I Thessalonians 2:18 – “We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan (the Accuser) prevented us.”

Trying to understand the many things we’re called to go through as a Christian can be befuddling at times. That’s because there are “beings with powers” at work in our lives, and, people at work in our lives, some helping, and others hindering our progress in Christ.

II Peter 3:17,18 – “(17) I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. (18) Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

If you have ever wondered why you go through so much opposition to be a good Biblical-Christian who stands on what God’s Word says; If you have even wondered why a church like TLC that faithfully preaches, teaches, and lives out the Word of God goes through all the adversity it does. Stop wondering! Wonder no more!

As one Christian writer aptly put it: “If you didn’t meet opposition from the Devil this morning, it’s a good indication that you were going in the same direction he was!” 

Here’s the simple fact about genuine Christianity. Those who truly advance God’s kingdom will be opposed and attacked. And, this fact was established by Jesus, and, things are going to remain this way until He returns!

Matthew 11:12 – “And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.”

John was not a popular preacher who catered to the crowd; neither was he a reed in the wind who vacillated from what the Lord told him to do. John the Baptist was a man of conviction and courage, and, the attacks on him and his ministry were so violent they ultimately cost him his head.

I’m talking about warfare! And to be in a war there must be conflict and an enemy.

Beloved, Satan is our enemy; Satan means adversary, another name for enemy and antagonist. In the New Testament the proper name Satan is used interchangeably with Diabolos, “the Devil,” more than thirty times.

Please understand that Satan is the great enemy of God and His children; because, trying to make sense of our warfare, i.e., the things we constantly go through to advance God’s kingdom without considering the role Satan plays in it - is like trying to understand about World War II without considering the role Adolf Hitler played in it.

A. W. Tozer once wrote: “Show me an individual or a congregation committed to spiritual progress with the Lord; show me an individual or congregation truly interested in learning and living what the Bible teaches about spiritual maturity and victory, and I will show you where there is a strong and immediate opposition by the Devil.”

Looking only at the opposition and the constant obstacles that attack those who advance God’s Kingdom without understanding who is behind them is a terrible debilitating mistake.

No one who steps out for the Lord Jesus Christ should underestimate the task they have undertaken. And if you are going to advance the kingdom of God you will be attacked and you will need to know who is for you and who is against you.

Evil works through deception. Deception is dishonesty wrapped up in the stolen dress of truth. All dishonesty is the work of the Devil. Where you find dishonesty you have found deception where you find deception you have found evil, and where evil is prevalent so is the Devil, his demons, and their influence.

Now, please listen carefully to what I’m about to say. Evil is contagious. You cannot indulge in it, participate in it, or get involved with those practicing it without it getting on or in you...

WARFARE

For complete manuscript and CD of this sermon, contact: tlcministers@aol.com