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A Plan for Biblical Resistance

A PLAN FOR BIBLICAL RESISTANCE
MIKE CUNNINGHAM
SEPTEMBER 03, 2006

I would like to preface my remarks this morning by refreshing your memory about the greatest menace facing every human being on our planet. Unfortunately, it isn’t as obvious as global terrorism or some kind of lethal virus or a biological weapon of mass destruction. Nevertheless, it’s a threat that eclipses all others combined; a peril which can have eternal consequences. I’m referring to a truth the Apostle Paul warned the Ephesians Christians about more than two thousand years ago.

Ephesians 6:10-18 (ESV) 10 finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, The true nature of our struggles is not with fellow human beings but against invisible evil spirits influencing them greatly. These demons are hell bent on destroying everyone, especially followers of Christ. Unfortunately this reality is either dismissed as being a delusion of an irrational unenlightened mind or something most people are simply oblivious of. Even more tragic is that all too many Christians tend to forget this warfare is raging all around us, even in many Christian churches. Allow me to explain.

I’m sure I’m not the only one here this morning that our Sovereign Lord has planned for an argumentative type Christian to cross paths with. I don’t believe He has selected only imperfect pastors such as me to have to deal with this kind of a challenge.

You folks know the type of individual I’m referring to. He or she is a highly opinionated person who seems eager to lock horns with everyone about anything. You could even go so far as to say that it often appears as though these folks actually delight in making anyone who doesn’t go along with their way of thinking feel miserable.

I’ve noticed that such folks are uncomfortable with the color grey. In their world everything is either black or white. Factoring in the fierce unseen spiritual battles that are raging throughout the world; these folks have been demonically influenced into believing that gray doesn’t exist, unless it’s to their personal advantage.

There are also Christians who seem to obsess over getting their own way. These equally deluded self-centered inflexible folks resort to all sorts of tactics to get whatever it is they want. For instance, when they don’t, they might erupt like a volcano spewing all kinds of venom at you with their tongue or, treat you with equal contempt by claming up and giving you the silent treatment or doing something else that really hurts you. Constant subjection to such abuse can become emotional draining, can’t it?

However, if with the help of God, you are able to stand your ground and not acquiesce you are apt to be accused to not caring about the persons feelings or perceived needs. I bet I’m not the only one who has been accused of being responsible for such an angry domineering person’s ulcer flaring up or the recurrence of his or her spastic colitis or terrible headache or what have you. Some Christians have perfected these satanic tactics into becoming a work of art.

The devil utilizes Christians such as I have been describing to disrupt the unity and harmony within churches. Some of them split apart. Christians with nervous temperaments often leave their brothers and sisters in Christ and drop out of church altogether Except for a wedding or funeral, they stay home where they become “sitting ducks” for the devil and his diabolical schemes.

All too often Satan has succeeded in persuading men whom God has ordained to shepherd His people to “throw in the towel,” and look for a less stressful way to serve their fellow man. Frequently the devil has succeeded in convincing those Christians who care about the man the most, to encourage the pastor that any attempt to learn how to resist this kind of satanic assault would be an effort in futility.

Needless to say, such disruptive Christians who have allowed him or herself to become so deceived by the devil are a disgrace to the faith they profess to believe. I can’t think of any non-Christian who is sincerely seeking to learn the truth even attending a worship service where God’s Word is faithfully proclaimed knowing that these kinds of people are part of the congregation and are in the same building.

Even if the church doesn’t cave; such a person is apt to leave and go to another congregation in an attempt to sow seeds of discord pitting brother against brother. If they finally grow weary enough they will write all Christian churches off, stay away from them, and badmouth pastors and Christian churches at every opportunity.

Offhand I can’t think of anyone wanting to associate with these kinds of professed followers of Christ unless they are some kind of nut case who enjoys watching one of them soar to heights of unimaginable ecstasy for getting the best of you when you finally agree with them or give them whatever it is they want.

A person caught up in such grave sins is walking on very slippery ground. This was a dreadful fear of the Apostle Paul.

2 Corinthians 12:20 (ESV) 20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish-that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.
Sins such as these where a person is characterized by their behavior will have terrible eternal consequences unless the person gets rid of them.

Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV) 19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The reality of the matter is that God has planned for these difficult Christians to come into our life for a very good reason. My ten and five year old grandsons Zac and Mike explain: “Grandpa, the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Those little children are being taught by their Mom and hopefully will finally learn that Jesus wants His people to glorify Him in everything they do and say (1 Corinthians 10:31).

