Overcoming The Schemes of Satan - by Christ Jesus

l Overcoming the Schemes of Satan through Christ Jesus i Omega Ministries

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his only have I found: God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes. Eccl 7:28

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id you know are in a war zone!?

to this all the years of patiently speaking Paul said that Satan wants to ‘outwit to Israel and his investment through the you’ and has ‘schemes’ that are designed to prophets of old. Many righteous men have hinder your growth to maturity in Christ died for you to be where you are today with a Bible full of Scriptures.

(Messiah) and plans to destroy you!

“Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what God’s will however is that you grow up I have forgiven—if there was anything to to maturity and become like Jesus on the forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ earth, his body, his building, his field, for your sake, in order that Satan might his dwelling, his treasured possession. not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” (2 Corin 2:10-11).

The Father paid for you with the life of his firstborn Son Jesus the Messiah. Add Earth and the world system on it, is the

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‘war zone’, the realm between the heavens and hades, this place we call home has a raging battle that’s been taking place since Cain killed Abel and when Satan became king on the earth. However at just the right time Jesus (Yashuah) came into this spiritual war to save mankind once for all. His aim was to open our minds to the truth about the Father in the heavens and reveal the father of lies, Satan, who comes only to kill, steal and destroy. He’s been busy!

“Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray.The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” (1 John 3:7-8).

near”. Jesus was fully ‘kingdom’ concious, He knew the Kingdom of the Heavens (where his Spirit came from) and He knew about the kingdom of darkness which he came to destroy and begin again.

Satan has influenced mankind and devised many earthly ‘kingdoms of this world’ demonic cultures bringing confusion and darkness and the worship of Satan himself.

Satan’s nature manifests itself in strife, religious control, evil words and physical wars. Just as in the days of Noah violence is not only worshipped and promoted but widespread across the earth. The birth pains are increasing rapidly in the earth.

To be an effective soldier with Jesus in this ‘invisible’ warfare between light and dark, you need to fully understand how both these kingdoms function and what their In the battle between light and darkness there are no grey areas! In this war you are weapons are and do. Jesus proclaimed on one side or the other, there’s no middle His simple message “keep changing your mind (repenting), for the Kingdom of the ground if you think otherwise you have heavens has drawn near” (Matt 3:20) He is been led astray, you have been fooled by saying ‘seek first the kingdom of God and false light - the serpents crafty scheming.

His righteousness’ (Matt 6:33).

The original Greek text does say ‘heavens’ Being a soldier of Christ plural and this reveals that there are many Jesus came preaching a simple message, “Repent for the Kingdom of Heavens is realms in the unseen Kingdom of God. We must understand what is really Jesus trained his disciples in spiritual warfare going on in the earth and heavens today, otherwise we will find that we are fighting in the wrong army, that we are cooperating with Satan’s spies and twisters of truth (deception).Your children will become collateral damage if you do not know what is happening and you too may be lost forever to the fires of eternal hell

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along with the deceiver! (Rom 11:21) He who has ears let him hear.

The secrets of the Kingdom Jesus taught many parables to the crowds but did you notice that he often began by saying; ‘the Kingdom of God is like...’. The key parable he taught is the parable of the sower, the ‘dynamics (workings) of the two kingdoms’ how the two kingdoms collide in the experience of humanity. (Matt 13, Mark 4, Luke 8). This is key information for those of us who are seeking the Kingdom of God and how it works in order to overcome Satan’s schemes.

Where is this Kingdom?

In the past you will recall that God gave Israel (Jacob’s Sons) His Kingdom. He brought them miraculously out of Egypt and into a promised land where, despite To the person without the Spirit dwelling ups and downs, they eventually received in them this parable is just a farmers story, a great temple and huge blessings from but Jesus said that if we can understand the God. The Kingdom of God was seen as meaning of it by revelation in our spirit synonymous with Israel and in the time of and act upon it we will have ‘the knowledge David and Solomon great riches flowed to of the secrets of the kingdom of God’ (Luke Israel, because God’s wisdom was resident 8:10). Jesus told this secret to the 12 there for a time. This is historical fact. apostles in private and not to the crowds This greatness and outward success because He was training them about however was never perfect in God’s sight, heaven. If you are still reading this then he only a shadow of what He really intended is training you too! for the earth. The wealth of Israel went to If you have not decided in your heart to their heads and they fell into complaicency change your mind (repent) and belong to forgetting God’s ways and His laws, and King Jesus, to obey Him as commander worse, they made up other religious rules. and Lord, He will not share His secrets Their kings behaved just like the wicked with you, because it’s not a formula or kings of other world kingdoms (their a set of Laws.Your heart needs to be so enemies). This reflected very badly on devoted that it becomes your only life, and God’s Holy name which was associated you are prepared to die for Him. As Paul with his ‘firstborn’ nation his ‘son’ Israel told Timothy,‘we cannot be distracted by and so a change was decreed and the rest, civilian affairs’ (2 Tim 2v4). as they say, is history!

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Jesus came to Israel after a long period of internal conflict which had created great divisions and ended in military occupation by a foreign power (Romans). Jesus came into this dark time with Good News but also with very bad news for the religious ‘leaders’.

