Ephesians 6:13 “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.”
As Christians we are much hated, hated by Satan, hated by
Satan’s servants called demons, and hated by Satan’s children on the earth some
even “called” Christian. However, it is not us they hate, it’s Jesus Christ,
they hate us because we are true Christians. “The world cannot hate you; but
me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.”
John 7:7 However, the worst of their hatred is strongest with the men of Truth
(Ministers), the people of truth (Christians), and churches of truth. The stronger
the truth the stronger the hate, “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate
you.” 1 John 3:13 The Lord just told
us not to wonder “why” or “if” they hate us, but just know they do hate us. People
of this world have always hated God’s people whether it was Adam and Eve who
turned on God because they elected to disobey Him, or their son Cain who hated
his brother and killed him because he was God’s man. Throughout history
Christians and churches of the Lord has been hated by Satan’s children on the
earth. Tens of millions of men, women, and children were martyred just because
they were God’s children. Most of them by people looking like and proclaiming
to be Christians. “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers,
transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. (14) And no marvel; for Satan
himself is transformed into an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:13, 14
These evil sons of Satan transforming themselves into “angels of light, or apostles
of Christ” appearing as though they are Christians or churches for the Lord
Jesus Christ all the time hating the real Christians and churches. They are
deceivers, they belong to Satan and not Christ, they have many lost followers,
and others that are deceived Christians. Satan has blessed them with money and
earthly things like large Mega buildings and many worldly programs to make them
look more desirable as a tool to deceive the very elect. Always remember that
Satan is our adversary, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the
devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1
Peter 5:8 The word “adversary” means - an opponent but to the Christian it
means the arch enemy – which means - a person who is extremely hostile or
opposed to someone or something. – So, Satan and his workers are extremely
hostile Christians because they hate God so much, as His Son, His Word, His
people, and His churches. This is something we must be continually sober minded
about and always thinking about. “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others;
but let us watch and be sober.” 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Most people refer this
word sleep to the lost, but Christians can also have a mind to sleep. It must
mean Christians here because the Lord warned us as Christians not to sleep. The
Lord said, “Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall
suffer hunger.” Proverbs 19:15 The word “slothfulness” means – indolence,
which means avoidance of activity or laziness – keeping our minds always awake
and active to God’s word keeps us awake and active. It is the job of the Pastor
to keep watch over the flock because they are the “overseers and under-shepherds”
of the Lords flocks. They are the Lord’s watchmen, and when a watchman sleeps,
the flock sleeps. Israel had this problem, “His watchmen are blind: they are
all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down,
loving to slumber.” Isaiah 56:10 Your Pastor is not being nosey into what
you are doing in life, they are being watchful because you are a part of their
flock. The truth is, we are all watchmen, the Pastor watches the flock, and the
flock watches the Pastor, nether is above wondering! A Pastor must remember what
God told Israel, “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of
Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.”
Ezekiel 3:17 The word of God’s mouth is His word, from Genesis to Revelations,
teaching the Truth no matter what. If a Pastor fails in teaching the all the
truth, then the Truth will fall by the wayside and the church will fail in
these areas.
Our life as Christians, churches, and warriors for the Lord
is a constant battle, every day, there is never a day off. It requires our
sober mind and full attention every moment of everyday. This is the only way we
can he ready for battle with Satan, His army of so many, the Lord called it being
“strong in the Lord,” but this strength comes only from the Lord, “in
the power of his might.” The closer we are to the Lord, His Son, His word,
and His church, the stronger we will be in this battle. Our weakness is failing
in this area, it is like taking medicine, if you take it, you get better and
then well, but if you fail you get weak and could fall asleep. Weak Christians,
weak Pastors, and weak churches are very subject to Satan’s lies, he is
watching and waiting for a chance to destroy everything he can that is the Lord’s.
Don’t forget folks, what we are fighting is not human, it is not small, God
said, “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.” Ephesians 6:12 The battle is Satan Vs God we
are simply God’s personal property Satan uses against God. Our strongest weapon
is our faith, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be
able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Ephesians 6:16 Keep your
faith strong in the Lord, He will never fail you, His word is your sword, always
be ready for battle and always depend on your sword to fight the battle. “And
take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God:” Ephesians 6:17 and finally, don’t forget that prayer is a great necessity,
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…” V. 18a
