Fundamentally, through observation and experience, Christians can hold the line against the works of the devil. This is not a theory or pure logic; it is an empirically tested method. There was One who came beyond time and space to show us the way, a way that has all been lost in our modern age. We live in an age of theories and logic. We have come to rely upon our highly technological age to chart our path. We have bowed down to the so-called proven theories of the Scientific Age. All this is leading humanity further and further into darkness. To chart our own path, will always lead us into satanic bondage, and further away from God. Our observation started two thousand years ago by following Jesus Christ on the dusty trails of Judea and then continued by following the writings of those who originally followed Him. We followed their experiences in putting off the old life, which barred the way of the devil. Then we followed their written experiences of putting on the new life in Christ, which overcame the works of the devil and opened a new horizon. This has all been lost in the new age that’s leading the entire world into slavery to the powers of darkness.

In a previous blog article, “The Coming Storm” I took a critical approach to the problems facing the world and humanity in particular. Sadly, most are not aware of the powers of darkness and how they are leading them further into darkness. They are not aware of the wiles of the devil that’s constantly tripping them up and leading them into one tragic circumstance after another. They are unaware that Satan is orchestrating their demise by leading them to trust in their own unproven methods to deliver them from the horrors of life. They are unaware that by walking in darkness they are destined for the abyss of eternal damnation. Join with me as we learn how to hold the line against the powers of darkness so that we can walk in the light of God’s glory. This is an empirically tested method that has worked for believers since the First Century. Unlike the unproven methods in the world that promise deliverance from your problems, we will present to you a greater power to deliver you from your old life and usher you into an unimaginable life of divine glory. Unbeknownst to the fallen world this power is in the Cross. This great power is beyond your wildest imagination and hidden from the wise in every age.

This power from above can deliver you from every psychological problem known to man. This great power can deliver you from the wiles of the devil that has captured so many souls in his web of deceit. This deliverance begins with one little five-letter word, faith. This is a remarkable word because it not only believes the facts, but it also trusts this truth with our entire life. The fact is, that Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God, born of a virgin, who came from heaven above to show us the way to eternal life. The fact is, Jesus Christ died on the Cross for our sins and was raised on the third day to give us a new life in Christ. To hold the line against the powers of darkness we believe these facts as truth and commit our lives to follow the Way given to us by Jesus Christ. To offer up our entire life to following the Way takes faith. The first step in following the Way is dying to self, a step that most modern-day Christians have not taken. This is proven by the fact that they still seek guidance from their counselors of psychology and the ever-changing truth from their scientists. They have not died to self and all that the powers of darkness are offering to the fallen world. Dying to self must be the first step or we are still spiritually dead in our trespasses and destined for the fiery pits of hell.

So, how do we take the first step and die to self? We stop listening to and trusting in the fallen world to solve our problems. We reject their counsel and their so-called discoveries that are diametrically opposed to Holy Scripture. Believe me, this will take faith because the whole world has been blinded by their deceptive lies. Once you have successfully turned away from the world of lies, you are ready for the truth on how to overcome the old sin nature that has caused most of your problems. The good news is, it begins in the mind where Jesus Christ has given His beloved children, who have believed the Gospel, the power to say no to their evil thoughts and their vain imaginations. How can we say no unless we first recognize the evil thoughts or vain imaginations as a trespass against a Holy God? This is accomplished by reading and memorizing the Holy Scripture written under the inspiration of the Spirit of God. Once you accomplish this the indwelling Spirit can and will bring it back to your memory, so that you can immediately say no to the trespass, evil thoughts, or vain imaginations. It is essential that we don’t dwell on evil thoughts or vain imaginations for more than a millisecond. This is dying to self. In time you will discover how important it is to guard your eyes and your ears from all the corruptible things in an evil world.

The second step of entering our new life in Christ is to put on our new life. This must work in conjunction with putting off the old life, by dying to self. Simply put, we must replace the evil with the good. In the letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul gives us a number of illustrations of putting off the old life and in its place putting on the new life in Christ (Ephesians 4:17-32). This is not just playing church where you mimic the behavior of other so-called believers for one hour on Sunday and then follow the crowd for the rest of the week. As believers in Christ, we put off the old life and walk in our new life in Christ every moment of every day. This is where we will need the help of the indwelling Spirit to show us the path forward and how to apply Christ’s teachings to our life every day. When we successfully put off the old life, dying to self, and put on the new life in Christ, then we will be growing spiritually from one degree of glory to another. If you are not growing up in Christ, then you will be slipping back into the world and under the powers of darkness. You will once again begin to entertain their ungodly counsel and follow their deceptive lies. Unfortunately, most so-called believers have made their confession at the altar, then returned back to the world to be manipulated by the wiles of the devil.

Finally, if you are reading this, then let this message first apply to you. Those who have successfully journeyed thus far have discovered through observation and experience that it not only works but it brings us to the threshold of glory with peace and joy that defies understanding. Spiritual growth in Christ is an empirically tested method for those who have followed the Way by believing the Gospel, dying to self, and living wholeheartedly for Christ. The question is, what will you do with this information? Will you share it with every member of your family, or will you be satisfied by watching them burning in hell for all eternity? I pray that is not the case. The empirical evidence is true. Will you let Satan and the powers of darkness keep you and your family in bondage or will you hold the line against his wiles and his malicious lies? I sincerely hope and pray that you hold the line and experience all that our risen Lord offers in this life and the next, for all eternity. If you are truly happy with your life with no anxiety or depression and experience all joy and peace that defies understanding, then feel free to ignore this message. However, I believe if you are not growing up in Christ every moment of every day, then God sees you as very much in need of these words, and you ignore them at your own peril