UNDERSTANDING ADVERSITY: PART SEVEN

 

UNDERSTANDING ADVERSITY PART SEVEN

          Now let’s take a Seventh Look at adversity. Adversity Is Our Evidence Of Spiritual Warfare.

Do you ever wonder if the Bible can be trusted?

Scottish reformer John Knox confessed that he passed through a dark time when his soul was filled with, “anger” “wrath” and “indignation.” Knox said he allowed it to be aimed against God and he allowed it to call into question all the promises God has given in His Word. 

Do you sometimes wonder if God exists?

The staunchest of Puritans whose name was Increase Mather wrote in his diary that he was greatly molested with temptations to atheism. 

Are you ever so filled with questions that you feel at times like an unbeliever?

Martin Luther sadly admitted, “For more than a week Christ was wholly lost. I was shaken by desperation and blasphemy against God.” 

Don’t be surprised if you pass through similar struggles. As followers of Christ, we are in conflict with God’s enemy, the devil, the father of lies (John 8:44;).

We wrestle against him and “the rulers of the darkness of this age” Ephesians 6:12;

Two of the pieces of armor God has provided for us when we are attacked by doubt are “truth” and “the shield of faith. "They can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” Ephesians 6:14-16; 

As we saturate our minds with God’s Word, our strength will be strengthened. Then we’ll be able to stand when doubts assail us. If we do not recognize when adversity is spiritual warfare, we will be overwhelmed and tempted to give up. When adversity takes the form of confusion, suspicion and division, spiritual warfare is on! Paul encouraged Timothy to be strong, courageous and prepared to be a good soldier:

Ephesians 6:11-18; says, Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

 There are three requirements to be a good soldier.

·       You must know your enemy.

·       You must prepare for battle.

·       You must be skilled in the use of your weapons.

 Our real enemy: I Peter 5:8; “Be sober, be vigilant: because our adversary the devil walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

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Shall we pray. If you do not Know Jesus as your Savior today, I invite you to say the sinner’s prayer with me now.

Lord Jesus, I come to you today in need of a Savior. I believe you came to this earth as a man and walked among us teaching and healing and saving souls. I acknowledge today that I am a sinner and that you died for me and rose on the third day, ascended to Heaven and are seated by the Father. I ask you to forgive me of my sins and come into my life and be my savior today. I believe I am now born again and one day I will be with you forever. Thank you in Jesus name. Amen

See you in Part 8, Have a blessed day.