10. Our Real Enemy

The End Time Men
W.W. Fischer
Scriptures Referenced in This Chapter:
          (Follow the Scripture links if you want to study the Scriptures for yourself.)
Psa. 11:5 π Isa. 11:2-3 π Jn. 6:66 π Gal. 5:24 π Gal. 6:14 π Jas. 1:14-15 π 1 Jn. 3:3 π Rev. 1:4

Our real enemy is not satan, even though he is real; the blood of Jesus has complete efficacy over all sin conceived by the acts and pride of satan. Our real enemy is our own lust, tempted into sin. “But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions) – then the evil desire when it is conceived gives birth to sin when it is fully matured brings forth death.” ( Jas. 1:14-15; top Amp.) Our lusts are multiple, and all of us Christians are guilty in one or more of the following areas:

Lust for freedom of self-life. Lust for things. Lust of self-vindication. Lust to manipulate God. Lust of following one’s own doubts, fears and unbelief. Lust to serve self-will. Lust for recognition. Lust for the indulgence of the body. Lust to rule. Lust of impatience. Lust of envy and jealousy. Lust to be right.

Any of these categories can spawn enough sin to make the Body of Christ inept and ineffective. It is much easier to blame it all on satan, thereby protecting our self-life and self-will from total repentance and surrender to the complete holiness and oneness with God needed in this hour. This oneness in power and holiness with Jesus and the Father is promised in the 17th chapter of John to bring to pass the “greater works.”

Our self-life is threatened by the humility desired for us by God, which will make us totally obedient to the same spirit that ruled Jesus. So the self-will has to reject that thing that produces its insecurity: humility. The insecurity is the result of someone or thing refusing to let the self’s strong will have its own way. We, as Christians, would rather be ruled by human power (which can only minister death) than to be ruled by God’s power. We have erroneously felt we can appropriate God’s power through human intellect; however, spiritual self-improvement is an impossibility.

God has set up standards of the cross which contradict the counsel of the human heart. “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus.” ( Gal. 6:14; top ) This statement leaves no room for compromise.

The enemies of the cross don’t like what the cross represents: death to sin in every shape and form. The total death of self practically any chance of being deceived by evil. Watch when God shifts circumstances in the lives of Christians to see whether they are going with Jesus, or siding with their self-life, the world and evil. We will then be exposed through the Holy Spirit in us and the resultant decision will fulfill: “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked no more with Him.” (see Jn. 6:66; top )

“The Lord tries the righteous.” ( Psa. 11:5; top )

In the past we have as Christians been devoted to teachings that have promoted those things that quicken, or free us, or bless us spiritually, but the elimination of the lusts of self is the key to holiness and oneness with the Father. Then we are Christ’s, because we have crucified the flesh, with its affections and lusts. ( Gal. 5:24; top )

Then: the great commission will be fulfilled.

Then: God will be totally revealed in His children.

Then: we’ll “be pure as He is pure.” ( 1 Jn. 3:3; top )

Then: we will discern as Jesus discerned.

Then: the spirit of counsel, might, understanding and wisdom will reign. ( Isa. 11:2-3 ; Rev. 1:4; top )

And the fear and power of the Lord will rule!


9. God’s Men π 11. Love Ourselves?
The End Time Men

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