Matthew 16: Conspiring Enemies
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV)
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. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ephesians 6:12-13 (NKJV)
Matthew 16 starts with a new normal, as old enemies unite in hatred for the amazing, popular Prophet, Whom they saw as a threat to their power.
Nevertheless, Christ exposed their deceit and challenged their blatant hypocrisy. Therefore, they didn’t just want to stop Him. They wanted Him dead… and began to plot!
Even more, they threatened His followers… with expulsion from the Jewish temple.
Jesus predicted not just His future, but the future of honest-to-God saints, who fearlessly commit to follow Him.
'You will be hated by all for My Name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved' (Matthew 10:22).
Yet overwhelming odds are nothing new to past and present heroes of the Lord. Neither are their miraculous outcomes!
Because God Himself promises the win: sometimes on Earth, but always beyond it. Since the devil dreads ALL HAPPY ENDINGS. His armies (demons and human allies) seek to stop God's rising stars from shining.
But if stars hide, retreat, or surrender, then Satan has prevented their witness. And if he can't make their hearts beat for him…
Then he'll try to stop their forward movement,
Scare them away with intimidation,
And push them back underneath their church roofs.
Therein, their light is covered and contained.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
People aren't your #1 enemies.** But they CAN become pawns for Satan's plans. As in chess, knocking out pawns means little… while the king of lies still moves on Earth’s board. Therefore…
Learn to see enemies differently:
If you're standing high on his radar screen, high enough to be a threat to his rule, high enough for God’s lost sheep to see you, high enough to inspire timid Christians, your life is meaningful and on target. Remain thankful that you’re counted worthy. (No one wants to be inconsequential.)
Dress every day in the armor of God,** AND renew your mind with the Word of God.*** Be assured! Your Captain has you covered. 'Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you' (Luke 10:19).
Matthew 16: Conspiring Enemies (Part 4)
** The armor of God: Ephesians 6:10-18 NKJV - The Whole Armor of God - Finally, my - Bible Gateway
*** Verses about renewing your mind through the Lord and His Word: What Does the Bible Say About Renewing Your Mind?
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God– to multiply them in the world for His glory.
P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.
WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!