HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 112
page A110
Enemies continued
• MAT T H E W 5 :4 4 | “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”
At times, your best response to opposition is no response at all. By repaying evil for
evil, you stoop to fighting on their terms and you cut yourself off from God’s righteous
power.
Are there really spiritual enemies—powers of darkness—trying to get me?
• DA NI E L 1 0 :1 2 -1 3 | Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began
to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been
heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit
prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels,
came to help me.”
• MAT T H E W 4 :1 | Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there
by the devil.
The Bible clearly teaches that human beings are involved in a spiritual battle. Far from
excluding you from this spiritual battle, faith puts you right in the middle of it. You are
in a battle for your very soul. You must recognize that and arm yourself, or you will be
defeated.
• E PH E S I A NS 6 :1 2 | For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against
evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world,
and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
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Satan is alive and active, and his legions of demons are always on the attack. A battle
rages in the spiritual realm—a battle you can’t see but one you will experience if you seek
to serve God. You need God’s power, not your own, to stand strong and not allow temptation to overcome you. Most of all, since you do not always know or understand the evil
that is threatening you, you need God’s power to give you strength to face an unknown
enemy. Have peace that God has already won the battle over death and has the power
and desire to save you.
How does God do battle for me?
• E X O DU S 1 5 :3 | “The Lord is a warrior; Yahweh is his name!”
• I SA I A H 4 2 :1 3 | The Lord will march forth like a mighty hero; he will come out like a
warrior, full of fury. He will shout his battle cry and crush all his enemies.
• 2 C H R O NI C L E S 2 0 :1 5 | “This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged
by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
• E PH E S I A NS 6 :1 1 | Put on all of God’s armor.
• R E V E L AT I O N 1 1 :1 5 | “The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his
Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.”
The purpose of evil is to defy God and wear down believers until they are led into sin. This
gives Satan pleasure and greater power over the earth. But God is a warrior. He is always
ready to fight on your behalf, always ready to come to your defense. In addition, he provides
you with armor so that you can fight alongside him (read Ephesians 6:11-18). But you must
join God in the battle or you will be vulnerable and helpless to withstand the enemy. If you
join, you are guaranteed victory.
How can my enemies defeat me?
• J U DG E S 1 6 :1 5 -1 7 | Then Delilah pouted, “How can you tell me, ‘I love you,’ when you
don’t share your secrets with me? . . .” She tormented him with her nagging day after day
until he was sick to death of it. Finally, Samson shared his secret with her.
The crafty Philistines knew they couldn’t match Samson’s brute strength, so they aimed at
his weakness—his inability to stay away from seductive women. Temptation always strikes
at your weak spot. Your weak spots are those areas you refuse to give over to God. It is
those areas of weakness where you must ask God for the most help so he can cover your
vulnerable spots with his strength. With a strategy to protect your points of vulnerability,
you will be prepared for any of the enemy’s attacks.