THE ENEMY OF MAN

Title: The Enemy of Man

Bible text: (Matthew 10: 34-39, Galatians 5: 19-21)

Ministering: Femi S Olomola (President @www.elshaddai-elohim.org)

Copyright© Femi .S. Olomola 2017 [All rights reserved!]

Publish by: Wefos Project Int'l Limited 

Email: [email protected], www.elshaddai-elohim.org/wefos-publishing

First Published [Summary Edition] June, 2016

ISBN: 978-978-953658-0

To view a full copy of this message, please follow this link www.elshaddai-elohim.org/sermon-for-the-week 

Preamble:

Man is a spiritual material to which God had only used to actualize His purpose of creation on earth. Man in it nature is also made up of some basic components the spiritual and physical and which are always in conflict to themselves. This therefore, proves that the greatest enemies of man are part of his natural existence. In other words, your enemy is closer to you than you know. Please sit back and enjoy this great sermon that will change your life forever.

Introduction:

One of the most important questions that should ring a bell in your heart, whenever we thought of the above topic should be 'who is man' as it being used or referred within this context. In our brief study of man, we are going to consider three basic factors that make up a man as an independent natural entity (Proverb 16: 9).

i. An Image of God: (Genesis 1: 26-27, Genesis 2: 7)

Man as an independent entity is an image of God, who being their creator, create them to his own standard, likeness and suitability. The image of God as it is used in this context according to the above scriptures (Genesis 2: 7), proves that God as a spirit makes man also a spirit. This scripture makes us understand that God made man from the dust of the ground and breath life into them. Having acknowledged that man is a spiritual material through and that without God who is their creator and the source of life, they are nothing, then you will begin to appreciate your existence as a man when you know God and are walking diligently with Him.

The image and likeness of God means the carrier of his blessing and glory and that if God is a spirit, then man also is a spirit, and if God is holy, man is also expected to be holy but reverse is the case today because we struggle to live holy and meet God's standard, this is because the flesh had been corrupted by reason of the broken covenant between man and God but Jesus Christ had come to pay the price and restore life and the glory of God back to man. Man as an image of God proves that all attributes found in man except the carnal desire of the flesh are also found in God and this qualification makes God a real father indeed, which means that the way your earthly father relate to his children is also found in God as a father to us his children.

ii. A Trinity: (Genesis 1: 26-27, Genesis 2: 7, 1 Thessalonians 5: 23)

Man as an independent entity was made up of three distinct features which comprise of the spirit, soul, and body. Our earlier scripture, [Genesis 1: 26-27] says: "and God said, let us make mankind in our image, after our likeness......." then [Genesis 2: 7] says: "then the lord God formed Man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and the man became a living being."

We see that after God had created man from the dust, he gave them charge to become a living being by his spirit and this is why when a man dies, he leaves his body back and the rest goes back to God. The breath of life which God had breathed into man gives them or makes up the spirit of man but the body as a resource is a product of this earth which God had only used to actualize the objectives of his creation on this planet for which the devil had been dwelling and taken dominion (2corinthians 4: 4). This in-dwelling and dominating effect of the devil, along with the consequences of the broken covenant between God and man gives the devil a considerable authority over man but which had been taken from him by the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ, who had helped man to pay the price of the broken covenant.

iii. A Friend of God: (John 15: 15, John 15: 13, 2 corinthians 6: 14-18, 1 corinthians 1: 9, James 2: 23, )

We have learnt from the two above, the quality of a man, that man as an independent entity is an image of God, a trinity which comprises body, soul, and spirit but there is one major purpose to which God had created man which is to fellowship with them and this qualification makes man a friend of God and for you to live a glorious life which will be fulfilled in God, then you must be a friend of God. According to all the above scriptures, we see that God want you to be his friend, so he can reveal much of his power to you and also work with you to make you an instrument in his hand so you can bring down the stronghold of the enemy. 

Being a friend of God is the apex and the ultimate of your sonship to God and if you, as a son of God, has not upgraded yourself to this level, then doing greater exploit will be a mirage. A friend of God indeed must have crucified himself with Jesus Christ on the cross and though he is dead to the world but live in christ (Galatians 2: 20). A friend of God indeed must have been tested and persecuted by the world which God may deliberately permit or allow to happen, so that his faith, zeal, and obedience to God be proven right, before God will eventually commit his great and mighty power to him (2 Timothy 2: 20) 

Since there are many believer or son that are always embarrassing God with their on and off or unstable style of relationship and this is why most of their problem still persists. God's power doesn't come cheaply and God also looks well to be very sure before committing His power to you. A friend of God indeed relate well to God on a daily basis and God hears him faster than any other and finally, a friend of God indeed is a light to his world and people around him, who will also be a light to those around them. I pray the lord grant you grace to this level of friendship with him in Jesus Name.

