The Enemy

Our enemy is real, and our power to overcome the enemy is at our disposal every minute of every day.

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”  Colossians 3:16 (NASB)

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Let this be a time of worship to God.  Pray each prayer and add your own personal message to God.  Read each scripture as though reading it for the first time – listen carefully for the voice of God.  Listen to each song paying close attention to the lyrics provided.  These songs were carefully chosen.  Even if the music is not your favorite style of music, know that the musicians performing are sincerely making music to the Lord.  Try to feel the passion in their words and their musical expression.  Give thought to the message presented and confirm the truth therein by opening your Bible and taking some time to do your own personal study.  May you be greatly blessed.

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Let’s Pray Together

Heavenly Father, we stand in your presence in awe of your awesome power and love.  We seek that which is your will in our lives and look forward to the return of your Son Jesus Christ.  Please Father, wrap your arms around each of us and provide for us all of our needs.  Forgive us Father, for all of our mistakes and failures in our pursuit of righteousness.  Develop in us the ability to also forgive those who disrupt our lives.  Open our eyes Father, to the enemy who is in pursuit of our souls.  Let us see clearly the evil trying to control our lives so that we can avoid destruction.  We offer this prayer in the Holy name of Jesus.  Amen.

The Enemy

There’s a battle raging all around us every day.  Good and evil are in a constant battle to win the hearts and minds of all of us.  This battle also rages inside each of us.  Those who have turned their back on God, have been overwhelmed by the enemy.  Those of us who have trusted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior are still in the fight.  We have the tools to win, however, the battle rages on as the enemy launches a continuous bombardment of doubts and fears.

“Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”  Ephesians 6:12 (NASB)

Jesus described the battle between good and evil as a battle for the kingdom of heaven.  In a parable, Jesus painted a picture of his followers being infiltrated by evil forces that would attempt to destroy believers by interfering with their growth in the Lord.

“Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away.”  Matthew 13:24-25 (NASB)

Jesus explained that evil forces sent by the devil would mingle among his followers in an attempt to disrupt their faith.  Of course, all followers of Jesus are empowered by the Holy Spirit; and in the end, the evil ones will be destroyed and all believers will be saved to live an eternal life in the kingdom of heaven.

“His disciples came to Him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.” And He said, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one; and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels.”  Matthew 13:36-39 (NASB)

The devil is real and his destructive infiltration into our lives is an insidious challenge that we have to meet head-on every single day.  Make no mistake about it, our enemy has developed a diabolical scheme to slowly chip away at our faith and interrupt our walk with God.  He typically doesn’t come at us all at once, but slowly and incrementally, so that we may not even notice his destructive ways.  We have to be careful not to let him have his way.  If we open the door a crack, he will push his way in further and the battle will rage.

Let this song speak to your heart.

Slow Fade – Casting Crowns

Be careful little eyes what you see

It’s the second glance that ties your hands

As darkness pulls the strings

Be careful little feet where you go

For it’s the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away

It’s a slow fade when black and white are turned to gray

And thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid

When you give yourself away

People never crumble in a day

It’s a slow fade, it’s a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear

When flattering leads to compromises, the end is always near

Be careful little lips what you say

For empty words and promises leave broken hearts astray

It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away

It’s a slow fade when black and white are turned to gray

And thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid

When you give yourself away

People never crumble in a day

It’s a slow fade, it’s a slow fade

The journey from your mind to your hands

Is shorter than you’re thinking

Be careful if you think you stand

You just might be sinking

It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away

It’s a slow fade when black and white are turned to gray

And thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid

When you give yourself away

People never crumble in a day

Daddies never crumble in a day

Families never crumble in a day

Oh, be careful little eyes what you see

Oh, be careful little eyes what you see

For the Father up above is looking down in love

Oh, be careful little eyes what you see

We Have the Power to Overcome

Salvation, provided to those who trust and believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus as payment for their sins, is a connection to an overwhelming power that cannot be challenged by the enemy.  Followers of Jesus are protected by the power of God.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”  1 Peter 1:3-5 (NASB)

Our enemy is real, but our power to overcome the enemy is at our disposal every minute of every day.  The Lord is with believers at all times but we access his power by following the teachings of Jesus – love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.  Serving God by serving others is the conduit to the power of God.

“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”  Deuteronomy 31:6 (NASB)

When we are walking with the Lord in dedicated service to others, we our invincible.  When we wander off into the darkness of this world, we are disconnected and vulnerable.  There’s nothing in this world that can separate us from God’s love and power other than ourselves.  Unless we consciously make a choice to turn away from God, we are always protected.

“I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:38-39 (NASB)

Take a moment right now and look around.  Are you safely following in the footsteps of Jesus or have you somehow lost your way?  God is your protector.  Stay with Him and you have nothing to fear.

