What the Devil Doesn't Want You to Know

Harvest podcasts featuring Pastor Greg Laurie are brought to you by harvest partners to receive Pastor Greg free online daily devotions or to become a harvest partner, please visit us online@harvest.org or I will look for our Bibles to Ephesians chapters 6 and the title of my messages. What the devil doesn't want you to know. Let's pray father Morgan a talk now about the battle that were all in the spiritual war, it's very real. We have a powerful adversary but we have an even more powerful. God that's you and you told us greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world.

So Lord help us to know what we need to know about this battle and how we can be more than conquerors through Jesus Christ. We commit this Bible, Bible study to know in Jesus name, amen. Okay were in our theory that we call essentials with every Christian needs to know in the title of her message today is what the devil doesn't want you to know from Ephesians 6, you know, I'm sure the greatest day in your life was the day you put your faith in Jesus Christ and I think as we grow in our faith and our knowledgeable God actually did for us. We become more aware of how significant that they really was because I was the day that we literally had our eternal address team from a place called hell to a place called heaven that was the day we turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. That was the day according to Jesus, when there was a party in heaven given in our honor of victory shout if you will, from those who have gone before us as well as the Angels that we had believed, but I must also add that was the day that a very real spiritual battle began to affect it's been said conversion is made. Our hearts are battlefield. Yes, it's true. Just as surely as there is a God who loves you.

There is also a devil who hate you devil that wants to stop the work that God is doing in your life Jesus in the parable of the sower talked about the seed that one of the roadside.

That was eaten by the little birds in these that these are they that hear the word of God and Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in your hearts. It's called attack and you better get ready particulates. It will look dude like I am a total pacifist okay then you are going down on the battlefield. I have to man up woman toughen up and put on the armor of God, because in the spiritual battle. You are either advancing or retreating.

You are either winning or losing. But you can't be a spiritual pacifist you got the fight to win, and this is a battle that can be one as we marks with our Lord. I member when I first became a Christian. The other believers. Only Greg. You have to be careful because the devil is going to tempt you now, and that was the craziest thing I've ever heard. The what's can attempt to me the devil. And of course I envision this caricatured version of Satan.

I didn't think of him as a spiritual being and temptation.

I I've never really dealt with temptation.

I thought temptation as opportunity.

You know when one of the thoughts and come to my mind, I would think yeah I'll try that now, and another thought would, I'll try this other thing now, so I didn't really know about trying to resist temptation for the most part I did pretty much did whatever I wanted to do. I think of the Christian probably know when I'm being tempted. They said you'll know.

Okay fine so went back to class. I'm in the my junior year of high school and I'm sitting in class. There was this really attractive girl that was in the class with me that I noticed that you never notice me and does so after class was over with this girl comes walking up to me she's ever walked up to me before she actually addresses me hi how are you I'm dumbfounded wise is girl talking to me what's happening. She says what's your name, and I momentarily forgot my name. I think it starts with a G I'm not sure where you talking to me given or sent girls never hit on me as hard as that is the belief you know I'm just being honest. It didn't happen in my universe never in this attractive girl is talking to me and then she said, and I'm wondering maybe this is the temptation for Christians warmly about.

Then she said you know what my parents ever cabin up in the mountains. I was thinking of going up there this weekend whether to come with me at that. This is a temptation business visit, she did know for there was no pitch for, but it was attractive. It was enticing and it was real and I knew this was the devil, because as I said these things did not happen to me. Thankfully I resisted that but I thought also. This is how it works see the enemy is quite clever. He knows how to package is where an attractive way, but don't ever underestimate him as the old hymn written by Martin Luther says for still our ancient ball.seek to work us while this crap and power are great in arm with cruel hate on earth is not his equal. Don't ever underestimate the devil. He is a sly and skillful adversary. He said many years of experience dealing with mankind but yet I want to also point out to you. He can be overcome, and that is why were exploring some important principles in this message that we are calling what the devil doesn't want to the know know in our last message in the series that we call Angels and Demons. We pointed a few things out about Satan. First of all, we discovered that God did not create the devil as we know him today. God created a high ranking angel known as Lucifer.