The Good News was that everyone on the planet was soon to have access to the Father and his Kingdom of the Heavens by faith in Him. The bad news was that the authority of God’s Kingdom was to be taken away from the leadership of Judah and Benjamin (as it had been from the other tribes) and given to those who would obey the Messiah (Christ) and bear fruit, the remnant. (Israel would still be Israel, but once again it would become ICHABOD (the glory of the Lord has departed 1 Sam 4:21). God chose a remnant who would receive him and sadly the rest were lost. (Rom 11:5)

It’s an incredible fact that the once mighty Kingdom of Israel had failed in its mission to glorify God to the ends of the earth with the kingdom message of love. God decided to fulfill this goal through Messiah (the branch) and His followers the body of the ekklesia (church). Of course we know that this was always going to happen, but sadly many Jews and Israeli’s even Samaritans missed the time of Jesus coming to them and those who did not The first Jewish believers in Jesus (the elect or remnant) formed the ‘first fruits’ follow perished in AD 70 onwards when Jerusalem and Israel were totally destroyed and apostolic foundation (the Twelve) of this new government, what Jesus called his by Titus. (see wikipedia) Many were also scattered around the known world ‘ekklesia’ or ‘council’ (church). (diaspora).

“Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given Not of this world to a people who will produce its fruit.” (Matt 21:43) (see also Luke 12:32).

The ‘Kingdom of God’ on earth, (that “Peter answered him,“We have left everything to follow you!What then will there be for us?”

Jesus said to them,“Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matt 19:27-28).

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is the rule and reign of God in Israel), moved from the visible kingdom nation with a special land and Law; to an invisible inner kingdom of faith and grace inside living stones (all nations). Jesus himself explained this to his disciples and the leaders (John

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7:38, Luke 17:21) and then revealed it to Pontius Pilate: “Jesus said,“My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But NOW my kingdom is from another place.” (Jn 18:36)

to the naked eye, but no less real. It is very important to realise that we are part of this ‘New Jerusalem above’ and not the remaining natural one on earth. The earthly Israel has only been partly restored in the last century as a sign to us that the return of Jesus is near. (Matt 24:32). One day the Kingdom of Heaven will again come to earth - Jesus second coming, until then it’s a secret place for those who believe.

This other ‘place’ is the heart of anyone who will believe thus being supernaturally planted into the Mountain the the Lord, Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem! (Gal 4:25).

After his resurrection Jesus came to his apostles and disciples and spoke to them for 40 days. But what did he talk to them about? In Acts 1:3 Luke reveals that: “After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.”

In Acts we see the wonderful conversion and calling of Saul who becomes Paul an apostle to the gentiles. In his letter to the Colossians he reminds them of where the kingdom is:

As if they had not already heard enough about the kingdom of God! Jesus is yet again teaching them about the kingdom! I guess this must be important then!?

We see that one of the first things the apostles did was restore the number of apostles that form the foundation of the new government or council (ekklesia) commonly called ‘church’ from 11 back to 12 apostles. No doubt Jesus had commanded this. Along with the Prophets of old these Apostles form the foundation of the ‘New Jerusalem’ which is Mount Zion in heaven itself (Rev 21, Gal 4:25-26, Heb 12:22) the holy mountain made of living stones - redeemed people.

As mentioned this is currently ‘invisible’

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“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col 1:27). The kingdom is now in 2 places - our hearts where Christ dwells by the Spirit of Grace and the heavenly Zion city of God the Father.

Are you in the Kingdom of Heavens?

An important personal question has to be this: Am I truly in His Kingdom and is He in me?

You may say I am in the ‘church’, but this

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is like the Jews saying, ‘we are in Israel’.

Jesus said you must be ‘in me’ and ‘I in you’ and this is a different thing altogether.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

(Matt 7:13-14).

Are you one of the few? Are you totally and utterly convinced in your heart of hearts that you are in His Kingdom. Have you entered through the gate (Jesus) and that He knows you by name, do you hear His voice daily leading you along the narrow path of obedience to Him? Many people who have heard the message of the Bible ‘mentally ascent’ and agree to its revealed truth; that there is a God and that Jesus is the Christ. They may go to a church group or even work for a Christian organisation, but this does not mean they are in the Kingdom and have eternal life.

Just being good does not mean you are in the Kingdom of God, you can never be good enough. So what is the answer?

Seeing the Kingdom Before you can enter into the Kingdom of God you first need to see it by revelation.

Jesus made this plain to a well known teacher of the Law who came to him at night: “Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said,“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could

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perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

Jesus replied,“Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born from above.” (John 3v1-3) At this point Jesus is telling this ‘leader’ and ‘ruler’ that in order to even see the Kingdom you must be reborn from above, that is from heaven by the Holy Spirit.

Nicodemus asked Jesus how someone can be born again in this way and Jesus replies:

“Jesus answered,“Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and spirit.” (John 3:5) (exact Greek translation.)

Here is the thing, we are all born naturally of water through our mother (amniotic fluids). We develop and grow within water in what is called the amniotic sac. When we are ready to come forth from the mother the ‘waters break’ and the birth begins. This is what Jesus calls ‘flesh giving birth to flesh’ (see John 3:6). However, because we are born into the curse of Adam our inner ‘spirit’, that is our ability to know God and to communicate and experience him, is dead and our flesh seeks only to please itself unaware of God and He does not seem to exist or at best

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seems distant.

Jesus tells Nicodemus that it is God from heaven by His Holy Spirit (living water) through faith in Christ (The Word) who births the inner spirit of a man when he truly believes. In this way we have our connection back to God in Heaven and we become part of the new creation to come, the new Jerusalem.

So when our ‘spirit’ is made alive to God we must then be trained in this new inner strength to crucify the flesh (body) and make it obedient to God’s will here on earth. Jesus modelled all for us, the firstborn among many. He said that once we become disciples and are ‘fully trained’ we will be like him, able to destroy the devils work. This is what God considers maturity and good fruit. (Luke 6:40) You must be dead to win!

Jesus was the Son of Man the second Adam, and Jesus said that the Kingdom was near, it was inside his body of flesh!

