Several weeks ago, we began a series of articles on overcoming the giants we face in our daily lives. As we have considered these, we have discussed the dangers they present and some ways of dealing with them. When we began, we looked at the Israelites as they were preparing to enter Canaan. When Moses sent out the twelve spies they came back with a disturbing report.
31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.”32 And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature.33 “There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight” (Numbers 13:31-33).
I think it is important to note both what is said and what is not said in this passage. First, they said they were grasshoppers in their own sight, then they were such in the sight of the giants. Someone has said no one can make you feel inferior without your permission. Part of their problem was how they saw themselves. If you think you can, you are right. If you think you can’t, you are right. The human mind is a very powerful thing. It can help bring about victory or defeat in any situation. Be careful of what you think.
Second, notice what is not said. Where is any mention of God? Look again at verse 31. “We are not able to go up against the people.” You know what, they were right. Listen to the words of Joshua and Caleb in 14:8 - “If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’ Their confidence was not in their own abilities, but in the Almighty God. In Deuteronomy 9, Moses assures the people victory in possessing the Promised Land. The question was, “Who can stand before the descendants of Anak?” (9:2). He gives the answer in verse 3: “Therefore understand today that the Lord your God is He who goes over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and bring them down before you; so you shall drive them out and destroy them quickly, as the Lord has said to you.” It was necessary that they were obedient, but they slew the giants because they trusted in God.
What about us? As we face these giants today, do we face them alone? Do we rely on our own strength and intelligence to slay the giants? Yes, we must be obedient; we must do everything in our power. However, we will never be able to slay the giants alone. It is only when we place our confidence and trust in God that victory is assured.
--Lamar
About Me
- Lamar Russell
- St Mary's, GA, United States
- Weekly bulletin. Church Office Phone: (912) 882-5800
Friday, October 24, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
FACING GIANTS DENOMINATIONALISM
When I was growing up, eating out at a restaurant was a treat. It was a special treat to go to a restaurant in Rossville, GA known as “Bea’s.” It was a buffet restaurant with very reasonable prices. You went in and sat at a round table with a “lazy susan” in the middle and they brought the food to the table. It was my favorite place to eat. I still enjoy buffet restaurants. There is a great variety of food. You can pick what you want and pass over what you do not like. Aren’t buffets great?
We have a spiritual buffet in the religious world. There are all kinds of churches to choose from. Pick and choose from what you like and don’t like. Some of the differences are of no significance: where they meet, size of the crowd, time (on Sunday) when they meet. Other differences do matter because they are not in following God’s will. Not all religious people are right with God. Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’(Matthew 7:21-23). Paul warned that some would depart from the faith (1 Timothy 4:1). He urged Timothy to preach the word because the time was coming when Christians would not accept sound doctrine and would turn away from the truth (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Many people today base their “church preference” on likes and dislikes rather that the Word of God.
Over the years, more and more people drifted away from God’s will. This departure from the truth has resulted in a divided religious world. This is the opposite of what Jesus wanted. He prayed, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17:20-21). Some estimates suggest there are over 20,000 religious denominations in the world today. How is that fulfilling the Lord’s prayer that believers be one? The word “denominationalism” refers to the divided religious world that has adopted the philosophy of “live and let live.” Co-exist with one another, accept one another’s differences, and agree to disagree, because one church is as good as another.
Not only has Satan used this giant to cause unbelief, he is also using it to influence the church of Christ. Some congregations are mimicking the denominations by using musical instruments in worship, serving the Lord’s Supper on days other than Sunday, permitting women to take leadership roles over men, teaching falsely on baptism and salvation, and other practices and teaching not found in Scripture. We need to search out what the Bible teaches and make sure what we are believing, practicing, and teaching is based on the authority of our Lord (Colossians 3:17).
