2 Corinthians 10:3-4 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

The three things we war against once we decide to follow Jesus. The world, the flesh, and the devil. Not necessarily in that order that’s just the order they were given to me today to write about. It seems daunting, definitely not a light-hearted writing.

In the scripture above I have typed the New King James Version. I find it interesting that in the New International Version the word “flesh” is replaced with the word “world”. It reads (2 Corinthians 10:3-4) 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. It states clearly in the bible that we have to physically and consciously “put on” the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-17). So that we can stand against the schemes of the devil. That takes intentionality.

We are in a battle.

Once we are saved Satan has lost the prospect of taking us to hell with him but he makes it his goal to try to keep us confused. He is very subtle about it. One of his favorite things is to get us distracted by the things of this world like television and the internet. Another of his tactics is to distort God’s word. Go back with me to the garden of Eden in Genesis chapter 3. Satan is talking to Eve about what God said and what God meant by what He said. (Genesis 3:2-5) The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”  That didn’t sound so bad did it? Those sound like things that would be good to have in this world, don’t they? The point is she is using her own reasoning in determining right from wrong. She should have trusted God and His direction. If she had not doubted that God had her best interest at heart when He made that rule she would have never sinned. Do we do that? Do we doubt that God has our best interest at heart when He gives us direction? Satan hopes so. I believe he uses the same tactics he used with Eve. We come to church and hear an inspiring message using Malachi 3:6-11 as the basis, for example. You leave thinking I need to tithe, it’s Gods will, it says in the bible that God will bless me if I test Him in this, I’m going to begin tithing! You are convinced that it is the thing do! You are pumped! You go about your week and little thoughts begin plaguing you like “I heard a noise what if my car breaks down and I have to repair or replace it…I can’t tithe” or “my bills are really tight I can’t afford to tithe”. Satan comes and distorts then steals that fabulous truth you heard and you begin reasoning based on the worlds standards.

So how do we fight against satans schemes? I believe that we first must recognize them. We need to be so familiar with the Truth that when the lie comes into our head we recognize it for what it is and cast it out. Immediately. Did you know that a Secret Service agent is trained to recognize a currency forgery by becoming intimately familiar with legitimate currency? That is what we must do. We must be so familiar with Gods character and will for our lives that we recognize the lies of satan immediately. How do we do this? Well, we read the bible and pray. Regularly. Daily.

Being a Christian is not for sissies. Jesus is very clear about following Him. (Matthew 12:30) “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” There is no gray area with Jesus. Either you are for Him or against Him. You can’t be a little bit saved or a half-hearted Christian. I think this is what scares the world. You can’t do just a little bit of Jesus. You have to go all the way. That also puts a bulls-eye on us in the spiritual realm. Which is another really good reason to put on the full armor of God during your prayer time each morning. Don’t leave home without it…