June 5, 2022
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,
2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts.
The Enemies:
The World, the Flesh, and the Devil.
Know Your Enemy
1. What is the Flesh?
17 For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want.
The Flesh
It’s our bent toward self-gratification, desires in us that are turned toward selfish pleasure; but also its our instinct to want to control or dominate our circumstances or the people around us.
2. What is the World
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
Definition of the World
The influence of the culture around you that seeks to draw you away from a life that pleases God. The world is collectively the ideas, norms, priorities, in our culture that sets itself against God
3. Who is the Devil?
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him.
“God is faithful, and will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”
[The devil] was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.
11 “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.
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