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By Lou K. Coleman | WSS News Contributor
Come on, put your war clothes on. Time to let go, move on, and close doors. Time to end it once and for all!
You know there’s a famous passage in the [7th Chapter of the Book of Romans verses 14-25] where the Apostle Paul is describing a warfare going on within himself: He says, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. For I delight in the Law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin. O wretched man that I am! Who will free me from this life dominated by sin and death?
Sounds familiar?
I tell you, anyone who reads [Romans 7:14-25] should immediately identify with Paul’s expression of frustration and agony due to the weakness of his fleshly body: “All the things I don’t want to do I end up doing and all the things I want to do I end up not doing. I want to do what’s right, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what’s bad, but I do. It baffles me. My own behavior baffles me. Why do I keep making the same mistakes? Why am I so resistant to change? Why can’t I figure out why I do what I don’t want to do?” I don’t understand myself.
The human dilemma described as a man. Who is carnal, sold under sin. Desires to do good but finds himself unable. Desires to abstain from evil but finds himself unable. Who agrees that the Law is good but finds that sins dwell in him. [Romans 7:14-20].
Well, I want you to know that due to Adam’s fall into sin, mankind is corrupted by sin in every area of his life: mind, emotions, and will, have all been tainted. We think sinfully, we feel sinful, and we choose sinfully. We naturally love darkness [John 3:19], and we do not understand the things of God [1 Corinthians 2:14]. The human condition is lost; we have all wandered astray [Isaiah 53:6]. We are spiritually blind [2 Corinthians 4:4]. We are sinful, having broken the Law of God [1 John 1:8; 3:4]. We are enslaved by sin [John 8:34]. We are morally ruined [Romans 7:18]. We are dying physically and dead spiritually [1 Peter 1:24; Ephesians 2:1].
We are in an epic battle! A battle of good and evil. A battle that spans from our very first breath until our last. It is a close and intimate war! Hand-to-hand combat with our adversary the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world, the accuser, the ruler of this world and the god of this age whose aim is to use pain and pleasure to make us blind, stupid, and miserable — forever. [Revelation 12:9–10; John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4]. He will use any method necessary to take advantage of us and get us under his control. [1 Peter 5:8]. But we must use what God has given us to overcome. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Stand firm therefore, and gird your loins with the Belt of Truth, which counters deception, and put on the Breastplate of Righteousness which guards the heart, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace which provides stability. In addition to all, take up the Shield of Faith which extinguishes the enemy’s attacks, and take the Helmet of Salvation which protects the mind along with, the Sword of the Spirit [God’s Word], the Offensive weapon, because I tell you, it’s time to rise up and declare war on the devil. [Ephesians 6:10-18]. No longer will we give the devil a foothold. [Ephesians 4:27]. We are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ, and we don’t have to let the devil run all over us. For the Bible boldly declares, “…Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” [1 John 4:4].
Like the disciples, God has authorized us to stand against the enemy. [Luke 10:17-19]. When we are authorized, we are commissioned, certified, licensed, lawful, legitimate, recognized, sanctioned, warranted, and official. Exercise your authority. Be like David; David was full of confidence that he was going to be victorious. He was so certain of victory the Bible says he ran to the enemy to fight him. There was no doubt in his mind. He wasn’t going to do it by using some great armor or weapon, but by the power of God. And he took a smooth stone, thrust it out, and killed the great giant of Gath. [1 Samuel 17:41-52].
I tell you, it’s time to put the devil where he belongs, under your feet. He may think he has you where he wants you. But don’t be afraid, for the Lion of the Tribe of Judah has arrived, for He has become your shield and your exceedingly Great Reward. [Genesis 15:1].
Come on, put your war clothes on. Time to let go, move on, and close doors. Time to tell the Devil to go to Hell! You are not at the mercy of the enemy’s attacks. Don’t put him on a pedestal, as if he has power and dominion over you. He is a defeated foe! Jesus defeated him and gave you power over him [James 4:7] USE IT! For in Christ, you are “far above all principality and power and might and dominion” and every lion and serpent you shall trample underfoot! [Romans16:20]. Time to Declare War!
He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. [Revelation 3:21
