There are at least eight different descriptions that describe the closeness and the intimacy we have with our LORD during the Church-age.
1. The Last Adam [Jesus Christ] and the New Creation.
2. The Head and the Body.
3. The Shepherd and the Sheep.
4. The Vine and the branches.
5. The Cornerstone and the building.
6. The High Priest and the Royal Priesthood.
7. The Groom and the Bride analogy (Christian marriage).
8. The King of kings and the Royal Family of GOD.
These were the eight different expressions that should exist among our LORD’s people, especially when it comes to Positional Truth, Union with Christ, the Baptism of the Spirit and indwelling of our LORD Jesus Christ.
Therefore, Satan has one major goal in the life of every believer and that goal is to lead all believers astray from the LORD and that is why any area that we do not have sound doctrine in, is an area open to satanic deception; Eph 4:27. One of the interesting principles that I’ve noticed recently that I do not think it is being stressed enough today is the fact that: When we are warned by our LORD concerning Satan and his deceptions, we are also told to beware or to be on guard in our daily relationships with others because Satan’s goal is to break down any unity that exists among GOD’s people.
Beginning in Eph 4:17, the apostle Paul warns us to stop living like the gentiles or the unbelievers who have no idea as to who they are and why they were created, so the Apostle says: “This I say therefore, and affirm together with the LORD, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles [unbelievers] also walk, in the futility or the vanity of their mind,
Eph 4:18-22, being darkened in their understanding [black-out of the soul], excluded from the life of GOD [they reject the Word of GOD and the people of GOD], because of the ignorance [the false doctrines and lies] that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart [a reference to scar tissue of the soul which results from continual NVTD=negative volition towards doctrine]; and they, having become callous [heartless; cold-heartedness, insensitivity and even cruel at times], (they) have given themselves over to sensuality, for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
However, in verse 20, here comes a compliment maybe it was received as anabolism; Eph 4:20, But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self [rebound], which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
Paul is saying reject the temptations of your old sin nature and your former way of life because it keeps on being corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes by “Putting on your New Nature, which has been created to be like GOD” which refers to His love, righteousness and justice — Righteous and Holy.
Eph 4:23-24, we have a command which says; that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind or the breathing of the soul, and put on the new self [rebound and be filled with the Spirit], which in the likeness of GOD has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
This refers to a life renewed from the inside and working itself into our conduct overtly as GOD accurately reproduces His character in us.
Because of this reference to rebound and being filled with the Spirit, the apostle Paul now brings in the reasons why we must learn to rebound and recover because we will need to do just that in the normal relationships and problems in life.
These are some of the areas that we need to watch out for because along with intimacy there is also jealousy, and that jealousy, of course, is what drives Satan and his kingdom of darkness to do whatever evil we allow them to do, not by permission but omission.
What do I mean by that: not by permission but omission?
I mean that Satan and his kingdom of darkness doesn’t wait around for an invitation from us as permission to do whatever evil he desires to do. However, even though we do not give Satan and his evil spirits permission, our omission is what can give the devil the opportunity to set a room, or rooms, in our soul with negative volition toward our LORD Jesus Christ and is usually the cause of us ending up in one of the ditches of the cosmic system.
Omission means to neglect not reject. It is failure to do something, especially something for someone that we all have an obligation to do. Omission is also described as negligence, dereliction, forgetfulness, or even a total disregard for something or someone who is special and is not classified as a lukewarm believer; Rev 3:15-16.
Rev 3:15-16, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.”
The sin of omission is really explained by James, our LORD’s half-brother; James 4:17, Therefore, to one who knows {the} right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin. This describes the majority of believers today. They do not come right out and reject their responsibilities, they just think that it’s not that important that they accept it so they neglect whatever it is that they are responsible for …which sometimes is worse than rejection as spiritual cowards; Matt 6:22-23.
Omission also is defined by a failure to do something, especially something that one has a moral or legal obligation to do. And so, they disregard the 613 commands of GOD in the Bible. The Bible is filled with commands, not the Ten Commandments but hundreds of commands.
Most believers do not have any idea what I am talking about. They don’t even know how many commands there are, let alone what the commands actually say and to whom it was said.
The Jewish people often speak of the 613 commands found in the Torah, yet in the remainder of the Old Testament there are hundreds of other commands, including commands given in the writings, and also commands given through the prophets (Dan 9:10).
Now, so far I am referring to all kinds of people in all kinds of different situations but especially for those believers who have Positive Volition Towards Doctrine ( PVTD), and therefore they are under satanic attack in all areas of their life. This is also one of the reasons why all of us should know the importance of the Divine Institutions especially for believers who know the mystery doctrine of the Church-age.
They are the ones who will definitely be under attack by Satan and his kingdom in the following areas that the apostle Paul mentions in the book of Ephesians and they are constantly under attack by the devil.
In fact, that is exactly the way the apostle Paul laid it out for us: Let me show you.
1. We know that the Gospel will always be under attack and therefore we cannot afford to omit and facet at all concerning salvation as mentioned in the Bible; Eph 2:8-9, For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of GOD; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.
