Some people may not understand the great spiritual battle that is, and has been ongoing for thousands of years now. But for each new individual believer and born again Christian there is a personal battle that is to be waged and won, if one is willing to fight the good fight of faith.
This battle between the mind of flesh and Spirit of God is the enmity that was shown in the very beginning, but this personal battle ground for each new believer takes place in the heart and mind after first being illuminated by the Spirit of God. It is written Hebrews 10:32 “But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;”
This battle against the saints by the Devil and his spirit is shown many times in scripture, and many of the saints were also prophesied to be overcome. Revelation 13:7 “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” But some also would hold fast and endure unto the end, and be overcomers by the power given to them by God, and by the faith of Jesus Christ.
This spiritual battle and war that wars against the soul is mentioned several times in scripture.
Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Romans 7:23 “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”
James 4:1 “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?”
1 Peter 2:11 “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:[SUP]4 [/SUP](For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds)[SUP] 5 [/SUP]Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
When a person is born again of God’s Spirit we are empowered by God to be able to resist sin, resist the Devil, and resist the wicked ways of the world, and even to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. But this war and battle takes some effort on each believer’s part, as personal sacrifices need be made to overcome all these things.
Remember….
1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
This battle between the mind of flesh and Spirit of God is the enmity that was shown in the very beginning, but this personal battle ground for each new believer takes place in the heart and mind after first being illuminated by the Spirit of God. It is written Hebrews 10:32 “But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;”
This battle against the saints by the Devil and his spirit is shown many times in scripture, and many of the saints were also prophesied to be overcome. Revelation 13:7 “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” But some also would hold fast and endure unto the end, and be overcomers by the power given to them by God, and by the faith of Jesus Christ.
This spiritual battle and war that wars against the soul is mentioned several times in scripture.
Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Romans 7:23 “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”
James 4:1 “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?”
1 Peter 2:11 “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:[SUP]4 [/SUP](For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds)[SUP] 5 [/SUP]Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
When a person is born again of God’s Spirit we are empowered by God to be able to resist sin, resist the Devil, and resist the wicked ways of the world, and even to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. But this war and battle takes some effort on each believer’s part, as personal sacrifices need be made to overcome all these things.
Remember….
1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
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and it is not self effort.