ENEMIES OF THE NEW YOU

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THE PLACE YOU NO LONGER BELONG

"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."—

1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)

   THE WORLD is the environment we all live in — a system built by people who have left God out of the picture. It runs on its own rules, its own values, and its own version of truth. This includes the way we're educated, man-made religions, entertainment, popular philosophies, different ways of living, and the social values that push back against what Jesus taught. This world system is broken at its core and will one day face God's judgment when Christ returns.

   As followers of Christ, we are called to stop fitting in with the way this world thinks and operates. Instead, we are to let God reshape the way we think — and live according to what He has planned for our lives, not what the world tells us we should want or be.

THE OLD YOU IS RESISTING THE NEW

"The sinful self wants what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit wants what is against the sinful self. They are always fighting against each other, so that you don't do what you really want to do."  

Galatians 5:17 (ERV)

   THE FLESH is simply the old you — the part of us that is naturally drawn toward sin and selfish desires. Left to our own instincts, we tend to chase what feels good in the moment, even when we know it's wrong. As believers in Christ, we don't have to fight that battle alone. We rely on the Holy Spirit living inside us to help us overcome those urges and live the way God actually wants us to live.

"It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within — they are what defile you." 

Mark 7:20-23 (NIV)

   In other words, our biggest problem isn't out there in the world. It starts inside us. The real battle is within — and that's exactly why we need God's Spirit to change us from the inside out.

HE COMES TO STEAL, KILL AND DESTROY

"The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."

John 10:10

   THE DEVIL, also known as Satan, is an angel who turned against God and convinced other angels to do the same. Driven by pride and a desire to be worshipped like God, he and those angels were thrown out of heaven and cast down to earth. Satan is the enemy of God and of everyone who follows Christ. He is the ruler of this world and evil spirits. He is very real and very active in the world today.

   His main goal is simple — to rule over people and pull them away from God, away from life, and straight toward destruction. In the Bible he is described as a tempter who lures people into sin, an accuser who attacks and condemns when we do, and the father of lies who twists and distorts God's truth to deceive us.

   But here's what's important to remember — Satan is not equal to God. His power has limits. As a believer in Christ, you are equipped to stand up to him, hold your ground in faith, and draw on God's strength to defeat whatever schemes Satan throws at you.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

1 Peter 5:8

   Stay alert. Know who your enemy is. And know that in Christ, he doesn't get the last word.