Some of the morning. Will Lucifer rebelled against God, and in this rebellion. He took one third of the angels with them and they became his his partners in crime his compatriots, his minions, his soldiers, his fallen angels.

His demons that help him do his dirty work today and so Lucifer wanted to be worshiped instead of worshiping God so he called it here now though he no longer is in his exalted position.

He once said he still has access to heaven and there are many names the Bible gives to them. He's called Satan, Lucifer, Beelzebub, the devil, the father of lies.

The God of this world, the prince of the power of the air. Sometimes he comes in all of his wicked depravity, showing his true colors and sometimes he is more subtle coming in an attractive way for coming in the form of a cute girl and attractive guy or something that is very enticing you to one of his best tactics he uses is imitation. He pretends to be something he is not. I read an article from the newspaper about how widespread cell phone use is over in Denmark. Did you know the Acxiom or cell phones in Denmark, then America, and I thought how is that even possible.

I thought everyone had a cell phone here, by the way here in the state of California gently pass a law that you're not supposed to use your cell phone when you're driving. Is anyone obeying this law I don't think so think so, but so phone use is so widespread in Denmark, a weird phenomena is been taking place. Many of the birds and the city. According to this article that change the way they think, and now instead imitate the sound of a cell phone ringing. Is that not totally obnoxious. Can you imagine a better note work in the office. I got a get out into the open and the birds on my cell phone. One guy said I have a little bird in my garden that sounds just like my cell phone and we nicknamed him Nokia crazy stuff that's on the enemy, he comes as an imitator. Let's discover some things now about the devil things he doesn't want you to know number one Satan is nowhere near to being the equal of God against Satan is nowhere near to being the equal of God.

One of the first message in this series we pointed out that God is omnipotent, which means all-powerful God is omniscient, which means all-knowing and God is omnipresent, which means present everywhere and sharp in direct contrast. We know that the devil does not reflect these divine attributes. For instance, Satan is not omnipotent.

He has great power, more than most angels, more than any man, but his power is clearly limited and is not near to being the equal of God. Number two, the devil is not omniscient. He knows many things, but he doesn't know all things. Thirdly, he's not omnipresent.

He can only be in one place at one time so when we say the devil's been really hassling me lately. The factors are probably wasn't the big guy himself, but one of his minions doing his work, but in effect, he was temping you through that demon power but Satan himself can only be in one place at one time. Number two.

The second thing the devil doesn't want to know is he can do nothing and the life of the Christian, without the permission of God memory Pete that he could do nothing in the life of the Christian, without the permission of God in our last message Angels and Demons part two we pointed out how the angels of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan was among them. And God said to Satan, so were you and the devil said all I been going back and forth across the earth watching everything that's going on in the Lord starts bragging on his boy Joe. Have you considered my servant Job, a perfect and upright man, one that fears God and shuns evil and Satan retorts this Job for you for nothing. Have you not put our heads around him and his household and everything that he has risen. Another translation puts it, why no one ever had it so good you pamper him and you make sure nothing bad ever happens the humorous family were his possessions.

You bless everything he does he can't lose. But a number of choose strike us from this text. First of all, we see that Satan even after the ball the less access to the throne of God and that we also see that even though he is a wicked agenda. He has asked permission when it comes to the child of God because of the hedge of protection around you have an impenetrable wall that God is ways around you that Satan cannot penetrate now that doesn't mean you can't be tempted doesn't mean he can't be harassed doesn't mean you can't get that. But God will never give you more than you can handle. This is illustrated in the story of what Jesus said Simon Peter.

One day he turned about fishermen and said, Simon, Simon, Satan is been asking for you by name that you would be taken out of the care and protection of God. Let me ask you something. If Jesus said that you were that freak you out just a little bit to Greg Greg John John Cheryl Cheryl whatever your name is. He says it twice yes yes you listen.

Satan's been asking for you by name.

What he knows I exist all yeah anyone to take it out of the care and protection of God within the Lord continues and said, but I am afraid for you that your faith would not fail. And when you are converted or when you return you will strike another wow that's sure good to know you know what when the devil comes knocking at your door.