--Lamar
We have a spiritual buffet in the religious world. There are all kinds of churches to choose from. Pick and choose from what you like and don’t like. Some of the differences are of no significance: where they meet, size of the crowd, time (on Sunday) when they meet. Other differences do matter because they are not in following God’s will. Not all religious people are right with God. Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’(Matthew 7:21-23). Paul warned that some would depart from the faith (1 Timothy 4:1). He urged Timothy to preach the word because the time was coming when Christians would not accept sound doctrine and would turn away from the truth (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Many people today base their “church preference” on likes and dislikes rather that the Word of God.
Over the years, more and more people drifted away from God’s will. This departure from the truth has resulted in a divided religious world. This is the opposite of what Jesus wanted. He prayed, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17:20-21). Some estimates suggest there are over 20,000 religious denominations in the world today. How is that fulfilling the Lord’s prayer that believers be one? The word “denominationalism” refers to the divided religious world that has adopted the philosophy of “live and let live.” Co-exist with one another, accept one another’s differences, and agree to disagree, because one church is as good as another.
Not only has Satan used this giant to cause unbelief, he is also using it to influence the church of Christ. Some congregations are mimicking the denominations by using musical instruments in worship, serving the Lord’s Supper on days other than Sunday, permitting women to take leadership roles over men, teaching falsely on baptism and salvation, and other practices and teaching not found in Scripture. We need to search out what the Bible teaches and make sure what we are believing, practicing, and teaching is based on the authority of our Lord (Colossians 3:17).
--Lamar
Friday, October 10, 2008
FACING GIANTS LAZINESS AND BUSYNESS
Who doesn’t like to rest? Even Jesus sought rest and refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life (John 4:6). A part of God’s instructions to Israel concerning the Sabbath was that they do no work (Exodus 20:8-11). Heaven is described as a place of rest from our labors (Revelation 14:13). Yes, there is a time and place for appropriate rest.
Laziness, however, is a serious problem. It is an evil addiction to inactivity. There are many admonitions in the book of Proverbs dealing with this problem.
Proverbs 10:4-5 - He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.
Proverbs 10:26 - As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy man to those who send him.
Proverbs 13:4 - The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
Proverbs 21:25-26 - The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor. He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare.
Proverbs 26:13, 15 - The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!” The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.
The question for the lazy person is not, “Are you smarter than a fifth grader?” but “Are you as smart as an ant?” (Proverbs 6:6-8). The answer is no.
God calls us to be workers, not couch potatoes. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). We need to learn to work as if we were working for the Lord (Colossians 3:23). This applies if we are doing school work, chores around the house, developing a new product that will change the world, or flipping burgers for minimum wage.
Busyness is a giant of a different breed. Time management is an important skill to learn. Ephesians 5:15-17 – “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” We can become involved in too much, become too busy. We all have 24 hours in a day, 168 hours in a week. We cannot do everything. We must learn to prioritize. It worries me when someone responds to a request to be active in a work of the church by saying, “I don’t have the time; I’m just too busy.” Too busy doing what?
Satan does not have to get us involved in things we think of as awful sins: cursing, adultery, drunkenness, stealing, etc. He can simply convince us to do nothing or do too much. Either one is spiritually draining and will bring about spiritual weakness and even death. How are you doing facing these giants?
--Lamar
Friday, October 3, 2008
FACING GIANTS ADVERSITY AND PROSPERITY
These two concepts sit at opposite ends of the spectrum. In the simplest of terms, adversity represents the worst life has to offer and prosperity represents the best. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4). The trials and problems of life can help us become better people. However, it is also true that they can cause a great deal of harm. The same fire that can warm us on a cold night can burn us beyond recognition.
