Our Greatest Enemy

by Pastor. Alex

We are our greatest enemy. We cannot blame anything or any situation if we are not moving forward or growing in the Lord.

Matthew 22:37- 40 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.

All is a measurement.

If we do not understand that our primary purpose for living is this then all our decisions can be wrong. The whole purpose of our lives is growing into the fullness of loving God.

To love God with all our heart is to intensely pursue Him as the No. 1 priority in our lives: to love Him sincerely and genuinely.

All our strength means love is not just words but must be seen in actions we take that show Him that He matters to us. This must be the basis to every decision we make.

What are the challenges we face towards this?

Esther’s life holds 3 key warnings that are relevant for today.

Esther 4:14-16 If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.” 

It’s essential we understand the power of divine placement

Acts 17:26 From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.

God intentionally plans the time and place for us to be born, and He has strategically placed us where we are.

Esther recognized a strategic deployment and took the right posture in the spirit and became an instrument that nullified the plans of the enemy in her sphere of influence. If she did not take that right posture in the heart, she might have missed what God wanted to do through her.

In the same way, the place we are in is to checkmate the devil in our own sphere of influence.

Who knows you are brought to the Kingdom for such a time as this?

The first warning for the last days’ church: The danger of not living circumspectly.

Ephesians 5:15-17 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

Understand the season in your personal walk with God and the season we are living in. Ephesians warns us to live our lives with discernment.

1. Be careful how you live. We cannot live carelessly. We must be focused and understand our season
2. Make best use of our time. This means, we must be productive and effective where ever God has placed us
3. Understand the will of God. Understand the personal will of God and also understand the demand of our generation

David served his generation well. What is God’s expectation on us for where He has placed us?

God’s heart is for the lost and for the church to mature. One of the things, we cannot afford to be careless in this season is to build a consistent walk with God.

Power of Consistency

If there is no consistency we don’t move forward. Without consistency there can be no growth or progress in our lives. The closest scripture that comes to it is

1 Corinthians 15:58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Consistency is being steadfast, committed and unwavering in faith and obedience to God even in the face of challenges

Be strong, immovable and consistent in all that you do. Consistency helps us develop a routine, bring momentum and form habits. If we do something consistently it becomes a habit and that brings momentum in our spiritual walk and forms a routine for us. This helps us in our spiritual growth. It helps us grow deeper in our relationship with God.

Colossians 2:6, 7 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

In another version it says just like you received the Messiah, continue to live dependant on Him. This produces a lifestyle of consistency. It will help us be rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in Him. Without consistency we will grow up to a certain measure but there will be loopholes which can cause us to falter because the building or pillars are not strong enough.

1. When we come to a place of consistency means everything is strengthened. We are no longer struggling in that area
2. It gives us strength during trials and temptations. We will still be standing after the battle

Ephesians 6:12,13, 18 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

The Armour of God is a lifestyle. It is not something we declare.
A lifestyle is built by consistency.

The helmet talks of salvation which means protecting your mind. You know how to be in control of your thoughts. Breastplate of righteousness talks about the heart. Belt is the most important thing. If everything about us is not based on the truth, then all the rest is ineffective. Everything will come loose when you are fighting the battle.

It’s a lifestyle. As we grow more and more in this lifestyle, we gain strength to fight back. That is why we must not be afraid to make mistakes because it is part of growth. God allows us to make that mistake because He wants to help us overcome and not to condemn us. Through that He will teach us as we continue to walk with Him. Our love for Him will help us overcome all this. Remember, the reason we live is to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. Pray in the spirit at all times means a consistent walk and a consistent prayer life that prepares us for spiritual battles.

If we just have knowledge of the Word but no formation is taking place it means we have no mindset for spiritual formation. We don’t think that spiritual formation is an important aspect of my life. Then we have knowledge but we don’t know how to use it to fight our battles in our mind and in the heart. Without the Word and the Spirit, we don’t know how to battle. Our emotions will be stronger than the Word and the Spirit. Then we take emotional decisions.

John 15:10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

As we continue to walk in obedience, the degree of our obedience will produce a degree of intimacy with God

John 15:5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 

Consistency will make us fruitful. Remaining in Him requires consistency. We need to be consistent in holding on to His words.

John 15:7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 

Consistency brings in favour of God. God’s love is unconditional but His promises are conditional. God sees whether we are consistent; that means we are giving Him priority and we are serious. Then we don’t have to beg or ask it becomes a part of our life.

