Growth: Learning to fight
Posted by Trevor Botha on Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Under: Word
Whenever a person wants to progress in their relationship with God and grow more, they will inevitably face three major enemies. This is simply what Jesus said in Mark 4 will be the main things that can hinder the seed of God's Word coming to full maturity in our lives.
Being aware of these three things will make it easier for us to overcome them. Even though this blog will not in any way be an exhaustive explanation, it will definitely help you to start identifying certain areas in your life that could hinder you from living in victory.
Our own flesh, the world we live in and the devil and his demons are the three major things we will always come up against in our walk with God.
Flesh
When we talk about the flesh, we simply refer to our own inner lustful desires. These things are simply the cravings of our sinful nature that wants to cause us to move away from the Word and promises of God.
One thing we all struggle with is worry. Jesus clearly told us not to worry in His well known sermon He preached in Matthew 5-7 (6:31). Also in 1 Peter 5:7 the bible says "Give all your worries and cares to God". To worry is simply to meditate on the lies of the devil. God wants us to trust Him and He will take care of us like a loving Heavenly Father. But most people will let the worries of their lives consume their thinking and totally forget the promises of Gods Word.
This is mainly because of Greed. Greed is not just simply lusting after money, but lusting after the promises of money. Money makes empty promises of fulfilling our needs and bringing happiness. If money would have brought happiness then no rich person would ever be dissatisfied with life. True peace and joy can only be found in your creator. Our fleshly desire for more things is a huge obstacle in our lives to hinder us from living in the fullness of what God has for us.
World
When we talk about the world it simply means the pressures we get from the outside to conform to the way people would like us to live. Every culture, friendship group and family and some sort of expectation to conform to what they think is right. Whenever a person wold like to live in the purposes of God they will be persecuted for their point of view.
This kind of persecution has one single purpose - The Word. Jesus said in Mark 4 that people will be persecuted for the Words sake.
Jesus also said that those who do not have the character of heart to resist this kind of persecution will inevitably fall under the pressure. The devil will certainly make sure that there are pressure on you to resist God's Word.
Devil
C.S Lewis said "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them"
Although I do not hold a view that all evil in the world is definitely caused by Satan and his demons, I do firmly believe that they have a huge influence on people's lives.
How is it possible to know that the devil is influencing your life. Here is a list of possible clues:
Torment (Acts 5:16)
Physical Injury (Matt 9:32-33, 12:22-23, Acts 8:4-8)
Accusation )Rev 12:10)
Death (Prov 8:36)
Murder / Suicide (John 8:44)
False Spirits and Spirituality (1 John 4:1-6)
Continual stealing / can't retain blessings (John 10:10)
Guilt & Condemnation (Romans 8:1)
Can't stop sinning (Romans 8:2)
Being aware of these three things will make it easier for us to overcome them. Even though this blog will not in any way be an exhaustive explanation, it will definitely help you to start identifying certain areas in your life that could hinder you from living in victory.
Our own flesh, the world we live in and the devil and his demons are the three major things we will always come up against in our walk with God.
Flesh
When we talk about the flesh, we simply refer to our own inner lustful desires. These things are simply the cravings of our sinful nature that wants to cause us to move away from the Word and promises of God.
One thing we all struggle with is worry. Jesus clearly told us not to worry in His well known sermon He preached in Matthew 5-7 (6:31). Also in 1 Peter 5:7 the bible says "Give all your worries and cares to God". To worry is simply to meditate on the lies of the devil. God wants us to trust Him and He will take care of us like a loving Heavenly Father. But most people will let the worries of their lives consume their thinking and totally forget the promises of Gods Word.
This is mainly because of Greed. Greed is not just simply lusting after money, but lusting after the promises of money. Money makes empty promises of fulfilling our needs and bringing happiness. If money would have brought happiness then no rich person would ever be dissatisfied with life. True peace and joy can only be found in your creator. Our fleshly desire for more things is a huge obstacle in our lives to hinder us from living in the fullness of what God has for us.
World
When we talk about the world it simply means the pressures we get from the outside to conform to the way people would like us to live. Every culture, friendship group and family and some sort of expectation to conform to what they think is right. Whenever a person wold like to live in the purposes of God they will be persecuted for their point of view.
This kind of persecution has one single purpose - The Word. Jesus said in Mark 4 that people will be persecuted for the Words sake.
Jesus also said that those who do not have the character of heart to resist this kind of persecution will inevitably fall under the pressure. The devil will certainly make sure that there are pressure on you to resist God's Word.
Devil
C.S Lewis said "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them"
Although I do not hold a view that all evil in the world is definitely caused by Satan and his demons, I do firmly believe that they have a huge influence on people's lives.
How is it possible to know that the devil is influencing your life. Here is a list of possible clues:
Torment (Acts 5:16)
Physical Injury (Matt 9:32-33, 12:22-23, Acts 8:4-8)
Accusation )Rev 12:10)
Death (Prov 8:36)
Murder / Suicide (John 8:44)
False Spirits and Spirituality (1 John 4:1-6)
Continual stealing / can't retain blessings (John 10:10)
Guilt & Condemnation (Romans 8:1)
Can't stop sinning (Romans 8:2)
In : Word
