Length: 34 Minutes

The fight of faith is not a fight to win, but to see that Jesus won!

This is a “Basic Training Article” which means that it takes many hours of teaching from Reform Church and summarizes it in minutes.

Chapter 1:
Jesus Overcame Everything

Do you know the only two problems that came into this world through Adam? Sin and death. Of all the problems that you could possibly see in this world, they can all be categorized under either sin or death (Romans 5:12). 

When God initially created the world, it was perfect. But Adam sinned, and through that sin, the curse (death) came upon Adam and his descendants. This is why Romans 5:12 only names two problems that came through Adam: Sin, and the curse to follow, death. 

Every Christian knows that Jesus came to “die for our sins.” What they don’t know is, by saying this, they are saying that Jesus has fixed every single problem in the world, because sin and death are the only two problems, and Jesus took both (Romans 8:2). 

Sin has to do with the moral side of the problems we see in this world. Sin causes evil actions, thoughts, emotions, desires. 

Death came into the world because of sin. Death has to do with the health and well-being side of the problems we see in the world. Death is not simply breathing your last breath. Death is a process. The Bible clearly teaches that death encompasses all hurt, suffering, sickness, aging, weakness, until one returns to the ground. Some of that evidence is below

Paul called his sufferings “death working in him” (2 Corinthians 4:12). Paul referred to the disabled womb of Sarah as “the deadness of Sarah’s womb” (Romans 4:19). Paul refers to a corruptible body as being dead, even while a person still lives (Romans 8:10). And Abrahams aged body, is said to have needed “life from the dead” — clearly classifying His agedness as “deadness” (Romans 4:17, 19). 

Even if you are not seeing that yet, you must admit, the Bible says the only two problems that came into this world are sin and death. Every Christian knows quite well that Jesus died for sin. That means Jesus fixed everything. Jesus overcame all the problems (or should I say, both problems) in this world, by fulfilling them in his own body, on the cross. This is what it means for Jesus to have “overcome the world.”

John 16:33 (NKJV) These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Jesus overcame everything in this world. That is clear from this verse. What does that mean for us? It means that, for whoever would receive Jesus’ victory, despite the tribulation (trouble) that lingers in this world, we are redeemed from it (Galatians 1:4, John 17:15). We can walk through it and not be touched, hurt, or affected by it. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walking through flames without even smelling like fire, because it had no power over their bodies (Daniel 3:27). 

Whether you realize this or not, Jesus overcame everything in this world, and guess what? You received that victory when you first believed. You received the solution to every problem in this world to live inside of you (namely righteousness and life instead of sin and death – Romans 8:10, 2 Peter 1:3). 

1 John 5:4 (NKJV) For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Jesus defeated everything in this world! We’ve received the solution to all of it! Jesus won! Now, as believers there is no more victory for us to receive! We don’t need to get victory and we don’t need to defend it, as if we could ever lose it. We are already more than conquerors through Him. We are already victorious over everything in this world. Now, we are simply being led in triumph going forward! We are not being led into triumph; we are already in a triumphant procession! We don’t need more victory. We’re now in the victory parade! This next verse is referring to a triumphant procession (see notes for Lesson 2 for more):

2 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV) Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ…

So, what now? If Jesus really won and we really received the victory, why do we still see problems in this world? Why might we even see problems in our own life? Well, the victory is already won, but people need to know it to experience it! We receive from Jesus’ victory through knowledge (2 Peter 1:2). If people don’t know what Jesus did, then they stay separated from what He provided (Ephesians 4:18).

People don’t need Jesus to give them victory anymore. They need knowledge of the victory that’s already been won for them, so they can receive from it! Therefore, after Paul says that we are being led in a triumphant procession, he follows it up by saying that now, God “diffuses the knowledge” of this victory in every place, because Jesus already won, but people need to know it!

2 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV) Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

It’s not time to fight for victory. Now is simply the time to diffuse the knowledge of it everywhere, so people can receive from it!

Chapter 2:
The Fight Of Faith

Jesus already fought against everything in this world. Because people merely need knowledge of it to receive it, the Bible only speaks of one more fight that needs to be fought. Just one! It’s called the fight of faith! It’s not a fight to get victory, it’s a fight to get people to believe that victory!

