GALATIANS 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. “

THEME OF THE DAY:  FIGHTING SPIRITUAL WARFARE FROM OUR POSITION.  Now picture this scene.  A sudden temptation is placed before our eyes, hearts or minds. It might be a lustful look, a critical attitude, or worldly thought.  They all want to lead us to sin of deed or thought.  How do we defeat it?  What is our course of warfare action?  Well, before we answer those question, let’s identify what we should not do because it never leads to victory over temptation.  Never try to deal with spiritual issues with fleshly means.  The application here is that we cannot defeat temptation by personal resolve or strength of our own discipline.  Fleshly attempts to defeat spiritual foes never work.  Yes, there is a measure of self-discipline and resolve we must exercise against temptation but those are to be developed and applied through the Spirit and His Word.  So, let’s look at how we are to fight spiritual warfare.

First, realize there is not an area of spiritual attack upon us that is uniquely ours.  No Christian lives on an isolated island of temptation.  God has told us such – No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13).  Whatever the area of temptation, don’t go into a pity party of “No one understands what I am going through.”  Not true.  We are in this together, even in the area of spiritual temptation and warfare.

Now, the way to fight successful spiritual warfare in defeating temptation to sin.  Victory rises and falls on our understanding and application of today’s scripture – our union in Christ.  Here is how that works.  By faith, remember that what happened to Christ also happened to us when it comes to His death to sin and resurrection conquering sin.  The Apostle Paul informs us of this staggering and liberating truth – Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin (Romans 6:3-6). Take time and prayerfully meditate on these words of Paul and our union with Christ. What is revealed is the key to all Christian living and particularly engaging in spiritual warfare.  Our union with Christ means when He died for our sin, we died with Him to our sin.  His power, the power of His resurrection, since we were raised with Him, becomes our power to defeat temptation.  And now the application of this theological truth – our union in Christ.

The next time any temptation comes, don’t ponder its pleasure or attempt to kill it alone.  Look it straight in the eye and say, “I don’t have to yield to you.  Yes, you are attractive, sin always is, but I died to you and because I am crucified with Christ, risen with Christ, you are dead to me.”  It might sound “corny” but it works because it is putting today’s scripture, by faith, into action.  Do it. Every time and watch how consistently you win spiritual battles.

PRAYER: “Father, teach me more and more how to live out my union in Your Son.”

QUOTE: “Our position in Christ is the fuel to live out our practice of the Christian life.”

Because of Him,

Pastor Jim