There are spiritual storms coming – Be prepared
Basic Truth #1: There is a spiritual, invisible world
Basic Truth #2: We are involved in an invisible spiritual war
Basic Truth #3: Our enemy’s primary weapon is our thoughts
Be Prepared
Romans 13:12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Belt of Truth
Eph. 6:14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist
Belt of Truth – the enemy attacks our beliefs
Our enemy attacks what we believe about God
Psalm 77:10-12 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
Our enemy attacks what we believe about the Bible
Jesus believed that the Old Testament is God’s word to us
Even the smallest stroke of the pen won’t be removed (Matt. 5:18-19)
Jesus quotes the Old Testament as fact (Luke 17:29,32; 11:51; Mark 12:26; John 6:31-51)
Matt. 15:3-4 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’
The Bible is God’s unique revelation to his creation
1 Tim. 4:1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
Our desire for New teaching or New experiences have led many to ruin
If you hear, “No one has ever got this right before,” Be warned
If you hear, “We can only trust this part of God’s Word,” Be warned
If you hear, “We need deeper experiences than are in God’s Word,” Be warned
Matthew 12:39 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign
Matthew 7:15-16 Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.
2 Tim. 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Our enemy attacks what God says about us
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Pray with me… Father I rely solely on your scriptures for truth. Thank you that I am your child, loved with your loyal and secure love. Thank you Father for seeing me perfect, restored, and filled with everything I need. Spirit, help me remember all the good you have done for me.
Breast Plate of Righteousness
Eph. 6:14 with the breastplate of righteousness in place
Hebrews 10:10, 14 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all … because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Righteousness see in Heaven (Imputed) is what He does FOR me at salvation
Righteousness practiced on Earth (Imparted) is what He does IN me after salvation
Sin hurts my relationship with God
Sin brings guilt, shame, consequences Always has a price tag (not false guilt) world’s solution is to blame (parents, others for provoking)
Sin tarnishes our witness – Cleguart
The enemy attacks our soul/witness
1 John 1:8-9 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Ps. 32:1-5 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
Invisible war in our minds
Attack our beliefs: God, His Word, What he says about us
Attack our souls/witness: Temptation to sin
Father I rely solely on your scriptures for truth. Thank you that I am your child, loved with your loyal and secure love. Thank you Father for seeing me perfect, restored, and filled with everything I need. Spirit, help me remember all the good you have done for me and what I need to confess. Lead me not into temptation and deliver me from the Evil One. Amen