things that were not based on Scripture. They even attacked the Lord for healing on the Sabbath. We read where various brothers can freely participate in a church meeting, 1Cor. 14, but some restrict it to only the “clergy”.  We read how some seduced by demonic spirits forbid marriage and require abstaining from certain foods or meat of which God has given to us to freely enjoy in thanksgiving, 1Tim. 4. In many areas God says “go” and man says “no”.

Vanity Fair

“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun?” Eccl. 1:2-3

“Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed, all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.” Eccl. 2:11

Overcoming the world!

(Arthur Pink, "Faith as an Overcomer")

"For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4