Intro:
Of course, if there's a battle, we need to know what we're battling against. Ultimately, we're fighting against Satan's temptations and sin, but what are some of these tempatations? In this talk, Ken Allen talked about 3 different enemies that we are fighting against, anxiety, covetousness and lust. How do we fight against these enemies?
Battling Anxiety:
What am I anxious about?
When we are feeling anxious, we're not trusting in God, and Satan likes anxious christians. So, don't be anxious about your life, because God has plans. It's not like being anxious will increase your life span. In fact, it maye be shorten it! Remember, God has us covered! So, DON'T WORRY! In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus tells us that we don't need to worry about things, because God really does have it covered.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:25-34
It's nto bad to worry over things, but don't get overstressed, because it means that your faith is being attacked by Satan. We're not trusting in God that way, and will only drift away. Seek first the kingdom. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.- Philippians 4:19
He's a trustworthy God,and as His children, we really need to learn to trust Him.
"When I am Afraid, I will trust in you." -Psalm 56:3
Battling Covetousness:
To Covet something means to desire something so much that you've lost your contentment in God for those things. It leads to so many other sins, for covetousness IS idolatory. (Colossians 3:5)
What's the point in wanting other things, because really, we brought nothing into the world, and we take nothing away. You can ONLY bring your relationship with GOD into heaven. So, be content with what you have, because there is great gain in godliness with contentment. Covetousness never brings satisfaction.
"I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be contentwhatever the circumstances." -Philippians 4:10-11
Battling Lust:
Lust is Satan's favourite temptaions.
"If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell."-Matthew 5:29
This verse shows how horrible the consequences are if you are commiting the sin of lust. You need to take really really drastic actions. If you commit this sin, fight it off with the word of God. Lust is impure and takes us away from God, and we cannot find satisfaction it. For, nothing else will satisfy but God.
So, don't be susceptible toward lust.
Finally Summary:
Each problem has its own solution, and it's up to us to take action.
Anxiety: Trust in the Lord
Covetousness: Be content with what you have.
Lust: Strive for purity and take drastic action against it.
Aside from that, today, the most amazing thing happened. (IMO) So, Silas and I were at a small cafe to do devotion together, and the worker there was listening and decided to join us. She opened up to us about her problems, and how her marriage was hard. It was really encouraging to see how she strived to have her husband read the Bible and pray with her, despite his unwillingness.It may have resulted in fighting to do so, but she didn't give up.She also doesn't give up praying for her faith to be strengthened and that God will change her husband's heart. So, that was really encouraging, and I'm sure that Silas would've been a great encouragement to her. (well, at least I hope so!) Praying that she continues to hope in Christ, and put her marriage in God's hands. :P
Of course, if there's a battle, we need to know what we're battling against. Ultimately, we're fighting against Satan's temptations and sin, but what are some of these tempatations? In this talk, Ken Allen talked about 3 different enemies that we are fighting against, anxiety, covetousness and lust. How do we fight against these enemies?
Battling Anxiety:
What am I anxious about?
When we are feeling anxious, we're not trusting in God, and Satan likes anxious christians. So, don't be anxious about your life, because God has plans. It's not like being anxious will increase your life span. In fact, it maye be shorten it! Remember, God has us covered! So, DON'T WORRY! In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus tells us that we don't need to worry about things, because God really does have it covered.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:25-34
It's nto bad to worry over things, but don't get overstressed, because it means that your faith is being attacked by Satan. We're not trusting in God that way, and will only drift away. Seek first the kingdom. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.- Philippians 4:19
He's a trustworthy God,and as His children, we really need to learn to trust Him.
"When I am Afraid, I will trust in you." -Psalm 56:3
Battling Covetousness:
To Covet something means to desire something so much that you've lost your contentment in God for those things. It leads to so many other sins, for covetousness IS idolatory. (Colossians 3:5)
What's the point in wanting other things, because really, we brought nothing into the world, and we take nothing away. You can ONLY bring your relationship with GOD into heaven. So, be content with what you have, because there is great gain in godliness with contentment. Covetousness never brings satisfaction.
"I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be contentwhatever the circumstances." -Philippians 4:10-11
Battling Lust:
Lust is Satan's favourite temptaions.
"If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell."-Matthew 5:29
This verse shows how horrible the consequences are if you are commiting the sin of lust. You need to take really really drastic actions. If you commit this sin, fight it off with the word of God. Lust is impure and takes us away from God, and we cannot find satisfaction it. For, nothing else will satisfy but God.
So, don't be susceptible toward lust.
Finally Summary:
Each problem has its own solution, and it's up to us to take action.
Anxiety: Trust in the Lord
Covetousness: Be content with what you have.
Lust: Strive for purity and take drastic action against it.
Aside from that, today, the most amazing thing happened. (IMO) So, Silas and I were at a small cafe to do devotion together, and the worker there was listening and decided to join us. She opened up to us about her problems, and how her marriage was hard. It was really encouraging to see how she strived to have her husband read the Bible and pray with her, despite his unwillingness.It may have resulted in fighting to do so, but she didn't give up.She also doesn't give up praying for her faith to be strengthened and that God will change her husband's heart. So, that was really encouraging, and I'm sure that Silas would've been a great encouragement to her. (well, at least I hope so!) Praying that she continues to hope in Christ, and put her marriage in God's hands. :P
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