The Enemy of Man: (Ezekiel 28: 11-19, Genesis 3: 16-19, Proverb 16: 9)

Man as an independent entity (Proverb 16: 9) to which God had given the power to dominate and rule all He created had been corrupted by virtue of their disobedience towards God. You know, God told our first parent (Adam and Eve) after creating them not to eat from the tree of knowledge of Good and of Evil but Satan, who also was an angel of God but was sent away from God's paradise in heaven to this earth because of his pride and evil plot (Ezekiel 28: 11-19), deceived them to dine with him by partaken from that forbidden tree which God earlier commanded them against. 

This point is where our first parent had decided the destiny of human race and mankind in general, as God had told them that if they eat from the forbidden tree of knowledge of good and of evil, they will surely die (spiritual death) and also because they have disobeyed God who is their creator, He places a heavy curse on them and even on their offspring and generation after them (Genesis 3: 16-19). 

The implication of eating from the tree of knowledge of good and of evil apart from eternal destruction or death is that whatsoever thing that is good must have a considerable effect of evil and which also means that for every success there must be a risked of failure attach and for every enjoyment, there must be suffering or for every good, there must be evil. 

Our bible text above (Matthew 10: 34-39 NIV) says "Do not suppose that i have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For i have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, a man's enemy will be the member of his own household. Anyone who love their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it"

Our lord Jesus Christ is speaking through the bible text above which satisfy one of the major characteristic of an enemy and that is CLOSENESS AND LOVE. This means that the devil who is the father of all evil doer is not omnipresence and so, he uses the network of his demons and evil agents who are closer to you to monitor and operate his mission either knowingly or unknowingly and this is why our lord Jesus Christ is acknowledging and affirming this that a man's enemy will be a member of his own household in the bible text above to prove the closer nature of your enemy, so that you will know that your real enemy are more closer to you than you think and that the more dangerous tool being engaged by these enemy is love. 

Now let us consider the enemy of man who pretends to be a true close friend of man but against God who is their creator, thereby, pushing man to external destruction:

1. The flesh: (Galatians 5: 17, Galatians 5: 19-21, Peter 2: 11)

Your flesh is the most dangerous and number one enemy of man who is partly beneficial but corruptible. We learnt above that God made man from the dust of the ground and breath life into them (Genesis 2: 7) and we also learnt that man as an independent entity has three distinct features which comprises body, soul, and spirit and out of this, the body which is corruptible and becomes the flesh was a product of the earth where satan had been dwelling since he was sent away from the paradise in heaven and which forms part of man but prone to satanic manipulation and submission because of its nature, the scripture (Galatians 5: 19-21), make us understand that the nature of the flesh are the following: sexual immorality, impurity, idolatry, hatred, discord, debauchery, jealousy, fit of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, faction, envy, drunkenness, orgies and the likes and that all those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God and they will be swimming from problem to problem either knowingly or unknowingly.

The bible verse (Galatians 5: 17, Peter 2: 11) above makes us understand that the flesh is always in constant fight or conflict with the spirit of God that is in you in other to take over your soul thereby determining your action and decision, this is a spiritual phenomenal but God has given every man the power of free will (Proverb 16: 9) to make decisions independently and which makes them god on their own and so the power is in your hand whether to allow the flesh to control you and make you commit sin against God which comes with greater punishment both here on earth and eternity. 

My advice for somebody reading this sermon is to submit totally, genuinely and wholeheartedly to God and allow Him be your friend y working towards all the requirement as duly observed above, so that He can help you to quench that carnal desire of the flesh or worldly gain because He is the only one that has the power to do that and except He does it, the flesh will still be fighting you to overcome and take up your action and decision. Let's look at the power-house or stronghold of the flesh, that is, those things or activities that give it some reasonable level of power to manifest and have the ability to overcome you.

i. Food: (Philippians 3: 19, Proverbs 23: 1-3, Ezekiel 16: 49)

This is one important resource the body needs for nourishment and it is also a dangerous gateway to destroying a man because too much of it is not good for your health and for the spirit of God that will dwell in you. Now let me explain this proper so that you will not misquote me. You know we learnt earlier that the flesh and the spirit of God are always in constant fight to take over your soul thereby having superiority over you, then controlling your action and decision (Galatians 5: 17), and we also learnt that man is a god on their own by virtue of the free will, God has embedded in them (Proverb 16: 9), and this means that your decision or what you do will determine whether the spirit of God will come in or not because the spirit of God will always bear witness to your spirit man to manifest (Romans 8: 16), and the only way you can feed your spirit man to atone to the spirit of God is through the word of God that will renew your soul (Ephesian 4: 21-24, Romans 12: 2). 