Sometimes life hits us hard, and it is not always fair. Think about Job in the Old Testament? Did he deserve what he experienced? Read and see how much he suffered. His wife was unable to deal with the situation and told him, “Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9). She was overcome by the giant of adversity, but not Job. But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” (Job 2:10). Likewise, the devil can use various difficulties in our lives and produce heavy burdens to bear. It is so very important to trust in the faithfulness of God as He can help us be capable of bearing up under any burden we experience. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Prosperity is also a powerful giant that can get the best of us. When everything is going well and life is good it is easy to credit ourselves and forget about the true source of all our blessings (James 1:17). At the conclusion of the parable of the rich fool Jesus says, “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21). We can be rich in regard to this world’s goods but poor spiritually. Prosperity can make us arrogant and lull us into a false sense of security (1 Timothy 6:17). Some have destroyed themselves simply from a desire to be rich (1 Timothy 6:6-10). Jesus knew what was important when He said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
These two giants are polar opposites, yet, twin killers. How have you been doing facing these giants?
--Lamar
Sometimes life hits us hard, and it is not always fair. Think about Job in the Old Testament? Did he deserve what he experienced? Read and see how much he suffered. His wife was unable to deal with the situation and told him, “Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9). She was overcome by the giant of adversity, but not Job. But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” (Job 2:10). Likewise, the devil can use various difficulties in our lives and produce heavy burdens to bear. It is so very important to trust in the faithfulness of God as He can help us be capable of bearing up under any burden we experience. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Prosperity is also a powerful giant that can get the best of us. When everything is going well and life is good it is easy to credit ourselves and forget about the true source of all our blessings (James 1:17). At the conclusion of the parable of the rich fool Jesus says, “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21). We can be rich in regard to this world’s goods but poor spiritually. Prosperity can make us arrogant and lull us into a false sense of security (1 Timothy 6:17). Some have destroyed themselves simply from a desire to be rich (1 Timothy 6:6-10). Jesus knew what was important when He said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
These two giants are polar opposites, yet, twin killers. How have you been doing facing these giants?
--Lamar
Friday, September 26, 2008
FACING GIANTS SEXUAL IMMORALITY
“Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). Sex is not a giant; it is not evil. In fact, it is a God-ordained part of the marriage relationship. The first thing we have on record of God saying to man deals with the sexual relationship (Genesis 1:28). However, sexual immorality is one of the giants in Satan’s army. Notice the latter part of Hebrews 13:4. God will hold fornicators and adulterers accountable for their sin. As we think of facing the giant of sexual immorality, there are three aspects I would like to discuss: fornication, adultery, and homosexuality.
Fornication is defined by Vine as “illicit sexual intercourse.” It is the broader term, compared with adultery, referring to all sexual sin. However, for the sake of this article, I will use it synonymously with premarital sex. Sex is sacred in marriage, but sinful before marriage. You would not know this from looking at our society. For instance, when young adults ages 18-29 were asked if they believed premarital sex to be wrong, only 1 in 4 said they considered it to be wrong. One poll showed 50% of the American population does not believe it is wrong to have a child out of wedlock. Another study states that more than 9 out of 10 adults have engaged in premarital sex. Sex outside of marriage is wrong even if no one finds out, even if no unwanted pregnancy occurs, and even if no one gets a sexually transmitted disease. “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18).
Adultery is sexual activity with someone other than a spouse. As stated earlier, fornication is the broader term. Adultery is the more narrow term, indicating sexual sin where at least one person is married. If someone 100 years from now were to take a sampling of our entertainment (television, magazines, movies, music) and examine them, they would likely come to the conclusion that adultery is commonly accepted in our society. They would not be too far off. While it is still one of the leading causes of divorce, adultery is becoming more and more common. What does the Bible say? Included in the list of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God are adulterers (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Regardless of what man and society say, God says it is a sin.
Homosexuality is sexual activity between members of the same sex. We live in a society where the “gay rights movement” is getting stronger. Recently, a member of the music industry admitted to being homosexual and received praise from many. A 2003 Gallup poll found that six out of teen Americans believe that homosexual relations between consenting adults should be legal and 54% believe homosexuality should be considered an acceptable lifestyle. It has even reached the point where we see Christian people joking about it. “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due” (Romans 1:26-27).
