Tag Archives: Spiritual warfare

Defining “The Difference”

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Yesterday morning, I drove to the garden supply to gather some things.  As I drove, I found myself filled with a different perspective.  The beauty of Spring overcame my mind.  I saw the houses, lawns, people, even the shining aspects of my truck, as though they were worthy of “righteous” praise.

I have not had that perspective for years.  The difference between what has become my perspective in Christ Jesus and what is the perspective of man, was astounding.  It scared me to witness my thoughts turning from what is holy to what is obscene before the Most High God.  (It is possible that the reader might raise an eyebrow at that last sentence.  But bear with what is written here, that understanding might surface.)

In writing this post, I am reminded of the words of Jesus.  In regard to my experience yesterday.  “He said to them, ‘You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.'” (Luke 16: 15)

How can I relay the difference between what is holy and what is common, to those who do not believe?  By His Grace, I have become a man who sees the things of this world as an enemy to the soul that belongs to the Christ of God.  How can I help others perceive the things of this world in the same light?  If the war of Christ has not become the primary resident in the soul, the things of this world will appear as a friendly.  We either gravitate (learn to live) to the battlefield of Spiritual Difference, or we continue to live in the encampment of the enemies of God.

The draw of man’s things is powerful.  Powerful enough to cause men to demand the death of Jesus.  Powerful enough to entice men to spit on the crucifixion of the Holy Son of God.  Powerful enough to draw a soul away from Christianity.  And powerful enough to retain eternal hold on any soul who does not seek the face of the Living God continually.  Even the slightest withdraw from the Holy things of Christ, is enough to unveil the desires of the flesh.

Let me try to convince the reader (If indeed, there is the slightest desire to disbelieve these words.)

There was a man who starved himself to death, some time ago.  I don’t remember his name.  I don’t remember his cause.  He is simply gone.  All I remember is that there was a man who did this in the last 20 or 30 years.  He was an American.  That’s all I remember.

But see how useless his life was.  I do have the sense that his plight was not provoked by Christianity.  It was some political miscarriage of injustice.

He is gone now.  What was written about his “statement” would be difficult to find.  Even the memory of him is obliterated by the demands of this Place of Testing.  His family may know to remember him.  But the fabric of America doesn’t even think about him.

But what should a man of Christ expect, as he works out his salvation with fear and trembling; knowing that it is God who works in him, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (From Philippians 2: 13)

The things of this world are obliterated from the memory of man, as time moves from one year to the next.  Even if it is written down, either on a headstone or in a book, our provocation to live and do comes to nothing.  But the things which are done in a man, by Christ Jesus, are retained forever.  They take their place as living testimony to the Righteousness, humility, godly doings, and hope that remains in this place of testing.  Not only that, but they take their place in Eternity.

Either we endure the “warfare within”, that is caused by conflict between the things of God and the things of man, or we suffer the futility of life that comes from living the things of man.  I will add, I would not have known the difference in perception if I had not become accustom to the things of the Living God’s Christ.  I have to admit, the difference in perspective is enough to frighten my soul.

I guess it’s up to the reader.  Do you even know that there is a difference between the perceptions of the flesh and the things of God?  Do you even know there is a war to be fought?  Or have you never tasted the perspective of Heaven?  This place of testing is a passing ruse.  Heaven is the eternal perspective.  Those who have never tasted the things of God, are helpless to remove themselves from the things of man.

I testify that there is, indeed, a radical difference.  Those who will live eternally, will be incapable of memory toward those who do not join them.  The Glory of Christ will overwhelm His people.  The doings of those who remained in this place of testing, enjoying the things of man as if they were worthy and eternal, will be obliterated.  All their days will come to NOTHING.

“In Our War Against Sin”

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week 15 - Determination

week 15 – Determination (Photo credit: Sweet Dreamz Design)

Have you been consistently overcome by a certain sin?  You love The Lord Jesus.  You know the commands of the Lord.  You desire them almost all the time.  Your prayer life begins to shine like the sun.  Then “BANG”, there’s that hideous sin again.  It is like a punch in the face from a steel beam.  And you fall AGAIN!!!!!!!

You’ve done your research.  You’ve looked to every possible answer.  And still you continue to falter.  The answer is far more simple than you might think.  And I know that statement is simplistic in its very nature.  There is a place of victory.  And I will speak of it as I have come to understand it.

We are told to love our neighbor, to do good to those who hate us and spitefully abuse us.  We are told to turn the other cheek to he who would strike us.  And there is not one Christian who has not heard of such things.  In the way of men these things DO apply.  But in the way of spiritual warfare this is not necessarily the case.

What the Lord is pointing out is that our war is not with other men.  It is with spiritual forces that we war.  And to take out our frustration on men is forbidden.  Here is what I have found in regard to besetting sin.

1. Learn to hate that sin.  Hate what is evil and cling to what is good.

2. Seek the Lord’s guidance in how to approach that sin.  There is only One who is Good.  From Him alone comes the commands that give life.

3. Recognize that you don’t have to know “Why” that particular sin is within you.  You are not a victim!  You are a man or woman who has entered into the warfare of the soul.  This is your opportunity to join the saints in the arena of testing.  The animals threaten to tear the flesh from your body.  Do Not Fear!  Join them with gusto!

4. Allow yourself to become spiritually violent against that sin.

The last item is the focus in overcoming.  Spiritually violent does not indicate that you take any physical or mental action against anything in this world.  Rather we learn to desire to rip that sin to shreds.  This is what it means to hate sin.  Only when we have come to the end of our ability to take care of this problem civilly will we finally turn to a violent hatred of what is within us.  This advent of violence in our hearts must be focused on the sin, not what causes it.

The world will continue to beckon us to sin.  Pay them no mind.  Rather turn your hatred to that specific string of events you have come to know so well.  You know where the sin begins within you.  And you know the certain stages of attack it always follows.  As quickly as you can SMASH that enticement as you would a black widow spider on your arm.

This is the war we all fight, my friend.  If you are still fighting then you are still part of the war.  Take heart.  Take vengeance against the wickedness within you.  Fight with all your might, and God will give you strength!