Unmasking The Flesh, World, And Devil Series

As Christians, we are engaged in a spiritual battle that requires us to be vigilant and aware of the enemies that seek to separate us from God. In this sermon, we will explore the biblical concept of the "unholy trinity" – the flesh, the world, and the devil – and how they align with Satan's purposes.

The Flesh

The flesh refers to our sinful nature, which is inherently rebellious against God. According to Romans 7:18, "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing..." Our flesh is prone to sin and seeks to satisfy its own desires, often leading us away from God's will.

The World

The world, in a biblical sense, refers to the system of values, beliefs, and practices that are opposed to God. According to 1 John 2:15-17, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." The world's values and beliefs can be enticing, but they ultimately lead us away from God.

The Devil

The devil, also known as Satan, is the primary adversary of God and humanity. According to 1 Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour..." Satan seeks to deceive, tempt, and destroy humanity, often using the flesh and the world to achieve his goals.

The Unholy Alliance

The flesh, the world, and the devil form an unholy alliance that seeks to separate us from God. According to James 3:15, "This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish." This alliance can manifest in various ways, such as:

Temptation: The devil uses the flesh and the world to tempt us into sin.

Deception: Satan deceives us into believing that the world's values and beliefs are superior to God's.

Rebellion: The flesh and the world can lead us to rebel against God's authority and will.

Victory in Christ

Despite the formidable alliance of the flesh, the world, and the devil, we have victory in Christ. According to 1 John 4:4, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." Through faith in Christ, we can:

Resist temptation: We can resist the devil's temptations by submitting to God's will and relying on His strength.

Discern deception: We can discern Satan's deception by testing everything against God's Word.

Live in obedience: We can live in obedience to God's will, even when the flesh and the world oppose us.

Conclusion

The unholy trinity of the flesh, the world, and the devil seeks to separate us from God, but we have victory in Christ. By understanding the nature of this alliance and relying on God's strength, we can resist temptation, discern deception, and live in obedience to God's will. As we navigate the challenges of this world, let us remain vigilant, knowing that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.