STAYING FREE - OVERCOMING THE ENEMY
When we come to Christ it is a glorious experience, but on our continuing journey with Him we are often confronted by the Enemy, who is called in Revelation 12:10, "The Accuser of The Brethren (or Believer)". It is here that we experience warfare of our souls. If the enemy can't have our lives then he will certainly attempt to steal our well being and life flow that we are able to receive in Christ. This sermon is about the ultimate weapon in our warfare, in fact the only offensive weapon we have, (all other weapons are defensive in nature Ephesians 6:13-18 the "Sword of The Word".
John 8:31-32 So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Matthew 13:3,4 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow.“And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.
Matthew 13:19 “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside."
The Birds represent the demons the Devil uses in his warfare against us.
Notice in Genesis 15:1 as Abram was meeting with God about his destiny, "After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward."
Notice that the "Word came to Abram". THis was a defining moment when God made covenant with Abram promising him an heir, Isaac. This the same word God uses in our lives to reveal His Person and Purpose to us!
But what happened during this encounter with Abram? As he was receiving the word and it's spiritual confirmation, even as he was offering up to God a sacrificial offering that would seal the Deal, as it were the enemy appeared just as in Matthew 13, birds descended trying to steal, kill and destroy his promise. What did Abram do? What lesson can we learn for ourselves when the enemy wants to steal our promise?
The key is in -
Genesis 15:11 And when the vultures came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.
Here we begin to understand the revelation of what Abram did to overcome the enemy:
He "Drove them away": Hebrew Nashab meaning to blow. Illustrated in the following verses:
Isaiah 11:4 But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.
Revelation 1:16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
So we find that the answer to the enemies attack is the Holy Spirit inspired Word of God, we speak out the Word of God, just as Jesus did when confronted in the wilderness by the Devil, Luke 4, a confrontation that was designed to steal the purpose of Jesus, who overcame by the word. Notice that in order for Jesus to enter into His full anointing and purpose He first had to deal with the Devil, but when He overcame we find that Jesus was empowered to walk in His destiny. The Devil tried to use the Word of God inappropriately to try to confuse and destroy Him, but Jesus inspired by The Holy Spirit declared truth that overcame the enemy. Remember the word of God is a breathed word, an inspired word from The Holy Spirit and so we must know the author of the word, The Holy Spirit if we are to know what to say, and how to respond to the Devils attempts to steal destiny from us.
2 Pet. 1:21, "for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.".
The word "inspired" is literally "God-breathed.". This is an interesting phrase since it implies that the Scriptures are from the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:10,11, “Away from me, Satan!” Jesus declared. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only." Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him.
Luke 4:13-14 When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time. Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and the news about Him spread throughout the surrounding region.
There are three great lessons to be learnt:
• Be aware of the enemy - He is real.
• Be filled with the Spirit - so you might know what He is speaking to you - "The Breath of God"
• Be armed with the word - read and know the Word so it's truth will set you free.
CONCLUSION: Begin to confess God's promise over you, His salvation, His abundant life. Come out of the wilderness of doubt and despair in the power of the Spirit, be set free to live in freedom again!