Once he had completed his obedience to the Father through suffering and was gloriously resurrected he paved the way for us to join him and become like him.

We too can have the kingdom within us and know God in person speaking to us! From our belly will flow rivers of living water.

the day of Pentecost: “Peter replied,“Repent and be immersed (baptised), every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them,“Save yourselves from this corrupt generation. “ Those who accepted his message were baptised, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (Acts 2:38-41 NIV).

No matter how hard we believe in Jesus or the Bible or attend church if we do not obey his teaching we will not be saved and our sins will not be forgiven. As a consequence we will struggle in life with all kinds of problems because we have not joined with Jesus in His death, burial and resurrection. This is the FOUNDATION of truth. Until we die in this way (through baptism) we can never be free from the power of sin and live a holy victorious life.

The apostle Paul makes this point when writing to the believers in Rome: “We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were

Once you are born in your inner spirit Jesus calls you to OBEY him. The FIRST ACT of OBEDIENCE is to offer to God our bodies as a living sacrifice and as a dwelling place for His Spirit. We see how this is done after the preaching of Peter on

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baptised into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.

The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” (Rom 6:2-14 NIV).

Entering the Kingdom Until we are united with Christ in his death we cannot fully experience His powerful grace to live and walk as Jesus did in full obedience to every word from the Father in Heaven. Our own self MUST DIE, we must surrender willingly to the Father giving our filthy life in exchange for Christ’s eternal life and purity!

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Jesus is the gate, the door, the way to the father who is in heaven and being baptised by faith in His Death, Burial and Resurrection is how we enter that Kingdom.

The point of Jesus was to bring us to the Father so that our prayers will be answered and Glory goes to Him! Many of those who came to faith had already been baptised under John, but this is a new post crucifiction baptism into JESUS DEATH. Perhaps you were christened as a child, or you were baptised when you had no idea what it meant that was John’s baptism - now you must be baptised INTO Jesus Christ by faith. (see Acts 19:4-5). Even Jesus himself was baptised by FULL IMMERSION (Matt 3:15). Put plainly; if you do not join in His death you will never join in His resurrection! (this is equivalent to circumscision of the old covenant).

Overcoming If you have taken the first steps of obedience through baptism the Holy Spirit will come to dwell in you and as you DAILY offer yourself as a living sacrifice to

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know and serve him by denying the desires of the flesh (the body). By the Holy Spirit you will receive instructions and training to become like Jesus - to become a mature Son who knows his father.

In His abundant grace He has not left you alone, but has sent the Holy Spirit to help you grow and do what Jesus commands.

This makes his yoke easy because it is dependent on Him and not on you - this is why we need to love the Holy Spirit and not grieve Him!

the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.” 2 Corin 10v3-6.

The Holy Spirit is your best friend forever He is your teacher from the heart He is the river of life that always flows from deep within, He is God the three in one.

Who is the enemy?

Now that we have established what and where the kingdom of God is and how we enter it, we can turn to understanding our enemy, the disobedient one - Lucifer or Satan. Once we are free from his power (sin & death) we can join with Jesus in helping set the captives free, those who are dead in their sins or oppressed by demons.

Our faith also helps us break free from past hindrances that resulted from the sins of the past (cleansing).

As Jesus pointed out to Pontius Pilate that ‘His servants no longer use physical force to bring his Kingdom’, despite appearances those days are gone, as Paul the apostle also reminds us: “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of

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It is not immediately obvious but what Paul is talking about here is again repentance. Repentance means ‘to change your mind’ to ‘turn around in your thinking’ and this is to do with whom you OBEY. Spiritual warfare is about taking captive, or control of every thought and making it obedient to Christ. In other words we are looking to THINK like Jesus and for our minds to be filled with the very WORD of God for every aspect of life on earth. Then you will naturally act like him and be witnesses, because your thoughts affect your words and your words change the course of your life. (Jas 3:6) I cannot emphasise how important this OBEDIENCE to His Word is because this o

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is the only way to defeat Satan who is the god of DISOBEDIENCE!

and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

Put bluntly Jesus tells us that either we serve him or we serve Satan there is no in between!? It is not possible to say, ‘well I take some thoughts captive, but others are mine’. Or we cannot say, ‘some days’ or ‘Sundays I follow God, but others are mine’. This means that our obedience is not complete, we are not mature, we are still in training, we are babies who need milk not solid food. Mere children!

The Father is more concerned about the state of your eternal soul than you are. He does his best to protect you from harm and from dangers, but he will not shy away from allowing you to be disciplined by hardships for the sake of your soul. (1 Corin 11v29-32, Rev 3v19).

The reason for this discipline is clearly revealed to us by the writer to the Hebrews (Heb 12:4-11): “In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

What is it you are supposed to learn from these things? One word - OBEDIENCE! What does it lead to? One word HOLINESS! The sooner you obey and become holy the sooner you will reign in life. Without this you will not overcome.

Satan has done his best to make you accept all kinds on unholy things and thoughts potraying them as ‘normal’, but our holy God does not see it that way. Satan tries to lure you into complaicency, to fall asleep and get lazy like the corruption around you and forget the high standards of Jesus.

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us

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The Threefold Scheme of Satan Hopefully you are still reading along at this point as we are about to get into the MEAT! In order to defeat Satan and his demons we must be able to outwit him and not he us! The only way to do this is to be obedient to every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God. The real truth is that as humans we cannot outwit Satan (he is a powerful fallen cherub/angel!), but Jesus has triumphed over him, that’s why we must listen daily at His door and follow His every Word by putting it into practice.

“I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father.

