The Holy Spirit not only gives us insight into the mind of God. The Spirit also empowers and equips us with everything we need to fend off our spiritual enemies as well. We have already seen how God gives us wisdom through the Holy Spirit. This wisdom helps us battle the primary strategy of the enemy: lies.
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44 NIV)
When we believe a lie, we live as though it is true. The enemy not only tries to get us to believe lies, but tries to get us to share those lies as well.
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:1, 4 NIV)
In addition to the wisdom that combats the lies, God also provides what we need to battle temptations in our lives.
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:41 NIV)
God makes sure that we can overcome any temptation that we face. Plus, God gives us an escape route when we are tempted. We know about that escape route because the Holy Spirit tells us.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV)
Finally, God gives us the power to fend off spiritual enemies (fallen angels also called demons) by simply sending them away. Angelic beings are not afraid of us, but they are afraid of the Holy Spirit that dwells in us.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:7-10 NIV)
So, how about you? Does God give you victory over your spiritual enemies? Do you receive wisdom to combat the lies? Do you fight and/or escape temptation through the guidance of God’s Spirit? Do you fight off direct attacks by resisting the devil and humbly drawing near to God? Do you fight the enemy?
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