Gen 3:6 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.
1Ti 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
1Ti 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
Did you see that? Adam was not deceived. Adam had union with God. He was so close to God, He had the mind of God. He knew what to call each animal God had brought him, and whatever he called it was right, and that was what it was. He had no education, no growing up process, GOD was his wisdom. He walked with God who came down to him in the cool of the evening, everyday. When he saw she had transgressed the commandment of God, instantly Adam knew she would now be separated from God. There must have been an initial rush of horror in his mind when he saw what she had done. The serpent didn't try to tempt Adam himself, for a reason. He knew Adam would not listen to the lie. He went after that which was near and dear to Adam's heart and deceived her. He put Adam in a terrible place. There was a choice to be made here. Adam could refuse her and lose her, or he could join her in her disobedience and lose out with God. Sadly, we know, Adam chose flesh over the Spirit of God. THAT was the terribleness of the sin of Adam. He was not deceived, he knew what he was doing when he took that fruit from her hand and ate of it. Similarly, when we are born again, as we grow in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are faced with the same decision. Will we let His Holy Spirit rule in us or will we choose not to deny our flesh?
We must understand that Adam lost the divine, holy nature and likeness of God when he fell, and the light went out in his spirit, which died toward God. That left a vacuum, and Satan was quick to rush in and remake man in his own image. Satan reproduced what he was in man. Darkness, envy, pride, covetousness, anger. Those last four things were what cost him his place in heaven. Do we think we can have them in us and make it? To live this overcoming Christian life in this dark world successfully, we have to be dressed up SPIRITUALLY. Eph 6:10-18 tells us what we are to have on:
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
To be strong, or able, in the Lord, we must have be brought to the place we have no confidence in the flesh-in ourselves, our own human strength. (Php_3:3) We must have a relationship, with Him. We trust Him because we are familiar with Him. We spend time with Him, so we know Him. We cannot trust someone we do not know personally. We must trust His power is well able to do whatever is required, to meet whatever need confronts us, and not we ourselves. That word for power in the Greek is kratos, and it means dominion, force, great mighty power. We know He has dominion over all. Nothing is out of His control. He grants humanity free will, but ultimately, He is over all. He is and has all the ability needed. We must put on the complete armour of God. Why?
Eph 6:12 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.
Eph 6:13 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.
Do you hear what verse 12 is saying? How many years have we spent struggling with ourselves, wanting to be holy, trying to be holy and always falling short? Paul said we wrestle not-so if we aren't to wrestle with flesh, the only other alternative is to present that flesh of ours to God for Him to deal with. Paul is talking to a people here that he presumes are dead and dying daily to self. The word wrestle means a contest in which one endeavors to overthrow the other. If we aren't to wrestle with flesh-that means we must trust it to God who is able to subdue all things to Himself. (Php_3:21) Oh, Father, I'm preaching to myself here. He also said in Psa_46:10 to be still, and know He is God. He will be exalted in the earth above all. That includes all that is in us if we will still ourselves before Him and tarry in His Presence. Are we not made of earth? Did He not just say He will be exalted in the earth? If we spend all our time struggling with self, the real battle never gets fought. We lose. The real battle is with those who from the beginning (Gen_1:1) have been agents of darkness, in this world. They have power, meaning influence, authority, on the grounds of flesh and blood, to wreak havoc and destruction. Flesh they can manipulate and operate in and through. This is why it cannot be used in the kingdom of God.
There is spiritual wickedness in heavenly or high places-a war being fought above our heads, in the very sky above us. These spiritual powers of darkness can use and manipulate men and women who are not born again, as well. This is why you have leaders in this world today set on destroying the nation of Israel. This is the dragon, Rev 12 refers to persecuting the woman who bore the seed (Son). This is to be the focus of the battle-spiritual wickedness-demonic powers, and beings and their manipulation of that which is carnal, and even religious. Only the Holy Spirit knows how to successfully fight these things-and is He not our Teacher, our Comforter, our Protector, Guide? There is danger in this fight.
Because of this, you need the full array of weapons, defensive measures, and protections God has provided for you. Quickly, these include your shield, your helmet, your breastplate, your sword, your belt. These are required for you to be able to stand against and resist whatever the enemy throws or puts in your way. When you have done all you know to do, and you are covered in the armour, you stand. Don't back down.
Stand with your loins secured with TRUTH. (Joh_14:6) This is the belt that holds everything else in place. The loins is a term used to refer to the place where the seed of the human resides. In other words, teach your children truth. Secure them with the knowledge of the truth. Loins also refers to your own mind. You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. That means an intimate knowing. Personal not second hand knowledge. Experiential.
1Pe 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
So we cover our children, and our own minds with truth. Have on the breastplate of righteousness. Know you do not stand in your own righteousness which is filthy rags in the sight of God, but you, we all stand in the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our righteousness. The devil will come against us all and try to beat us down in defeat reminding us of our unworthiness. None of us are. But He made provision for us anyway. He loves us anyway. So that is not an issue. Settle it in your mind.
1Co 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1Co 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1Co 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
We have our feet bound to walk in the truth revealed to us, fully prepared to share that truth of the availability of peace with God to all humanity. But above all these things, you must have that shield of faith. Faith in the knowledge of the truth you know will put out the inflammatory lies the wicked ones around you will launch at you-both physical and spiritual. Take the helmet of salvation-you must know you are born again. You must know you've not just repeated some little sinner's prayer and took your salvation as a given, for granted. No. You must KNOW that you know you have been born again from above, a work of the Holy Spirit, birthing the life of the Son of God in your spirit. This will change your desires, your purpose in life, your behavior, it will change everything. If you are not changed, if you have not changed, if you do not hunger to know God, you are not born again. You may be religious, but not born again.
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
The helmet of salvation, implies a defense, to protect the head, but also the hope of being saved from eternal darkness and damnation. Take also the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Heb_4:12) and never stop praying with earnest communication with God, and making your requests to God, not only for yourself, but for others in need. Watching, that means don't go to sleep, stay awake, spiritually. Persevere, don't give up, be steadfast. Immovable from your position and understanding that you are a child of God, accepted in the Beloved Son of God, with access, help, weapons, and truth on your side. Make petitions for all saints, not just a few. This must require Holy Spirit leadership in our prayers, for we know not how or for whom we ought to pray. Consider carefully each piece of defense God has provided in this armour. We must understand each piece is vitally important, and each piece protects and guards against a specific area of attack.
One last thing I would add, concerning the boundaries, and separations from the presence of God. When Jesus Christ died on that cross, having shed innocent, pure and holy blood, for our sins, God ripped the temple veil apart from the top to the bottom. He made the way for us to come in before His Presence, boldly.
Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Two things will separate us from Him now-deliberate sin and unbelief. HE is well able to deal with both if we come honestly, humbly and come knowing there is nowhere else we can go.