1 Timothy 6:12 (NKJV) Fight the good fight of faith…

God already fought disease, lack, sin, and all your fears. God isn’t fighting your problems anymore. Jesus is seated. He won! God only wants to reveal what He has done for you. God now wants to attack the wrong thinking that hides or skews what He has accomplished through His Son. It’s a fight against wrong thinking. It’s a fight against people’s unbelief. It’s not a fight for victory over anything in this world! 

It’s like two soldiers in a war. Perhaps one soldier finds out that their army has finally obtained victory. He is so relieved! But the other soldier doesn’t realize it. This ignorant soldier continues to hide behind barricades, fire off ammunition, and live in fear. The knowledgeable soldier tries to convince him that the war is won. The victory is complete, but they debate between one another and make their arguments.

You see? The knowledgeable soldier was indeed in a fight, but it wasn’t a fight for victory anymore. It was a fight to convince his fellow soldier that the victory was won. That’s exactly where we are today. That’s the fight of faith! We’re not fighting for victory against any problem in this world. We’re fighting to get people to see the victory that is won, because most people don’t realize it. 

The Thought War

The only war left is a war against unbelief and wrong thinking, because if people think wrong about Jesus they can’t receive! That’s why Paul says the weapons of his warfare were only being used against wrong thoughts. 

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (AKJV) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal [physical], but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Paul says that he is pulling down “strongholds.” That word doesn’t mean “bondages or addictions” as you may have heard before. That word is referring to “fortresses, fortifications, or castles.” A fortress can be used as a symbol for wrong thinking in the Bible (though the definition is a bit broader). You know that it can apply to wrong thinking because he describes these fortresses in three ways:

• Imaginations
• Anything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God
• Every thought

Clearly, Paul says that he was fighting wrong thinking — specifically, thinking that was contrary to the knowledge of Jesus. That’s what those fortresses are. 

The “weapons” that Paul refers to is the word of God. God uses his word to tear down wrong thinking (fortresses), so that people can see what Jesus has done!

The victory is won. A very special inheritance has been provided by Jesus. The only thing stopping people from living in it are these fortifications (wrong thinking). So, God uses his word (the weapons) to tear down that wrong thinking. 

When The Walls Are Torn Down, We Enter Our Inheritance

The dictionary defines a fortification as a defensive wall or some other reinforcement. In the Bible, these fortifications or defensive walls can represent wrong thinking. In the book of Joshua, the walls (or fortifications) around Jericho represent the same thing. Wrong thinking! They were keeping the people out from their inheritance! So, God had to tear them down!

There is much to say, but let me summarize the symbolism of Joshua. For more teaching on this you can search for “Joshua Timeline” on reformchurch.com. 

Step 1: Salvation

First, Joshua led the people across the Jordan river (Joshua 3). The Jordan river literally means “descender river.” This is a picture of the Holy Spirit, who is also called a river (John 7:37-38), and who also descended from above, to us! That makes Him a descending river! So, Joshua and the people crossing the descending river is a picture of us first receiving the Holy Spirit. 

Step 2: Jesus Wants To Teach Us What We’ve Got

After Joshua and the people are symbolized as receiving salvation by the Holy Spirit, Jesus appears to Joshua with a sword in His hand (Joshua 5:13)! The sword of the Lord is His word (Hebrews 4:12, Ephesians 6:17). When Jesus appeared with a sword in His hand, this is a picture of how Jesus speaks His word to show us all our new possessions and inheritance, now that we are saved!

(Some clues that this man is Jesus is that He accepts Joshua’s worship [Joshua 5:14]. Also, the account continues from chapter 5 to 6 and says “the LORD said” [Joshua 6:2])

Step 3: We Listen

What was Joshua’s reaction to Jesus coming to him with His sword (His word)? Joshua simply said, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” (Joshua 5:14). That’s a perfect reaction. That’s just listening to Jesus (Luke 10:39, 42). 

