Title: Victory in Spiritual Battles/James 4:8~17
Content Victory in spiritual battles/James 4:8~17
Key Verse: “Humble before the Lord, and the Lord will exalt you” (James 4:10).
The religious nation called Israel began with a single individual. God told Abraham, “Leave your land and your relatives and your father’s house” (Genesis 12:1). He said that he would form a nation, and he promised his son Isaac and his son Jacob. Their faith was not disturbed in the slightest. So, the faith that began as one person has made up a great nation called Israel today.
Today's Christianity is the same. At first, it started with Jesus and a few of his disciples, but later it grew into a world-changing force. Starting with the birth of Jesus, it brought about a remarkable global change that divides history into AD and BC. .What is the secret to growing like this? The secret lies in how armed and mature each member of the church is. Through today's text, I hope that all mature members will realize the mindset and actions that mature members should have.
First, we have to fight a spiritual battle. In Mark 5:8, there is a scene where he commands, “Come out of him, you unclean spirit.” Also, in Luke 18:13, he appeals, “God, have mercy on me.” This is a spiritual battle. It is not a battle against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12), but a good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12). The envy that comes into our hearts, hate, sexual immorality, arrogance, and pleasure is the power of the devil. Let's defeat it. Let's embrace holy habits like holiness, peace, tolerance, gentleness, compassion. Doing this is a spiritual battle. Teaching our children to have this kind of spiritual discernment when accessing information on TV or the Internet is very important as saints. do.
Second, we must cleanse our hands and sanctify our hearts. The secret of Christian faith lies in holy deeds. However, simply keeping holy deeds does not make you a mature saint. God says, “Weep with sorrow and mourning. Build it” (4:9) Mature saints must learn to mourn at the fallen world. They must learn how to weep at the sight of iniquity, weep at the sight of injustice, and mourn at the sight of idolatry and sexual immorality. There is no one who comforts those whom I have loved.” (Lamentations 1:2) “It is sad and painful in my heart, and my heart is troubled and I cannot be silent” (Jeremiah 4:19) Those who have this kind of heart are mature saints. .We must become saints who can see the fallen world and neighbors, lament and intercede.
Third, we must not slander each other. We must remember the brothers of faith who were scattered throughout Asia to escape the sufferings of Jerusalem. We must not slander each other. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. No. We are members to serve one another. James says, “Brothers, do not grumble against one another” (5:9) and “Be patient” (5:7).
Prayer: Lord, give us victory in the spiritual battlefield of the world today. Wash our hands and do not slander one another among the brothers of faith. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
Lord's Prayer