The food you eat is of the earth and this is the only physical means you can feed your flesh because it was taken from the earth but as you feed it, so it gains necessary power to manifest as being corruptible especailly when the food also has some demonic tone and virtually most food around are contaminated because it passes different ungodly hands, this is the reason why, if you don't eat any good thing during fasting and prayer which is one of the altar for empowerment, you are breaking the stronghold of the flesh and putting it under full subjection to allow the spirit of God takes full dominion over your soul through constant Godly spiritual practise like praise, worship and dwelling on the word of God within such interface (Mark 9: 29).

satan also is of the earth since he has been cast down but the spirit of God is not of the earth but of heaven and above (John 8: 23, John 17: 16). what is of the earth belong to the earth, though the earth and all that dwell within belong to God, because God is the Landlord, owner and creator of everything (Psalm 24: 1-2), even satan, he created him for his own purpose until disobedience was found in him (Ezekiel 28: 11-19).

Another thing is that as you grow appetites for much food, you will become easily controlled by them to the point that, you might not be able to fast, and even when you are fasting, your mind will be set on food always and you might not be able to concentrate enough or focus on God, this is actually not the way to live for God because for you to be a friend of God as we said earlier, you must not allow your belly to be your god (Philippians 3: 18-20) and always be conducting a periodic fast because as you are doing that, you are giving God a good privileged to manifest through you and show forth his power. Even so many foods you see today are prone to demonic attack or unholy initiation because it has gone through many untrusted hands. Now let's look at the consequences or implication of too many appetites for food.

Consequences of gluttony: 

Inability to fast, demonic oppression, unholy initiation, drowsiness, addition e.t.c

Solution: 

Self-control and monitoring of eating habit with prayer and fasting, always pray before eating, public eating reduce to minimum.

ii. Sin: (Galatians 5: 19-21, Exodus 20: 5-6, Hosea 4: 6, Romans 6: 23)

Another great way of feeding the flesh to manifest beyond your control is through sin, that is, disobedience to God's law and instructions. The scripture above (Galatians 5: 19-21), made us understand the act of the flesh are: sexual immorality, impurity, idolatry, hatred, discord, debauchery, jealousy, fit of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, faction, envy, drunkenness, orgies and the likes and that all those who dwell in this act will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The truth is that all these sins stated above have so many greater negative impacts on your life here on earth and after death or eternity and also future generations to come because God says the soul that sin shall die (Romans 6: 23) except they repent and because they have disobeyed the commandment of God, they are under a curse (Exodus 20: 5-6, Deuteronomy 28: 15-68) which is capable of manifesting from generation to generation and all this sins are destroyer of destiny. Let's also see briefly the consequences of committing all the above sin and the solution or way out.

Life consequences of the above sinful heart: 

curses, punishment, defilement,  poverty, sorrow, disappointment, captivity e.t.c 

Solution: 

Repent and accept Jesus Christ as your lord and saviour (2 chronicles 7: 14)

2. The Acquaintances: (2 Corinthians 6: 14-18, Matthew 10: 34- 37, Psalm 1: 1-2)

The second greatest enemy of man is our acquaintances, who also dwell among us. This is a great tool the devil uses to bring down so many destiny and homes because without this the work of the devil might not have had a reasonable success since he is not omnipresence, and so he uses networks of demons to fight.

Acquaintances are those who are close to you and so, many that have fallen through this means never know how it happened because of the familiarity and love they would have shared. This is a great weapon of the devil because the dangerous enemies are those who pretend to be a friend, this is why the bible caution us seriously to watch out for those we move or fellowship with (2 corinthians 6: 14-18, Psalm 1: 1-2). Friendship sometimes is acknowledged in the spiritual and could be a covenant, even without the awareness of the parties involved. 