When Joshua listened, what did Jesus tell him? Jesus said, “See! I have given Jericho into your hand.” (Joshua 6:2). Likewise, if we listen, Jesus wants to show us the inheritance He’s given us, now that we’re saved! When we listen, Jesus tells us, “See!” He wants to show us what’s ours now! 

Step 4: Jesus Tears Down The Walls

Shortly after this, Jesus, “The Man with the sword,” tore down that wall so that Israel could enter their inheritance that they had already been given! This symbolizes how, if we just receive the word of God, He will tear down the wrong thinking that hinders us from receiving what we’ve already been given.

Listen closely. To summarize all of this: Jesus came to Joshua with a weapon. After Joshua listened to his word, the walls were torn down, and the people entered their inheritance. 

This is not a mistake. This is exactly what 2 Corinthians 10 says. The words of God are like weapons, and if we will receive His words, they will tear down the wrong thinking that’s hindering us from receiving our inheritance!

When wrong thinking is torn down in people’s minds, just like the walls of Jericho, people get to enter the inheritance that Jesus provided. No wonder God’s only fight on this earth is a fight against wrong thinking — the fight of faith. He wants people to receive the “land” He has prepared for them (particularly the power of the new earth, for those who understand – Hebrews 11:16, Romans 4:13, Hebrews 2:5, 6:5)

For your own reference, here are the symbols sorted in a chart:

Symbol	Reality
People cross Jordan River	We receive descending river (Spirit)
Jesus appears with a sword	Jesus desires to teach us His word
Joshua listens	We listen
The Lord says “See, I have given you the land.”	The Lord teaches us our inheritance.
The walls fall down	Wrong imaginations are torn down
The people enter the land	We enter our inheritance

Chapter 3:
The Armor Is For Your Mind

Previously, when Paul said, “The weapons of our warfare are not fleshly,” he was referring to the gospel! That’s why, if you read Ephesians 6, every single piece of the armor of God is an aspect of the gospel. Every single piece of the armor of God is a mentality that He wants to instill in our minds.

Ephesians 6:11-17 (NKJV) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…

Did you catch that? Every piece of armor is an aspect of the gospel. Every piece of armor is a mentality about Jesus! 

• That’s why the shield is called “faith,” giving knowledge of the unseen things we have. 
• The waist girdle is “truth,” defending against lies.
• The shoes represent “being prepared with the gospel of peace,” the good news that God is not angry but has made peace with us (Ephesians 2:!  

Noticing a trend?

• That’s why the sword is called “the word of God.” Hebrews 4:12 says that the word of God is like a sword that divides our thoughts. The word of God divides the good thoughts from the bad thoughts in our mind, exposing every thought for what it is.

• Even the helmet of salvation — you may not see how that is describing a mentality, but it is! 1 Thessalonians says that the helmet is more specifically called “the helmet of the hope of salvation.” There’s much to say about this, but hope is an expectation that the salvation inside us will manifest in our lives! So yes, the helmet itself is also a mentality! It’s the helmet of hope. That means we can have a strong expectancy that safety from this world will manifest in our lives!

1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NKJV) But let us who are of the day be sober [mentally aware], putting on… as a helmet the hope of salvation.

• Now let’s talk about the breastplate of righteousness. That may not sound like a mentality at first, but you need to know that the word “righteousness” basically means “right.” In the context of this verse, it is not referring to how we are righteous before God. In this verse, the word righteousness is being used as “right doing.” If you have read, “The Obedience Of Faith” Journey, you know that our only right doing in this new covenant is to believe in God’s Son (John 6:29)! Even if you compare 1 John 3:10 and 23, God refers to “believing in Jesus” as “doing righteousness.” So, the breastplate of righteousness is actually the breastplate of faith!

This is proven in 1 Thessalonians 5:8. Instead of calling it the breastplate of righteousness, it refers to it as the breastplate of “faith and love,” because our only righteous deed in this new covenant is faith, which works by love (Galatians 5:6)! The breastplate of righteousness is the breastplate of “faith, which works love.” And guess what? That is a mentality!

