Weapons for war…

 

As I read through the OT, I can see the parallels between the nation of Israel’s history and the history of God’s people since Jesus came. They were taken from bondage in Egypt and after wandering in the wilderness were delivered to the promised land. There they fought enemies and after that fell into a mixture of obedience and sin.

Our salvation still involves faith and obedience after deliverance from the bondage of sin. We also wander and fight our enemies (sin and Satan’s lies) and then, as Israel did, fall into a mixture of obedience and sin. This is described in Romans 7.

The biggest difference is that our eternal salvation is assured by the keeping power of God. He will accomplish all that He promised and eventually we will see Jesus face to face. However, while here on earth, the people of God are in a war against sin. The world, the flesh, and the Devil try to tempt us to sin and not live to the glory of God. Piper offers weapons that help us win those battles.

Consider the flesh as dead and unable to dominate. 

So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. (Romans 6:11–14)

Realize that sin is my enemy. It wants to destroy me.

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:13–15)

Instead, rebel against all anti-God ideas, lies and manipulations. My weapon is God’s Word and using it often.

Assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:21–24)

Do not plan anything that puts me in danger of temptation.

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:27)

Watch my thoughts. 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

Be involved with other like-minded Christians who encourage one another to live for Christ and not for self, who love Jesus and not the world, and who are aware of Satan’s devices. 

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24–25)

Persist in choosing godliness.
Beware of “duty” vs. Spirit-filled obedience. That means being filled with the Spirit and listening to Him rather than “works of law” or all other pressures. None of the above can be done without Him. That means feeling helpless and being glad of it.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9–10)

Be patient. It takes time to learn how to recognize the flesh, realize lies, see the world’s ideas — and to learn how to live by His power.

PRAY: Lord, getting through this life with a strong and confident faith is Your work, yet You ask me to cooperate with You, not ignore Your voice reminding me to read the Bible, pray, spend time with You and Your people, and do those things that You whisper to me, in faith and trusting You to use me to glorify You. I’d rather have had all those lessons much more quickly, yet in the process have realized that Your way is absolutely the best way to live. Thank You!