The Aaron Papers  www.the-aaron-papers.net 

 -THE CHRISTIAN’S GUIDE-

CHAPTER III

-REVIEW-  -THE VULNERABILITY OF THE CHILDREN-

Physically equipped to fight in spiritual warfare

WE fight the battle on the external through our teachings from the Bible in classroom situations and personal study in Scripture, which are the necessary things for a healthy Christian development.  But we must attempt to better understand exactly what is involved in this present battle, where this battle is fought, and the weapons that are necessary for us to achieve any sort of victory.

First, the battle we are in is a SPIRITUAL BATTLE:

"For we do not (struggle) against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Eph.6:12)

Understanding what we were delivered from may give us insight into what we must guard against:

"You He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sin, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others." (Eph.2:1-3)      

a) We were delivered from the death sentence that was attached to our trespasses and the sinful nature that we inherited from our first parents.

b) The world has a course that it naturally follows.

c) The course set by the world is according to the workings of Satan.

d) Those who walk the worldly course are vulnerable to the influence of evil spirits.

e) The conduct of those who walk the worldly course is controlled by the lusts of their flesh.

f) The primary objective of those who walk the worldly course is the fulfillment of the desires of the flesh and of the mind.

The worldly ways are self-serving and always strive toward self-gratification.  They are only doing what comes natural.

As a Christian, we must understand that this is an ongoing battle that is being fought within each and every one of us.  As long as we are in this physical body, the battle goes on. 

The apostle Paul writes in Rom.7:18a-"For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells."  

The only difference between the Christian and the non-Christian is the Spiritual renewal that has taken place in the believer.  Nevertheless, we must understand that the flesh remains as diabolical as ever.

Romans 8 has given us some insight into the flesh, and the choices that constantly confront each and every one of us:

“:1 and 4-Do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

:5-Those who live according to the flesh, set their minds on the things of the flesh.

:6-To be (fleshly) minded is death.

:7-The (fleshly) mind is hostile against God.  It is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can (it) be.

:8-Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

:9-If any one does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

:12 and 13-We are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.  For if we live according to the flesh we will die; but if BY THE SPIRIT we put to death the deeds of the body, we will live.”    

The main problem we encounter here in these passages is with the death of the deeds of the body. It would appear that the body, or flesh, is never completely mortified (killed), and we must be constantly vigilant against its subtle advances.  We must understand that the flesh and the mind of the flesh are not friendly toward God, but hostile: And that the flesh cannot and will not voluntarily serve God.  It is not advantageous for us, or pleasing to God, when we strive after the things that gratify the flesh.

There is only one part of us that truly wants to serve God, and that part is our renewed Spirit with the believing faith that we received from God.  And this is exactly where the problem lies.

The contenders in this battle are the flesh and the spirit:

"Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these (two) are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things (your flesh desires)." (Gal.5:16-17)

Now this is not a mythical battle to be taken lightly, but a life-long battle of reality that must be fought with all diligence.   

God has given us His Word as a mirror for us to look into, that we might examine ourselves in His light.  To examine where we are in our walk with Him, and to examine the fruit we are producing:

"Now the works (fruit) of the flesh are evident, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousy, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murder, drunkenness, revellings, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I told in time past, that those who PRACTICE such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God." (Gal.5:19-21)   

The end of this passage is somewhat disconcerting.  The warning that Paul presents here should cause all believers to open their Bibles and to closely examine their own lives and their PRACTICES.

Now listen, as God further explains the expectations of the natural man:

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying its power." (2Tim.3:1-5a)

The strength of our flesh is revealed in the actions that it exhibits:

"These are murmurers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.  But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.  These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit." (Jude.16-19)     

If we do not fully understand the works (fruit) of the flesh, then how can we ever hope to resist the attacks that our mind of the flesh makes upon our mind of the spirit?  We cannot!   