I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.

the human FLESH - an example for us to follow. The Holy Spirit did this not satan!

Jesus was proving that even in these severe circumstances he would prove to be OBEDIENT to his Father’s Word! His not eating was a deliberate and intentional way to put his flesh last and his inner spirit first - he chose to do it in obedience to the Holy Spirit. This FASTING process I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the Word of God lives in worried Satan immensely because he knew you, and you have overcome the evil one. that if Jesus could accept this discipline, (1 John 2:14) and overcome the physical flesh, his own John reveals that it IS possible to overcome kingdom of darkness on earth would be defeated because it depends on the the evil one. Let’s see how Jesus revealed weakness of the flesh to work! to us the three main schemes of the devil and how He overcame them. Bear in mind Now we must note at this point that Jesus that this was a daily discipline not a one off knew the Word of God very well (He was 30 and a well trained Rabbi, top of his lifetime fix. class!). Plus he was already a good teacher When Jesus was baptised by John (in and knew the Torah by heart. He was obedience to the Father) we see an interesting thing happen. The Holy Spirit led already well respected for this knowledge.

However in order to fulfill his destiny him into the desert to be tempted for 40 days. these things were not enough!

He ate nothing for these days and so was hungry! You bet he was hungry! Why was Jesus led to the desert to be hungry? Why was he allowing himself to be tempted under such stress and pressure? He was led there so that he could DENY himself,

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It was time for him to go on mission to reach maturity and achieve the purpose for which the Father had sent him!

It was almost like this process of denial was his graduation test and that once he

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passed through it he would be ready to GO into his Fathers business!

Humbling through fasting You too must realise that in order to follow in his footsteps and reach maturity you must also humble yourself, deny your flesh through fasting and overcome Satan’s temptations of the flesh - we also must be Spirit led. This is about developing a lifestyle where you daily carry your cross (obedience) and take authority over the desires of the flesh living by the spirit within. The flesh must be in submission to your renewed spirit man. (Gal 5:16) Jesus answered,“How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them?

The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.”

(Matt 9:15).

You will see that prayer and fasting are foundational truths of the Kingdom of God and should become to you like breathing if you are to overcome the enemy by the spirit. It’s not an option. (Gal 6:8)

takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root.They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”

(Luke 8:11-15) SATAN’S SCHEME 1 He comes to STEAL (Deut 5:19)

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atan is called a thief by Jesus and stealing breaks the eighth commandment, “you shall not steal” (Exod 20:15).

The parable of the sower gives us the secrets of the kingdom of God and how the battle between good and evil functions.

Satan’s primary aim is to STEAL the

The truth is that either you choose to do this willingly and live in peace and victory or you rebel and get disciplined by the Father with hardships to teach you His ways.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10v10).

The meaning of the parable “This is the meaning of the parable:The seed is the word of God.Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and

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WORD of GOD from every human heart.

Obedience to the Word (Jesus) is defeat for Satan and his kingdom in the earth.

How do Satan and demons steal the Word?

In the parable of the sower we see that the message of the kingdom is the SEED sown by the Father (through Jesus), and in each of the 4 examples the seed is the same thing - The WORD of GOD (not money).

The Word of God is the most valuable and most powerful substance in the universe!

This is what creates and changes things!

This is where the power is!

overcome the tempter of the flesh with God’s Word in their mouth.You must ask yourself ‘do I trust God for my total In the desert Satan came to Jesus and provision based on every Word that comes tempted him with regard to his physical from his mouth to feed my spirit, soul hunger trying to get him to use the Word, and body?’ Or have I ‘traded’ with the as the ‘Son of God’ for his own benefit and devil and obeyed his command to use my meet the need of his flesh (body). own strength or even his evil schemes to “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the provide for my needs? Am I robbing God wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After by not caring for others and the poor and fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.The tempter came to him and said,“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” (Matt 4) The devil was testing to see if Jesus would turn to the need of his flesh or continue to trust his Father for PROVISION as a ‘Son of Man’ or if he would yield and use his own power to feed himself as the ‘Son of God’ (he could easily have done that).

Notice he replies as ‘a man’ therefore denying his equality with God! “Jesus answered,“It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” (Matt 4, Deut 8) (See also Phil 2:6-7) Jesus was proving that an ‘ordinary man’ in flesh who has a holy ‘inner spirit’ can

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needy? Do I spend all my resources on myself ignoring the plight of my fellow man, even my neighbour!?

Satan’s first nature is to steal, he can no longer receive by grace from the Father, he has ‘fallen from grace’, that is, he can only obtain what he wants by natural means by works of Law, by coercion or by stealing it from humans. More than that he needs to dwell in man’s flesh or else be a disembodied spirit! He has developed an hierarchical system in the world which both feeds his lusts and that of his demons.

His aim is to prevent mankind from knowing God’s love in Christ. In this way he can oppose God and destroy as well.

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Corin 4:4).

Kingdom Secret A The PATH (The pride of man) Looking again at this key parable of the sower we see that the first batch of seed falls onto the PATH. The path is the well beaten track, the way that most people travel the broad way. This ground has become hard, compressed, stressed and anything that falls on it is exposed to the elements, trampling and the animals.

This paints a picture for us of those hearts and minds who have become proud in their own way, those who think they are in control of their life! They trust in their own knowledge, their own abilities and skills and they deny the existence of God

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and anything spiritual. The pride of man.

They are convinced that the path leads somewhere, but they hunger for reality because the road is bare.

The BIRDS that come and take the seed represent demonic spirits of all kinds.

