DRAWING NEAR
October 8
Experiencing Spiritual Victory
"How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according
to Thy word. . . . Thy word I have treasured in my heart, that I
may not sin against Thee" (Ps. 119:9, 11).
Scripture is the source of spiritual victory.
Many Christians struggle with spiritual defeat or recurring sins
because they haven't learned to apply biblical principles to specific
situations. Perhaps they don't know God's will because they haven't
matured in the Word. Or maybe they know what He expects of them but
disregard His counsel. In either case, the result is the same.
Jesus Himself repelled Satan's attacks by quoting specific portions
of Scripture that applied to specific temptations (Matt. 4:1-11). He
knew the Word, believed it, and refused to compromise its principles.
In so doing He set a pattern for us to follow.
Using metaphorical language, the apostle John emphasized the priority
of the Word when he described three levels of spiritual maturity:
children, young men, and fathers. In 1 John 2:13 he says, "I have
written to you, children, because you know the Father." Spiritual
children aren't yet mature in their faith, but they know who their
Heavenly Father is. They know they belong to God.
John continues: "I have written to you, young men, because you are
strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the
evil one" (v. 14). Spiritual young men are healthy, vibrant, and
aggressive because the Word abides in them--it has found a home in
their hearts. They're victorious over the evil one because their
doctrine is sound and they've cultivated spiritual wisdom and
discernment (Phil. 1:9). They recognize Satan's lies and reject them.
First John 2:14 says, "I have written to you, fathers, because you
know Him who has been from the beginning." Spiritual fathers have a
deep, mature relationship with God that comes from prolonged time in
prayer and the Word.
Which of those terms best describes you: spiritual child, young man,
or father? What specific things can you do today to move toward a
more mature and victorious Christian life?
Suggestions for Prayer:
Ask God to help you love Him more deeply and know His Word more
completely. Therein is the key to spiritual victory.
For Further Study:
Memorize Psalm 119:11. Recite it often as a reminder of the priority
of hiding God's Word in your heart.
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
Matthew 4:1-11
4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be
tempted by the devil.
2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He
was hungry.
3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of
God, command that these stones become bread."
4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by
bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"
5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the
pinnacle of the temple,
6 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down.
For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and,
'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot
against a stone.'"
7 Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the
LORD your God.'"
8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and
showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
9 And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will
fall down and worship me."
10 Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written,
'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'"
11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered
to Him.
Philippians 1:9
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in
knowledge and all discernment
Psalm 119:11
11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against
You!
~~~
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
http://www2.oneplace.com/Ministries/Grace_to_You/
and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
letters@gty.org
NOTE for those of you reading via newsgroups: If you wish to reach
me, please contact me via e-mail for quickest results.
In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase1@wideopenwest.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus Is?
http://www.gty.org/Gospel
http://www.gty.org/
http://www.nwbible.org/
To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that the prisoner was you. -Alistair Begg
.
|
