Spiritual Warfare 101: Reaping What We Sow, Part 5

We’re All in the Battle.

We are always engaged in spiritual warfare whether we sense it or not. The enemy, however, is very limited in what he and his helpers can do against us. But beware: overconfidence will trip you up in time.

 Stay on guard like a sentry—be vigilant, sober, rested, and righteous in God’s eyes.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

What is Paul telling us in this passage?

 

1.   There are no new temptations.

2.   God is ever faithful to the faithful according to Psalm 18:24-26,

a.   “The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness,
according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.”

3.   God limits our temptations to a degree that we can, with his help, resist it.

4.   We will all be tempted at some time or another.

5.   God will provide us with an exit.

6.   If we take it we will overcome temptation.

The attributes of evil are seen in the actions and attitudes of mankind.

 The Lost:

 

2 Timothy 3:1-5 “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.”

Compare this passage with what you are observing in American Culture.

 

Galatians 5:19-21 “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

What does this passage say to you?

 

 

How can you help others to resist the devil and draw near to Christ Jesus our Savior?