KNOWING YOUR ENEMY BY THEIR WEAPONS


Seeing that we as Christians make no man our enemy, how, then, can we
recognize those who have chosen to be, and made themselves, our enemy?


Eph 6:12-18
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of
this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able
to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having
on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the
preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of
faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the
wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which
is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in
the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and
supplication for all saints;


What is the "armor of God" which Paul describes?
a) loins girt about with truth,
b) breastplate of righteousness
c) feet shod with the preparation of the gospel
d) the shield of faith
e) the helmet of salvation
f) the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

OUR WEAPONS
A Christian does use Truth and the Sword of the Spirit as weapons of war,

NOT OUR WEAPONS
a Christian does not use lies, slander or sophistry.

THE ENEMIES WEAPONS
What is this armor to defend us from? Paul mentions "the fiery darts of
the wicked."

What are these "fiery darts"? They are lies and slander, gossip and
false accusation, abusive and derogatory names, contempt and ridicule...
these are the darts of the enemy.

When someone lies about what we have said and misinterprets our words to
falsely accuse us, then calls us vile and abusive names and ridicules
us, we know which god they serve.

When someone distorts the Word of God, and misinterprets His Word or
meaning; when they lie and say "the Bible says," when what they claim is
in His Word is not in His word; when they ridicule and slander those who
expose their lies then we know which god they serve.

When someone uses lies, slander, illogic and sophistry to distract from
the discussion because they can not refute the truth or the argument
against their false doctrine, then we know which god they serve.

STAND TOGETHER
All of us, even if we do not agree in every point of every doctrine,
MUST stand together against those who use slander, lies, ridicule, false
accusation and sophistry against those who oppose their lies.

If we do not stand together to oppose slander, lies, ridicule, false
accusation and sophistry, where then is our brotherhood in Christ?


owd