The time to make a decision in regard to any aspect of sexual immorality is long before the tempting situation arises. I am confident that it helped Joseph that he had already decided that it was a “great wickedness and sin against God” (Genesis 39:9). Be careful of the situations you put yourself in. Understand the power of physical contact. Don’t just feel; use your mind and think. Exercise self control and win your battles against this giant.
--Lamar
Fornication is defined by Vine as “illicit sexual intercourse.” It is the broader term, compared with adultery, referring to all sexual sin. However, for the sake of this article, I will use it synonymously with premarital sex. Sex is sacred in marriage, but sinful before marriage. You would not know this from looking at our society. For instance, when young adults ages 18-29 were asked if they believed premarital sex to be wrong, only 1 in 4 said they considered it to be wrong. One poll showed 50% of the American population does not believe it is wrong to have a child out of wedlock. Another study states that more than 9 out of 10 adults have engaged in premarital sex. Sex outside of marriage is wrong even if no one finds out, even if no unwanted pregnancy occurs, and even if no one gets a sexually transmitted disease. “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18).
Adultery is sexual activity with someone other than a spouse. As stated earlier, fornication is the broader term. Adultery is the more narrow term, indicating sexual sin where at least one person is married. If someone 100 years from now were to take a sampling of our entertainment (television, magazines, movies, music) and examine them, they would likely come to the conclusion that adultery is commonly accepted in our society. They would not be too far off. While it is still one of the leading causes of divorce, adultery is becoming more and more common. What does the Bible say? Included in the list of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God are adulterers (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Regardless of what man and society say, God says it is a sin.
Homosexuality is sexual activity between members of the same sex. We live in a society where the “gay rights movement” is getting stronger. Recently, a member of the music industry admitted to being homosexual and received praise from many. A 2003 Gallup poll found that six out of teen Americans believe that homosexual relations between consenting adults should be legal and 54% believe homosexuality should be considered an acceptable lifestyle. It has even reached the point where we see Christian people joking about it. “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due” (Romans 1:26-27).
The time to make a decision in regard to any aspect of sexual immorality is long before the tempting situation arises. I am confident that it helped Joseph that he had already decided that it was a “great wickedness and sin against God” (Genesis 39:9). Be careful of the situations you put yourself in. Understand the power of physical contact. Don’t just feel; use your mind and think. Exercise self control and win your battles against this giant.
--Lamar
Friday, September 19, 2008
FACING GIANTS EVIL COMPANIONS
“Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits’” (1 Corinthians 15:33). It is so easy for us to think that our associations with worldly people will have no effect on us. Perhaps that is why Paul begins the verse with the statement, “Do not be deceived.” If we make it our habit to associate with people with little or no spiritual direction in their lives, they will turn us to their ways of thinking and living. Their influence in our lives is usually gradual, but that makes it no less certain.
There are many admonitions and warnings in the book of Proverbs. “My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent” (Proverbs 1:10). “He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20). “Go from the presence of a foolish man,” (Proverbs 14:7). “Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul” (Proverbs 22:24-25). “Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them;” (Proverbs 24:1). What is so ironic and sad is that the man God used to pen these warnings allowed the women in his life to turn him from God (1 Kings 11:4).
Some may ask, “Did not Jesus associate with sinners?” Yes, He did. That habit of His life actually got Him in trouble with the self-righteous Pharisees (Luke 5:29-30; 15:1-2). However, His association with them was not for social benefit but for the well-being of their souls. He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). If we are spending our time among evil companions and are not making every effort to convert them, we are asking for trouble. It is also important to notice that His closest companions were like-minded people.
I have heard people say, “I am too strong of a Christian. They are not going to have a negative influence on me.” Keep in mind another admonition of Proverbs: “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). Those with such an attitude also need to remember the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” It is a very dangerous game and the price (your soul) is of great value. Satan is wise in the ways of the world and he will use any and all of his tricks to pull us away from God, even if it turns out to be the person we thought was our best friend.