1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NKJV) But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

The Bible is so rich! You may need to read that again, but you can see that every single piece of armor is for your mind! This armor isn’t for fighting the power of the devil. It’s not for battling sickness or sin. It’s not to fight for your loved ones. Why? The victory over those problems is finished. Jesus said so at the cross! Those things would be rectified outwardly if people just believe what Jesus did. Therefore, there’s only one fight left. A fight against wrong thoughts. That’s why this armor is only for your mind!

When you receive the word of God, your mind is being armored! It’s able to protect your heart from any thinking that is contrary to the good news. And if any unbelief slips in, because we received a wrong thought, that armor is also able to tear that wrong thinking down! 

In the fight of faith, we don’t actually do the fighting ourselves. 2 Corinthians 10:4 said that it was the word of God that is mighty for pulling down wrong thinking, not us. The word of God will straighten our thinking out all by itself. We do have a role in this fight, but our only role is to receive that word (Luke 10:39, 42)! Paul also told Timothy that he could fight this fight of faith by simply remembering the things God had spoken to him before (1 Timothy 1:18). You can’t rectify your thoughts yourself. If you will just constantly expose yourself, and meditate on the gospel, it will protect your heart and tear down the wrong thinking all by itself (Psalms 19:7). We fight the fight of faith by just letting the word of God in. It’s that simple. We only need to receive the weapons into our mind! Those weapons are mighty through God for pulling down any thought that shouldn’t be there!

Unfortunately, when we talk about “the fight of faith” many people assume that it is strenuous and hard because of the word “fight.” But it’s actually the most restful thing you’ll ever do. It’s just you meditating on the truth, and that truth will do the fighting for you. You will find rest for your souls when you learn from Jesus (Matthew 11:29).

That’s how the fight of faith works in our own minds, but God also fights the fight of faith through us by sharing this truth with other people. If they will hear you, the word of God will have the same effect in their mind, that it does in yours.

Chapter 4:
Not The Power Of The Devil, But His Deception

This verse makes it clear that Jesus triumphed over the devil and his demons through the cross. That fight is won!

Colossians 2:13-15 (NKJV) …having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements… having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers [the devil and his buddies], He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

It’s clear that Jesus defeated the devil, but what does that actually mean? Here it is:

We said earlier that when Adam sinned in the garden, it allowed death to come into the world, but it also allowed the devil to have power over Adam. I don’t know all the details, but I know for sure that sin gave the devil power over mankind. And because everyone born of Adam was born into His sin, they are also born in the power of the devil. 

If sin gave the devil power over us, what would Jesus have to do to defeat the devil’s power? He would need to provide forgiveness and cleansing for that sin, right? That’s exactly what Jesus did. This may sound overly simple, but Jesus defeated the devil by providing forgiveness.

When Jesus died for our sins, not only was he setting us free from all the death in this world, but he was also setting us free from the devil. Sin was the root problem and Jesus took care of the root.

When Jesus provided forgiveness of sins, he provided a door, a way out of the devil’s power for everyone! For those who have received the forgiveness of sins, we are completely free from the works of the devil. He cannot control or force us to do anything.

In this next passage, it first says that Jesus was manifested to take away our sins. Then it says Jesus was manifested to destroy the works of the devil. Why? Because they’re the same thing! Jesus freed us from his works by taking away our sins!

1 John 3:5 (KJV) And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins… Verse 8) For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

And again, in Colossians, forgiveness is mentioned regarding setting us free from the power of darkness.

Colossians 1:13-14 (KJV) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness [Satan’s power], and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins [which is why we’re free]:

Forgiveness of sins is freedom from the devil. For those who believe, the devil’s works have been destroyed. When a Christian goes through a problem, it’s not the devil holding them there. It’s our lack of knowledge that keeps us walking in death. It’s just a change of mind that we need, not a deliverance service (Romans 8:6). We’re already free from the devil. That fight is done. If we’re not walking in God’s fullness, it’s because we’re misinformed about what we have, not because we’re oppressed by the devil. That is not a godly concept. 