Consistency builds character.

Galatians 6:9 So, let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 

Let us not be tired of doing what is good. It is not just the fruit of the work we reap but also the fruit of the Spirit.

Consistency requires perseverance especially during challenging times. It is at moments when our progress is slow or stagnant that God is shaping us. This is because it develops endurance and perseverance. All this is part of character development. Character is not built in good moments. It is not built when we are happy and relaxed. Character is built during the everyday decisions we make to remain faithful. This shapes our character, produces fruits of the Spirit and shapes our life.

Luke 16:10 If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.

Consistency in small things leads to greater opportunities. Faithfulness in doing small things is also consistency. Whatever responsibility God has given us, our stewardship areas, when we do it faithfully, consistently that opens doors for greater opportunities. When we are faithful in insignificant things then He promotes us to the next level. He rewards perseverance.

Hebrews 10:36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

God recognizes every little effort we put in for His sake. When we stay on course even though we don’t see what we want to see God will reward us for the perseverance. Whether the fruit of the work is seen as intended by us or not but the work of endurance God will reward. We are doing it for His sake. We are staying consistent for His sake so He will reward.

Practical ways to remain consistent

1. It’s not due to availability of time. It’s a decision we make

When we say we don’t have time it is our decision. It is not the devil.  It is us. We need to put God first. It is a check on where our priorities lie.

Matthew 6:33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

• Develop habits that will help us be consistent in our walk. Set yourself up for success

1 Timothy   4:7,8 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.

What is training yourself to be godly? What is building spiritual discipline? They are practices that promote spiritual growth in us. Prayer, worship, fasting, service, giving, study and meditation of the Word.

2. Stay accountable

In case, your family is the Church, hold each other accountable.

Hebrews 10:24, 25 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Our nature is if we are not answerable to anyone, we won’t have the demand on our lives to do something. That is our human nature. Accountability is important. We must be open to those kept above us, must be open to each other, so we know where we each are struggling and what is happening in our lives.

The most important question in this season is what is God doing in our lives? How am I moving towards my end goal? What areas of my life am I not able to become like Christ as the Word says? What is the obstacle?

Is there stubbornness in me? Bible says stubbornness is idolatry. It means I am resisting and rejecting the Word of God. Why is it there in me? Problem could be ego or unbelief. How to deal with that? Why do I have ego? Why do I believe so much in my intellect? A lot of walking with God requires faith. We have to humble ourselves to receive what God is saying.

In everything that involves growth in our lives the Holy Spirit is involved. We must be determined to follow His promptings and stirrings.

Galatians 5:16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

Basically, this is a battle of the flesh and spirit. To form this lifestyle, we don’t need faith; we need determination and discipline.

Common obstacles we face to consistency

1. Distractions

Luke 10: 39-42 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Martha was distracted. We have to ask ourselves what daily occurrences cause us to be distracted. If we don’t take any strategic actions these things will continue to happen. We will be going in the same cycle. We must always work around our obstacles and find a solution.

2. Discouragement

Delays and challenges can lead us to discouragement.

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Sometimes we don’t understand the situation, but God always works for our good. Maybe the delay is producing patience, perseverance and endurance. We don’t understand but we must keep the momentum going. When distractions to our schedule happens, we must still keep the momentum going. To keep the momentum going we just need a touch. Try to squeeze in a time where you can be in His presence. Whatever works for you, for some people it is Word, some people it is praying in tongues, some people worship one song. You give Him that time and you must connect; not just sing the song but connect with Him.

If you can connect the quota for the day has come into your spirit. We receive something fresh from God for that day. God will sustain you for the day until you find the time to give Him back the same kind of time as before.

But don’t go a day without connecting then you lose the momentum then when you want to start again you will find a struggle. Make sure, every day, even the busiest day of your life at least find that pocket of time to connect and receive something into your spirit. If not, then you have to start all over again and all kinds of excuses will come. Be careful here.

3. Lack of discipline

1 Corinthians 9:27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

The greatest enemy will always be I didn’t have enough sleep. I was tired. I had a busy day. That’s where priority, discipline and determination come in. It comes back to loving the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. Am I showing by my action that I am doing it with all my strength? We have to ask ourselves.