With that command in mind, victims of the kind of abuse I have been speaking about need to ask themselves this question: “How can I glorify God when I find myself in such a difficult situation in dealing with an angry controlling person?” If they do and sincerely mean it, you can be sure they are going to come under an unrelenting demonic assault trying to con them into dealing with the challenge in a way which is pleasing to the devil. They will be encouraged to,” do unto others as others do unto them.” In other words, get even.

The devil hates God and His children with an intensity that we can’t even begin to comprehend the magnitude of. Don’t ever forget to remember a truth that Jesus once had to lovingly say with the deepest humility about Satan to a group of Pharisees.

John 8:44 (ESV) 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
The Apostle Peter warned the early Christians about Satan’s passion.

1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Nevertheless, God tells His people that the devil is what I would call “the granddaddy of all cowards.”

James 4:7 (AMP) 7 So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.
How then can we resist Satan and not sin against our holy God when we are tempted to do so during those difficult times we are subjected to his assaults through Christians who are characterized as being very angry controlling people? How can God expect us to love someone who is constantly harping on us; a person who is quick to point out our every fault whether real or imagined?

Instead of being patient and forgiving, why shouldn’t we do everything possible to give the person a taste of his or her own medicine? That will make us feel better. However, remember that in not resisting such a temptation and acting on it we are sinning against a holy righteous God.

How can we love someone who is constantly trying to keep us on a short leash? And what if we are the one who is holding that leash, how can we let it go? What do we have to do to break the devils grip and stop making ourselves and those we truly love so miserable?
Folks caught up in these kinds of sins are very unhappy and no doubt are painfully aware of the chaos they are causing in their relationships with other people. It’s just that they seem unable to resist the devil’s temptations and help themselves overcome them. They feel trapped in the devils grip and realize they can’t break loose on their own. How can such a person effectively resist Satan?

I suggest that each of us start by remembering who and what we all are; creatures created in the image and likeness of God. Although we are defective we are still human beings who are the zenith of God’s creation. Christ suffered and died an agonizing death for every one who, of their own free will, confesses their sins, asks for His forgiveness and then sincerely try’s to follow Him. We must constantly remind ourselves the all Christians are very precious in His sight even if their despicable conduct seems otherwise.

Furthermore we need to remember that we are all in this spiritual war together. Each of us has a past. Each of us has been hounded by our own personal diabolical cosmic forces of evil throughout our entire lifetime. Each of us have been, and will continue to be, ruthlessly and relentlessly assaulted by the devil who capitalize on zeroing in on our worse fears and insecurities. And each of us needs to develop and implement a plan for Biblical resistance. Without having such a plan and practicing it constantly, we will not be able to glorify Got the way He wants us to and which He will enable us to.

Do you folks have any idea what such a plan will look like. Left to our own resources we would never be able to develop a foolproof one. Remember we are not alone in this war. We are never alone. God is always with us. In fact, He lives within every Christian. And He has given us the plan in the Bible. But first we need to look at the root cause of all this discord within families and churches.

James 4:1-10 (AMP) 1 WHAT LEADS to strife (discord and feuds) and how do conflicts (quarrels and fightings) originate among you? Do they not arise from your sensual desires that are ever warring in your bodily members? 2 You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your desires go unfulfilled; [so] you become murderers. [To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned.] You burn with envy and anger and are not able to obtain [the gratification, the contentment, and the happiness that you seek], so you fight and war. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 [Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures. 4 You [are like] unfaithful wives [having illicit love affairs with the world and breaking your marriage vow to God]!
Do you not know that being the world’s friend is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose that the Scripture is speaking to no purpose that says, The Spirit Whom He has caused to dwell in us yearns over us and He yearns for the Spirit [to be welcome] with a jealous love? 6 But He gives us more and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it). 7 So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.
8 Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery]. 9 [As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins]. 10 Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].
I urge each of you folks who have heard my message this morning and those who are reading the electronic version to make time and meditate on these particular passages of Scripture frequently throughout this week. Don’t let the devil con you in to not doing this. Resist Satan’s temptation to believe the spiritual war isn’t as serious and devastating as I claim.

Lord willing, this time next week we will have a plan for Biblical resistance and together examine it very closely.

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