Our enemy, Satan, does not like it when we repent of sin. He wants to pull us back into sin as soon as he can, and he will use every weapon in his arsenal to that end. That is why we can never relax our vigilance once we have repented. Life happens day by day, and we have to be prepared for what comes our way.<\/p>\n
The great Reformer Martin Luther famously categorized our spiritual enemies as \u201cthe world, the flesh, and the devil.\u201d\u00b9 These words may sound old-fashioned in the twenty-first century, but they represent spiritual realities that are just as active and dangerous as they have ever been. The \u201cworld\u201d represents values that contradict the values of God. The \u201cflesh\u201d represents our sinful desires that continue to trouble us as Christians. And the Devil is our personal spiritual enemy, who employs schemes to entice us into doing wrong.<\/p>\n
As we seek to break a sinful habit, we must use the resources of God to defend against spiritual attacks\u2014the fourth of the five steps. We do this by overcoming the world, putting our flesh to death, and resisting the Devil\u2019s schemes.<\/p>\n
God made the world and declared it \u201cexcellent in every way\u201d (Genesis 1:31). And even though our planetary home has been damaged by sin, we should not think of it as inherently evil. But the Bible uses the term \u201cworld\u201d in another way, that is, to represent a system of values that is opposed to God.<\/p>\n
We see this perspective, for example, in Jesus\u2019s words to His disciples \u201cI chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you\u201d (John 15:19). Similarly, the apostle John warned, \u201cStop loving this evil world and all that it offers you. \u2026 For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from this evil world\u201d (1 John 2:15-16). The \u201cworld,\u201d in this sense, is the enemy of Christians.<\/p>\n
We are constantly exposed to worldly messages about what is important, and these messages can make it hard to live in a way that is consistent with our repentance. If we do not guard our affections, we will begin to place them on unworthy objects. The world is full of tangible things that can attract us. And of course, one person may place great importance on one thing, while another is interested in something else entirely. But if whatever appeals to us gets in the way of spiritual matters, as measured by our obedience (or disobedience) to biblical commands, it is a danger to us.<\/p>\n
An exchange of value systems is possible. We are promised, \u201cEvery child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory\u201d (1 John 5:4). This means we go to Christ again and again for help to understand what He wants us to do and then to do it. We build our lives on the solid rock of His teaching, not the shifting sands of worldly wants. In prayer, we ask the help of His Holy Spirit to purify our value system so that over time we come to desire what God desires.<\/p>\n
The apostle Paul told the Romans, \u201cDon\u2019t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think\u201d (Romans 12:2). If we have bought into the values of the world system, God can override worldly influences and supplant our unworthy values with His values. And as He does so, we become holy nonconformists.<\/p>\n
Click here to continue reading abridged chapter 6: \u00a0STEP 4: \u00a0DEFENDING YOUR GROUND<\/a><\/p>\n Click here to let us know how this helped you.<\/a><\/p>\n When we speak of \u201cflesh,\u201d it is important to understand that we are not talking about the human body.\u00b9 Rather, the \u201cflesh\u201d is the part of us that is opposed to the Spirit of God\u2014our ungodly desires and selfish motives. Thus, while the \u201cworld\u201d is an outward spiritual enemy, the \u201cflesh\u201d is the spiritual enemy inside us. Our sinful nature, though dead, has a residual effect upon us in our Christian life.<\/p>\n We can adopt a correct view of God, revise our false beliefs, and repent of our sinful habit, but a part of us inside is going to want to commit that sin again. We all have been disappointed in ourselves when we have thought we had left a sin behind, only to sense that deep inside we really, really want to go back to that sin. That\u2019s our flesh calling to us.<\/p>\n The apostle Paul assured us, \u201cDear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature [flesh] urges you to do\u201d (Romans 8:12). That\u2019s good news indeed. But how do we avoid the effects of our flesh? Paul continued, \u201cIf through the power of the Holy Spirit you turn from it and its evil deeds, you will live\u201d (verse 13). The phrase \u201cturn from it,\u201d in the Greek, more literally means \u201cput it to death.\u201d Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can consider the flesh, or our sinful desires, to be dead.\u00b2<\/p>\n In another place, Paul described it this way: \u201cThose who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there\u201d (Galatians 5:24). We can crucify our flesh (sinful desires) spiritually because Christ\u2019s flesh (His body) was crucified physically for our sake. We no longer need to obey our flesh as it seeks to govern our words, thoughts, and actions.<\/p>\n Of course, just because we have the power to refuse temptation, that does not mean we will necessarily use the power. We might choose to do what is comfortable and familiar. That is, we might follow the preferences of our old sin nature, even though it is dead.<\/p>\n Remember, the Spirit is opposed to the flesh. As we pray and follow the Holy Spirit in refusing to sin, gradually the sinful desires lose their power over us.<\/p>\n Along with the world and the flesh, another spiritual enemy is the Devil. This is the being known as Satan, or the Adversary. We do not know everything about him, but we know clearly from the Bible that he is God\u2019s enemy and ours. Along with his fellow evil spirits, he seeks to orchestrate events so as to harm us, spiritually and otherwise. \u201cWatch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy,\u201d warned the apostle James. \u201cHe prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour\u201d (1 Peter 5:8). \u201cHe is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God\u201d (Ephesians 2:2).