I suggest you just say Jesus, would you mind getting that I'm so glad the Lord is there because I am no match for the devil you see, temptation is going to come into our life. Jesus even taught us to pray, lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil are literally the evil one, and God will never give you more than you can handle first Corinthians 1013 says there is no temptation taken you but such as is common to man, but God was faithful will not allow you to be tempted above but you are able, but will with the temptation make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it loose paraphrase will never give you too much, you won't allow too much in your life. But here's the problem. Sometimes we unnecessarily put ourselves in the way of temptation. We dip our hands into the fire and they were surprised when they get burned one person put it this way. Leave me not into temptation, I can find myself and that's the problem is, instead of hearing with the Lord is saying and taking practical steps to stay away from the things that Greg is that we unnecessarily put ourselves in the path of temptation look we live in the real world all around us are things that distract us. Second ultimately entices but it's another thing when you put yourself in a place where you know your week. Let's say you have a problem with drinking menu or an alcoholic, almost ruined your life. You have three DUIs and you destroyed a marriage or two and you struggle with this and so I run Indian cement Greg, I'm still struggling with temptation to drink to drink all the time. The temptations there. Yeah that's that's a tough man. By the way, what were you last night at church and at the bar when a church or at the bar.

What were you doing at the bar just filled up either. It's a really good man in the bar get tempted to drink.

Yeah, that canna happens doesn't it.

You know the problem is, you're an idiot.

No, seriously, you are putting yourself unnecessarily in the way of temptation young guys is minimal, always giving tempted you know to have sex with my girlfriend. I don't know why this temptation comes at yellow. You know, what would you do let me know if laying on the bed with my girlfriend. With the lights out. Yeah temptation will come when you do stuff like that but I get out of the things that you see the door.

There is everything of walking through the door. Go back to first Corinthians 1013 no temptation taken you but such as is common to many godless people will not let you be tempted above, which are able well with the whip temptation make a way of escape, sometimes the way of escape is the door were asking God for some surge of power, Lord, here I am getting more justice we want to help the doorstop that just Lee. Case in point, Joseph red-blooded young man sexual drive being hit on by the wife of Potter for day in day out. Finally she lays all subtlety aside and pulled them down on the bed. What is he do, he does what any clear thinking young man would do under such circumstances, he runs like crazy and sometimes we need to just take the practical steps you see, we need to remember that God will never give us more than we can handle. And there always is a way out. Okay now understand that the devil does not work alone. He has a well-organized network of demons/fallen angels that do his bidding. Let's learn a little bit more about them and how to overcome them as well as the enemy himself. Ephesians 6 verse 10 to 13 were read. Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his mind. But on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles or the strategies and deceits of the devil. We are not wrestling against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, having done all, to stand. Paul uses interesting phrase here.

We wrestle not that the term describing a life and death conflict.

It's mortal and again combat you see. So this is not shadowboxing.

This is not even boxing with padded gloves.

This is a fight to the death that we are in another translation puts it this way.

JB Phillips for our fight is not against any physical enemy. It's against organizations and powers that are spiritual were up against the unseen power that controls the dark world and spiritual agent from the very headquarters of evil that helped us to grab a little easier in her mind, just as God has his holy angels. They are his secret agents doing his bidding. The devil has is on the holy angels doing his dirty work from the head quarters of evil. What is the agenda of demons we pointed it out last time they want to hinder the purposes of God and extend the power of Satan again, the purpose of demons fallen angels is twofold to hinder the purposes of God. They want to stop the work that God is doing. Whenever we engage in the work of the Lord. We should expect anticipate and brace ourselves or demonic attack and secondly they want to extend the power of Satan. Yes, God will allow demons to tempt us to bother us to harass us at times even the great apostle Paul had to deal with the subject. He talked about his thorn in the flesh. We don't know what was most commentators believe it was some kind of a physical disability that he probably acquired after one of his multiple meetings or Estonians, but here's what Paul said in second Corinthians 12 to keep me from becoming conceited because of the great revelations, there was given to me of thorn in the flash on the messenger of Satan to buffet me three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away. By the way, the words of Paul uses their public means to strike with the this is the real thing, but why, why would God allow this, why does God allow attack. Why does God allow hardship. Why does God allow illness.

