Round One: The World
Verse Passage: 1 John 2:15-17 “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” – NIV
There is so much to do in a single day and there are so many things going on to distract us from spending quiet time in personal devotion to God. It is very easy to find excuses, sometimes legitimate excuses to skip devotions. But do no let the things of this world dull your spiritual senses and pull you away from your devotional time. If you don’t make it a priority, the world will quickly squeeze it out. Once it’s out of your view it’s so much harder to get back.
Remember that all things in the world are just temporary and will fade away. It’s times with God that will last forever.
The passage lays out a very important key for us to hold onto. Do not love this world or anything in this world. If anyone loves this world the love for God is not in them. Be careful. These people see no need for God or to spend time with Him. It is their influence that can drift us away from God.
Round Two: The Flesh
Verse Passage: Mark 14:38 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – NIV
Many times you will find that you desire to enter into personal devotion with God, but your flesh is weak. You may find yourself dozing off while you are trying to pray. Lord knows I’ve done that a time or two. You may even find your mind wandering off while you are reading Scripture. Be vigorous in your commitments to follow through because your spiritual well being and growth is at stake.
We may sometimes win partial victories over our flesh, which may be interrupted by uprising of the flesh itself. But continue in the fight and persevere.
In this passage Jesus had came to the disciples to check on them. Jesus had went deep into the garden of Gethsemane. He went back to His disciples three times. At one point Jesus had basically told them “I know that in your spirit you are ready, and want to do good. I also know that your flesh is weak. So pray that your weak flesh does not overcome the strength of your spirit.
Oh how many times this would’ve helped us if we had gotten that speech. Let us pray today that our flesh does not overcome our spirit. Let’s continue on!
Round Three: The Devil
Verse Passage: 1 Peter 5:8 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” – NIV
If you determine that you want to meet with God on a daily basis, you can count on it that Satan will be determined to see that you fail. He will do all that he can to bring every single distraction your way when you try and spend time with God.
This passage sends us a loud and clear message. BE ALERT! The devil is seeking to devour someone. Which he can if we allow him.
Never forget that you are not just wrestling against the weaknesses and sinfulness of your own flesh, but you are also doing spiritual warfare against the devil. Prepare yourself in advance with the spiritual armor of God in (Ephesians 6:10-17).
God bless!
Copyright © 2018 by Jacob D. Olinger
Spirit Warrior Ministry 