As a final word on this subject, I would like to especially warn our young people. This is not exclusively a problem of youth, older Christians must be aware of the dangers also. However, our young people need to be reminded of this danger when choosing friends and especially as they begin dating. The best friend, dating partner, or (eventually) spouse you can have is someone who will help you get to heaven.
Do you choose to associate with evil companions just for the fun of it? Beware of the giant!
--Lamar
There are many admonitions and warnings in the book of Proverbs. “My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent” (Proverbs 1:10). “He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20). “Go from the presence of a foolish man,” (Proverbs 14:7). “Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul” (Proverbs 22:24-25). “Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them;” (Proverbs 24:1). What is so ironic and sad is that the man God used to pen these warnings allowed the women in his life to turn him from God (1 Kings 11:4).
Some may ask, “Did not Jesus associate with sinners?” Yes, He did. That habit of His life actually got Him in trouble with the self-righteous Pharisees (Luke 5:29-30; 15:1-2). However, His association with them was not for social benefit but for the well-being of their souls. He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). If we are spending our time among evil companions and are not making every effort to convert them, we are asking for trouble. It is also important to notice that His closest companions were like-minded people.
I have heard people say, “I am too strong of a Christian. They are not going to have a negative influence on me.” Keep in mind another admonition of Proverbs: “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). Those with such an attitude also need to remember the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” It is a very dangerous game and the price (your soul) is of great value. Satan is wise in the ways of the world and he will use any and all of his tricks to pull us away from God, even if it turns out to be the person we thought was our best friend.
As a final word on this subject, I would like to especially warn our young people. This is not exclusively a problem of youth, older Christians must be aware of the dangers also. However, our young people need to be reminded of this danger when choosing friends and especially as they begin dating. The best friend, dating partner, or (eventually) spouse you can have is someone who will help you get to heaven.
Do you choose to associate with evil companions just for the fun of it? Beware of the giant!
--Lamar
Friday, September 12, 2008
FACING GIANTS
In their conquest of Canaan, Israel had to face some giants. They were first encountered when the spies were sent into the land. “There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight” (Numbers 13:33). They were big and probably frightening. However, they did not stop Joshua and the people from securing the promised land. God is faithful (1 Corinthians 10:13), and He had promised a land to the descendants of Abraham (Genesis 12:1). That promise is fulfilled in the book of Joshua, even in the face of the giants. “And at that time Joshua came and cut off the Anakim from the mountains: from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel; Joshua utterly destroyed them with their cities. None of the Anakim were left in the land of the children of Israel; they remained only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod. So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had said to Moses; and Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Then the land rested from war” (Joshua 11:21-23). The Israelites had to face giants in their day.
We face giants today. The Israelites faced giants in physical warfare. Our giants are faced in spiritual warfare. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). This is why Paul instructs us to “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).
There is a war going on! It is not a battle for oil, or land, or resources, or political freedom. It is a war for spiritual freedom, for the souls of men, women, and children throughout the world. It is a war between good and evil. God is the commander of the armies of righteousness and Satan commands the armies of the wicked. Satan has many giants in his army. They may appear indestructible. It may seem there is no way to defeat them. By ourselves, they are indestructible and undefeatable. With God on our side, they do not stand a chance. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Over the next few weeks, we want to identify some of Satan’s giants we face in everyday Christian life and how we can defeat them.
--Lamar
We face giants today. The Israelites faced giants in physical warfare. Our giants are faced in spiritual warfare. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). This is why Paul instructs us to “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).
There is a war going on! It is not a battle for oil, or land, or resources, or political freedom. It is a war for spiritual freedom, for the souls of men, women, and children throughout the world. It is a war between good and evil. God is the commander of the armies of righteousness and Satan commands the armies of the wicked. Satan has many giants in his army. They may appear indestructible. It may seem there is no way to defeat them. By ourselves, they are indestructible and undefeatable. With God on our side, they do not stand a chance. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Over the next few weeks, we want to identify some of Satan’s giants we face in everyday Christian life and how we can defeat them.
--Lamar
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