Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries
Satan is a master at choosing the best time to attack the believer. Pastor John Farley.
Friday, October 6, 2006
9. A soldier must also be an expert and well-skilled in his field so the Christian soldier ought to be well-skilled in all things necessary for his calling, LUK 14:31.
PSA 119:60 I hastened and did not delay To keep Thy commands.
10. A soldier must also know his place and how to keep both rank and file, so the Christian soldier must know his place and particular station, where he has been placed in the body of Christ by God the Holy Spirit, 1CO 12:18.
In the military, you are not free to change your station or post on your own – especially in a time of battle when you expose yourself and others to great danger if orders are not followed accurately and precisely.
The Christian soldier is to discover God’s plan for his life and stick with it while he is growing spiritually.
2JO 1:8 Watch yourselves, that you might not lose what we have accomplished [your momentum and your spiritual growth], but that you may receive a full reward [the imputation of your escrow blessings in time and in eternity].
11. Soldiers must also follow their leader. Every Christian Soldier follows TLJC and ought to have his eye upon Him through the intake of doctrine –
MAT 10:38 “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.”
As Christian soldiers we must be willing to follow TLJC in His reproaches, afflictions, difficulties, and even dangers, if necessary.
2CO 2:11 in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.
Nothing is more necessary for spiritual soldiers than wisdom and power from God especially when we are faced with internal adversaries.
Not only does the kingdom of darkness try to put things in our mind, but in reality their best work is done by keeping things out – namely doctrinal viewpoint.
If Satan could overcome man and woman when they were in a perfect state without an OSN, just think of how easy he can do it now.
Satan is a master at choosing the proper time and the most advantageous season for tempting and attacking the believer.
1. He will attack when the believer first gets into doctrine.
2. He also attacks when the believer is plagued by some great affliction.
3. He will attack the Christian soldier when he is about to enter some significant venture for God’s glory.
GEN 49:17 “Like a serpent in the way, A horned snake in the path, that bites the horse’s heels, so that his rider falls backward.”
He stood at Joshua’s right hand, to resist him, ZEC 3:1-3.
Acts 13 is a pivotal chapter in the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The church was called to send two of their best leaders for a special mission.
This magician (magos) was a sorcerer, someone who contacted demons. This was an evil man who was under satanic influence, and he was a false prophet.
When you begin a great work for God, expect satanic opposition.
This was a man of authority who could facilitate and aid the work of Paul and Barnabas. He wants to hear the gospel.
When the door for communication of Bible truth is opened, be ready for satanic opposition when you walk through it.
After a great victory, don’t let your guard down!
Satan also attacks when the believer is ignorant of doctrine and out of God’s geographical location as he took Eve, when she was near the tree.
Satan will attack after a great manifestation of God’s love.
2CO 12:7 And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me – to keep me from exalting myself!
The kingdom of darkness will come to the believer and hang out false colors in the disguise of a friend, or an angel of light communicating false doctrine, or he tries to get the believer to feel sorry for himself.
GAL 2:4 But it was because of the false brethren who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage.
Satan also has an intelligence committee to find out what those who have PVTD or the Christian soldiers are doing, EPH 6:12 (“spiritual forces of wickedness”).
He has demons to find out the sin which so easily entangles us or the one we are most prone to, HEB 12:1.
He gradually approaches the soul as he makes his attack.
GAL 5:9 “A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.”
MAR 8:15 And He was giving orders to them, saying, “Watch out! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”
The leaven of the Pharisees is legalism and hypocrisy.
The leaven of Herod is worldliness or carnality.
Sol 2:15 “Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, While our vineyards are in blossom.”
ECC 10:1 “Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor.”
After the thought is allowed to stay in the mind for a while and is free to wander, it goes from the mind to the tongue and then to someone’s ear and then to their mind etc.
2CO 10:5-6 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.