The 2^nd warning to the last days’ Church: The danger of remaining silent

If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Esther 4:14

The context here is the danger of remaining silent. If you remain silent, God will eventually get His work done through someone else, but we have to give account when He comes because we have been strategically placed in that sphere of influence. We have to give an answer to why we did not respond to the situation He has placed us in. The Bible talks about many things like seeking justice for the oppressed, for the orphans and for the widows.

But the most important thing for us is end of the day we have to bring Jesus into people’s lives. No matter how we build the bridge depends on situations, may be through prayer, counselling but end of the day we must bring Jesus into their lives because our concern is where their soul is going.

Few reasons why we may keep quiet

1. Fear of man

Revelations 21:8 “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

First word is cowardly. This applies to both Christians and non-Christians. If we don’t raise up and we hold back due to fear, we are cowards.

Matthew 10:28 Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

If we are afraid, we have to allow God to help us overcome. God is not going to condemn us, but God wants to help us. God is always looking to restore or reignite us.

He never condemns us; only the devil does that. Learn how to work with the Holy Spirit of God or the Word to overcome our fears. That is progressive.

Most of the time we have fear of what people might think, fear of man and all that. But ultimately, we have to overcome. Certain things we don’t need God to speak to us specifically. These are our responsibilities. God doesn’t have to tell us to pray, read the Bible, share the gospel, pray for the sick, all this is part and parcel. But the way we may do it is different because God has put us all in different situations.

2. Spiritual Apathy

2^nd Reason we don’t share is because of lack of intent. We call it spiritual apathy.

Haggai 1:9 You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your harvest home, I blew it away. Why? Because my house lies in ruins, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, while all of you are busy building your own fine houses. 

They started building the house of God but after a while they got fed up and they started to focus on their own work. But the more relevant verse would be

Philippians 2:21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ.

Paul is referring to his own disciples – all others look for their own interest but only Timothy has the interest of Christ. Among his disciples itself there are those who have self-interest and those who have interest of Christ. So, we need to continuously check what is our interest?

Self-interest or Christ interest? If Christ interest means what does that mean?

3. Lack of Conviction

2 Corinthians 4:13 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.”

Most of the times we talk to our loved ones because of the convictions we have developed in our relationship with Christ. I know this is true and it has happened in my life so I want to share to my loved ones so that they also may get to know Him.

4. Lack of connection with God

Jeremiah 20:9 But if I say I’ll never mention the LORD or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!

We know Jeremiah is a well-connected man with God. What does he say? Even if he wants to keep quiet his spirit is on fire, it cannot hold back. His spirit wants to release. What happened to David when he went to the battlefield? He heard the enemy speak and something arose in him because of his connection. All the others were listening but nothing happened but when David came because of his connection with God something happened.

What were his first words? Who is this filthy giant to defy the living God? Something arose within him. When our spirit is dull due to lack of connection what will happen? Nothing will happen.

The 3^rd warning to the Last Days’ Church – The danger of not stepping out in faith

The danger is fearing to step out in faith. There is a price to pay – If I perish, I perish.  A lot of things that God tells us requires faith to move. Sometimes we may feel we are not up to the task; who will listen to us, we may feel small.

Esther took a strategic action. She organized a prayer and then she had to risk her life to talk to the king. If she didn’t step out in faith; since there was death penalty for those who entered the king’s presence uncalled for, God would have used some other person. Like, Katherine Kuhlman was God’s 3^rd choice. She moved in signs and wonders before Benny Hinn. She moved in a greater measure than him. God told her one day that she was His 3^rd or 4^th choice. That means 3 other people had the opportunity to move in that mantle but since they had no faith to step out, she got the mantle.

God wants to use us. When we fear, somehow God will get the job done but we have to answer Him when we meet Him. There is a price to pay whether it is humiliation, rejection, accusation, ridicule, people calling us religious nuts or cookies, betrayal of our religion etc., But this is nothing compared to what the early church faced. They were crucified, fed to lions, whipped etc.,

We have not faced to that extent of the early Church but as the last generation we will face all kind of hardships in the coming days. Our faith will be tested. That’s where when we don’t love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul and strength anything we love above it will cause us to stumble.

It is interesting that Jesus said you can either worship God or mammon. He could have said you can either worship God or the devil. Why mammon?

The last test of our faith, if we are going to go through tribulation is to take the mark, that’s also mammon. Once we take the mark we are under judgment. If money and riches are not under our control and they are controlling us that means it is an idol in our hearts.