Even for the world, forgiveness is available if they will receive it. They have a way out. They may still be in the devil’s control, but they’re not stuck there. The Bible describes them as being in a prison with an exit door (Isaiah 61:1), because Jesus provided a way out, so they can leave at anytime. Why don’t they? Because they don’t know they can. The power of the devil isn’t holding them there. Ignorance is holding them there. We don’t have to fight the power of the devil to get them out. We only need to inform them to get them out.

Forgiveness and freedom has been provided to everyone. The devil just doesn’t want anyone to know it. The fight against the power of the devil is done. The fight against his misinformation has begun!

The Devil’s Deception

Jesus provided freedom from the devil and every problem in this world. He provided fullness of joy, life for our bodies, and effortless godliness for our actions! It’s beautiful! The devil can’t change that, so he tries to hide what he can’t change. He tries to distract people with pleasures of this world, making problems seem big and undefeated, or with false religion, which claims to be the truth. I think that’s one of his favorites.

2 Corinthians 4:4 (NKJV) whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

Both God and the devil know that when people see Jesus, it’s all over. They won’t be able to stop the prosperity! They walk in Jesus’ victory! Therefore, the one thing God’s doing is instilling the knowledge of Jesus. The one thing the devil’s doing is trying to cover it up. That’s why demons are called “spirits of antichrist” (1 John 4:2). Guess what they’re against? The knowledge of Christ.

Both God and the devil are fighting for people’s thinking. This is why the weapon God uses in our minds is the gospel. But what weapon does the devil use? Does he use brute force? Does he use raw power? No, the only weapon the devil uses is deception. Ephesians 6 calls it “his wiles (or tricks).” 

Ephesians 6:11, 18 (NKJV) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. …above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

The devil can’t keep anybody from walking into the fullness Jesus gave. He’s got nothing. The only weapon the devil has is his “wiles.” He’s trying to trick people into believing that Jesus didn’t really do what he did. It also calls these “wiles,” his “fiery darts.” Those fiery darts simply represent his lies. Proverbs says that throwing firebrands is symbolic of someone who is lying.

Proverbs 26:18-19 (NKJV) Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, Is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, “I was only joking!”

How The Devil Deceives

It’s true, the devil is just trying to deceive people so they don’t see Jesus, but here’s an important point that most believers don’t know. The devil cannot speak directly into the mind of a believer — only an unbeliever.

2 Corinthians 4:4 says the devil only has the power to blind the minds of the unbelieving. Ephesians 2:2 says the devil can only work inside the “sons of disobedience,” which again is referring to unbelievers. The devil cannot possess a believer, only the world (1 John 4:4). He can’t even work inside the mind of a believer. Any deception he brings across a believer’s path needs to happen from the outside, because he has no access within you anymore.

In fact, the devil cannot directly access the mind of anyone who understands the word. Even when someone has received the word, but is not mature enough to be saved yet, they begin tasting of the benefits of salvation (Hebrews 6:5). And with just a taste of the benefits (Luke 8:14), the devil is not able to go into their heart to directly influence it, or steal the word. You see this with the two middle types of ground in the parable of the sower. Even with an immature understanding of the word, the only way the devil could affect their minds was through outside influences like other people (persecutions) and things in nature (the cares of this life – Matthew 13:18-22). The only person that can be influenced by the devil inside their mind, or have the word stolen from them, is a person that doesn’t understand the word at all (Matthew 13:19).

Born again believers will say that the devil “stole the word” from them or he told them something in their mind. That has never happened. It may be your conscience. It may be something the devil spoke through an unbeliever, that you remembered. But it was not the devil speaking in your mind. 

If the devil is possessing someone or inside their mind, that person is not saved yet. They may be religious. They may believe in God, but they need to hear the true gospel. The devil can be in the world, but not in us (1 John 4:4). 

A believer can certainly have a thought from the devil, but if they do, it came through another person (1 John 4:1) or some other means in the world. The devil was not speaking in their mind. Through the forgiveness of sins the devil has lost direct access to us (1 John 5:18).

Chapter 5:
Spiritual Warfare

These days it is not uncommon to talk about “spiritual warfare.” When most people say that, they’re talking about fighting the power of the devil or being a “prayer warrior,” but these things are not valid in the New Testament. Prayer is to remember and acknowledge the victory, not to enforce or gain a victory (Psalms 103:2). As we discussed, the power of the devil does not need to be fought, either with your prayers or your actions. Jesus did that at the cross and triumphed. We can’t improve upon it. 

