Douglas Summers
Member
- Jun 1, 2015
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The born again believer has three enemies and as long as we live in this world, we are going to have temptations from three different sources! In 1 Cor. 16:9, Paul says he has "many adversaries" (many enemies), One of them is the "devil", (Satan). Most Christians do not know what Satan looks like, therefore, many consort with him on a regular basis. Here is what he looks like (2 Cor. 11:13-14), False apostles, deceitful, even an angel of light. Satan does not look like an adversary, he can look beautiful (as an angel of light) He knows Scripture (Matt. 4:1-11) and will try to deceive you (2 Cor. 11:14), He will tempt you at your weakest point (2 Cor. 2:11), He will try to kill your testimony as a believer (1 Peter 5:8; Luke 22:31), He will try to get you to compromise on Spiritual matters (Eph. 6:11-12), He will try to hinder you in prayer (Dan. 10:12-21).....But what many claim Satan for is our second enemy "The Flesh". Satan is the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:3-5) and the prince of the power of the air (John 12:31; Eph. 2:2), and Satan does not look like a thief or murderer or drug dealer...remember, He is a lair, a deceiver, and while he does not look like a murderer, He is one, by drawing away men from Christ and making God out to be a liar. (Gen. 3:1-6) Remember, He can look like an angel of light, and wants you to see him as god, for he wants to be worshiped (Isa. 14:13; Matt. 4:8-9; 2 Thes. 2:4; Rev. 13:4). But man is born into sin (sin nature). A child does not have to be taught to lie, nor to steal and be disobedient...it comes natural (Adamic nature). But he has to be taught that stealing, lying and disobedience is wrong. So the flesh is our second enemy...Paul gives a list of the fleshes nature,(Gal. 5:19-21) "Now the works of the flesh are manifested, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, sorcery, HATRED, STRIFE, jealousy, wrath, factions, sedition's, HERESIES, ENVYING, murders, drunkenness, REVELINGS, and the like........ These are us (Rom. 3:9-11). And these things we do on our own by nature.
The third thing that is our enemy is "The world", The principles it is governed under. Christ said the world would hate us (John 15:17-19; John 7:7; John 17:14; 1 John 3:13). If a man walks with God, there will be much tribulation from this world...Do not love this world (system) (James 1:27; 1 John 2:15) I have experienced tribulation from this world as a Christian...and even on the Christian Net. I capitalized some of the manifestations of the flesh that I have experienced here. If a man would walk as he is called, he would fulfill the Scriptures (Col. 3:17; 1 Cor. 10:31). Scripture teaches us how to overcome. (Titus 2:11-12 and Rev. 12:11) for we are strangers and pilgrims here (1 Peter 2:11) There is much more, questions and additions of Scripture are welcome.
Douglas Summers
The third thing that is our enemy is "The world", The principles it is governed under. Christ said the world would hate us (John 15:17-19; John 7:7; John 17:14; 1 John 3:13). If a man walks with God, there will be much tribulation from this world...Do not love this world (system) (James 1:27; 1 John 2:15) I have experienced tribulation from this world as a Christian...and even on the Christian Net. I capitalized some of the manifestations of the flesh that I have experienced here. If a man would walk as he is called, he would fulfill the Scriptures (Col. 3:17; 1 Cor. 10:31). Scripture teaches us how to overcome. (Titus 2:11-12 and Rev. 12:11) for we are strangers and pilgrims here (1 Peter 2:11) There is much more, questions and additions of Scripture are welcome.
Douglas Summers