They wait along the path edges eager to peck away the Word from the eyes, ears and hearts hard of men. These lost souls have a blindness in their ‘mind’ to the truth of the Spirit and as such they are robbed of the knowledge of God. Demons do this by providing ALTERNATIVES and DISTRACTIONS these many other created ‘things’ and ‘other gods’ that deny sin and satisfy the lusts of the flesh (Gen 3:1).

Just as Eve listened to the tempter in the garden and persuaded her to go for ‘knowledge of flesh (sight, taste, smell, touch & sound)’ rather than continuing in her ‘knowledge of the Father’ the spirit.

Demons whisper and twist truth to make it feed the flesh, they steal it through deception. They speak lies to counter truth

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of any kind.

“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.” (Gen 3:6).

What kind of fruit this may have been is not really that significant, the fact is that in the midst of the perfect creation the woman and man made the error of listening to Satan and accepting his word over God’s word to feed the flesh. Their heart and minds were given over to knowledge of evil. This knowledge reveals itself in worldliness, in ALTERNATIVES to God all to satisfy the lust of the flesh (body) We see this manifest through gluttony, perversion, drugs, lust etc.

flesh would not come quickly, but slowly as their inner spirits fainted. He knew that there would not be an immediate PHYSICAL reaction, but that there would be an immediate SPIRITUAL reaction.

It was their MIND which died, it died to God and became knowledgeable or moulded to sin (SELF PLEASING). Men became earth centred instead of heavenly (God). WORLDLINESS was born where men only think of how to have pleasure on earth with disregard to God’s Word.

This spiritual death of the heart meant that man was separated from the provision of God and would have to take care of

This creates the hardness, the deafness and blindness, so that the Word bounces even more off them. This pathway is the pathway of CAIN (Jude 10-11) the first man born of Adam and Eve (Gen 4:1-7) he gave no resistance to sin despite God’s advice. This is man’s PRIDE which opens the way for DECEPTION and MURDER to enter in (see also Obadiah 3).

themselves. Without repentance man thinks he devises his own ways but it is Satan who encourages and builds many SATAN’S SCHEME 2 earthly kingdoms (World Systems).

He comes to KILL (Deut 5:17) Whatever world system you are in right now this was never God’s plan - his plan is he next scheme Satan employs for one kingdom and one city! (Rev 22). is to bring death, he comes Man like a gullible slave obeys Satan’s call to kill. Murder breaks the sixth commandment, “You shall not murder.” to build bigger and better and to murder anyone who gets in the way!

(Exod 20:13).

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The serpent said to Eve “You will not surely die,”. This was of course a lie, but Satan knew that death of the natural

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Satan’s influence always leads to hierarchical domination and men ‘lording it over’ the others for their own benefit. o

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The unwise submit to these ‘lords’ over them in the hope of protection from those perceived as enemies. As Paul says in Hebrews 2:15 the fear of death is used to control the masses: “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

People are ‘held in slavery’ through ‘fear of death’, they expect PROTECTION to come to them from those to whom they submit. This may be a government, an organisation, a religion or individuals etc.

Nations trust in their armies and weapons that are designed to kill others. This is the opposite of God’s Kingdom (Isa 2v4) and provides a FALSE PEACE.

Cain’s heart had been hardened because God told him his offering (religion) was worthless. He had only offered back to God that which was cursed by him only a short time before (Gen 3:17). Cain had imitated his father Adam and was under the curse. He wrongly supposed that God wanted these ‘fruits’ as an acceptable offering. His disappointment and anger were revealed and he received judgement and punishment from God and was cast from His Presence to wander the earth.

Adam and Cain were men of the ‘soil’ and God told Adam that it would produce ‘thorns and thistles’ that would make life difficult and this brings us back to the parable of Jesus. Cain proved that, like Adam, he had no foundation, no inner strength to master the sin crouching at his hearts door. He yielded to temptation and an evil spirit of murder came in.

In many cultures we see that the worst ‘sin’ or action of evil is ‘murder’ because this takes away life on earth.

Yet everyday thousands of babies are murdered, criminals go free and wars rage. In materialist cultures life is not considered to extend beyond physical death and so high value is placed on this lifes possessions. Dying is seen as a major tradegy with no hope.

Kingdom Secret B ROCKY SOIL (Compromise)

As we know the first physical sin recorded was Cain murdering his brother Abel.

Cain was angry and jealous of his younger brother and allowed ‘sin’ to enter his heart (door) and so had no hesitation in protecting his own interests by killing Abel, and much blood was shed! No one

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had died up to this point - death entered.

This kind of person, Jesus said, ‘has no root’, i.e. has no FOUNDATION in their life. They exhibit a mixture of soil (openness) and then rock (hardness).

Appearances are good at first, all seems to be going well, they are outwardly fine, however when testing comes to obey the Word and resist temptation they compromise.

As we have seen demons want to steal the Word, but if they cannot steal it they will try to kill it off by turning up the ‘heat’ of

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remaining commandments seven to ten.

There is nothing Satan seeks more than to destroy people and all life. This is his greatest work of darkness and his aim is to ruin mankind spirit, soul and body. He tries to destroy relationships, possessions and people. His main target are the true followers of Jesus his greatest enemy! persecution. He wants us to wither, give up and go back into the world under his authority. This testing is often allowed by God to ultimately defeat him further (Job 2:4-10, Jas 1:2-5, Matt 24:9, Job 42:10).

In the Lord’s prayer we see the line ‘lead us not into the time of testing (temptation) but deliver us from the evil one’ (Matt 6v13). His grace is sufficient for us to overcome the evil and he always provides a way of escape through humility and prayer.

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt 26:41).

