2 Battlegrounds
The 2 Battlegrounds. Our Souls and our Relationships
The Devil is our real enemy. And we need to clearly understand that people are not our enemy. And Jesus is our friend. He loves us. He is for us. He alone is the Savior we so desperately need. And as a Christian, the Holy Spirit that lives in us, is a warrior on our behalf. Jesus said in John 4:4 “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
In John 10:10 Jesus made it clear the we have a choice of life and death. He said, “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. But I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly.” We literally have the choice of life and death everyday.
Ephesians 6:12 says, 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 (people) but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
All of us have trails, tribulations, disappointments, betrayals, hurts, pains, sicknesses, losses. Some of these things were caused by us, they were our fault. Caused by our own actions, our own selfishness, doing things we knew we shouldn’t have done. And some we had nothing to do with. We just live in a fallen world, a broken world with broken, flawed, selfish, evil, hurting people. So we decide we are justified in being angry, judgmental, selfish, unforgiving, and believe the lies the devil puts in our head.
On the other side of the coin, we have successes, we have victories, we accomplish things, we get recognition, praise. So we feel justified at being prideful, arrogant, greedy, and demeaning. How we react and deal with these problems and these accomplishments is the key to an overcoming, victorious life.
Both situations start a war that is fought on 3 battlefields everyday
A war in our souls (mind, will, emotions) in our relationships, and in the heavens.
The devil wants to destroy you and he wants to destroy your relationships. And a huge battlefield is in your SOUL. YOUR MIND, YOU WILL AND YOUR EMOTIONS.
1 Peter 5:8 says Be sober be vigilant because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Resist him Steadfast in the faith knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
II Corinthians 11:3 says But I fear lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the purity and simplicity that is in Christ.
How did the devil deceive Eve? He told her a lie. He whispered to her that God was holding out on them. He said God did not let them eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil because God didn’t want them to be like him. The devil told them they shouldn’t listen to God. They were smart enough to decide for themselves what is best for them. And she fell for the lie. And the devil has been using the same lie ever since. You are either listening to his lies or believing God’s word. God’s word is truth. It is always truth. And it is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Matt 7:24 Jesus said whoever hears my words and does them is like a wise man who built his house upon a rock. Storms came winds blew but the house did not fall. But he who hears my words and doesn’t do them is like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand…. And great was its fall.
When we endure difficult times, regardless of whose fault it was, the devil jumps at the opportunity to kill us, destroy our relationships, steal our joy. He sends us thoughts that produce fear, doubt, anxiety, anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, judgement, hate, resentment.
When we have successes and victories, the devil send thoughts of greed, pride, selfishness,
What are you going to do with those thoughts? ARE YOU going to take those thoughts captive and throw them out and replace them with truth so that the fruit of God’s spirit grows in your heart. Or are you going to listen to the devil and embrace his lies and accusations and let them poison your life and relatioinships.
In Deut 30:19 God said I have set before you today life and death, blessing and cursing, therefore choose life that both you and your descendants might live. We chose one or the other, many times everyday.
I was named for my great grandfather who I never knew. He died many years before I was born. Fincher Gist Bobo. Everybody called him Captain Jack, thus my nickname. But I knew my great grandmother very well. She lived next door to us. And I was by far her favorite. The only person who ever called me Fincher. And every Easter morning she would walk with me and show me where the eggs were. God put the Holy Spirit in each of us to show us stuff too. Stuff others don’t know. To lead us in paths of righteousness. To guide us through the valley of the shadow of death. To reveal to us the truth. To bless us. And to give us words to say at the right time to encourage, to heal, to love, and to bless others. Jesus said I am the way the truth the life!
Prov 18:21 says there is life and death in the power of the tongue. What voice we are listening to is obvious when we hear what comes out of our mouths. Our words can tear down and hurt people or they can build up and heal people.
11 Corinthians 10: 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
When the devil throws a thought in our head that contradicts the word of God, take it captive, throw the lie out, and replace it with the truth of God’s infallible word.
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God
Paul said in Ephesians 6:12 Therefor 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.
Galatians 6:7 DO not be deceived God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary doing good for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
1 Corinthians 9:6 He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Another battlefield where life is fought is in our relationships. The devil wants to destroy every meaningful relationship we have beginning with our family.
1. We must forgive. People hurt us, they betray us, reject us, gossip about us, don’t cover us. But God says Forgive. Really forgive. If you spend enough time with anybody they will hurt you. Forgive. Just like Jesus forgave us. Jesus said Love one another as I have loved you. And He loved us so much that He laid down His life for us.
2. Acceptance. We must accept folks just like they are. All of us have flaws. Lots of them. We are all broken. Our job isn’t to correct. It is certainly not to judge, criticize or condemn. Even the worst of us has tremendous potential and is treasured by God. Our assignment is to value and accept and celebrate and love one another.
2 Samuel 15:2-6. Story of David and Absolom. “king is too busy”. I will step into his place. I will steal the king’s people’s hearts. Don’t let the devil steal those you are called to care for.
1. Give them attention. Get into their world. Listen to their hearts, their hurts, their hopes.
2. Show them affection. Winning a heart means capturing and keeping. Don’t take a heart for granted.
3. Affirmation. I believe in you. Your issues are valid. The Father told Jesus. You are my son in whom I am well pleased. Affirmation of value!
God loves you, he forgives you, he wants the best for you, he enjoys you, he has an extraordinary plan for your life, both in this world and throughout eternity, he wants to lead you and guide you and give you wisdom. He wants us to forgive and love and accept each other
If we choose forgiveness, love, encouragement, acceptance, it produces life and peace and joy. If we choose unforgiveness, resentment, gossip, judgment, Then it produces despair, separation, destruction. We must choose daily.