“By anchoring our identity and satisfaction in Christ, we can live in alignment with God’s kingdom purposes.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – June 17, 2024
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. Ephesians 2:1-3, ESV
John Chrysostom, the 4th century church father, writes, “All are included. It is not possible to say that anyone is exempted from the presence of sin and the enemies of the world, the flesh, and the Devil” (ACCN T 8, p. 122). But in Christ, we have the power and desire to resist these enemies, so let us do so today by the power of the Holy Spirit. Christians are called every day to battle these foes of our faith. In our faith journey, we face three formidable adversaries: the world, the flesh, and the devil. These forces relentlessly oppose our spiritual growth and seek to derail us from following Christ wholeheartedly. Yet, through the power of God, we can overcome them and walk in victory.
The apostle John warns us, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them” (1 John 2:15, NIV). The world entices us with its allurements—materialism, pleasure, and acclaim—tempting us to prioritize earthly desires over spiritual realities. However, Jesus reminds us, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NIV). To overcome the world, we must shift our focus from temporal treasures to eternal values. We are called to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2), and to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). By anchoring our identity and satisfaction in Christ, we can resist the world’s fleeting charms and live in alignment with God’s kingdom purposes.
The apostle Paul writes, “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh” (Galatians 5:17, NIV). Our sinful nature, inherited from Adam, wages war against the Spirit, leading us into disobedience and bondage to sinful patterns. Despite our best intentions, we find ourselves trapped in cycles of temptation and failure. To overcome the flesh, we must crucify our old self with its sinful desires (Galatians 5:24) and walk by the Spirit, allowing His transforming power to renew our minds and hearts (Romans 12:2). Through prayer, Scripture meditation, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, we can resist the pull of the flesh. Solitude is not privacy; solitude invites communion with the Trinity, conversations that transform us. Henri Nouwen explains, “We have come to the dubious conviction that we all have a right to privacy. Solitude thus becomes like a spiritual property for which we can compete on the free market of spiritual goods. But there is more… solitude is not a private therapeutic place. Rather, it is the place of conversion, the place where the old self dies, and the new self is born, the place where the emergence of the new man and the new woman occurs.” A place where the flesh dies.
Peter warns, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8, NIV). Satan, the accuser and deceiver, seeks to undermine our faith, sow doubt, and lead us astray from God’s truth. He tempts us with lies, discouragement, and spiritual attacks, aiming to thwart God’s purposes in our lives. To overcome the devil, we must stand firm in the armor of God, equipped with truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer (Ephesians 6:10-18). We resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that the same power that raised Christ from the dead dwells within us (1 John 4:4). By submitting to God and resisting the devil, we can emerge victorious over his schemes.
In Christ, you are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37). Though you face formidable adversaries in the world, the flesh, and the devil, you can overcome through the power of God’s Spirit at work within you. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author, and perfecter of your faith, and press on toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). With God on your side, you are assured of victory over every obstacle, and challenge that comes your way.
Prayer
Lord, strengthen me in the battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil. Grant me discernment to resist worldly allurements, discipline to overcome sinful desires, and faith to stand firm against spiritual attacks. With You as my shield and strength, I am more than a conqueror. Amen.
Application
Daily by faith, consider putting on the full armor of God to battle the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Related Reading
Psalm 91:1-16; Luke 10:19; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:11-13; James 4:7
Worship Resource
Leanna Crawford: Still Waters
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