Active Spiritual Warfare

Stranger in the Earth (Psalm 119:19)

Ken

“I am a stranger in the earth: hide not Thy commandments from me” (Psalm 119:19 KJV). Why would the Psalmist identify himself as a “stranger in the earth” (119:19)? If this world is God’s creation, isn’t this my Father’s world? Yes and no. The Almighty is the Creator and Master of All Possible Universes, but He did give our Original Parents authority over the entire world, as evidenced by His command, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:28). When the Serpent seduced Eve, and Adam acquiesced, all the world’s voting population of two effectively elected the Wicked One as the “god of this world” (2Corinthians 4:4). The godly suddenly became the stranger in the world, and this world was no longer truly home for the saint. “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:9-10).

God’s “commandments” (Psalm 119:19) include His promises of things for now and things to come. “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13). If God does not reveal the meaning of His commandments — “hide not Thy commandments from me” (Psalm 119:19) — they are hidden to us. Let us not take for granted His illumination in teaching us. Thank Him for His teaching, apply it, teach it, and ask for more. “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes” (19:8). Just as you love to teach a receptive child, God loves to teach us, when our hearts are ready. “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night” (1:2). As God’s children, we are to walk carefully because of the obstacles and traps set by the enemy for our soul. And, by God’s grace, we shall overcome. “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1Peter 2:11). 

Father, we are strangers in this world and cannot make it through life without You. The enemy is too strong for us. Grant us an abiding faith in You, but most of all, grant us the generous influence, protection, and inspiration of Your Spirit to teach us Your Word, direct our praying, and cause us to walk in loving obedience. Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen. 

You Are Not Your Own

Ken

Slavery exists in our world. Human beings are treated like cattle, bought and sold to be used and disposed of at the whim of the owner. Hard to believe for us in the modern world, yet sex trafficking and drug addiction are real and must be overcome like anything else in our environment. God is our equalizer. “They will attack you but they will not be able to overcome you, for I will be with you to rescue you, says the LORD” (Jeremiah 1:19 NET). Why is God so generous? Because we belong to Him. “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1Corinthians 6:19 NET). Mind you, ours is a Volunteer Slavery, for God could have created us as a soulless droid to perform His bidding, as the devil will experience with his creations during the Tribulation Week or the “time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7). Thank God, we do not have to be present then! What is the secret of our freedom? “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1Corinthians 6:19-20). May we continually remind ourselves, the price of our emancipation from the slavery of sin caused the Son of God to suffer on our behalf. Why wouldn’t we join James — Jesus’ younger half brother — as saying, “James, a servant [Greek, doulos, slave] of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1). We can reject the insanity of such language, but why would we? Father, we are privileged You have sacrificed Your Only Begotten Son on our behalf. We cannot comprehend You allowing us to sit at Your table, when we would deem it our honor to serve You forever. We love You and Your service. Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen.

Live Long and Prosper

Ken

Persecution did not annihilate the Early Church for it was growing faster than it was dying. Jesus promised the Suffering Church of Smyrna, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10 KJV). It is in God’s best interests to cause His Church to live long and prosper until prosperity becomes an opiate to put the Church asleep. God highlights the fifth of the Ten Commandments, “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee” (Exodus 20:12) as the “first commandment with promise” (Ephesians 6:2), i.e., obeying parents produces long life. 

Prosperity attends the servants of God, and generally causes society around us to be similarly benefitted. Secular policies giving allowance to godliness benefits society without their admission the good came from God. “Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of His servant” (Psalm 35:27). Philosophers and economists can theorize on the nature of the Invisible Hand which causes the wealth of nations, but the godly know, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance” (Psalm 33:12). Jehovah informed His people to “seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace” (Jeremiah 29:7). Laban said to Jacob, “I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake” (Genesis 30:27). The world may not promote the godly nor understand the benefit, but they are better for it, when the godly prosper. Christian, “ye are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14) because Jesus is our light (John 9:5). 