Why does God allow tragedy and we can go on and on asking why we can always answer these questions, but listen to what Paul said as he continues on in explains why it was allowed in his life. In particular, this is from another translation exists because of the extravagance of these revelations that I have so I wouldn't get a big head. I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's Angel did his best to get me down when he in fact did what what he infected was pushed me to my knee.

No danger then of walking around hi and mighty, the devil wanted to get them down process at work. I got down on my knees; God and the devil said no backfired to he wanted to drive you away away from God and instead you plunder the Lord that much tighter when we go through times of suffering and hardship. It's hard. I've never had a harder time of my life in this last year.

Minutes just been difficult, so difficult at times but yet the fellowship I've had with God is never been sweeter. I've never been more dependent on him. There are times I don't think I can handle it and then the Lord just gives me the strength that I need and you learn things you would not learn anywhere else and you don't know why but you trust God, and you cling to God and you rely on God number three, the devil does not want you to know that he cannot control you. Number three. The devil does not want you to know that he cannot control you, you would love you to think that you are powerless against his attack that you have no recourse. You are no magic you will always be a victim and added a puppet for him. The control and I want to tell you that is 100% wrong, though it is true that the believer can be hassled like Paul was court tempted and oppressed. The devil cannot control us know we yield to his power is getting have your sway in our life fully risen.

If we resist them, we can be free from that, and here's what you need to know God is greater than Satan and his the Bible says. Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world and when Christ comes in the life of a man or a woman, he becomes the sole occupant. Some people have suggested that Christians can be demon possessed that you get up Christ and demons living inside of you that so ridiculous. Listen, Jesus is not into a timeshare program with your heart. Though I will says what agreement does God have with the devil.

Second Corinthians 615 first John 518 tells us of a man is born of God, the wicked one does not touch them or literally cannot attach himself to that person.

I've heard of churches that have exorcism services for believers were believers who are struggling with various biases and issues come in and have the allergic demons cast out of them and they throw up in just wonderful time at church a howitzer today.

Ray vomited up for demons. Really nice. A lot of times you were trying to cast out something we need to deny and resist. You can't cast out temptation. You can't cast out things that attack you. You need to put your armor owners will discover in a moment. So know when you are a Christian you cannot be possessed or controlled by the devil. The Bible says submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you to the key is to stay as close to God as you possibly can bring us to this next verse, look over here now quickly reversed and finally my brother, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might, or literally strengthen yourselves in the Lord know this in our own strength were no match for the devil is a powerful spirit. We don't want to engage in like the police when they are called somewhere and they see it might be a little more than they thought they call for backup right but do we need to do. Call for backup. Years ago I was living in New Jersey and I was walking on the street with my newly acquired six shooters, guns with a holster cowboy hat feeling very good. Weird thing is I was 30, but still I was much just a little kid and I will get on the street and there like these hoodlum hoodlum standing on a street corner you know he's close hoodlum is one of him was probably named video. What will I do know what you talking to me what you know that's how they see this little cowboy kitten. They start pushing me around and knock my hat off my head take my gun belts and my pistols and pushed me to the ground and walk off laughing so I was devastated. I go home I find my brother who is five years older than I am. I said Doug go with me.

I want to go back and get my guns back and I find these kids on the corner.

