Jesus prayed, "I pray not that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil." (John 17:15) The same apostle that heard this prayer and recorded it for us, told us: "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides forever." (I John 2:16-17) Jesus told His disciples, "These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."(John16: ) Again, John told us, "For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith." (I John 5:4)
The Apostle Paul told us, "We walk BY FAITH and not by sight." (II Corinthians 5:7) Hebrews 11:1 Tells us what faith is: "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen." "We are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it." (Romans 8:24-25) "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things whicha re not seen; for the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (II Corthians 4:18)
Hebrews 11 gives us many examples of what it means to walk BY FAITH. I think one of the greatest examples of faith is that of Abraham. Romans 4 uses Abraham as an example of faith and belief. It says of him, "(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before Him whom he believed, even God, who quickens (Brings to life) the dead, and calls those things which are not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope..." (Romans 17-18a)
When Abraham was called upon by God to sacrifice Isaac, he knew that the same God Who spoke and gave him the promised son, could again raise him from the dead, if He so pleased. This is where Abraham looked "afar off". Jesus said, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad." (John 8:56) Abraham walked BY FAITH and BY FAITH he overcame every doubt.
Jesus told us He's already overcome the world... We just have to believe in Him and BY FAITH we can overcome this world, as well. There's no great victory in God taking you out of the world, but there is GREAT victory in God delivering you from the evil of this world. "The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:" (II Peter 2:9)
This is the promise that he gave to the overcoming believer: To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne. (Revelations 3:21)
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Lead Us Not Into Temptation
I think the following Scriptures sum up this portion of the prayer.
Temptations
For the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth..." Gen 8:21
For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him Who has subjected the same in hope. (Roms8:20) Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life. (James 1:12) Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise...(I Peter 1:6-7) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various temptations; knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you: (I Peter 2:12) There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape that you may be able to bear it. (I Cor 10:13) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched by the feeling of our infirmitities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Heb 4:15) Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest in me. (I Cor 12:9) And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulations works patience; and patience experience; and experience hope: and hope makes not ashamed. (Roms 5:3-5)
Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted of God:" for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts He any man: but every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lusts, and enticed. (James 1:13-14) For I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin in my memebers; (Roms7:23) for the flesh lusts against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary one to the other so that you cannot do the things that you would. (Gal 5:17)
Know you not that to whom you yeild yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey? (Roms 6:16) For all that is in the world, the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father, but is of the world. (I John 2:16) When lust has conceived it brings forth sin, and sin when it is finished, brings forth death. (James 1:15)
But I keep under my body, and bring it under subjection, lest by any means, when I have preached unto others, I myself should become a castaway. (I Cor 9:27) All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful unto me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (I Cor 6:12) For of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought into bondage. (II Peter 2:19)
Spiritual Armor and Warfare
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not engangled again with the yoke of bondage, only use not liberty as an occaision to the flesh...(Gal 5:1) Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that is a warrior entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who has chosen him to be a soldier.(II Tim 2:3-4) The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (Roms 13:12) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. (I Thes 5:8) For the weapsons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (II Cor 10:4-6)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against all the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against prinicipalies, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore, take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the sheild of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take unto you the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. (Eph 6:10-17)
Temptations
For the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth..." Gen 8:21
For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him Who has subjected the same in hope. (Roms8:20) Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life. (James 1:12) Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise...(I Peter 1:6-7) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various temptations; knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you: (I Peter 2:12) There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape that you may be able to bear it. (I Cor 10:13) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched by the feeling of our infirmitities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Heb 4:15) Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest in me. (I Cor 12:9) And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulations works patience; and patience experience; and experience hope: and hope makes not ashamed. (Roms 5:3-5)
Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted of God:" for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts He any man: but every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lusts, and enticed. (James 1:13-14) For I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin in my memebers; (Roms7:23) for the flesh lusts against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary one to the other so that you cannot do the things that you would. (Gal 5:17)
Know you not that to whom you yeild yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey? (Roms 6:16) For all that is in the world, the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father, but is of the world. (I John 2:16) When lust has conceived it brings forth sin, and sin when it is finished, brings forth death. (James 1:15)
But I keep under my body, and bring it under subjection, lest by any means, when I have preached unto others, I myself should become a castaway. (I Cor 9:27) All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful unto me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (I Cor 6:12) For of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought into bondage. (II Peter 2:19)
Spiritual Armor and Warfare
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not engangled again with the yoke of bondage, only use not liberty as an occaision to the flesh...(Gal 5:1) Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that is a warrior entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who has chosen him to be a soldier.(II Tim 2:3-4) The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (Roms 13:12) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. (I Thes 5:8) For the weapsons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (II Cor 10:4-6)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against all the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against prinicipalies, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore, take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the sheild of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take unto you the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. (Eph 6:10-17)
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