Title The fiercest fight (1 Timothy 4:1-6)
Contents
♣ Introduction
This is the sixth time in a series of thoughts on the Advent sermons, to reflect deeply on Jesus. In this time, we would like to hear the word of God about the fierce battle with the greatest enemy that stands in the way of life as a disciple of Jesus.
Since ancient times, it has been said that 'man's most fearful enemy is himself'. For Christians, this is even more real. Our hearts are the main target of Satan's deceitful attempts to slip us from the place of faith. Satan attacks the Christian faith by placing power in human reason. Because faith is God's method, but human reason is Satan's method.
I thought about it earlier that it is the foundation and great power of a Christian to always be conscious that the Lord is with me. But the most powerful enemy that keeps me from being aware that the Lord is always with me is my own mind. In other words, it is in my heart that the most intense battle between human reason, which wants to follow the laws of the world, and faith in God, takes place. Then, winning the battle with myself must be the basis for winning all battles.
- 1 Peter 2:11, "Beloved, I urge you, as strangers and passersby, to control the lusts of the flesh, which fight against the soul."
1. You must clearly understand the nature and target of the fight.
A soldier is a fighting weapon. That's why the military teaches how to fight. By the way, there are several types of fights. There are naval battles fought in the sea, air battles fought in the air, and land battles fought on land. For example, land battles, such as CBC battles, individual battles, mountain battles, jungle battles, anti-aircraft defense, infiltration and so on. There are countless types of fights. All of these fights have different personalities. Not only that, it also differs depending on the target of the fight. In every fight, the same tactics and armaments are the only way to win. Depending on the nature and target of each battle, your tactics and weapons will vary.
God has clearly taught the nature of the fights Christians fight.
- 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not fight according to the flesh. The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but a mighty force that destroys strongholds before God. Destroying all theories, We broke down every exaltation that stood up against the knowledge of God, and took every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" / Ephesians 6:11-12, "Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist the schemes of the devil. Not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, and against the rulers of the world of this darkness, and against the spirits of evil in the heavens.”
In these words, the object and nature of the battle we must fight are clearly clarified. The nature of the fight is not an external fight fought with material weapons such as guns and swords. Our battle is a battle of the mind, that is, the spirit. This battle of the heart is a battle between the plan of living according to God's will by faith and the plan of a person who wants to live according to the world's greed.
And the subject is split in two. One is the 'man's heart' as expressed as "a strong camp", "every theory", something exalted against the knowledge of God, etc. In particular, 'solid camp' is translated as 'a fortress of the devil' in the modern Bible. Fortress is a negative mindset deeply ingrained in our hearts, the other, expressed as “principalities and powers, and the rulers of this darkness of the world, and the spirits of evil in the heavens,” which deceives us into resisting God. Satan is also the general manager of these external powers.
Their purpose is to win the hearts of Christians who trust in God. The deceptive powers direct our minds elsewhere. In other words, by making you devote more time and energy to your own plan, you spend less time and energy pursuing God's plan. Satan accomplishes his plan by letting our hearts go back and forth between God and the world. This is Satan's strategy to win our hearts. God has shown that.
- 2 Corinthians 11:3, "As the serpent deceived him by its cunning, so I fear that your hearts will be corrupted, away from the truth and purity toward Christ." James 1:6-8, "ask in faith, and do not doubt at all." Don't do it, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. Do not expect such a person to get anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded and undecided in everything." James 4:4, "The adulterous woman Friends, do you not know that friendship with the world is the enemy of God?
This is the purpose and strategy of our adversaries. In this way we knew what we were to fight, the nature of the fight, and the purpose and strategy of our enemies. Now, let's take a closer look at the reactions that take place in our own minds.
2. I must be clear about my own reaction to the adversary.
From the time we were born, to the present, we are always in contact with the world. We live in contact with all kinds of events, thoughts, cultures, and environments in the world every day. Today, with the development of televisions, computers, and various means of transportation, we feel the world's environment as our neighbors and are affected. And we are reacting to these circumstances, either consciously or unconsciously. We need to make it clear whether these reactions we display are human or belief. Because, in all these circumstances, there are many forces that challenge my own beliefs.
We may think to ourselves, 'Because I am a Christian, of course I see the world by faith.' However, examine your own reactions closely. Surprisingly, you will notice that the human reaction is more likely to occur. This is because, even after we become Christians, the worldly notions remain the same.
-Romans 12:2, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, which is good, acceptable, and perfect."
1) Discerning whether the reaction of the heart is not a temptation according to the thoughts of the flesh
Every moment we are tempted to follow the desires of our flesh and not the will of God. The temptation that comes to Christians is to demand that the needs of the flesh be met, not in Christ, but in the circumstances of the world. Satan attacks my own weaknesses because I know them well.
-Mark 4:19, "The cares of the world, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the lust for other things enter in and choke the word and become unfruitful." Ephesians 4:19, "They became numb and gave themselves over to licentiousness, taking away all uncleanness." Walk with lust… 22 Put off the old self, which is corrupt according to the lusts of temptation.”
2) Don't be indecisive about your heart's reaction, make a decision right away
If I am a Christian, conflict arises when I try to follow the thoughts of the flesh. If the conflict is not resolved immediately, the conflict will persist and become indecisive. Being indecisive means accepting temptation. Here's a funny cartoon about it, just listen to the story.
This is the reaction when the protagonist meets the temptation to eat candy.
Step 1 - I will drive, but I will not go near grocery stores.
Step 2 - I will go near the grocery store, but not the grocery store.
Step 3 - I will go into the grocery store, but not the candy corner.
Step 4 - I'll look at the candy, but I won't touch it.
Step 5 - I'll try it, but I won't buy it.
Step 6 - I'd buy it, but don't open it, just leave it alone.
Step 7 - I'll try to open it, but I won't smell it.
Step 8 - I will smell, but not taste.
Step 9 - I'll just taste the candy and not eat it.
Step 10 - A I don't know. Let's eat. Yum Yum!
When I give in to temptation and follow the desires of the flesh, it is likely to become a habit. Once you step in, it's not easy to go back. You end up doing it a few times, and you get used to it. An old habit is hardened like a fortress, drawing near to ruin. That is why God said that temptation must be defeated at the first knocking moment.
- Genesis 4:7, "If you do good, how can you not be accepted? If you do not do good, sin lies at the door. It has its desires with you, but you must rule over it."
3. Now is the time to fight aggressively.
When we go to the military, the slogan 'Attack is the best defense' is posted everywhere. Even in the war of the spirits, an active attack is the best defense. So how can you attack? It is the reverse of Satan's strategy.
Satan puts his plans in people's hearts and makes them believe them as if they were their own thoughts. So even when we follow the habits of the flesh, we come to think that it is our own will. How do you know this? It's simple. This is because, after following the temptations of the flesh, guilt must follow. The guilt of saying I did this as a Christian.
As soon as Peter made the great confession of faith, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God," he immediately fell into Satan's strategy. When Jesus told them that he was going to die on the cross, Peter went out. 'Teacher, no. I will never let it happen like that.” Jesus responded immediately. "Get behind me, Satan. You are a stumbling block to me. You do not consider the things of God, but the things of men."
Jesus' immediate response is an active attack on Satan. Jesus immediately identified as a satanic strategy in Peter's response to arouse human sympathy. Then he taught the discipleship necessary to follow Jesus. “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
The way to immediately grasp Satan's strategy is to let go of your own thoughts. This is because the place Satan uses as a fortress is the human heart. Now, when carnal thoughts rush in, speak firmly. 'You can't fool me. And you'll never win." Then seek the Lord's help. You will surely win the battle of the spirits.