All of a sudden I was feeling pretty courageous because my brother was behind me and he was bigger than me and then I push them took my guns back really good problem was I had to keep my brother with me from that point over the next 10 years consecutively. Let these guys coming kill me. But here's the thing is, we can have greater boldness and spiritual battle. What we know we are standing there with the Lord. The Lord is with us were not alone. I'm not taking the enemy on my own strength I'm sending on the Lord and in the power of his might and that is why the devil wants to separate you from your power base is chief aim is to get between the soul and God to separate man's heart from God and inspire confidence. Instead in him self. But remember Jesus Christ himself is in your corner listen our defense against the accusations of the devil is the interceding son of God. First John 21 says my little children, the things I write to you so you will not sin if anyone since we have an advocate with the father, Jesus Christ the righteous. Romans 833 says who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen is God who justifies Christ Jesus who died and was raised to life lesson is at the right hand of God interceding for picture this way you're in a courtroom, God the father is the judge behind them on the bench of the commandments engraved in stone that you broken the prosecuting attorney attorney is slick and effective. Most people known as Lou last name suffer the season is articulate. He knows how to win a case on trial. As you or me in our defense attorney is Jesus Christ.

And here's our growth Lou Soper stands up today we have in our courtroom.

Greg Laurie, who is on trial for breaking the commandments of God, Your Honor, we all know that Greg has broken these commitments. In fact I'm been a no go over all the things that he has done wrong in his life and he begins in and I'm thinking well that this is not to be good. A month later he still talking. I realize I am in big trouble. I look over my defense attorney Jesus. He doesn't seem to stress that all these very calm Peggy's gun doodling there in the paper looks over smiles and recent okay Greg, don't worry.

Think easy for him to say he's not on trial so Lou supper continues on now. Steam is coming off of him. You know, as he goes on and on and on. He seems to be enjoying this. I don't even want to look up at the judge and I want to make eye contact with them. I'm so embarrassed and finally Lucifer complete his attack against me and says and saw Your Honor your own law says that so that sin shall surely die. Therefore this man is worthy of death, I rest my case. And he sits down with the satisfied smile on his face look over at Jesus like what you gonna say Jesus is. It's all right. Just recall his permission to approach the bench.

The judge's permission granted. Jesus walked right up there to the front of the courtroom leans into the judge and says hey dad, we both know Greg is guilty of everything Lucifer accused them up but we both know that I died on the cross and shed my blood for every sin. He has ever committed the judges. That's right, son, and he pounced on his gavel and he says all is dismissed and forgiven. The prices already been paid.

That's how it works. When the enemy attacks double as a want to know that you wanted to get on your worthiness, your mirror, no I rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Okay so what is it does not want me to know he doesn't want me to know he is not the equal of God doesn't want me to know you have to ask permission before you talk to. He doesn't want me to know he cannot control me. Here's a big one number for Gomez is one. He doesn't want you to know that he was soundly defeated at the cross of Calvary.

Let that one sink in John 1231 Jesus said now is the judgment of this world now, so the prince of this world be cast out, referring to that same event on Calvary. Jesus said when the Holy Spirit came, he was convicted of judgment.

Then he explained of judgment because the prince of this world is judged through his death on the cross Jesus destroy him that had the power of death, that is devil.

Remember when the Lord cried out.

That statement translated in the three words of this finished with the statement was actually to tell us.which was a common word at that time, it meant completed, accomplished, finished it was used by people after the job is done, you just finished building the table yet say to tell a stop start. No need to work on it anymore. Jesus uses that phrase from the cross.

It's accomplished the stranglehold of Satan has been broken when a person puts her life in Jesus Christ.

Colossians 214 a different translation says God brought you alive right along with Christ. Think of it, all sins forgiven. The slate wiped clean the old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ's cross, he stripped off and spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority of the cross and march them make it to the street like the translation. Listen, you don't fight for victory. You fight from it.

You don't fight to get victory you fight because it's already been obtained.

You don't need to pray Lord give me victory you need to say Lord I have victory nominal live accordingly because you told me in Scripture that I am more than a conqueror in Jesus Christ. One final point we can win in the spiritual battle. We can win in the spiritual battle. We can overcome the enemy that we put on the armor of God on that single win every skirmish in every conflict but I'm saying you win the war. I not single never sin again and you won't stumble because you will. I will we all will. What I'm saying is you can win the battle over all, let's read a little bit more of Ephesians 6, verse 13. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, having done all, to stand setting.

Therefore, having girded your waist with true, having put on the breastplate of righteousness having shod your feet for the preparation of the gospel of peace.