We do not require recognition from the world to function, because the Holy Spirit works through us without their permission — until the Rapture of the Church removes us. “For the hidden power of lawlessness [Satan] is already at work. However, the one [the Holy Spirit working through the Christians] who holds him [Satan] back will do so until he [Holy Spirit] is taken out of the way [at the Rapture]” (2 Thessalonians 2:7 NET). Even Lot benefitted Sodom and Gomorrah by his presence, for the LORD would not destroy them until Lot was removed from among them. Remember the Psalmist legitimately prayed for prosperity to “live, and keep Thy word” (Psalm 119:17).  Father, may we prioritize You before long life or prosperity, but may the increase of life or bountiful dealing with us serve only to cause us to walk in obedience to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Behold Wondrous Things (Psalm 119:18)

Ken

“Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law” (Psalm 119:18 KJV). Only the Living God can take the blinders from our eyes to see the wonders of His Law. Self-discovery is the exact opposite of seeking the mother lode of riches from God’s Word. In these NT times, the eureka of discovering understanding from the Word of God is tied to our discovery of Jesus Christ as the Living Word. Scripture makes it easy to make the connection between Christ and His Word. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Rather than attempting to make Scripture a book of physical realities, we should realize our physical world is only an attempt to duplicate the realities of the spiritual world. We need to give up on becoming acceptable to the faithless world, and concentrate on the Holy Spirit showing us and through us the more important substance of the Unseen Realm.  “12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:12-13). Notice how Hebrews 4:12 fluently transitions from the “word of God is quick” to “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight” (4:13). The Word of God is Jesus!

Just look at how foolish the things of God are to this world. Do we mind looking foolish to the world? 

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1Corinthians 1:18).

“For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1Corinthians 1:21).

“But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness” (1Corinthians 1:23).

“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1Corinthians 1:25).

LORD, bless the foolishness of preaching Your Word that we might lift up Your Son Jesus as the wondrous pinnacle and point of all of Your Law and Scripture. Magnify Him, whose “name is called The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13), to Your everlasting praise. Amen.

Try the Spirits

Ken

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1John 4:1 KJV). Of what need to try the spirits? Like determining if the water is safe to drink, when visiting a foreign country. Consider that it was John the Beloved Apostle, who made this command or imperative to his “little children” (2:1, 12, 13, 18, 28; 3:7, 18; 4:4; 5:21), so he was being careful for the young ones without being an alarmist. Why did John mention “false prophets,” when speaking of “spirits”? Just as God’s Spirit influences the godly, evil spirits influence the ungodly. God’s Word taught by His Spirit enables us to discern the spirits. “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20).

Our mistake is to assume the Kingdom of God is not in active warfare with the devil. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1Peter 5:8). Only action based upon faith can put the enemy to flight. “Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (5:9). Start with not being afraid. “And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do” (Luke 12:4). But, you say, ‘The agony of the pain the enemy may inflict may be too much for me.’ True, we do not have a No Suffering Clause in our contract with the LORD. 

[Scan ahead. This is a bit longer of a blog entry, but not too long.]

What’s the importance of suffering? Jesus promised us suffering or “tribulation” (John 16:33), but added He had “overcome the world” (16:33) — and, so will we, if we trust Him. Suffering is God’s appointed means to teach us obedience, for “though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8). But it is important to note, we do have an Escape Clause to limit our suffering to no more than we can bear. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer [allow] you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1Corinthians 10:13). 

All enemies visible or invisible are to be dealt with through faith. “Whom resist stedfast in the faith” (1Peter 5:8). How does that work? Scripture is essentially a book of promises that God means what He says and says what He means, that is, take God at His Word. “So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). Our chief difficulty is the prevention of becoming Dead Letter Literalists, where we neglect the spiritual reality of our existence. “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16). If we can only remember this life is not just preparation for eternity, but we are duplicating or attempting to replicate life as it is in Heaven. “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). The Almighty is so much more ready to assist us, when He sees we are comprehending His plan. And, we are all the more delighted to labor for the understanding, since it puts us among His royalty to gain that understanding. “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter” (Proverbs 25:2).

Now, when we speak of Spiritual Warfare, we should not become frightened of the ghost and the darkness. What is true during the day is true during the night. “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness” (1Thessalonians 5:5). When God opens our eyes to the teeming hordes of the darkness around us — “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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” (Ephesians 6:11-12) — for there are more with us than with them. “And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha” (2Kings 6:16-17).

May God give us discernment by His Spirit from His Word to know the spirits, whether they are of God or nay. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:12-13).

Father, educate us about the reality of the war in which we are engaged. Cause us to measure the spirits with the light of Your Word. Cause us to see not just the foul fiend of the enemy, but to have a greater appreciation of You as the LORD of the Host. Hallelujah! Cause us to have courage and overcoming, and by Your grace, we shall! Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen.