Yes, satan is already defeated and he knows it. This somehow encourages him to take as many with him as he can and by whatever means he can. Unfortunately rendering a believer useless is one of his biggest weapons. He's constantly seeking who he can devour. (1 Peter 5:8). Peter is clearly talking to those of us who seek after, follow, and obey The Lord and we are his primary targets.
We’re told in James 1:13-16 AMP
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” [for temptation does not originate from God, but from our own flaws]; for God cannot be tempted by [what is] evil, and He Himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed and baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion). Then when the illicit desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin has run its course, it gives birth to death. Do not be misled, my beloved brothers and sisters.
Because our sin/flesh nature is unfortunately still alive in the bodies created in Adam's image of sin, until we get to heaven, we, our sin/flesh nature, are our own biggest issue. We each allow ourselves to sin. It’s no one else’s fault. Not our upbringing, not our culture, just plain and simple, I allow and make myself sin.
That’s why Jesus told us in Luke 9:23 AMP-
And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].
We must die daily to our fleshly/sinful desires no matter what comes our way, and trust me, when we’re doing what The Lord wants us to do, things will come our way!
This is why we need to daily put on The Lord’s armor in order to stand firm, not retreat! (Ephesians 6:10-20).
We’re assured that The Lord will not allow us to be tempted in any way that would force us to sin and need to remember that we’re not alone in this battle, many others are going through the same temptations that we are! (1 Corinthians 10:13).
We’ve stood around with our heads in the sand for too long and the result is what we see in the world today. It’s not the fault of anyone or anything in the world, politicians, government, the unsaved, etc. Sinners are supposed to sin, their slaves to sin, they have to sin, we should expect it of them. They’re just like we used to be. It’s up to us who claim to be Christians to live it, ALL the time, not just on Sundays.
Paul warned us in 2 Timothy 4:1-4 AMP
I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold, and will turn their ears away from the truth and will wander off into myths and man-made fictions [and will accept the unacceptable].
Are we going to church and Bible studies to be entertained and to hear what we want to hear? Or are we going with fertile hearts and opened ears so we can change?
Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:22-24 NASBS-
That, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Battling our flesh will continue, but having victory over our flesh is obtainable if we truly desire it and then actually do what God’s Word says we’re to do.
James tells us in James 1:22 AMP-
But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].
And then we’ll be spiritually prosperous (is there any other way we’d want to be prosperous) and get rewarded with the victor’s crown of life when we get to heaven.
James tells us in James 1:12 AMP-
Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
The choice is ours, and it’s a daily, moment by moment, choice that we need to constantly tend to as we’re being fed with His Word, communicating with God in prayer, and continually being filled to overflowing with The Holy Spirit. Tick, tick, tick, what are we waiting for?
We’d love to help you on your journey with The Lord while we’re still on this earth, so please reach out to us with any and all questions.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to us with any questions, prayer requests, etc. We'd love to pray with and for you and to the best of our ability answer any questions you may have soley using God's Word!
Here to serve and disciple until He calls us home,
Curt & Mary Jo
Note-all Scripture references in parenthesis are direct links God's Word so that you can easily click and read what The LORD has to say about the section before the reference. I encourage you to click, read, study and even memorize these passages for yourself and NOT to just not just take my word for it. (Psalm 119)