Above all, take the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery guards of the wicked one, take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.

Right now I don't have enough time to do justice to these verses. This is a whole other series that will get to another time, but were just going to do a flyover of the armor of God, okay just get the big picture because this is a need to suit up either put the armor on sort of the breastplate usually starts with the belt of truth. Now you think of adult care.

Don't think about fashion belt, you know, by the way quickly fashion to guys listen now you don't wear a belt and suspenders at the same time, one will do just something to think about it out but what about more chance that he will are the kind of evening to get the job member Mork and Mindy Moore different suspenders first service life that it you're obviously harder to please but I want you to think now in this belt of utility belt. The kind of a belt that a police officer would wear not to hold his pants up her pants, but rather the belt.

They keep all a big care on you know that a police officer as a radio the other hand, because they have their holster and gone their teaser gun chemical sprays flashlight. Another place to hold extra magazines with bullets, maybe a place with a baton, a special little holder over the side here with a keep a donated it's all the cops are like what you getting a just a joke but you know the officer needs that belt they call it the Sam Brown anywhere is that when he is on duty. The whole all of his equipment and the same with a Roman soldier would have his belt was essential don't you think about armor giving you breastplate, shield, sword mixed up belt homeport is about your belt is not all this other stuff doesn't work in a white breastplate for the Roman soldier was attached to the belt sheath for the sword attached to the bell, also with the belt you singed your garment that would be sometimes will blow your knees giving you freedom of movement so when you enter belt off your dress fall down your breastplate falls off in your sword lying on a gurney going okay, but I haven't helmet still.

What is the speaking of the belt of truth that sets this represents a life in the mind that is pulled together and ready to serve for the glory of God talks about a man or woman is looking into before God because if I am living a lie. If I am saying I'm a Christian and living in a way that's contrary to that then nothing else is really going to matter on them to be cut down on the battlefield of life. Don't be a person who is living as a hypocrite. Put on the belt of truth, then there's a breastplate of righteousness. This piece of armor to protect the vital organs of the Roman soldier going to get your opponent to try to strike a blow right across this essential area not unlike what you shoot with a gun. This is the kill zone even train police officers you don't shoot for the head you shoot for the chapters.

You can mess they had you want to get here that can take a person down permanently.

When an officer draws his weapon. He shoots the kill. Not to wound or the main in the same way in a battle to go against your opponent you want to strike one blow and bring them down.

Okay, put on the breastplate.

What is not represent righteousness, the breastplate of righteousness. What does that mean it's talking about the imputed righteousness of Christ. When you become a Christian, God justifies you justification means that he forgives you of all of your sin really puts the righteousness of Jesus Christ into your spiritual bank account so I stand positionally as a righteous person do I always live is one no MI. Technically, one yes why Jesus gave me his righteousness hears artwork doubles as you're not worthy. You fail you falter true but you know what I stand in the righteousness of Christ. These may be accepted in the beloved. The Bible says listen here accepted by God not based on what you've done, but based on what he is done. Again, remember you fight from victory not for so the devil tries to strike that fatal blow against you, it gets repelled by the breastplate. Could you stand right with God and you know it. Number three gospel footwear that have the right shoes your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. The Romans were interesting shoes and various types of shoes are different. Different types of things ranging from boots to sandals but when they were going in the battle their shoe at three qualities number one, it was gripping so it had spikes and giving them the ability to hold ground. It was tough protecting from the blow of the sword. And thirdly it was like a Roman soldier to cross 100 guards open field and one minute to the ideas we need to have this ability as we put our shoes on to continue on when everyone else is quitting to keep our footing when others are feeling and to move when others are weighed down. What is this you will represent the preparation of the gospel of key. The Bible talks about how beautiful the teeth are those that preach the gospel look at your feet for a moment probably covered in shoes those feet. If they carry you to bring the message of Jesus to others in the sight of God our beautiful sea and this is how we gain ground in the spiritual battle sure with the breastplate. It protects me as we'll see in a moment, so does the shield and the helmet but with my shoes. I moving forward. I'm gaining ground the way the church gains ground is throughout evangelism through gospel proclamation and I ask you today, one of the last time you look for an opportunity to share the gospel. When did you last prayed for a person by name, who was, not yet a believer pay for that matter.