The stronghold of friendship is love and covenant initiation and this is why our Lord, Jesus Christ, said in our bible text above (Matthew 10: 37-39) that anyone who loves their father or mother more than Him is not worthy of Him and anyone who loves their sister or brother more than Him is not worthy of Him, because He knows that love is powerful and it controlled so many things and also, it is a great weapon in the hand of the enemy and once engage they easily trap down their prey. 

This is the reason why those in love with their enemy unknowingly (especially in marriage) and that are being held down in bondage will have series of difficulties in getting delivered even if they are being prayed for and until that love veil is broken or taken out of their eyes that deliverance shall find them. Living under the bondage of love is a terrible thing that can happen to a man. This is why the greatest commandment of God states that we should love God first above all things with the whole of our heart, soul and body and then love one another (Matthew 22: 36-40).

I pray that the Almighty God grant you grace for a deeper understanding on this course in Jesus name. Let's see the things that become the stronghold of your acquaintances which will be given them the required ability to overcome you.

i. Love and advice: (Matthew 10: 34-37, Leviticus 11: 44) 

The enemy who is familiar to you but whom you are ignorant of will feed on getting your love and relationship first to trap you, this is the great weapon of the devil and his cohort before trying to give you the advice that may enable his purpose. Be watchful of those you give your love and share your advice with because the devil is using people knowingly or unknowingly to them for this (Mathew 7: 15, 1John 4: 1-6).

Consequences of unknown devilish acquaintances: 

Un-Godly partner, unholy initiation, defilement, curse, captivity, blindness e.t.c

Solution: 

Be conscious of Godly friendship with prayer, Love God first above all things, restrict deep friendship to the minimum

3. Money and the love of money: (1 Timothy 6: 9-10, Ecclesiastes 5: 10-12, Matthews 6: 19-20, Mark 8: 36, Matthew 6: 25-34)

This is the third greatest enemy of man which is very beneficial and also a direct gateway to destruction. Money is an idol and it is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6: 9-10). The truth is that money answereth all things and is needed in all sphere of life and circumstances but the love of it is what will entangle every individual which satan uses as a medium or tool to bring down many strong believers. This is why it is important for a believer that really want to serve God to succeed to first crucify this desire which is of the flesh and nailed to the cross because if this is not done, he will be liable or prone to devilish manipulation and temptation since the devil, our adversary, uses where your heart is or what you love most to tempt you to fall

What need to be known is that, though money is needed for survival even as a basic requirement of living but our lord, Jesus Christ knows we need it and he will make it available for us in the proportion that he deems fit is required for every individual because fingers are not equal, so that we will not become prey of the devil or get entangled by it. 

The bible verse above (Matthew 6: 25-34) said it all, Our lord Jesus Christ speaking here, that we should not worry about what to wear or eat or about basic needs and amenities (Food, shelter, clothing) that this is what the pagan or unbeliever are usually running after and got them entangled and thereby leading to the root of all kinds of evil but our heavenly father knows we need them and will give it to us even without you desiring it.

Money is power, money is sweet, Money answers all things but it is an Idol which is capable of being worshipped (Colossian 3: 5-6 NLT version) and cannot give you good health and peace of mind because all these come from God alone.

The best way to get something from God is when you don't let the urge or desire control your worship or fellowship and relationship with him, though you need them and He knows even before you realise you will need them because He sees far ahead of you and He knows all things that will come your way but He is waiting to see your obedience towards Him and your style of relationship and when He is duly pleased with all these, He will begin to release all the blessing that is yours, both the one you ask for and the one you have not ask for but that you will need because He knows all things and as you begin to ask, He will just be hearing because it is manifesting already (Isaiah 65: 24).

Also one of the best way to serve God is to love Him first above all things, with all your heart and soul, which is also the first commandment among all (Matthew 22: 37-40) because He loved us first by creating us and sending His only begotten son to die and pay the price for our sin, so that we shall be saved from the path of eternal destruction (John 3: 16). 

To love God doesn't come by chance but by knowing Him through his word or through an encounter. This is the only two ways by which you can know the true God because there are people who have a very stubborn spirit by reason of their foundation and they will never heed to God's word unless God himself subject them to Godly sorrow that will break their spirit down totally before they will call to God for help and when He answer they will buckle up to serve him better. I pray for someone reading this sermon that the grace you need to love God above all things, may you receive it in Jesus name. 

Let's take a look at the stronghold for the love of money so that you will know what can make you get entangle by it and fall into temptation.

i. Affection for a luxurious life     (Matthew 6: 25-34)

The affection to live luxuriously, either having a high paid job or having expensive cars or houses or to have every good and sweet things in life is one dangerous medium the devil will always use to trap or entangle believers if it is not properly controlled.