As we noted at the beginning, ‘thou shall not kill’ is the sixth commandment and in Hebrew this signifies ‘imperfection’.

Six is the number associated with man and is the number of toilsome labour (6 days you shall work) and of the anti-christ trinity (666). Cain’s descendants are only mentioned to the sixth generation!

SATAN’S SCHEME 3 He comes to DESTROY (Deut 5:18-21)

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he third and most lethal of all Satan’s schemes is that of DESTROYER! This violates the

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In the parable of the Sower we see how Satan brings his deceptive powers to bear on our lives. The THORNS that are the focus of our minds grow up to CHOKE or hinder our pure devotion to God’s Word. Satan’s aim is to HINDER spiritual growth, to prevent you from becoming MATURE, that is FULLY TRAINED in the Word and righteousness.

Demons aim to focus your thoughts on ‘things’ and on your ‘earthly’ needs instead of on heavenly realities and obedience to the will of the Father revealed by the Word and Spirit. This causes your inner man to wither and your devotion to fade and your time will be wasted on fleshly desires.

Kingdom Secret C THORNS The Lord highlights the three THORNS which try to INFLUENCE your mind: i) WORRIES (CARES) ii) RICHES iii) PLEASURES These thorns block out the light of revelation in Christ. Thorns are sharp and you feel the pains of life, they discourage and look powerful around you.You feel o

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trapped and cannot see much light or hope. Satan offers riches and pleasures to sooth the pains, but this just makes things worse.

try to get these basics without seeking first the kingdom of God find many thorns in their life. Are you in pain and struggling when Jesus tells us to reign in life?; do you These three thorns violate commandments think ‘that’s not me’ and ‘why can’t I have this too?’ Be truthful to yourself and to 9, 10 and 7 respectively. Jesus wants to God because he sees your heart, he sees burn down these thorns from your heart your need and he has one reply, ‘REPENT’ and mind. seek FIRST His Kingdom in Heaven.Your provision is not in the earth it is in the i) WORRIES (CARES) Luke 12:22-31 “Then Jesus said to his disciples:“Therefore I tell heaven of heavens - you must cross over to you, do not worry about your life, what get it by the spirit! (see also 1 Tim 6:10). you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens:They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

“Consider how the wild flowers grow.They do not labor or spin.Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of From Heaven above the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he John the baptist pointed out Jesus from the clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set crowd as the Messiah, he told us that Jesus your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not would take away the sin of the world, he worry about it. For the pagan world runs knew that Jesus was from heaven itself. He after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and knew this because John was unique among the Prophets he was born with the Holy these things will be given to you as well.”

Jesus said that you should not worry or be Spirit (Luke 1:15). This is why Jesus said of him that John was the greatest Prophet fearful about your life and points to two and last before him (Matt 11:11). John specific things: preached a simple message to prepare the a) What you will eat way for Jesus the Messiah. This is his four b) What you will wear verse sermon on who Jesus is: These represent the basic essentials of life “To this John replied,“A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. which God knows you need. Those who

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You yourselves can testify that I said,‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’The bride belongs to the bridegroom.The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice.That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:27-30).

The importance of John was that he revealed Jesus was from heaven. Jesus came from heaven to reveal the riches of the heavens that God wants to give you, but if you do not receive it willingly it will not come.You will only have what’s common to all men. So forget ‘things’, let His FIRE burn up the dross and cleanse you of these thorns that are preventing you from coming to SONSHIP!

your enemy as you curse yourself and others. This is so far from Gods love as we can be, because love keeps NO RECORD of wrongs (1 Corin 13).

Gossip betrays a confidence, separates close friends and causes quarrels - even wars! (Prov 11:3; 16:28; 26:20). This all violates the 9th commandment. ‘thou shall not bear FALSE TESTIMONY and is the opposite of faith, hope and love. If these things are in your heart, even slightly, then you must REPENT and give your heart afresh to Jesus to cleanse by the Holy Spirit.

SLANDER and GOSSIP Worry has two bedfellows who are Slander and Gossip. Those who give in to worry and fear will try to figure out why they suffer, often looking to blame others and accuse others. They think that by pointing out the faults of others they will justify their own self. But alas it only gets worse, the cursing and hypocrisy come back on to their own life and destruction sets in.

You worry about what others will say about your appearance and the opinions of men about you.You hear what people say and this leads to UNFORGIVENESS and this festers to BITTERNESS against man and even God himself. This all leads to inner confusion and turmoil and this imbalance leads to sicknesses and diseases overcoming you.Your mouth becomes

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These things are like spiritual cancers that if not removed will grow and eventually kill. We know that we are free when we stop saying wrong things and our words express love, compassion and mercy even to our enemies. ii)

RICHES Luke 12v32-34/Acts 4:34-35 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

(1 Tim 6:8-10).

Have you pierced yourself with many griefs by wandering from the faith and focussing on money and getting rich? Did Satan fool you into thinking that God

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wants us to be rich in order to advance his kingdom? You went astray into all kinds of lusts for more? Do not be fooled God cannot be mocked a man reaps what he sows.

“Then he said to them,“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

(Luke 12:15).

Can you in your heart of hearts agree with Jesus ‘that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions’? So, why do you chase them? These are the thorns that entangle you, this is the deceitfulness of riches. Remember Jesus is talking to believers! If you TRUST in riches for your strength, pleasure or defense and forget God’s purposes you fall into a trap. Satan is the god of this world system and can appear as light - it all looks good. Do you trust in your savings, your pensions, your investments, your insurances, your property or your inheritances to come!?

Or can you respond to Jesus if he says to you rich man, ‘sell your possessions and follow me’.