Once the last time you brought someone to church with you.

That's how you gain ground in advance in the kingdom number four we have the shield of faith were 16 of all take the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of flaming arrows of the wicked one the words above all mean that this is a great import. Now the shield the soldier use was like a door.

They had to come to shield data small round shield for close hand-to-hand combat with her smaller sword then they had the shield. They marched in the battle with was big and sickly like a big door and they would hold up and they would have their sword of their spear and they would often lock shields together and then when they came under a barrage of flaming arrows they would pull together pull the shields over the top or on the back me like a big wooden box. There because one of the tactics of ancient warfare was to barrage your opponent with arrows that were on fire the arrows hit you. Obviously you could catch on fire. It was to disorient the enemy and so you would be marching in the battle and you look up and here come thousands of flaming arrows to you get behind the shield to absorb them.

Okay single. What is that talking about will the enemy has explaining arrows is guided missiles.

If you will.

Sometimes they're just wicked's never been just sitting somewhere and all of a sudden this wicked thought comes in your thinking, where did that come from anywhere came from the devil here just yet. We note the funny thing is that Saturday is even here soon with the Ehrhardt you know what is it it's from hell. There might be a blasphemous thought it might be a product out of might be a part of luster might be a part of hatred. Whatever it is it's ungodly and as I said you earlier. You don't have to take the stuff you can say I know where that came from. I know the origin of it. I'm not only that, I'm not engaging it. I'm resisting it and I'm standing in my faith. There are times when you have to defy emotions and feelings and even circumstances and stand on the word of God sometimes are easier than others. Sometimes it's not all that hard, often lumbered together worshiping.

It's a little easier isn't it.

You know why you like were locking our shields together and you realize you're not alone out there and there's others fighting the battle with you, but it's when you get away on your own in the flaming arrow start coming your way you think this is hard. You gotta stand on faith in the word of God because the Bible says the just shall live by faith stand in the truth of that word, and then of course there is the helmet of salvation.

Again, I apologize for not having more time to deal with these things are so important. But helmet attacks the mind. The brain and in the same way were going to be hit with those impure thoughts.

Keep your helmet on, guarding your mind bringing every thought into the captivity of the obedience of Jesus Christ and filling your mind with the things of God and then finally there is a sword of the Spirit. The sword of the Spirit is the only pensive keys of weaponry, God is given to us, the Roman soldier that is breastplate to protect them. Along with this helmet is shoes to help him gain ground as the gold shielding hide behind, but the sword was to attack with the sword.

He inflicted damage and what is the sword. The sword of the spirit which is the word of God, the devil doesn't want to to read your Bible that you know that you ever notice that you get up in the morning you read the newspaper every section of the newspaper.

All of everything's fine. No phone calls no disturbances. Nothing going on in the music I'll read the word of God in the moment you open the Bible, all kinds of crazy things start happening phone starts ringing. Kids start screaming 747s planted in your backyard.

What's going on. Words that sound like cell phones chirping in your backyard you live in Denmark or hundred and 150, I forgot to pick up the dry cleaning all I have to go phones of all and is not always evil thing there just thing their distraction because the building owner. No, don't achieve that sort don't get that sort of keep that thing put away all know I'm pulling it out, and a sharpen it, this study I want to know the weight of it, how it works, how it moves and most important company use this sore and I ask you the question right now. What she is your sword in his apology from Deeley Roussell use as you study the Scripture on a regular basis and sharpen it on the amble of experience as you applied and obeyed its truth in your life or is your sword told from disobedience or rusty from lack of preparation. You know what I like to see brass Bibles like to see Bibles that are falling apart because it's been said Bible that's falling apart usually belong to someone who isn't okay to wear a Bible out managers for this Bible a good number where another one out by things coming apart pages are fallen out, that's okay.

