Our non denominational Christian church in Peoria AZ is committed to teaching God’s Word in context and faithfully, accurately appying it to life today.
Biblical Readiness
Week Four
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
From this Scriptural Guidepost We Know That We Can…
One) We can regulate towards Biblical Readiness by the working and Presence of the Holy Spirit.
Two) We can resist temptation and evil to reach Biblical Readiness through the authority and Truth of the written Word of God.
Three) We Become resilient as a condition of Biblical Readiness by the working of the Spirit and the Word.
Introduction
Last week we concluded with clear evidence for the presence and working of the Holy Spirit as an essential and available guidepost needed to regulate ourselves to biblical alignment and to a state of biblical readiness. In week four of our series Biblical Readiness, I want to introduce the second of three scriptural guideposts leading to Biblical Readiness – To Resist. More directly, To Resist Temptation and Evil Through the Written Word of God. The premise for “resisting through the written word” as a scriptural guidepost is built upon a foundation that declares to us that the written Word of God is “the light to our path and the lamp to our feet” needed to resist all that tempts us and threatens to lead us into evil. We must come to fully understand that the written Word of the Lord exists to resist. Meaning… The Word of God exists as eternal truth and holds all authority and power to resist the temptations of the evil one. I can’t say this any clearer – to resist every temptation will deliver us from all evil – making this scriptural guidepost essential to our mission towards biblical readiness.
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
From these passages we clearly see from the Old Testament to the New, we are instructed in how to…
resist that which is wicked, evil, rebellious, defiant, divisive, hatefilled, hostile, and all that opposes and stands against the principles, precepts, knowledge, and the heart of God the Father, the Creator of all heaven and earth.
Resistance in this context is a righteous response of faith against all that is godless – (without love for, and worship of God). and must come from us by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, the authority and truth of the written Word of God. This manifests in various forms and every circumstance of life. The working of the Spirit and the Word must be evident and practical (more on this next week). The faithful resistance certainly must be understood and acknowledged as a righteous act of obedience and worship to God from the people of God.
Contextual Word Play – Resist
Definition: [struggle with/against, fight (against), put up a fight against, battle against, stand up to, withstand, stand one’s ground against, hold one’s ground against, hold off, hold out against, contend with, confront, face up to; fend off, keep at bay, ward off, keep at arm’s length, withstand, be proof against, hold out against, combat, counter; weather, endure, outlast; repel, be resistant to, be impervious to, be impermeable to, keep out]
You get the picture…
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship (like-minded kinship) with the world is enmity (irreconcilable unfixable hostility) with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend (closely associated, named and identified with) of the world makes himself an enemy of God. [5] Or do you suppose it is to no purpose (for no good reason) that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously (desires to forcefully guard and protect) over the spirit that he has made to dwell (rest within us) in us”? [6] But he gives more grace (kindly grants opportunities). Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace (understanding) to the humble (contrite and broken).” [7] Submit (obediently, willingly, yield to the Holy Spirit) yourselves therefore to God. (then) Resist (respond in opposition) the devil, and he will flee (disappear quickly) from you. [8] Draw near to God, and he will draw near (come close) to you. Cleanse (empty) your hands, you sinners, and purify (wash and settle) your hearts, you doubleminded. [9] Be wretched (broken) and mourn and weep (tears of sorrow). Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. [10] Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt (elevate to a higher position) you. ESV
1 Peter 5:6-11
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, [7] casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. [8] Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. [9] Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. [10] And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. [11] To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. ESV
Hebrews 12:3-6
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
Resisting Temptation and Evil through the Written Word of God into
Biblical Readiness – Using the Model of Christ
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ” 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. ESV
Resisting for Biblical Readiness – The Practical Steps
Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;
Taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Finally, take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Find out more about Dr. Stephen Isaac, ThD., senior pastor of the Reunion Church, a non denominational Christian church in Peoria AZ, conveniently located just east of the 101 Fwy. on Cactus Rd. Pastor Isaac is the founding pastor, and also the Provost at the Fully Equipped Bible Institute.
The Reunion Church is a non denominational Christian church located in Peoria, Arizona, just east of the 101 Freeway on Cactus Rd. If you enjoyed this blog, we invite you to join us on Sundays to hear this content preached live! At the Reunion Church, we love God and are committed to the in context, in depth preaching and teaching of His Word, and then the alignment of our lives to it. Come grow with us! Joining us for the first time? Go HERE for first time guest info.
Our non denominational Christian church in Peoria AZ is committed to teaching God’s Word in context and faithfully, accurately appying it to life today.
Want to be more fully equipped to answer God’s call on your life to lead and serve? Whether in the ministry or the marketplace, as a believer being fully equipped to serve is crucial for biblical readiness in the turbulent times we live in. We invite you to check out the Fully Equipped Bible Institute’s bachelor degree programs in Christian Leadership, Christian and Pastor Ministry, and Biblical and Theological Studies. It’s affordable, online, and high quality Christian education. Learn more HERE.
The Reunion Church
- 8153 W. Cactus Rd., Peoria, AZ 85381
- 623-979-5465
- info@thereunionchurch.life