Watching and listening to children is a great teacher of truth, focus, and humility. I am constantly amazed at my two boys, now 7 and 5. They continue to learn things by questioning everything and listening to what they are taught. I am really encouraged and stirred up by the conversations that I have with these little guys. They are blunt, ask straight questions, and really make me think of the truth and how to answer those questions. I listen to their little prayers and hear words and phrases that even I need to learn how to speak and be better at.
One thing that my youngest son, Hayden, has learned and constantly uses in his prayers is: “God, please help us fight against Satan.” There it is. The straight forward truth. We are in a war. A battle. A fight against Satan. And my 4 year old son knows that Satan’s around and we have to fight him. Every time I hear Hayden say that, it renews my resolve to get to work, be strong and courageous, and fight Satan with everything I have.
I have read one of Jason Hardin’s books entitled “Hard Core: Defeating Sexual Temptation with a Superior Satisfaction.” In this book, Jason confronts the sin of sexual immorality. But in doing so, he helps give a lot of insight into the battle that we are in against the devil. I’d like to share some points from a section in his book where he talks about the fight.
In his section called “Equipped for the Battles Ahead,” Jason said: ‘Following Jesus is not a settle-in-and-live-at-peace-with-the-world-the-way-it-is kind of lifestyle. With Christ comes war.’ Ephesians 6:12-13 says “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” In short, we be fightin’ Satan and all his wicked ways. We need not kid ourselves either. This is a big battle. It is going to be hard. It will not be done over night. But, if we will follow Christ and have God on our side, we will win and be victorious! The battle belongs to the Lord!
To help us with the war we are engaged in, Hardin gives the following points that we need to actively work on:
- Be Vigilant – “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23). “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). We need to be alert, on guard, ready always to fight off the trickery of temptation that Satan will try to throw at us.
- Commit to Being a Person of Radical Integrity – Never, ever be ashamed of the Gospel or your faith in the Gospel. Always stand firm and be fully committed to the cause of Christ. Make up your mind daily that you will be faithful to God and will never give in to Satan.
- Fight for the Joy of Your Salvation – Satan wants to take our joy in Christ away. He promises “joy” and “freedom,” but his is all a lie. His pleasures only lead to eternal death. But the joy that Jesus gives us is far greater than anything we can ever imagine. We need to examine ourselves and make sure that we are truly getting our joy from the Lord and not from sin.
- Die Daily – “Get violent against your shortcomings. Relentlessly attack the footholds of Satan and your flesh with the strength that God supplies.” We are to put to death what is fleshly in us, getting rid of all sin in our life and instead filling our lives with the righteousness of God. Remember that the wrath of God is coming upon all sin. (Colossians 3:5-10)
- Be Honest – Be honest with yourself. Acknowledge where you fall short and be willing to seek the help you need. Do not be deceived. Satan wants us to be blind. But we must be completely honest. Even if it hurts. It is better to suffer a little hurt and humiliation here in this life than to spend a never ending eternity in unimaginable pain and suffering in Hell.
- Be Accountable – “Accountability breeds integrity.” Get accountability partners. Be a support and help to one another.
- Be Receptive to Rebukes Rooted in Truth – Be humble enough and willing to accept the rebukes of others when they show you that you are in sin and need to repent. They love you and care for your soul. Listen!
- Preach to Yourself – Practice what you preach. You are responsible for you.
- Remember the Warning of James 3:1 – “Let not many of you become teachers.” There will be a stricter judgment. So first apply God’s will for yourself and then you can help others do the same.
- Don’t be Afraid to Retreat – Sometimes, instead of fighting a sin right away it is better to flee from it and deal with it when you are ready.
- Celebrate Victories – Rejoice in what God has done for you and has enabled you to accomplish. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says it all.
- Learn from Defeats – Everyone falls from time to time. Learn to not make the same mistakes that led you to sin.
- Take Time to Refresh Yourself – Jesus said we are to hunger and thirst for righteousness. The only way we will be filled and satisfied is by taking to heart the Word of God. Spending constant time in it.
- Recognize & Destroy the Idolatry in your Life – God is to be on the throne of our hearts. Is He? If there is some sin or pleasure that is in your heart, you have to put it out and let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. God is our only True Master. You cannot serve 2 masters.
It can be done! Victory can be won. God’s way works. Trust and obey. Fight against Satan. He will flee from you. We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. Do it! God bless.
A Cord of Blue 