TUG OF WAR

"We are human, but we don't wage war as humans do--2 Cor. 10:3."  This scripture tells us to not look at other humans in our effort to ward off evil!  Rather we are to Pray..."lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."  Even Jesus told his disciple, Peter, that Satan had "desired to sift him as wheat, but that He (Jesus) had prayed for him that his faith would not fail."  

We can count on the prayers of Jesus to help us in our times of need...and another important resource is the prayer of others on our behalf.  If you are experiencing a "tug" toward anything that you believe outside the will of God, and can't resist the temptation by yourself...call another believer to "agree with you in prayer."  Sometimes just telling another of your struggle will get ride of it!

We should never "play" with temptation.  Proverbs warns us to never bring fire into our bosom, or we WILL get burned. This is very relevant in this technological world where pornography isn't just displayed so rampantly through the way people dress, but is displayed on television or easily accessed via the internet!

My Life Application Bible says: "Although we are assured of victory, we must engage in the struggle until Christ returns, because Satan is constantly battling against all who are on the Lord's side."  Satan isn't the ONLY enemy....often it is our "old man."  That would be the unregenerated, unrenewed part of us.

We see in 1 John 2:15 "Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 

1 John 2:16--For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions."  John goes on to write:  "When people go on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning.  But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.  Those who have been born into God's family  do not make a practice of sinning, because God's life is in them.  So they can't keep on sinning, because they are the children of God" John 3:6-9.

Paul's words..."A final word:  Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.  Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting flesh-an- blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.  Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.  Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.  In addition, to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion! Stay alert and and be persistent in your prayers for believers everywhere."  Epe. 6:10-18