We have been looking at the
Christian life, how we get in on it, what happened when we were saved. God’s
purpose in our salvation is not only to one day bring
us to heaven also that we might be being conformed into the image of His Son
right now. (Romans 8:28-30)
We need to know that we have
some enemies that are at work to hinder us in our Christian lives; us growing
into His likeness. If Satan cannot keep us from getting saved he does work to keep
us carnal, fleshly, immature, not growing into the
image of the Lord Jesus.
Those enemies are the flesh,
the world and Satan.
The flesh is
used in two different ways in Scripture, that which we
all have that is a part of our body, flesh in regard to the sin nature,
disposition to sin.
Romans 7:18 For I know that
in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing:
for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find
not.
Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit,
and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the
flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the
things that ye would.
Romans 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do
good, evil is present with me.
When we were saved the old
nature (flesh) was not eradicated. .
There are those who would try
to teach us that the sin nature is eradicated when we are saved, but the
Scriptures do not teach this and experience also does not teach it.
The world
which is that organized system headed by Satan that leaves God out and is a
rival to Him.
2Corinthians 4:4 In whom the
god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the
light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine
unto them.
Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according
to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air,
the spirit that now worketh in the children of
disobedience:
We are not to love the world,
neither the things in it!
1John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that
are in the world. If any man love 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 pride of life, is not of the Father,
but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth
away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
We are not to be like the
world, note Romans 12:1,2!
The Devil
himself, remember the Devil is not just an influence, he is a living being and
he is out to try to destroy all that is good and of God.
Satan (adversary)
As Satan, he opposes 1John 4:4 Ye are of
God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in
you, than he that is in the world
As the Devil, he slanders and
accuses 1Peter 5:8 (Revelations 12:10)
1Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your
adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh
about, seeking whom he may devour:
.
As the Tempter, he seeks to
lure men to sin Eph. 6:10,12
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the
Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour
of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles
of the devil.
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.
The flesh, the world and the Devil can always outmatch
our human ability!
When we see these enemies it
should move us to be looking to the Lord for His provision for us and He has
given us this provision.
Jesus is God’s provision for
our salvation and the
Holy Spirit is God’s provision for our sanctification. The Holy Spirit dwells
within the life of every believer and indeed is God’s provision for us in
living the Christian life.