. 2Ti 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
I had said in an earlier teach on salvation, I used the words of the Apostle Paul. The simplicity of the Gospel. Becoming a Christ follower and following the teachings of Christ. As simple as when Jesus called Andrew and Peter. “Come and follow me!” They dropped their nets and followed Him. If you look at the meds of their lives, they were still following Jesus. This is the simplicity of the Gospel. A free gift from God, where He did all of the important work. Our faith in what He did!
Now that you have become a Christian or Christ follower, you must grow. You have just joined a minority here on the earth.
Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. KJV Bible
When you become a Christ follower you become a target of attack. You are a soldier in a hidden battle. Hidden from man’s natural eyes. A spiritual battle. Our enemy has been practicing his wares, wiles and deception for thousands of years and he is very good at it.
This is a battle you can win
The ememy’s tools are deception, lies, tricks. His main battlefield is our minds.
- We must study God’s Word
- We must know what God’s Word says for ourselves.
- We must compare everything we hear with God’s Word.
- We must discard whatever does not agree with God’s Word, no matter who is the earthly source.
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
When you became a Christ Follower, you became a target. The number one place you will be attacked will be what you believe. If you can be convinced to believe a lie, you will be defeated. It is imperative that you and I know what the Bible says. God will not contradict Himself. He is the same. Never changing God.
As you study God’s Word
- You will know the Truth
- Your faith will grow
- You will begin to understand the character of God
- You will learn how to battle and win against every attack of the enemy.
Not everything that is true is “Truth”. When Jesus speaks of Truth He is speaking either of Himself or the written Word of God.
Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
The “Truth” is contained in God’s Word
Your faith will grow.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
One thing that always amazed me with the early disciples. They never asked Jesus how to work a miracle. The two sincere requests were. “Lord increase our faith”. (Luke 17:5) “Teach us to pray”.
(Luke 11:1).
As we read God’s Word, we begin to see the character of God.
Joh 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
Jesus replied to Philip that if he has seen Jesus, he has seen the Father.
If we want to know the character of God, we need to study the life of Jesus. He only did what pleased the Father. He only did what He saw the Father do.
Joh 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? KJV Bible
As we read God’s Word we learn how to fight and win.
Our fight is not against people.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Our weapons are not swords, swords or guns
2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
As you see in the above scripture the battle takes place in the mind. If the enemy of your soul can convince you of a lie. He will win! That is his goal. Our success comes from comparing everything with the Word of God.
Luk 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luk 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
When we read God’s Word, our faith rises and our power over the enemy increases. We learn how to deafeat ALL the power of the enemy.
*We have to decide to believe God over everything and everyone, Most likely things taught in your church don’t line up with the Word of God. Most likely your favorite teacher has somethings that are good and possibly some things that don’t line up with the Word of God. We must compare everything we believe, everything we hear, no matter the source. If it does not line up with what is already written in God’s Word, it must be cast down. If it is not taught in the Bible and if you cannot see the early church practicing it, it is a good sign it is merely a teaching of man and not of God. *
The battle takes place in our minds! Our only defense is to know God’s Word for ourselves.
Thank you for your time!
God bless!
Daddy William
All proceeds from this account will be used to benefit the people of the Philippines and Eastern Asian Countries.