The Drama Behind the Christmas Story
"And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." (Genesis 3:14-15)
Satan's War Against Unbelievers
His primary tactic: to blind their minds.
"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2 Corinthians 4:4).
Types of blindness employed to deceive:
- counterfeit religion
- the world's system
- human philosophy (Col. 2:8)
Satan's War Against Believers
His primary tactic: to destroy our testimony.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8).
Types of destruction:
- temptation
- aligns governments against believers
- opposes our witness of the Gospel
- snatches away the Word that has been sown
- accuses us before God when we sin
- brings pressure on us through spiritual means and through people
What is my role in the drama of the ages?
Put on my spiritual armor
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:10-13).
Pray
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints" (Ephesians 6:18).
Preach the Gospel
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).
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