PROFITING FROM THE ENEMY'S ATTACKS

“First, he will point out that you are not perfect but are expected to be; then he will tell you that since you are not perfect, God will have nothing to do with our pitiful efforts.

You may be asking yourself, "What can I do of a practical nature to withstand Satan when he comes to criticize my duties for Christ?"

Satan seeks to persuade you that your service and yourself are hypocritical, proud, selfish, etc., is generally not too difficult, because something of these sins is found in everyone-- even Christians! You must learn to distinguish between pride in a work and a proud work, between hypocrisy in a person, and a hypocrite. The best of saints have the stirring of such corruptions in them. Comfort yourself with this: If you find a voice within your heart pleading for God and entering its protest against evil, you and your efforts are acceptable in His sight.”

It is imperative of us that we become acquainted with all of God’s Word and the work that Christ has done for us. In so doing the Holy Spirit is able to bring to remembrance God's good work on our behalf.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:3-14 ESV.

Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617

Artwork by William Hallmark.