2. Then we know that after our salvation we need the answer to that very important question: “After salvation, what? Therefore, the apostle Paul tells us what we should be doing after salvation: Eph 2:10, For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which GOD prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Then the answer to the next obvious question which is: “Who is going to teach us all these things?”
3. This is when Paul continues somewhat in a chronological way as he writes that very popular verse, especially for those who are under the doctrine of mystery and how they will be taught that doctrine. The divine solution to protect the unity of Christ is given in Eph 4:11, And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
4. From here, the next attacks that Satan will try and use to his advantage is to attack rebound and recovery; Eph 4:22-24.
So, GOD the Holy Spirit, Paul’s Mentor, knew that Satan would attack rebound and recovery and make an issue out of sin rather than the Son, and that believers need to feel sorry for their sins, which, of course, is blasphemous; 2Co 7:10, For the sorrow that is according to the will of GOD produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
So, GOD the Holy Spirit answers the attacks made by Satan beginning in Eph 4:22-24, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of GOD has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Now, when the believer has built a “soul structure” with his soul and human spirit based upon a solid foundation, it is from here that we have some direct commands from the apostle Paul. These commands are from our LORD and they are designed to protect us from deception especially when Satan uses members of our own family or members of our Royal family to try and deceive us.
We cannot afford to give the devil a topos as Paul writes in Eph 4:27, meaning a place, or a room, or even a cellar or a closet, perhaps an attic or a garage – Do not let him in or win – because if you do, it may be too much for you to handle unless you have the protection of the wall of fire because you are living in the Pre-Designed Plan of GOD.
5. This satanic trap is energized and mobilized with deception and lies and therefore, the divine solution is the only solution as the apostle Paul says in Eph 4:25, the apostle Paul tells us to “lay aside the lies and speak truth with one another.”
In other words, stop your lying and deceiving, especially because you even lie and deceive yourself, which is self-induced misery or in many other cases, it’s just plain old stupidity.
Because of this satanic attack, the apostle Paul says in Eph 4:25, Therefore, laying aside falsehood (the lie of the cosmic system), speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
6. So, because of that, Paul says, “It’s alright to be angry at times if it’s identification with Divine Indignation; Eph 4:26-27, Be angry [when justified], and yet do not sin; and do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.
7. And there is another problem that Satan will try to use against the believers who have PVTD, which is for them to stop stealing from one another; Eph 4:28, Let him who steals steal no longer; but rather let him labor, performing with his own hands what is good, in order that he may have something to share with him who has need.
8. Then there’s the problem with the sins of the tongue which is a very powerful weapon for Satan because these types of sins are designed to mislead and deceive others; Eph 4:29, Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.
9. Another area we need to be aware of is our fellowship with the Spirit when the problem is that we have broken fellowship with GOD the Holy Spirit; Eph 4:30, And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of GOD, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
10. Then there’s the problem with mental attitude sins that causes fellowship with GOD to be broken is also promoted by the kingdom of darkness under Satan’s control; Eph 4:31, Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
11. The problem with an unforgiving judgmental individual who is plagued by failure and who is envious of those who the LORD promotes; Eph 4:32, And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as GOD in Christ also has forgiven you.
12 .Then with all of those natural problems, we also have our share of spiritual problems and so our LORD commands us to use the divine solution which is mentioned Eph 5:1-2, Therefore be imitators of GOD, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to GOD as a fragrant aroma.
13. Another attack used by Satan and the kingdom of darkness is to attack believers by instilling fears and worries and doubts concerning GOD’s will for their life; The divine solution is found in Eph 5:15-17, Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the LORD is.
14. One of the most important doctrines that Satan uses to distort and to confuse other believers is the power needed to execute the spiritual life and to glorify our LORD, which is the filling of the Spirit; Eph 5:18, a command to be filled with the Spirit. Most of you are familiar with the verse and the importance of the doctrine.
15. Another vital principle that Satan and his kingdom of darkness uses is marriage, which is one of the final areas of satanic victory because it is an easy area to attack; In Eph 5:22-25, the divine solution to marriage is given: Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the LORD. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her;
And then the divine solution in marriage has more to do with the Church as the Bride of Christ so Paul writes Eph 5:30-32, because we are members of His body. For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh. [Then the ultimate manifestation of what marriage was designed for] This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.
16. Then we must be prepared to handle any satanic attacks upon family, Eph 6:1-4, Children, obey your parents in the LORD, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth. And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the LORD.
17. Then we have the satanic deception that is related to our job, and another area where Satan can cause divisions and dissensions between the employer and employee; The divine solution is given beginning in Eph 6:5-9, Slaves [employees], be obedient to those who are your masters [employer] according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of GOD from the heart. With good will render service, as to the LORD, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the LORD, whether slave or free. And, employers or masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
Those first 17 principles were all a part of our training ground as disciples and Christian soldiers, so that we will be prepared to handle the ultimate attack, which is spiritual warfare and the angelic conflict.
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