The truth is that everybody loves money and desire to live comfortably but we do forget one simple fact, that all fingers are not equal and by the time we begin to live by this fact, we will be contented with whatsoever that we have and appreciate God more. 

The fact is that no man has the power to make himself rich to live luxuriously beyond basic need of life (food, shelter, housing) because there are certain factors which are responsible for living luxuriously beyond basic need even among the children of God and I have compiled all this requirement in my previous publications.

To live luxuriously beyond basic need of life is independent of your belief, status, and ability, in fact, it must be won and not by chance, but it is dependent on your faith, relationship with God and ancestral account with God if the riches are to be from God. You also need to remember that the devil gives riches to his children (Matthew 7: 7-11) but the end thereof is destruction and generational curses (Exodus 20: 5-6, Hosea 4: 6)

Having known this, you will begin to appreciate God and live a life to be contented with what God or life's circumstances had placed in your hands. God is so merciful and faithful in all his dealing, it is the circumstances of life that had limit every man to their level according to their deed. Maybe if you go by God judgement, based on his rules and regulations against sinful nation, you are supposed to be far less to where you are but His mercy and compassion brought you to this point because you have cried to him for help and so He's in charge and He knows what you need at every point which He will provide once you are obedience to Him.

Conclusion:

A believer that can live his or her life to control this three basic factor: the flesh, the acquaintances and the love of money, as it was explained above and bring them under subjection to the minimum is already close to God and will be a friend of God.

I will admonish you to strive to live to this rules and keep the urge or desire for worldly gains under total control so that you will not be a cast away even in this race and also for God to deliver more blessing to you because the truth is that a believer that is living satisfying all these conditions is the one that will be qualified for more blessing from God to live beyond basic needs of life because they are the category of people that can give all they have to the needy and gladly share with other that do not have. 

May the lord grant you the grace for a deeper understanding on this, in Jesus name

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Confession: 

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your lord and saviour and you are convinced that you need him to come into your life so you can also tap into the grace available through shedding of his blood, and equally partake of the effectiveness of his wrath and the blessing that comes with it, and that you are sure, you are ready to repent from all those sin of fornication, adultery, lying, sexual immorality, pride, jealousy, hatred, idolatry, selfish ambition, witchcraft, impurity and debauchery, dissensions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and the likes, then locate a quiet place, be sober and be on your knees, and make this little confession but remember to be sure of what you are doing, so that you will not be using God to play, when you respect him and give him honour, he will also honour you in the sight of men (Matthew 6: 6).

Lord Jesus, i come with total humbleness of heart to ask for forgiveness of my sins and accept you as my lord and saviour, please forgive me of all my sin (you can begin to name them if you know them) I surrender my life to you and i want you to come and take full charge over my life and i accept you as my lord and my saviour, please cleanse me with your blood that you shed on the cross and make me a new man leaving old things behind, I promise to serve you and do your will at all time and i ask for the strength to carry on. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me.

Congratulation, you have made a step forward in tapping into his grace, now for you not to fall back, you must look out for a good holy spirit filled church or a good Redeem Christian Church of God (RCCG) to worship and begin to study the word of God, if you have just done this, you can also contact me for direction and get a free copy of my book and publications to strengthen your faith. May the lord give you the grace to carry on in Jesus name.

Preacher's Note: 

It is my greatest desire that this sermon minister grace unto your soul but this is not enough, to be able to overcome the desire of the flesh as we have learnt above require deep knowledge of God, because it is until you have this knowledge that you can take your place and do exploit for God and yourself, and so i will urgently urge you to be rooted and grounded in the word of God, in other to deepen your faith, knowledge and relationship with God. You can also look out for  our previous publish article and book at www.elshaddai-elohim.org  to deepen your knowledge in Christ and this will go a long way to minister grace to you as I have compiled series of eye opener with several topics about God and human existence and knowing the true God and which will be the basis of your success in all sphere of life. Ignorance is the highest form of bondage that limit your power of knowledge in God which carry much power above all things on this earth, so be informed of God knowledge and stay out of the dark circle. The lord bless you as you do.

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Copyright© Femi .S. Olomola 2016

All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means, electronically, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the express written consent of the copyright owner. 

Publish by

Wefos Project Int'l Limited

Email: [email protected]

First Published [Summary Edition] 2016

ISBN: 978-978-953-658-0