ENEMY OF THE SOUL
INTRODUCTION
Enemy of the soul seeks to steal, invade, seize, and control the soul rather than be enhanced towards the foundational strength of God’s Word. Satan and his cohorts seek to undermine any godly influence offered.
The Apostle John wrote: Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea; for the devil (Satan) is come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time (Revelation 12:12).
Enemy of the Soul
Agenda
Jesus said: The thief comes not but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I am come that they (believers) might have life and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10). It was noted that the elect of God (believers) might have life; both spiritual and eternal.
Christ came into this world in human nature, to give his flesh, his body, his whole human nature, soul and body, for mankind, that one might live spiritual here and eternally hereafter, through the gift of God through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Have it more abundantly is all spiritual blessings; all fullness of joy, glory, and happiness through Christ; which the enemy of the soul (Satan) cannot provide!
Satan's Cohort
The soul is defined as the spiritual and rational part of man; which enables him to think, rendering him towards acceptance of morals proclaimed in God’s Word. God never intended man to have to contend with the enemy of the soul (Satan) who utilized his first cohort (the Serpent) to offset God’s intention towards mankind; a literal paradise on earth (Book of Genesis).
The deception of the Serpent is similar to what is being cultivated in our society today; an attempt to undermine the Word of God and its influence in the world. The enemy of the soul is just as effective today as in the day of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He used deceit to form doubt as to the severity of God’s Word. When disobedience came to the forefront; Adam and Eve realized that what God had warned of, had become reality!
Protective Shield
Man has put on his own protective gear as a shield towards the fiery darts of the wicked; but unless it is the whole armor of God: Truth, Righteousness, Gospel of peace, Shield of faith, Helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; it is of little value!
Apostle Paul wrote: Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil (Satan). For we wrestle not against flesh and blood (human standards), but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness (sinfulness) of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take (put on) the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand in the evil day (which we are in), and having done all to stand (Ephesians 6:10-13). Because we face the enemy of the soul we (as believers) must avail ourselves to God’s provision; lest the enemy of the soul gain the upper hand as in the day of Adam and Eve!
Fate of the Enemy
The Psalmist David wrote of the fate of the enemy which came against him: They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down (troubled), they have digged a pit before me, into the midst thereof they are fallen themselves (Psalm 57:6). In one such instant, it was noted that King Saul contrived and sought to destroy David because of jealously.
King Saul’s effort to do so become futile as the hand of God was upon David, even with David sparing Saul’s life, when opportunity afforded itself to have taken the king’s life! David’s response: The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master (King), the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord (1 Samuel 24:6).
Those Seeking to
Destroy
An incident, in King David’s life, illustrates that the enemy of the soul (those seeking to destroy) had little effect on the final outcome. The Prophet Samuel revealed: Yet a man is risen to pursue you, and seek your soul; but soul of my Lord shall be bound in the bundle of life (living) with the Lord your God; and the souls of your enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling (1 Samuel 25:29).
It was noted that David was dear to the Lord, precious in His sight, was carefully preserved by Him, among other chosen ones, and would be safe in His care and provision. The safety and security of his soul was in God’s hand. However, the souls of David’s enemies God would remove swiftly and suddenly, and with force, as a stone is slung out of the middle of a sling.
Safety of the Soul
The safety of the soul is assured in God’s Word: He restores my soul; he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake (Psalm 23:3). It was noted that he restores my soul is to refresh with His love, with the promises of His Word, and of His Spirit; leading in the paths of truth and holiness, no turning to the right hand or the left; but to walk in Him, in His righteousness, in His glory, in His grace, and not by one’s own merits or understanding.
Thank God for His longsuffering and restoration, when one becomes weak in faith, as the Prophet Elijah, fleeing from the wicked Queen Jezebel who had threatened his life (1 Kings 19); who at that moment became an enemy of the soul!
Soul of the Faithful
Scripture reveals: The Lord redeems the soul of his servants (faithful); and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate (condemned) (Psalm 34:22).
It was noted that the Lord redeems (delivers) the soul of his servants (believers) who are willing to serve Him, with their minds ready and cheerful, and that none of them that trust in Him shall be desolate (guilty or condemned), because they are forgiven of all sins, through the redemption (salvation) that is in Christ; after having believed in Him, far from being desolate or alone, and miserable; but rather received into His kingdom and glory, to be forever with Him!
Contrast of Righteous
and Wicked
Scripture reveals: The righteous eats to the satisfying of the soul; but the belly of the wicked shall want (Proverbs 13:25). It was noted that righteousness is the satisfying of the soul; is blessed with sufficient need, is contented with its portion and no more; does not indulge in luxury and excess.
But the belly of the wicked shall want; not spiritual food, which he has no appetite for, and shall starve in the midst of plenty, having spent his substance in rioting and wantonness, to satisfy the craving of his fleshly appetite of wealth and fame. Many today seek to amass fame and fortune; with little concern towards the spiritual side of life. They seek the luxuries of this life with no thought towards the enemy of the soul who seeks to dominate their life; and ward off any spiritual attempt to enlightened them to God’s Word; the real satisfying of the soul!
Give in Exchange for
One's Soul
Jesus asked: What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul (Mark 8:36-37)? It was noted that in the long run, by denying Christ, and the Gospel message, to procure oneself great riches and wealth, one may gain the whole world, yet in the end lose his soul (salvation).
The enemy of the soul does not want one to see that such (worldly profit) can be enjoyed but for a season; that the soul continues forever; and if it is lost, its torment always abides, and the smoke of it ascends forever, and its fire is never quenched (Hell). What shall a man give in exchange for his soul; for all the riches of this world will not profit in the Day of Judgment, having walked away from a heavenly reward!
Saving of the Soul
Apostle James wrote: Lay aside all filthiness and abundance of naughtiness (wickedness), and receive with meekness the engrafted (implanted) word, which is able to save you souls (James 1:21). Apostle Peter wrote: Receive the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:9).
The enemy of the soul does not desire that those words be imparted to mankind towards the saving of the soul! It was noted that one is to lay aside all filthiness; all pride, vanity, wrath, malice, and evil speaking, for it is of no profit or advantage. And receive with meekness the engrafted (implanted) Word of God; which becomes so when received, when it is put into one’s heart by the Spirit of God, and mixed with faith by them that hear it, and taken deep root in them; able to save the soul; being the author or cause of salvation, by receiving Christ, God’s provision for mankind (John 3:16)!
Those Who Are
Perishing
The Apostle Paul wrote: If our gospel (the truth) be hid, it is hid to them that are lost (perishing); in whom the god of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
It was noted that the lost (unbelievers) are so controlled by Satan that he effectively shields them from the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ. The enemies of the soul have amply weaponry through electronic means, being utilized by the ungodly, to promote acceptance rather than rejection of ungodly lifestyles.
Repentance Prior to
Judgment Day
Jonathan Edwards sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God) contained these words: Consider the fearful danger that you are in: You hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it, and ready every moment to singe it, and burn it asunder.
You have no interest in any mediator, and nothing to hold on to save yourself, nothing to keep the flames of wrath away, nothing of your own, nothing that you have done, nothing that you can do, to induce God to spare you one moment.
Those words still ring loud and clear today towards endangered souls who are about to descend into eternity without the benefit of a Savior (the Lord Jesus Christ), unless repentance comes into focus prior to Judgment Day.
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