At the recommendation of my dear friend Abraham, I began listening through a sermon series titled “Battling Unbelief” by John Piper. It has so far been an invaluable blessing to me. I heartily recommend it. The premise for the series is that Pastor John believes that the taproot of all sin is unbelief in the promises of God. For example, when you struggle with anxiety it is not so much that you have this a-moral thing in your life that is a hindrance to a peaceful mind, but rather that it is first and foremost a sin that must be rooted out of your heart. Anxiety over finances/provision is rooted in the sin of not believing God when he says, “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Mt 6:31-33 If we do stress over these things, it is almost as if we are saying, “God told me he would take care of all my needs when I seek His kingdom first, but God is a liar and I don’t believe Him.” Brethren this ought not be!
Meditation on this very topic of daily battling to eradicate unbelief in God has brought forth the following study…
Through God We Shall Do Valiantly
“Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.” Ps 60:12
Unbelief begets deceit. Deceit begets hardening. Hardening begets departure from God.
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end” Heb 3:12-14
Satan desires our souls so he makes war with our belief.
“The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Ps 55:21-22
We are in a war.
“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” 2 Tim 2:3-5
We are in a fight.
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Tim 4:7-8
Only those who fight to end shall be saved.
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Mt 11:12
“Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Lk 13:24
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Cor 9:24-27
We need armor for our daily battles…
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” Eph 6:10-18
…and weapons too.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” 2 Cor 10:3-6
“Neither yield ye your members as instruments (GK: hoplon 3696=weapons) of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments (GK: “hoplon” 3696=weapons) of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Rom 6:13-14
We cannot fight in our own strength, so we ask God to fight for us.
“Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.” Ps 25:19-20
We are to trust that He will when we ask Him.
“And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.” Josh 10:25
“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.” 1 Sam 17:45-47
Although we win, it was God working in us and strengthening us to do it.
“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom 8:37-39
“For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.” Ps 18:39-40
“Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight” Ps 144:1
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” 2 Cor 2:14
Therefore, God is to receive all the glory for the victory.
“He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.” Ps 55:18
“It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.” Ps 18:47
“For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you." Deut 20:4
Meditation on this very topic of daily battling to eradicate unbelief in God has brought forth the following study…
Through God We Shall Do Valiantly
“Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.” Ps 60:12
Unbelief begets deceit. Deceit begets hardening. Hardening begets departure from God.
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end” Heb 3:12-14
Satan desires our souls so he makes war with our belief.
“The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Ps 55:21-22
We are in a war.
“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” 2 Tim 2:3-5
We are in a fight.
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Tim 4:7-8
Only those who fight to end shall be saved.
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Mt 11:12
“Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Lk 13:24
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Cor 9:24-27
We need armor for our daily battles…
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” Eph 6:10-18
…and weapons too.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” 2 Cor 10:3-6
“Neither yield ye your members as instruments (GK: hoplon 3696=weapons) of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments (GK: “hoplon” 3696=weapons) of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Rom 6:13-14
We cannot fight in our own strength, so we ask God to fight for us.
“Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.” Ps 25:19-20
We are to trust that He will when we ask Him.
“And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.” Josh 10:25
“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.” 1 Sam 17:45-47
Although we win, it was God working in us and strengthening us to do it.
“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom 8:37-39
“For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.” Ps 18:39-40
“Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight” Ps 144:1
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” 2 Cor 2:14
Therefore, God is to receive all the glory for the victory.
“He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.” Ps 55:18
“It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.” Ps 18:47
“For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you." Deut 20:4
