IN GOOD FAITH: Christian Freedom, Pt. 5

By MARK MOLINA
Living Waters Church

Pastor Mark Molina

Who is the true enemy that fights against our Christian freedom? Who is it that is really hindering the faith? Who is it that is really trying to destroy Christian freedoms in this nation? Is it the liberals? Far left? The extreme right? Republicans? Democrats? Who is the real enemy of the Christian faith and how can we properly identify who it is?

In Ephesians 6:10-18, we are given a clear description of the invisible war that is waged against the church. It is supernatural in origin. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12 NKJV)

In this passage, we see the biblical description of the true foe of the Christian faith and Christian freedoms. Who leads this well-structured, organized, synchronized, spiritual, supernatural attack against the church? This unholy entity, this being, has a name, a nature and a character. He is known as the devil.

“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” (John 8:44 NKJV)

In this passage, Jesus confronted the religious leaders of the day. He rightly identified the hardness of their hearts. He also identified the cause of their hard hearts: 1.) It came from the devil; 2.) The devil is a murderer; 3.) The devil cannot stand the truth of God for there is no truth in him; 4.) He is a liar; and 5.) He is the father of lies.

There are other scriptural references to the enemy of the church and the enemy of our souls. In Revelation 12:9, he is identified as the great dragon, the ancient serpent, Satan. In John 10:10, he is called the thief who comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy. Ephesians 2:2 says he is the prince of the power of the air. John 14:30 calls him the ruler of this world. In 2 Thessalonians 2:9, he is the lawless one. Acts 13:10 says he is the enemy of all righteousness. Matthew 12:24 says his name is Beelzebub, the prince of demons. 1 Peter 5:8 compares him to a roaring lion. 2 Corinthians 11:14 says he is an angel of light. Revelation 12:10 notes he is the accuser of the brethren. In 1 John 3:8, we are told that “…for this purpose the Son of God was made manifest that He might destroy the works of the devil.”

These are but a few scriptural references that describe the nature and character of Satan. He is the true enemy of the church, Christianity and Christians. We should take note of Jesus’ words to the religious leaders of the day. Those were very serious statements from the One who knew the hearts of men. In their own eyes, there was nothing wrong with either their lives or spiritual conditions. Even after this confrontation, there was no true reflection on the words spoken. They sought only to justify who they were. They sought to rationalize their true spiritual condition. They are the same ones who spearheaded his crucifixion.

If we want to have true spiritual freedom, then we must also be mindful that these attributes of the devil are not found in our lives. Too many times we try to justify, rationalize and deny what we have become. It is easy to become a Pharisee or Sadducee. It is easy to become religious. It makes us feel good about our lives because it allows us to hide. There is only One who knows the hearts of men and He requires truth in the inward parts so that we might find true spiritual freedom.

If you lack spiritual freedom, I would encourage you to make sure that there are no attributes of the evil one in your life. Allow Jesus to destroy these areas of darkness so you can have true Christian freedom.

[slideshow_deploy id=’14961′]