For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (Galatians 5:17 ESV)
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (I John 2:15 ESV)
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (II Corinthians 4:4 ESV)
During WWII, immediately after D-Day, many newspapers announced that the Axis had been defeated. The incursion of the Allies into Normandy, combined with the growing success of the Soviets on the Eastern Front made the end of the war all but inevitable. But much work remained. Much more bloodshed. Much more struggle.
God has three enemies, as described in His Word. These enemies are the flesh, the world, and Satan. And while Christ defeated EVERY enemy through His life, His death, and His restored life, we continue to be caught in the remains of the struggle. The war’s end is known, but the battles continue.
God has given us three wonderful and powerful gifts with which to fight. He gives us faith, He gives us hope, and He gives us love. (I Corinthians 13:13)
We have been examining these three gifts for a few months, and the time has come to move on to a different topic in these short posts. But before we leave our examination of faith, hope, and love, we will examine how these three gifts line up for conflict with God’s three enemies.
We fight every day, and He gives us gifts to help every day.
Take the gifts God grants us.