Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but
Against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesian 6:12
My prayer is for you to be enriched in every way – in all your speaking and in all your knowledge (1 Corinthians 1:5). However, the god of this age blinds our minds (2 Corinthians 4:4a) to the Truth of God and His Word and to the importance of our spiritual being.
Daily we hear reports of those who steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10a). Such evil, sinful behavior is of the devil, since he has been sinning from the beginning (1 John 3:8a).
Solomon wrote: There is one fate for the righteous and for the wicked (Ecclesiastes 9:2a): Death – the last enemy of God and mankind to be destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:25). This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, this one fate for all. Furthermore, the hearts of the children of men are full of evil, and insanity (doing the same things over and over expecting a different result) is in their hearts throughout their lives. Afterwards they go to the dead.
The living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward, for their memory is forgotten. Indeed, their love, their hate, and their zeal have already perished, and they will no longer have a share in all that is done under the sun (Ecclesiastes 9:2b-6 Wuest).
Of course, in the days of the Old Testament the people did not have knowledge of the Light of the Gospel, which reveals the glory of Christ, the very image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4). Although, the Old Testament holds over 300 prophecies that point directly to the Messiah, the One God would send to defeat the power of sin.
So very long ago, when that infamous (dishonorable, shameful, disgraceful, criminal, vicious, evil, unrighteous) act occurred, yes it was committed against God, however, that act of infamy (disesteem, humiliation, debasement, degradation, stigma, stain) of a sinful nature works against all mankind.
Though God had to give mankind over to what is impure and dishonorable, to the degrading power of sin, He did not abandon the creations He saw on that sixth day as very good. Yes, the evil one thought the perversion (corruption, gangrene, depravity, immorality) of this act would bring about certain physical death, the immediacy of his plan was stymied when God stepped in to shield and to protect.
An action not only committed against God and His Word, but also against the human heart. Thankfully for mankind, evil has no power against God, for His Word of Truth and His loving-kindness have remained the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
However, evil with its power of deception, set the human heart on a perverse course to work in a prideful manner; thinking more highly of itself than it ought; submitting and consenting and being occupied in deeds of wickedness. Yes, a human heart manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, and feet that are swift in running to evil (Proverbs 6:18 AMP).
We must own Truth! Deception causes us to deny and deflect and avoid and accuse and blame… Our sin, our iniquities, our wicked deeds work against us by separating us from God and His Word of Truth, preventing us from finding the Way into the arms of our heavenly Father.
The hardening of our prideful, sinful heart darkens our understanding of God’s Word of Truth, and separates us from the life of God because of ignorance (unfamiliarity, foolishness, unawareness, callowness, inexperience…). The human heart tainted by evil has brought this charge against all mankind to be under sin, held down by and subject to its power and control (Romans 3:9 AMP).
But how wonderful our God, He makes it possible for the peace of Christ to rule in our heart (Colossians 3:15) by justifying us through faith (Romans 5:1) in the blood Jesus shed on that cross (Colossians 1:20).
Thanks be to God! He gives us victory through the Lord Jesus Christ!
(1 Corinthians 15:57), for everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith (1 John 5:4). So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, you must no longer live as the world does, in the futility of their thinking (Ephesians 4:17).
When we read and reread, or when we listen and continue to listen to God’s Word of Truth how is it not possible to see Jesus lay Himself on that cross so sin would not force us to face Death – a spiritual Death.
Accountability and Gratitude are precious tools we should be using throughout our days. Being accountable for our actions. Confessing our sins to each other. Praying for each other so we may be healed, knowing the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective (James 5:15-16).
Sin didn’t, and doesn’t, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it’s sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that’s the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life — a life that goes on and on and on, world without end (Romans 5:20-21 Message).
How can we not show our gratitude. In everything we do, we should be revealing the teaching of God our Savior is good. Yes, this is the way we should be living because God’s grace has come. His grace can save everyone. It teaches us not to live against God and not to do the bad things the world wants us to do.
God’s grace teaches us to live on earth now in a wise and right way – a way that shows true devotion (love, respect, loyalty, faithfulness, zeal, passion…) to our heavenly Father (Titus 2:10-13 ERV), Who faithfully defends and protects and avenges His elect, His chosen ones, who cry to Him day and night (Luke 18:7 AMP).
So prepare your heart to serve only God!
Lift your arms and pray to Him!
Put away the sin that you still hold on to!
Don’t keep evil in your heart!
If you will do that,
You could look to God without shame.
You can stand strong and not be afraid.
You can forget your troubles,
Like water that has already passed by.
Your life will be brighter than the sunshine at noon.
Life’s darkest hours will shine like the morning sun.
You will feel safe because there is Hope!
God will protect you and give you rest!
You will lie down without fear of anyone!
Job 11:13-19 ERV
For like a huge eagle hovering in the sky, the God-of-the-Angel-Armies protects His people.
“I’ll protect and rescue!
Yes, I’ll hover and deliver!
Repent!
Return to the One you so cruelly abandoned!
Throw away – every last one of you –
The no-gods your sinful hands made!”
Isaiah 31:5-7 Message
Victory Over Darkness: Standing Firm in Faith
