The World, the Flesh, the...

The Enemies of Sanctification

The World, the Flesh, the Devil

“You will never progress in holiness

beyond the promises of God which

you have personally applied by faith

in your life.” Mike Schwartz

Outline

I. Definitions

II. Important Scriptures

III. Focus on sanctification

Conclusion

I. Definitions

World - the organized system in rebellion against God

Flesh - the physical body under the control of the fallen nature

Devil - the chief fallen angel living in rebellion against the Creator

World

Flesh

II. Important Scriptures

1) Genesis 3:6 Eden - the enemy enters the creation

“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it

was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one

wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto

her husband with her; and he did eat.”

Genesis 3:6


was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one

wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto

her husband with her; and he did eat.”

Commentary: I John 2:16

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes,

and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Genesis 3:6

“And when the woman saw that the tree was

and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to

make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave

also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”


For all that is in the world, , and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the

world.

good for food,

the lust of the flesh

Genesis 3:6


was , and a tree to be desired to make

one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also

unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”


For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the

world.

pleasant to the eyes

the lust of the

eyes

Genesis 3:6


was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be

, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave

also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”


For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the , is not of the Father, but is of the world.

desired to make one wise

pride of life

2) Ephesians 2:1 - 3

Sin’s effect on the creation

1) And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the

according to the ,

the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the

, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the

mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

course of this

world , prince of the power of the air

lusts of our flesh

3) Luke 4:1 - 13 God incarnate enters to begin a new creation

Luke 4:1 - 13

Temptation:

1. Happens to the Spirit-filled

Luke 4:1 - 13

Temptation:


2. Comes before the beginning of public ministry

Luke 4:1 - 13

Temptation:



3. May require sacrifice of temporal needs for victory vs. 2

Luke 4:1 - 13

Temptation:




4. Involves questioning God’s word; encouraging independence

Opposed to sanctification

“Set apart to God” = total dependence

Luke 4:1 - 13

Temptation:





5. Is not resisted by miracles or threats, but by Scripture

Luke 4:1 - 13

Temptation:






6. Comes from the enemy appealing to the world and the flesh

Luke 4:1 - 13

Temptation:







7. Eventually ends for “a season” vs. 13

Luke 4:1 - 13

Temptation:







7. Eventually ends for “a season” vs. 13

8. Unveils important truths about the adversary

Important truths about the adversary

1) He has great power and authority

2) He often appeals to legitimate needs

(Bread from stones - appeal to the flesh)

3) His greatest desire is to be worshiped

(Glory of all kingdoms - the appeal of the world)

4) He can use truth for his purposes

(Scripture misused - the devil’s way to the path of ease)

5) If one tactic does not succeed, he will try another

6) He will leave when resisted

4) Exodus 4:1 - 9

Lessons for servants in the New Creation

A Lesson for Servants; Exodus 4:1 - 9

1st sign - the rod becomes a serpent vss. 2 - 4 [Devil]

Satan may be under God’s control (Job 1), but he is still dangerous,

and especially so around the rod of authority.



2nd sign - the hand becomes leprous vss. 6 - 7 [Flesh]

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked . . .”

Jer. 17:9

Servants attempting to work in the flesh will cause problems.



2nd sign - the hand becomes leprous vss. 6 - 7 [Flesh]

3rd sign - blood poured on the dry land vs. 9 [World]

What appears to be satisfying, turns to death

(When God changes the water,

the bride receives the wine of joy,

the world receives the blood of war and judgment.)


The problems we face The help we need

• Devil - temptations; fiery darts Weapons that work

• Flesh - our private struggles Inner strength

• World - our time, friends Companions & a cause

worth living for

Key: Practical sanctification requires sacrifice (“Take up his cross . . .”)

Problem: - Resource:

- Commit to spending time in the Word every morning

Believe God

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to

quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Eph. 6:16

Resist properly

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee

from you. “ James 4:7

[“Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.“ Heb. 4:12]

Look for the door

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:

but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that

ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape,

that ye may be able to bear it.” I Cor. 10:13

the Devil the Word

Problem: - Resource:

- Desire to become “Strong in Spirit” (Luke 1:80, 2:40)

Know the battlefield

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the

flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against

the flesh . . . Gal. 5:16 - 17

Make time for spiritual “workouts”

“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be

strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; “ Eph. 3:16

(also Hebr. 5:14)

Don’t grieve the source of your help

“And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the

day of redemption.” Eph. 4:30

the Flesh the Holy Spirit

Problem: Resource:

- Spend time in your new family

Spiritual health - all 4 parts of Acts 2:42

“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son

Jesus Christ our Lord.” I Cor. 1:9

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of

some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye

see the day approaching.” Heb. 10:25

Your testimony is important

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus

Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”

Gal. 6:14

the World the Church

Conclusion: Encouragement & Warning

Encouragement:

God’s promise: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you

will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Phil. 1:6

God’s means: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:17

Our part: “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.”

Col. 2:6


Warning:

The world: I John 5:19

The flesh: Phil. 3:3; Rom. 7:18

The devil: John 13:27 -> Matt. 27:4


Warning:


“The whole world lieth (fast asleep) in the wicked one.”


Warning:



“ no confidence . . . “

“ no good thing . . . “


Warning:



The devil: John 13:27 -> Matt. 27:4

“The devil entered into Judas . . .”

The devil’s servants to the the devil’s servant at the end:

“What is that to us; see thou to that.”

NOTE! The key verse:

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification” I Thes. 4:3

is found in the very same Bible chapter as the rapture !

John writes concerning the coming of the Lord:

“Every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself

even as He is pure.” I John 3:3

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