Writing your Bible. Use your Bible, learn your Bible culture Bible be familiar with your Bible know the word of God, the devil is nowhere near to being the equal of God.

He could do nothing than the life of the Christian, without the permission of God.

He can't control you, he was defeated at the cross of Calvary and we can win in the spiritual battle. He doesn't want you to know that no one else is one of the thing like to say to you, don't worry about the stuff if you're not a Christian, just let things go on as they've always gone, you'll be okay.

CS Lewis in his book the Screwtape letters, which is interesting book that he said was the hardest book ever wrote. We sort of tries to enter into the imaginary conversations between the devil and his demons, and with touches of irony and humor.

He tries to illustrate some spiritual truth that turned out to be very poignant and effective care is one of the writing from his book talk about a legend about Satan and his in planning their strategy for attacking the world that during the message of salvation. One of the demons. As I got the plan master when I get on earth and think charge of people thinking I'll tell them there's no heaven.

The devil response.

Now the never believe that the book of truth is full of messages about the hope of heaven. Their sins forgiven them they won't believe it.

They know there's a glory and in the future.

On the other side of the room. Another demon says I got the plan.

I'll tell them there's no hell, no good, says the devil Jesus when he was on earth talk more about hell than of heaven, but no one their heart of hearts that is wrong and they have to take care of these things.

The know they deserve hell. Finally one little brilliant him in the back of the room said I know the answer. I'll tell them there's no hurry.

And that's the one the devil chose pretty good so the devil will say you know what, there's no hurry you to worry about these things. I have a little more fun. Live the way that you want to live more importantly, the way I want to live, because he just wants to accomplish that endgame to steal, kill and destroy. You feel like you're under the power of Satan in some way today. Maybe some vice, some addiction, some lifestyle. Something has control of you try to break free to keep pulling you back in your wonderful ever going to be free. There might be others of you here right now that's a well Greg that's very interesting what you said you entertain me momentarily little bit here and there today, but I don't really believe in the devil, I'm too sophisticated for that really. I think it takes more faith to not believe in the devil than the believe in him. How do you explain evil. You see here's the thing. There is a double and he is real and he is powerful and he will try to keep you from Christ. But there is also a God who loves you so much. He sent his son Jesus to go to the cross and died in your place and pay the price for every sin you've ever committed. If you'll turn from your sin and put your faith in Jesus.

You can be forgiven and free from the power of Satan and then you can begin to live the life that God has called you to live and have the guarantee assurance that when you die you will go to heaven if you've never asked Christ to forgive you of your sin. We don't know what it is you have the certainty of heaven if you're living in turmoil respond to this opportunity. I'll give you as we close in prayer father now. I pray for every person hearing this message.

I pray that you will help them to see their need for you help them to see the ripoff. The enemy is perpetrated in our life.

Help them to turn to you for forgiveness and salvation. Now so they can know with certainty about go to heaven when they die when the heads of God and her eyes were closed and were praying. How many of you would say today.

Greg pray for me. I want Jesus Christ to come in the my life. I want to be forgiven of my sin. I want to know that all go to heaven when I die, I don't want to be under the power of the devil for one more moment. Pray for me. I'm ready to say yes to Jesus that your desire. If you want Christ to come into your life and you want him to forgive you of your sin and you want to go to heaven when you die with your hand up right now.

Wherever you are and I'll pray for you if you want Christ to come in your life. God bless you just looked your hand a break and see it. Bless you. Bless all of you.

Anybody else slipped her hand up a prayer for you today accomplish all of you that have your hand lifted up, lead you in a prayer, and ask you to pray this prayer right where you are and mean it from your heart so you that are here in the sanctuary of your one of our overflow venues. If you're listening on radio wherever you are.

Pray this prayer and this is a prayer of asking Christ to come in your life.

Pray this now, Lord Jesus, I know I'm a sinner but you died on the cross for me. I churned out for my sin.

I ask you to come in the my life and be my Savior and Lord. I don't want to be under the enemy's power anymore. I want to be under yours. So I turned to you by faith.

Now, thank you for calling me and accepting the and forgiving in Jesus name I pray, amen