Are you being tempted to be COMPLACENT and to ‘take life easy’, to falsely feel stronger than others and to even look down on the poorer neighbours or nations. This PRIDE can capture and deceive your heart and take you back spiritually to square one and a HARD HEART that cannot see the kingdom!

suffer relationship problems (adultery); court cases (Slander); security and protection of their assets (Jealousy) and thieves who break in and steal (Coveting).

All this does not mean that God wants you to be poor, rather he wants you to be GENEROUS (Righteous) and able to SHARE with others who need help. Jesus makes it very clear that we must only love him and not money or things: “Do not love the world or anything in the world.

If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”

(1 John 2:15-17).

You have needs. God knows your needs even before you do! Satan, however, will continually point them out to you.

Craftily he applies pressure to your mind with the problems saying “they cannot be met, you are lacking the means to get it”.

After pressurising you with the problem he will offer you the ‘solution’ to that problem, normally you will hear. “What you need is more money. Money will solve any problem.”

This pressure is designed to focus your mind off Christ (the Spirit) as your provider and onto money (flesh) as your source of instant help. Loans and credit to meet a ‘selfish’ need is a snare and a trap.

The pagans in the world are consumed The TV, Newspapers and magazines of with gaining THINGS, as Jesus said, ‘the the world media nurture the materialistic pagans run after these things’, and so the rich philosophy and water it with their words!

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Subtly they set a ‘standard’ or ‘normal’ thought process, so that you think you need to have their stuff. There is even a magazine called STUFF! If you continually expose yourself to this subtle mind control you will also complain to God for more money to get stuff as it all seems unfair! In desperation many even attempt to do the Lottery or other gambling, thinking God will help them win! False preachers and get rich quick gurus aim their teachings at these weak willed vulnerable people.

There’s a sucker born every day! Don’t be one of them.

or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

(Matt 6:24).

DAILY BREAD

(James 4:3). Why wait? says Satan, “you can buy now and pay later”. You pay all right, not just with interest, but with your soul too! A spirit of DEBT begins to operate in your life and finances. He is seeking to ensnare you! He has convinced you that God cannot provide for you on time!

(Rom 13:8).

Money is commonly nicknamed “bread”, implying its basic function of provision, this is a counterfeit. But you can’t live on bread alone! (Deut 8v3).

Whatever we do to ‘get money for what I want’ is a form of slavery to the demands of money’s power in the world system and it promises peace and contentment, both fake. If you see your life in terms of whether or not you have enough money then you have been ensnared.

You will struggle to hear God speak to you, plus you will be continually dissatisfied in your heart. If you are making decisions on the basis of how much money you have, then you are treading dangerously. Beware!

Jesus said,“No-one can serve two masters.

Either he will hate the one and love the other,

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Many Christians today think that they can love and serve both, that they can serve two masters and be well. Jesus makes it very clear that ‘you cannot serve both’.

This is God speaking it’s the truth!

To the worldly their ‘bread’ is only money and they try to get as much of it as possible, to the believer (true follower) our ‘bread’ is Jesus Christ the WORD, the true bread from heaven (John 6:35). We need every word he speaks to us!

We must be patient and wait for God to help us through work or our brothers and sisters in Christ, not the banks! This is why payday loans are so popular in the world - they can’t wait because they have not planned wisely.

Test yourself and your heart by asking, ‘What do I talk about the most, the ‘things I have and do’ or ‘the kingdom and what God is doing’?

Jesus (our creator) warns us: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds o

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of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (

pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” (Luke 12:29-31).

Again this is the WARNING - be on your guard because it could destroy you and even drag you to hell itself! There are different kinds of greed, but they all exhibit the same selfish reasoning.

If you put the needs of others before yourself God promises to supply you. So we must ‘Seek first His Kingdom’ and ‘His Righteousness’.

So much of what the world tells us we need is really unnecessary ‘junk’, the inventions of men to obtain pleasure or to be pointlessly entertained. Meanwhile millions are starving and dying without even a drink of clean water!

The Christian experience is to be unique and peculiar to the confused world, the reverse of the world mentality which thinks “if I want anything in this world I must either work very hard, win the lottery or steal it!” The Christian mentality in regard to this whole issue of provision should be “As I seek first His Kingdom and do his will, Father will GIVE me all I need as He chooses, because He knows best”. Our identity is not in what we have but in who we are in Christ! As some say in business, ‘It’s not what you know, but WHO you know!’

Out From The Desert In Deut 8 God makes it plain that He is leading his people to a good land - a land with streams and pools of water, a land with wheat and barley, vines and figtrees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and they would lack nothing. So we see that God intended them to be blessed, and they would be if they were obedient and patient, and he didn’t even mention money!

iii)

He also wants you to be well provided for today with enough to give away to others as well. God is concerned more about our heart attitude he wants us to have things, not things to have us! He wants us to appreciate every blessing we have and to be prepared to share it with others to bring equality. Jesus clearly states this as a promise of the new covenant.

“And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the

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PLEASURES

Linked with the deceitfulness of riches are what we all call the ‘pleasures of life’. Another way to describe these are DISTRACTIONS from reality. These are what the world uses to satisfy the LUSTS of the FLESH the feelings of the body for self gratification, to provide an escape to the reality of life on earth. Again these are worldly thorns designed to choke the Word and bring pain to the mind of men. We try to relieve our stress and disappointment by appeasing our feelings of want, guilt or unhappiness. Again if the heart has no

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desire for seeking Jesus and His Kingdom then these things become the only focus for life. But pleasures are temporary, many cause physical damage and sickness. Drugs, prostitution, drink, food and violence will never satisfy the human heart, they are a greed that is never satisfied.