All these signs Jesus already said in the Bible; either mammon must rule you or I must rule you. So, you must be careful how you manage money. If you don’t budget your money, your expenditure will control you. Money will control you because you have to fit to the lifestyle you have subscribed.

Whenever God has to prepare us for something He equips us.

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

If we should break down Acts 1:8 it simply means we are going as His representative. We are not going on our own strength. We are going in His power. He has given us His gifts. He teaches us what to speak. He gives us boldness. All this meaning He will supply our lack. In Peter’s case it was boldness. All of us have different lacunae.

When God places us somewhere He gives us a sphere of influence. He always equips us. We have to be consistent; we cannot keep quiet, and we need to step out in faith. Even now as He is building us in this level, He is also preparing us to go to the next level. We will make mistakes, but we should never be afraid to make mistakes.

These are times of grace. He is building us making us better and better. When the future battles come, we will already be equipped and built. God’s desire is for us to be strong in every area. It only happens when we allow Him to deal.

So, whenever He deals, we must recognize and our question must be what must I do? Not why it happened to me?

Every correction of God, we can choose to wallow in self-pity, or we can ask God what I need to do, what do I need to change, what do I need to cut off?

If we choose to walk in a certain way, is it called stubbornness? For a long time, we have not broken through something even though God is continually speaking to us who is the problem. We are. Is that stubbornness? We are rejecting, rebelling the Word of God.

1 Samuel 15:23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So, because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.

Rebellion is witchcraft. Stubbornness is idolatry.

Revelation 22:14, 15 Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie.

One is inside the gate and the other is outside.

Verse 14 talks about people who walk according to the Word.

In verse 15 are

• Dogs: Dogs in the Jewish context is us. They call the gentiles dogs. But in Philippians 3 Paul talks about false teachers. They are outside no matter how big that pastor is.

Philippians 3:2 Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. 

• Sorcerers: Sorcerers is not just about witchcraft but those who rebel against the Word of God.

• Idolaters: Idolaters are those people who put other things before God.

2 Timothy 3: 2-5 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

Ephesians 5:5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

• Immoral people we know.

• What about murderers? Jesus redefined a murderer. Those who cannot forgive. Those who hold onto unforgiveness and they hate their brother. Like, 2 Timothy 3 Lovers of money, lovers of self, lovers of pleasure. And also, those who are stubborn.

• Liars: Everyone who loves and practises falsehood. Somewhere along the line somebody created white lie, black lie, grey lie, big lie and small lie. A lie is a lie. When you know the truth and you don’t speak the truth that is also falsehood. When you twist the truth (because the devil always operates on half-truths) it’s a lie. Sometimes pastors twist the truth to gain from you.

This is how strict the entrance is. The Jesus of the Bible requires absolute obedience to enter into His Kingdom.

But as long as we are alive, we have a chance to change our lives.

We must be aware of where we are continually struggling. Humility is the key word.

James 1:21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

Difference between a broken heart and a broken ego. Broken heart is one which is repentant and wants to find a way out of it. Broken ego blames everyone else and is only sad it got caught. Sooner or later, we can see from the fruit whether it’s a broken ego or broken heart.

For growth to take place, God has to break us because He has to break the old and build a new pattern.

This season, focus on consistency. The pace of God’s progress in your life is determined by Him. You don’t determine your pace. What He is speaking to you now, you faithfully do your best, cooperate with Him and allow Him to build you in that place. He will pace us because He knows our capacity and our limitations. As long as we do that faithfully we will reach our destination. He will hold our hand and take us.

But if we resist, He will still wait for us because from first breath to last breath He will never give up unless we choose to ignore Him and walk away.

Keep the connection because the moment something is not coming in it dries out. Even in the midst of busyness and all that; squeeze that pocket of time to keep the momentum. Every day we are facing all kinds of opposition. It really drains us. We have to acknowledge that we are living in the middle of a spiritual battle. Whatever we see physically happening to the Jewish people is happening to us in the spiritual sense for now. One day it will come into the natural. We got to be aware of this, how negative words come, how certain people are trying to irritate us, rub us in a wrong way. All kinds of things are going on. So, we must recognize spiritual battles. It actually drains us. It takes energy to subdue, push back these things. End of the day if we are not receiving replenishments the next day, we don’t have enough energy and power to push back. We must take time to pump fuel in for your battles.

1 Timothy 4:16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.