Who Said That?

According to Matthew 16:13-17, 21-23 there are three voices that believers have to sort out in this life…“So they said some say," (what men say)…"flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven," (what God says)…"Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God," (what Satan says). This can be a difficult thing, however believers have a wonderful gauge which seperates them all, the Bible, God's Word. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) As believers submerse themselves in God's Word their faith grows to where it becomes easier to discern between the voices of fallen man and Satan to where they hear the voice of the LORD clearly, "...and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice" (John 10:4)

The Apostle Paul reports in I Corinthians 2:14-16 that the unregenerate person cannot know the mind of Christ because he does not have the Spirit of God in him to discern and know the mind of Christ. However, the born again, spirit filled person is capable of discerning and knowing Christ’s mind. Through the Holy Spirits who does not "speak on His own authority," believers can have the mind of Christ. Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 "not to be conformed to this world, " that is, do not let Satan or humanity to mold us to think their way, but to let our attitudes and thoughts be completely reversed by the Holy Spirits influence so that believers can know Gods will and His purposes.

Although Satan stands to oppose believers Paul tells us in II Corinthians 10:3-6 that believers have weapons available to them that are mighty in God for the destruction of fortresses. What are these weapons that are mighty in God for pulling down strongholds (destroying demonic fortresses)? Ephesians 6:17”…The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;” It’s the Word of God, the same thing that Jesus used against the devil and all men who opposed Him. We use the Word of God to cast down and demolish every argument, every thought, all reasoning, all philosophy and all plans and purposes of Satan and man that opposes Gods Truth. It becomes an act of aggression. Believers are to forcibly stand against these attacks in faith with the Word of God.


"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force." (Matthew 11:12) Jesus is saying that there is a violence that takes place in people that earnestly desire to obtain the Kingdom of God. Understand, Christianity is like a contact sport such as wrestling. However, we battle in the spirit not in the flesh. Having the mind of Christ gives believers the edge because they can know what Satan and his bunch are up to before they get a chance to attack. But having the mind of Christ is something that believers must work at daily.

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8) It is accomplished through God's Word which builds faith.