The greatest sins of the flesh are ADULTERY and FORNICATION which are a direct violation of the 7th commandment and against the body made in God’s image.

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Gal 6:7).

When Jesus was before the authorities of Rome He was mocked, beaten and whipped with cat of nine tails to utter destruction and then he was crucified as well! He gladly did this to bear our sin and our lusts so that we can be free from eternal judgement. They put on him a ‘crown of thorns’ and these represent the torment to the mind that all these worries, fears and desires of the flesh generate. He took this suffering in full, so that we would not have to, so that we could be free and joyful by his Spirit in us. Don’t deny him the chance to do this for you, you were a high price, but he paid it and it behoves you to accept it and enter the promises of the kingdom.

Let’s now consider how to sow to please the Spirit and how to be good soil.

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Kingdom Secret D) GOOD SOIL Prov 4:13; 5:1-2 The man of noble (humble) heart is the one who understands the Word and puts it into practice. He bears the fruit of the Spirit which is described by Paul an apostle: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”

(Gal 5:22-26).

Any farmer or gardener knows that good soil means good plants. Jesus knows that a good heart means good spiritual fruit. It’s a principle of the creation and irreversible.

If we do not grasp this fundamental and foundational truth we will never succeed.

This is the wisdom of Solomon, this is the treasure hidden in a field, grasp it, take hold of it and put it into practice.

So now we see that to be good soil we must become compost! We must throw ourselves into the manure heap until all the hardness of our heart has broken down into soil. Without this we will not be able to contain the abundant life that comes from heaven itself. This life brings health, wealth, deliverance, peace and joy on a level that is inexpressible and with no consequences!

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THE 7 FOLD WEAPONS OF CHRIST

readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of Now that we have seen the main three faith, with which you can extinguish all the dangers that Satan devises we need to flaming arrows of the evil one.Take the helmet know our spiritual weapons to combat of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which and even take back what was stolen from is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on us. Paul lists for us the 7 weapons of God all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”” that defeat the 3 schemes of satan. This means we defeat him 7 to 3 or 230%! This This is your invisible armour: 1. BELT OF TRUTH - this holds makes us more than conquerors and puts us on the attack and not on the defense. This everything together 2. BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS is the armour of the SPIRIT of God who now dwells in those who believe. It is our - This guards your heart from pride 3. GOSPEL OF PEACE - This is the reliance on Him that defeats the enemies message of free grace of our spirit, soul and body. So when we are immersed or covered by the Spirit we 4. SHIELD OF FAITH - defends against the accusations of Satan have put on the armour. If you have not 5. HELMET OF SALVATION received the power of the Holy Spirit as Knowledge that protects your mind Jesus promised you must seek Him until 6. SWORD OF THE SPIRIT (WORD) you do to fight the good fight.

The Word spoken in power 7. PRAYER IN THE SPIRIT - Speaking THE BATTLE IS SPIRITUAL “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty God’s words in intercession on all power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you occasions of life. can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. If you will take up the Spirit of God daily For our struggle is not against flesh and you will be a warrior for the Lord as he blood, but against the rulers, against defeats the enemies before you. the authorities, against the powers “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he of this dark world and against the offered up prayers and petitions with fervent spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly cries and tears to the one who could save him realms.” (Eph 6:10-12). from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

OUR WEAPONS ARE SPIRITUAL Son though he was, he learned obedience from “Therefore put on the full armor of God what he suffered and, once made perfect, he (SPIRIT), so that when the day of evil comes, became the source of eternal salvation for all you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand who obey him and was designated by God to be firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around high priest in the order of Melchizedek.” your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness (Heb 5:7-10) in place, and with your feet fitted with the The Lord make his face shine upon you!

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Further Reading This short encouragement is brought to you completely free of charge, because it was received by grace. if it has blessed you, helped you and inspired you please pass it on to a brother, sister or friend.

On the website you will find other free material to build you up in the powerful faith of Jesus Christ. www.omega-ministries.org. We pray that these teachings will inspire you to know Jesus personally through prayer and ever increasing meditation on his Word revealed in scripture and the prophetic writings of the apostles.

We also recommend other writers in our links section who have inspired and encouraged us in being obedient to wisdom and to the ways of the Lord, some of these may not be free.

Omega Ministries is led by the Holy Spirit and financed by him. We do not need any money from you! However we do ask that you pray and consider donating to one of the areas of great need highlighted on the website. God loves a cheerful, generous giver from the heart and not under any compulsion, so that it is your free will choice, bless you. When you give we echo Paul’s great prayer for your life (Phil 4:19).

The secret to success is found in knowing the person of Jesus Christ and not in any material thing, may his life giving Spirit fill you and anoint you for the work he has called you to.

Free Publications List* Who I Am - in Christ Jesus The Sabbath Rest - in Christ Jesus The Inheritance - in Christ Jesus Overcoming - by Christ Jesus The Fear of the Lord - in Christ Jesus More Than Conquerors - in Christ Jesus The Commands - of Christ Jesus Overcome Deception - by Christ Jesus

Unlocking your true Identity Living in the Presence of God Unleash your true potential Overcome the schemes of Satan Living in the Fear of the Lord Imitating the Apostolic Obeying the Master Discerning spiritual blindness

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Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

ISAIAH 40:28-31

Omega Ministries The publications and website provide free access to the knowledge of the Kingdom of Heaven. They are designed to encourage and empower you to fulfil your destiny in Christ Jesus. All materials are provided free of charge if downloaded in digital format. Feel free to print out send to friends, duplicate, but please no reselling or relabelling.

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