I Timothy 1:18- This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
Most people today don't realize that we are in a Spiritual battle. Just because we can't see the enemy or physically feel his attacks doesn't mean he doesn't exist. To win the battle, we need to think the way God does.
Romans 12:21- Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
If you watch movies then you know the world believes that you overcome evil by tactics and force. But in the battle we're fighting those things won't work. To overcome a Spiritual evil you need good. But, how exactly does one go about overcoming with good?
Don't dwell carelessly.
I Corinthians 10:12- Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
If you watch boxing then you know that the first and most important rule is to keep your guard up. Once those hands start to drop, the face becomes unprotected and the opponent zeros in on the head as the main target.
The enemy always seeks opportunity to attack; don't let your guard down. The moment you become complacent is the moment he'll ambush you.
Don't sacrifice the eternal on the altar of the temporary.
Hebrews 12:15-17- Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
Too many Christians take something they want too quickly. The devil always offers his best before the Lord sends what's right for us along. If you jump at what's dangled in front of you instead of waiting for God's direction you could end up paying for it for the rest of your life.
Don't be too quick to judge.
I Kings 20:11- And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.
The King of Israel is giving some pretty wise advice here. Don't brag as if you've already won when you haven't even left the locker room.
You may have some victories under your belt, but you can still get knocked down. Don't ever think that you've arrived as a perfect Christian. You won't be perfect until Christ calls you home!
Quiet and secure is not the standard.
I Thessalonians 5:3- For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
There's consequences to laziness. Doing only what you have to will not get you very far in life. Going to church on Sunday mornings and living like the world the rest of the week won't earn you rewards in heaven. You can still fail as a Christian if you serve yourself during this lifetime.
You should not be the final authority.
Jeremiah 17:9-10- The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Your heart can easily be deceived into thinking you aren't that bad. When we make ourselves the final authority then our desires become the rule of law. Sometimes we don't understand what all God considers sin. Foolish talking, jesting, doing things without faith, not controlling our words or actions, over indulgence, and much more are sin in God's eyes.
Don't get far from God; you need him.
James 4:8- Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
The closer you are to God the better you'll be able to discern His ways. And there will come a time when you need His guidance!
That being said, don't alienate yourself from the brethren.
Pro 27:17- Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
You'll get dull eventually; you need other Christians to encourage you. Sometimes, you need other Christians just to get through some things. Being alone never ends well; any psychiatrist will tell you that self-isolation is the first step towards a downward spiral!
God is interested in quality more than in quantity. You should see progress and growth over time. If you aren't changing then you should take some time to analyze your life and see where you need to make adjustments. There should be advancements made daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly.
Romans 13:11- And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Wake up, Christian! It's time to prepare for battle. You need to strive to do good or you will be overcome by evil!
