Understanding The Armor of God by Stella Ashworth | Page 15
He can also bombard our thoughts with lies and doubts , hoping to whittle away at our trust in the Lord and get us discouraged . But perhaps the devil ' s most subtle strategy is mind manipulation through subliminal messaging .
Make no mistake , Satan is the god of this world , and he aims to keep people focused on the things of this world . How easy it is to let our guard down when going about our daily lives . But let us not be ignorant of the enemy ’ s attempts to get our thoughts preoccupied with the lusts and cares of this world .
To counteract the battle going on against our minds , we need to receive God ’ s Word with all " readiness of mind " and search the Scriptures daily .
Acts 17:11
“ Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica ; they received the word with all eagerness , examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so .”
David said in Psalm 119:11
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I have stored up your word in my heart , that I might not sin against You .” As pilgrims and strangers in this world , we are to seek first the Kingdom of God and set our affection on things above . Philippians 3:20 “ But our citizenship is in heaven , and from it we await a Savior , the Lord Jesus Christ .” Colossians 3:1-4
“ 3 If then you have been raised with Christ , seek the things that are above , where Christ is , seated at the right hand of God . 2 Set your minds on things that are above , not on things that are on earth . 3 For you have died , and your life is hidden with Christ in God . 4 When Christ who is your life appears , then you also will appear with Him in glory .”
I Peter 2:11
“ Beloved , I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh , which wage war against your soul .”
John 17:14-15
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I have given them your word , and the world has hated them because they are not of the world , just as I am not of the world . 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world , but that you keep them from the evil one . ”
The Bible says everyone has sinned and deserves death . Only through Christ ’ s sacrifice can we be delivered from sin and death and offered salvation .
Salvation is a gift of God , given by grace through faith in Jesus Christ . Upon repentance and baptism , God forgives us from our past sins . We then begin a lifelong process of repentance and growing in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ .
Romans 5:8-10
“ 8 but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners , Christ died for us . 9 Since , therefore , we have now been justified by His blood , much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God . 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son , much more , now that we are reconciled , shall we be saved by His life .”
John 3:16-17
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For God so loved the world , that He gave His only Son , that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life . 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world , but in order that the world might be saved through Him .”