02/04/22 A LITTLE BACKGROUND AND THEN A POINT

02/04/22 A LITTLE BACKGROUND AND THEN A POINT

The World, The Flesh, and The Devil are the main three enemies of Christian living, which are recognized in the Scriptures.
"The World" is the worldly system, the worldly mindset, which can be the system (age) or order (cosmological or social).
"The Flesh" is the carnal (fleshly) or anti-spiritual inclination, with which we were born.
"The Devil" is Satan, the fallen angel, formerly known as Lucifer. He is the prince or head of fallen angels, also known as demons.

These are three enemies of the soul. Most people fear these three and think that Christians are not able to overcome, defeat them. However, the Bible makes it abundantly clear that Christ has defeated them, and therefore it is expected that Christians will also overcome them because Jesus gives us everything that pertains to life and godliness, and we are enabled to resist every temptation we face.

As a pastor, part of my responsibility is to warn my people about the dangers of these three, instruct them in victorious warfare and equip them for victorious living.
Here is an article I posted in 2015

VICTORY OVER ENEMIES
The other day I was thinking about the enemies, with which Christians contend. They are,
The World
James 4:4
(4) Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
The Flesh
Romans 8:7-8
(7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
(8 ) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
The Devil
1 Peter 5:8
(8 ) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

BUT GOD HAS GIVEN US VICTORY OVER THESE ENEMIES
Victory Over The World
John 16:33
(33) These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Galatians 1:4
(4) Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
1 John 4:4
(4) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 John 5:4-5
(4) For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
(5) Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Victory Over The Flesh
Romans 8:1
(1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:6-10
(6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
(7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
(8 ) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
(9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
(10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
2 Corinthians 10:3
(3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
Galatians 5:16
(16) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:24-25
(24) And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
(25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Victory Over The Devil
Ephesians 4:27
(27) Neither give place to the devil.
Ephesians 6:11
(11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
2 Timothy 2:25-26
(25) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
(26) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Hebrews 2:14
(14) Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
James 4:7
(7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 John 3:7-10
(7) Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
(8 ) He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
(9) Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
(10) In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Our Last Enemy, Death
1 Corinthians 15:26
(26) The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

Not Enemies Of One Another
A Christian should not be the enemy to other believers. We should not cannibalize one another.
Galatians 5:14-15
(14) For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
(15) But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

But we are not intimidated by our opponents.
We can overcome the world: (Ja. 1:27; 1 Jn. 4:4; 1 Jn. 5:4-5).
We can overcome the flesh: (Ro.8:1, 4-5, 9, 12-13; 13:14; 2 Co. 7:1; 10:3; Ga. 5:16, 24).
We can overcome the Devil: (Ep. 4:27; 6:11; 2 Tm. 2:26; Ja. 4:7; 1 Pe. 5:8-11; 1 Jn. 3:8).