Spirtual Warfare

"Spiritual Warfare"

Scripture Reading:
James 4:7-8 (HCSB) Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people!

Devotional Reading:

This world is God's creation, and in it contains the wonderful fruits of his handiwork.  But, the world also contains countless opportunities to stray from God's will.  Temptations are everywhere, and the devil, it seems never takes a day off.  Our task, as believers, is to turn away from temptation and to place our lives squarely in the center of God's will.  Peter offered a stern warning: "Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour".  What was true for the New Testament Jews is equally true for today.  Evil is indeed prowling and Satan continues to sow the seeds of destruction far and wide.  He is attacking the fathers, the families, the children, the wives, the husbands, the moms, the communities, the churches, the clergy...get the picture he is active!  In a real sense, our world is at war:  good verses evil, sin verses righteousness, hope verses suffering, right verses wrong (and in a very real sense faced with carnality; evil, sin, suffering and wrong is winning).  As Christians, we must be sure we place ourselves squarely on the right side of these conflicts:  God's side.  Abortion is evil, drugs are evil, all forms of fornication are evil, homosexuality is evil, immorality is evil, worship of idols and self is evil.  So how do we avoid the traps?  By thoughtfully studying God's word, by regularly worshiping with fellow believers, and by guarding our hearts and minds against the subtle temptations of the evil one.  When we do, we are protected!

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20