GOD S STRATEGIES. The American Heritage dictionary says that wiles are strategies or tricks intended to deceive or ensnare, enticements.

Transcription

1 GOD S STRATEGIES We have read in the Bible, in Paul s letter to the Ephesians, Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (6:11). This word wiles means cunning arts, deceit, craft, trickery. The American Heritage dictionary says that wiles are strategies or tricks intended to deceive or ensnare, enticements. And we have read in Paul s second letter to the Corinthian church, Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices (2:11). The word devices means a mental perception or thought, an evil purpose, that which thinks, the mind, thoughts or purposes. The American Heritage Dictionary says that a device is a contrivance or an invention serving a particular purpose; a technique or means, a plan or scheme, especially a malign one; to allow to do as one pleases (the parents left their son to his own devices while they went to a movie). If we ignore what satan s plans are against us, he will malign us harm, injure and speak evil of us. That is satan s strategy against us. But God s strategy for us is that we put on and wear all the armor He has given to us. God s strategy for us is to be aware of, and not ignorant of, satan s intentions and methods that he uses against us. We must keep in mind that we don t wrestle against flesh and blood only, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places [the heavenlies] (Ephesians 6:12). We must get it in our heads that satan is not only a serious fighter, but he is a vicious attacker. Paul is giving this counsel to the church, the body of Christ and, therefore, to each individual within the church. The whole body needs to be armed. As we do battle against the powers of this dark world, we must fight in the strength of the church, whose power comes from the Holy Spirit. That s why Paul said in Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. I believe this is just as much a part of our armor as those items that precede the praying! We need supernatural power to defeat Satan, and God has provided this by giving us his Holy Spirit within us, and his armor surrounding us. If you ever feel discouraged in the battle, remember Jesus words to Peter: On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). Prevail against means: 1) to be strong to another s detriment 2) to be superior in strength 3) to overcome. Immediately upon receiving Christ, the believer finds him or her self engaged in warfare against

2 the enemy of God, who has now become our enemy. Have you ever prayed the Lord s Prayer? And have you ever pondered upon the words Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven? The next question is this; what are we doing to bring His kingdom to earth? I m talking about bringing the kingdom to others. I m talking about showing them how to be born from above so God s kingdom can be in their life (or should I say so they can enjoy God s kingdom and the abundant life He gives us while we are still living here on earth). Let s read Ephesians 6:10-18: 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. In verses 10 and 11 we read the soldier s charge (Oh, by the way, if you didn t realize it, YOU are the soldier Paul is speaking to). The charge is 1) to be strong in the Lord 2) to be strong in the power of His might 3) put on all the armor of God. No soldier can go to battle without having the power of his nation behind him. For us, our nation is the Kingdom of God. No soldier can go into battle without protection and without weapons. God s armor isn t just protective but it also assualtive. In verse 11 we see who the soldier s enemy is: the devil, satan, and that he has strategies and tricks to come against us and deceive us. In verse 12 we see that the soldier s battle is hand to hand (wrestle) against those who live in the kingdom of darkness: principalities, powers, rulers of darkness in other words, against spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies. In verse 13 we see that the soldier is ordered to take up (or put on) the whole armor God has given us, so that we can withstand the evil we encounter that day. We re to do all we possibly can to overcome the enemy, and then stand, knowing that we have done everything we have been taught and trained to do against him. In verses 14 thru 17 we see the soldier s armaments:

3 1) belt of truth which holds all the other parts together, 2) breast-plate of righteousness, 3) feet shod with proper shoes so we don t slip and slide and lose ground, 4) the shield of faith (if you know, that you know that you know, you will never surrender to he enemy, satan) and you will quench everything he can possibly bring against you, 5) the helmet of salvation so you never doubt, and 6) the Word of God which is sharper than any two-edged sword. In verse 18 we see where the soldier s success comes from. It comes from ever praying in the Spirit and watching over all the saints with perserverance. This is God s strategy for us that enables us to overcome the enemy of God and the saints. Unless we, as believers, heed the charge and message of this passage, we will cave in to temptation and sin and end up walking through life just as most men and women do. Does God have other strategies for us, His children? Yes, indeed, He does. Have you ever read the word obedience in the Bible? The word says that obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). All through the New Covenant pages, we read of Jesus saying If you will then I will. Obedience brings the blessings of the Lord into our lives. Why sacrifice the blessings just to have our own way? If we ignore the Word of God if we fail to heed His instructions to us we will not only lose the blessings, but we might also forfeit our physical life on this earth by not submitting to God and by not resisting the devil, so that the gates of hell not only prevail against us but overrun us, and as well, destroy us. I AM A SOLDIER I am a soldier in the army of my God. The Lord Jesus Christ is my commanding officer. The Holy Bible is my code of conduct. Faith, prayer, and the Word are my weapons of warfare. I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire. I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity. I will either retire in this army at the rapture or die in this army; but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out. I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable. If my God needs me, I am there. If He needs me in the Sunday school, to teach the children, work with the youth, help adults or just sit and learn. He can use me because I am there!

4 I am a soldier. I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up or pepped up. I am a soldier. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me. I am a soldier. I am not a wimp. I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His kingdom! No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy or give me handouts. I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to. I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit. When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing. If I end up with nothing, I will still come out ahead. I will win! My God has and will continue to supply all of my need. I am more than a conqueror. * I will always triumph. * I can do all things through Christ. Devils cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me. Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me and hell cannot handle me. I am a soldier!

5 Even death cannot destroy me. For when my commander calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me to Captain and then allow me to rule with Him. I am a soldier in the army, and I'm marching claiming victory. I will not give up. I will not turn around. I am a soldier, marching heaven bound. Here I stand! Will you stand with me? (author unknown) If you've accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and been baptized for the remission of your sins, you're already enlisted! Question is, which part of the service are you in: 1. Active Duty: Serving the Lord faithfully, daily, and on duty 24-7? 2. Reserve status: Serving only when called upon two or three times a year: Christmas, Mother's Day, and Easter? (CME) 3. Guard status: Backing up the Active Duty group? or 4. AWOL: Absent with out the Lord? THINK ABOUT IT. Amen!