This is going to sound way too simple for some people, but spiritual warfare is just preaching. It’s just the fight of faith. Whether it’s the Lord preaching to us in our own minds, or Him preaching through us to somebody else, the way we battle the devil’s agenda is by establishing the truth in people’s minds. 

Want to fight the devil? You should! But not his power, just his lies. If you want to fight the devil’s agenda, then learn the truth for yourself and preach it to other people. It’s true that we’re fighting spiritual princes in heavenly places, but Ephesians 6 also makes it very clear that we’re not fighting their power. We’re only fighting their wiles and deceptions, by the armor, which is the truth.

Why fight the power of the devil? For a believer, we’re free from his power. He can’t control us or keep us from living in God’s fullness, if we’ll believe the truth. Even for an unbeliever, the devil’s power is not keeping them where they are. Their own ignorance is keeping them where they are (Ephesians 4:18). Therefore, the devil’s misinformation needs to be fought, not his power. This is an information war (Jude 1:3).

Casting Out Demons

What about our ability to cast out demons? Isn’t that spiritual warfare? Isn’t that fighting the power of the devil? Not at all. We don’t cast out a demon from an unbeliever to fight his power. We can cast out a demon because they’re already defeated. We now have power over them.

People see demons like an army that’s advancing, and when we cast out a devil or heal sickness, we’re battling their power! That’s not so. A more accurate picture would be to see them as prisoners of war. Through the forgiveness of sins, Jesus has freed you from them and rather given you authority over them! They are bound to you. You are their king. They are slaves and you are the owner. If they’re getting into mischief in the world, tell them to leave. Be bold. Speak up! But not to defeat them. Because they’re already defeated! That’s why you can tell them what to do, even with unbelievers that are their own property.

Even a demon possessed unbeliever doesn’t need to fight the power of the devil. It’s not the power of the devil holding them. It’s their ignorance of Jesus that’s holding them in his power. All they need to do is believe and receive the forgiveness of sins. The power of the devil is not a factor anymore.

Message Vs. Message

We could go on, naming all the things people think are the root problems that need to be fought. While you may see legitimate problems in this world, the root problem is the message people are believing. Jesus provided so much, if it wasn’t for unbelief, these problems wouldn’t even exist. Spiritual warfare isn’t against all these outward problems. This is an information war. This is message vs. message.

For instance, people major on the stealing, killing, and destruction that the devil does in this world. I don’t deny that, but if you’ll notice, the thieves who come to “steal, kill, and destroy” in John 10:8-10 are only said to speak to the sheep. That’s it. Why are they only speaking to the sheep? Because stealing, killing, and destruction happens through a message — a contrary message to Jesus. When the devil wants to cheat people of what Jesus has done, he sends a messenger. When God wants you to have an abundance of life, He sends a Shepherd. We get to choose who we hear. The fruit you’re getting in your life is a direct result of what message you believe in your heart. 

In 2 Corinthians 12:7 it says that God was exalting Paul with abundant revelation of Jesus (2 Corinthians 12:7, 1 Peter 5:6). When God wanted to promote Paul, he used the message of the gospel. What did the devil do to try and stop Paul’s progress? He sent a messenger (another person) to beat on Paul with a message. You see, God gives increase to people with a message. The devil tries to stop that progress with a contrary message. Where you end up in life is based on what message you receive. That’s the root issue. That’s why God’s fighting for the message of the gospel.

If people just see Jesus, they will be healed and will heal others. If people see Jesus, they will raise the dead. If people see Jesus, they will find effortless morality. They will live free from the devil. They will be of sound mind. They will love their neighbor, stand up for what’s right, vote in accordance with godliness, and preach the gospel to the world. Everything else follows when people see Jesus.

The victory over everything is won. It’s available for all to walk in it. The only thing left is for people to see it. That’s why, despite everything you see going on in the world, God is fighting this one fight — the fight of faith — ‘cause that’s all we need.

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