Surviving a Faith Attack
Today's Verse:
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. ~Jude 3
One of the most feared health situations that we face is the possibility of a heart attack. A heart attack occurs when the heart does not have sufficient blood flow due to clogged arteries. A heart attack can lead to immediate heart surgery to attempt saving your life. If you are successful in surviving a heart attack, your physical abilities are greatly altered, your lifestyle will have to go undergo changes, and your life takes on a different perspective. Over the next few mornings, we are looking at the reality of a faith attack. We are looking at how we can survive a faith attack.
We see the treacherous characteristics of a faith attack.
A faith attack is satanically inspired. A faith attack is an attack of ungodliness against godliness. It is an attempt to overthrow the faith of every sincere believer. Its beginnings can be traced back to “the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation” (v. 6). A faith attack is an undermining of the truths of the Word of God. It is an outright denial of the veracity and authority of God’s Word in one’s life. The adversaries involved in a faith attack are described as the following: “Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities” (v. 11). They are further described as “murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage” (v. 16). They are “sensual, having not the Spirit” (v. 19). In short, they are rebellious, insubordinate, contentious, and completely against the faith once delivered to the saints.
We see the toxic corruption from a faith attack.
A faith attack seeks to get you out of fellowship with God. A faith attack seeks to get you to fall into horrific sin. A faith attack undermines holy doctrine by trying to get you to question what God has said. It seeks to lead an unbelieving person to go the way of Cain: that is, salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is substituted with personal good works. It twists the grace of God as a license to sin. It seeks to distract you from living for God and in righteousness. It promotes a covetous spirit that strongly encourages you to sell out godly convictions for personal gain. Jude further describes the toxicity of a faith attack as “spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear” (v. 12).
We see the timely counsel against a faith attack.
Can we defend ourselves against a faith attack? Yes!!! Jude gives us five means of defense against a faith attack. We will elaborate on all five in upcoming devotions, but here is what Jude counsels us to do: “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” What’s he saying? We must build, keep, look, have, and save! We must keep close to the Lord, be busy reaching people with the gospel, and remain focused on the Lord’s coming.
The spirit of this age is battling with us and the Holy Spirit. We must constantly remind ourselves that “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” You can survive a faith attack!
Have a vigilant God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Jeremiah 7-9
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