<\/p>\n While too much human wrongdoing has been attributed to the influence of Satan (the Devil does not always make us do it), certainly evil spirits will do what they can to put us in a place where it is easy to do wrong. They do not have ultimate control over our experiences\u2014God does. But they may seek God\u2019s permission to tempt us. In the early chapters of the book of Job, we are given a glimpse into how this worked for one Old Testament believer.<\/p>\n Is it a coincidence that a person who has a problem with stealing is presented with an opportunity to make off with someone\u2019s wallet? Perhaps not. Is it chance that someone who is trying to quit gossiping hears a juicy tidbit about an enemy? Possibly not. In such situations, Satan may be setting out bait for us.<\/p>\n The Devil whispers temptations, suggests evil courses of action, and tries to implant doubt. And then we allow ourselves to become aware of a temptation if we are susceptible in that area. Sometimes our susceptibilities may surprise us.<\/p>\n Satan sets out the bait, but it is up to us to decide whether we will nibble at it. For His part, God always leaves us an escape route from temptation.<\/p>\n Remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can\u2019t stand up against it. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)<\/p>\n \u00b9That misunderstanding has led to the unfortunate belief by many that the body is bad in itself.<\/p>\n \u00b2In Romans 8, Paul was circling back to the same point he had made in Romans 6. We have died to sin.<\/p>\n Click here to continue reading abridged chapter 6: \u00a0STEP 4: \u00a0DEFENDING YOUR GROUND<\/a><\/p>\n Click here to let us know how this helped you.<\/a><\/p>\n God wants us to succeed in resisting temptation, and He gives us help to do what is right. \u201cThe Lord is faithful; He will make you strong and guard you from the evil one\u201d (2 Thessalonians 3:3). So the Devil, while ferocious, is not a foe we are incapable of defeating in the Lord\u2019s power. \u201cResist the Devil, and he will flee from you,\u201d we are assured (James 4:7).<\/p>\n Furthermore, God equips us for our contest with the Devil in specific ways. Paul wrote,<\/p>\n Use every piece of God\u2019s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God\u2019s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 6:13-18)<\/p>\n With such armor, we \u201cwill be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil\u201d (verse 11).<\/p>\n Let\u2019s look at how the pieces of the armor help us in our struggle against the Devil.<\/p>\n The Devil will try to attack you through a chink in your armor. Make sure that you are wearing all the protection God gives for spiritual safety. And never fear. \u201cThe Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world\u201d (1 John 4:4).<\/p>\n Click here to continue reading abridged chapter 6: \u00a0STEP 4: \u00a0DEFENDING YOUR GROUND<\/a><\/p>\n Click here to let us know how this helped you.<\/a><\/p>\n It is important that we see the world, the flesh, and the Devil as acting together in opposition to us. Sometime ago I (Bill) tried to explain how it all works to a young woman who came to see me.<\/p>\n This young woman was unattractive and overweight and her face was covered with acne. Suffering from low self-esteem because of her appearance, she was miserable and wished she had never been born. As we talked together, I explained that God loved her as much as He loved the most beautiful woman in Hollywood. It did not seem to comfort her much.<\/p>\n Suddenly I had an inspiration. As we continued to talk, I drew a diagram that helped her understand why she was suffering from such low self-esteem. On a piece of paper, I drew a large circle representing the Christian life. Within the large circle, I drew two smaller circles, one representing the flesh, the other representing the Holy Spirit. \u201cThe flesh is influenced by Satan, and the Spirit is directed by God,\u201d I told the young woman.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, there is a control center or throne in every life,\u201d I continued. \u201cIf self is on the throne, the flesh is in control, and Satan influences one\u2019s life through the flesh. But if Christ is on the throne, God is directing our lives through His Spirit.<\/p>\n \u201cGalatians 5:16-17 tells us that the flesh wars against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. As long as we live, there will be this warfare. Whenever you allow your mind to think upon anything that is contrary to the Word and will of God, you know that it is all being orchestrated by Satan through the flesh, because self is in control. On the other hand, good thoughts about yourself, the things that are godly, and the things that draw you to Christ come from God through His Spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n Then I asked her, \u201cWho do you think is making you feel so negative about yourself and trying to destroy your self-esteem?\u201d<\/p>\n Her face brightened as she exclaimed, \u201cIt would have to be Satan, wouldn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n I continued to explain this principle to her. \u201cNow, let\u2019s picture a tuner like that on a radio. If you don\u2019t like a particular program, what do you do?\u201d<\/p>\n She replied, \u201cWell, I tune in to a different channel.\u201d<\/p>\n I explained that she was getting a message from Satan telling her that she was unattractive and that nobody cared for her. Then I asked, \u201cWhat do you want to do about it?\u201d<\/p>\n She replied, \u201cI want to tune in to God.\u201d Immediately, I sensed that she was relieved. Her attitude had changed and her face was aglow with this new discovery.<\/p>\n Even though Satan comes against us through the world, the flesh and his demons, we can stand against His schemes. By faith we can reject the world\u2019s value system, put our flesh to death, and resist demonic influence. In order to do these things, however, we must be consistent in praying, walking in the fullness of the Spirit, practicing spiritual breathing, and tuning out the enemy\u2019s lies.<\/p>\n Defending against spiritual attacks successfully, we place ourselves in a position to at last say goodbye to our sinful habits.<\/p>\n Click here to read abridged chapter 7: \u00a0STEP 5: \u00a0PREVENTING SETBACKS<\/a><\/p>\nConsidering the Flesh to Be Dead<\/h2>\n
Resisting the Devil\u2019s Schemes<\/h2>\n
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God on the Throne<\/h2>\n