Let this song fill your heart.

Whom Shall I Fear – Chris Tomlin

You hear me when I call

You are my morning song

Though darkness fills the night

It cannot hide the light

Whom shall I fear

You crush the enemy

Underneath my feet

You are my sword and shield

Though troubles linger still

Whom shall I fear

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever

He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

My strength is in your name

For you alone can save

You will deliver me

Yours is the victory

Whom shall I fear

Whom shall I fear

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever

He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

And nothing formed against me shall stand

You hold the whole world in your hands

I’m holding on to your promises

You are faithful

You are faithful

Nothing formed against me shall stand

You hold the whole world in your hands

I’m holding on to your promises

You are faithful

You are faithful

You are faithful

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever

He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever

He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

Put on Your Armor

 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”  Ephesians 6:10-11 (NASB)

The best way to check yourself against the schemes of the enemy is to make certain you are fully protected with the armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-17).  Your armor consists of the Belt of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Boots of Peace, the Shield of Faith, the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit.

Belt of Truth

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”  John 14:6 (NASB)

Breastplate of Righteousness

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”  2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB)

Boots of Peace

We are told in Luke 1:79 that Jesus came “to guide our feet into the way of peace.”  We need our steps guided by Jesus Christ as His committed follower.

Shield of Faith

The shield of faith will be used to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.”  Ephesians 2:8 (NASB)

Helmet of Salvation

The helmet protects your head where your mind resides.  Wearing the helmet of salvation will protect your mind from the devil’s attacks.

Sword of the Spirit

We are clearly told that the sword of the spirit is the Word of God.

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”  Hebrews 4:12 (NASB)

Finally, after we put on the armor of God, we are told to pray.  We are to pray for ourselves and pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ.  There is great power in prayer and it is another major offensive tool we are to use against our enemy.

“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit.”  Ephesians 6:18 (NASB)

Standing firm on the bedrock of our salvation as true followers of Jesus Christ, wearing the complete armor of God, renders all the enemy’s attacks useless.  Our God is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  When we travel with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the enemy and all of his minions will turn and go the other way.  Stay in the Word; stay close to Jesus.

Let this song fill your spirit.

Run Devil Run – Crowder

Run devil, run devil

Run devil, run

I got somethin’ make the devil gonna run

He been dancin’ till the break of dawn

Devil gon’ try to take a shot at me

He got none, but baby I got three

He tryna make a fool outta me

Y’all takin’ out my sanity

He ain’t nothin’ but a silver tongue

I got somethin’ make the devil gonna run

I got somethin’ make the devil gonna run

I got somethin’ make the devil be gone

Run devil, run devil, run devil run

You bet your bottom dollar he’s gonna be gone

I got somethin’ make the devil gonna run

Run devil, run devil

Run devil run

Run devil, run devil

Run devil run

I got somethin’ make the devil go away

I’ve been dancing all night and day

Holy Ghost, filled with fire

Look out devil we got revival

My people gonna move and shake

Holy rollin’ and not ashamed

He ain’t nothing’ but a silver tongue

And I got somethin’ make the devil gonna run

I got somethin’ make the devil gonna run

I got somethin’ make the devil be gone

Run devil, run devil, run devil run

You bet your bottom dollar he’s gonna be gone

I got somethin’ make the devil gonna run

I got the King of kings and the Lords of hosts

I got angel armies and a Holy Ghost

I got spirits here that are tied by fire

I got a valley of bones that came alive

I got a cross, a hill, and an empty grave

I got a trumpet sound and one sweet name

Shake the gate of hell, the sinners and dogs

I got my Jesus and the devil gotta run

I got somethin’ make the devil gonna run

I got somethin’ make the devil be gone

Run devil, run devil, run devil, run

You bet your bottom dollar he’s gonna be gone

I got somethin’ make the devil gonna run

I got somethin’ make the devil gonna run

I got somethin’ make the devil be gone

Run devil, run devil

Run devil run

You bet your bottom dollar he’s gonna be gone

I got somethin’ make the devil gonna run

Run devil, run devil

Run devil run

Thank you for spending this time worshiping God.

His door is now open to you.  You are in God’s presence.  Don’t leave without Him.  Keep Him with you throughout your day.

Go in peace.

All scripture references are linked to Bible Gateway so that you can read each verse in context.  Bible Gateway allows you to change the verse to your favorite translation and compare it side-by-side with multiple translations.  In addition, you can select to hear an audio version of any verse by clicking on the speaker icon.  Keep the Bible Gateway App on your phone so that you can visit the Word of God at any time during your day.

Evaluating Your Faith