The Scriptures tell us: "You will know them by their fruit." (Mat.7:16a)  This passage goes far beyond just knowing others by their fruit, it also insists that we look inside and examine our own fruit, to see what sort it is.  When we PRACTICE the works of the flesh we dishonor God.  Then it is because we all have occasionally practiced one or more of these various things, that the name of God is blasphemed in the world even today.

We know that these last days are perilous for us all: And we also know the dangers of not being Spiritually equipped (armored).  Satan has so much at his disposal in this world today; Things that are so attractive and desirable to the eye, and to the touch, and to the taste and smell—so very pleasant:  Things to which we all have such easy access:  Things that are extremely hard to resist.  Yet there is a simple answer to this dilemma: The answer comes in knowing who and what we serve.  Do we serve God, or do we serve ourselves?

It is a fact, that there is little or nothing that can be done for our flesh that will glorify God.  The things given to or done for the flesh, glorifies only the flesh.  And to top it all off, we learn that the flesh is in partnership with the world and with the devil.

"Do you not know that friendship with the world is (antagonistic) with God?  Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world, makes himself an enemy of God." (Jas.4:4)

"(So) do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For ‘all’ that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lusts of it; But he that does the will of God abides forever." (1Jn.2:15-17)

Most Christians avoid these Scriptures like the plague. We do not fully understand them, nor do we wish to understand them. These Scriptures could, if taken in an absolute literally sense, greatly interfere with our desired life styles.

***Listen as God continues:

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap. 

For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." (Gal.6:7,8)

"Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God." (1Pe.4:1,2)

Our lives can be lived in one of two ways:

a) For the lusts of men.

b) For the will of God.

c) And often times, a combination of the two.

The choice then, which confronts us head-on, is choosing between the flesh and the Spirit; between serving ourselves or serving God; between following after the temporal things found in the world, or following after the eternal things found in the Kingdom of Christ.

Then can we have both?  We can and we do have both, and that is a major problem for all of us.  This is the reason why we need to completely understand the instructions and exhortations that God has given to help us.

"Little children, let no one deceive you.  He who PRACTICES righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.  He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning.  For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.  Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.  In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifested." (1Jn.3:7-10a)

***God has given us a solution to our battle in these next revealing passages:

"Finally, my beloved, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  (Again): For we do not (struggle) against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day; And having done all to stand, stand therefore, having girded your waist with the truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; And above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, (and) being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints."  (Eph.6:10-18)

SUMMARY: The fear of the Lord is instruction for wisdom. Prov.15:33        

a) The battle we are in is a spiritual battle.

b) The battle is waged on the inside of each and every one of us.

c) Exercise in the Word of righteousness will give us spiritual victory.   

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not (fleshly) but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against God, (and) bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." (2Cor.10:3-5)(ref:Ex.20:20)

It is extremely important that we understand the enemy:

a) We must understand who the enemy is.

b) We must understand how the enemy comes against us.

"(Unless) Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices." (2Cor.2:11)

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Resist him!" (1Pe.5:8,9a) 

"(There) are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.  And no wonder!  For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light." (2Cor.11:13,14)

"Moreover (we) must have a good testimony among those who are outside (of the Church), (unless we) fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." (1Tim.3:7)

Satan can hinder us. (1Thes.2:18) 

The devil steals from believers. (Lu.8:12; Jn.10:10) 

Pride is subject to the judgment of the devil. (1Tim.3:6)

The devil takes people captive. (2Tim.2:26) 

It can be summed up in this way—Whatever is not of God, may be used by the devil to deceive and entrap us.  When we walk in the flesh, as so many of us frequently do, we are in jeopardy of falling into the devices of Satan.  This danger of being taken captive (entrapped) by the devil is a real one:

"(The servant of God must) in humility (correct) those who are in opposition (to themselves), if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will." (2Tim.2:24-26)

When we have the Spirit of Christ within our hearts, we have the assurance of the Scriptures—

"For greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1Jn.4:4b)

Walking in this world as a Christian might be compared to Peter's experience when he was walking on the water: We, like him, when taking our eyes off from Jesus, will certainly begin to sink down.   -AMEN-