Know Yourself, Know Your Enemy

[0:01] Welcome. Thank you for choosing to listen to this spirit-filled word by David Entry. When you catch a word, you have caught God. May you catch a word today that will cause God to change your story.

[0:13] Be blessed. First Peter chapter 5, I want to read from verse 7 down to verse 10. Casting all your care upon him, for he cares for you, be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour, whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

[0:53] But the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.

[1:13] Here ends the reading of God's holy word. Please, let's pray. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord, that you have called us into your eternal glory by Christ Jesus, that after we've been through all that the world can throw against us, that can happen to us, we will be established and you will settle us.

[1:36] We pray as your word comes. Let this word be the means, the process, the channel through which you are going to establish those of us whose hearts are open to you and settle us.

[1:50] I pray and submit myself under your influence and I pray for everyone listening, that, Lord, let your word come in power, let your word come in grace, and let your word come to lift us from one level to the other.

[2:04] Thank you. Thank you that once we have the word in us, the enemy cannot have an upper hand over us. In Jesus' name, amen.

[2:16] Wow. In our previous session, I spoke about how humility is necessary and not being anxious.

[2:29] I spoke about how anxiety, the enemy uses anxiety to divide your mind. Your mind is all over, scattered all over the place. But anxiety is not our portion.

[2:41] So, he says that pride and anxiety makes you a cheap, delicious prey for the roaring lion to devour.

[2:59] Pride and anxiety works against the believer in the race of life and in the fight of life.

[3:11] Pride and we understand from the scripture that in order to win, you remember I spoke about Achilles' heel?

[3:24] Yeah. In order to win, we are supposed to cast our care upon him, God, because we should cast our anxiety upon him.

[3:36] Just leave it on him. Cast it on him. An active word. Aggressively. Intentionally. So, you might be feeling funny about it, but intentionally.

[3:47] Don't follow your feeling. Follow the word. So, cast it upon him. He said, for he cares for you. He wants to take care of you.

[3:58] Then verse 8 begins to give us the, I didn't mention it, but it gives us a personal protection equipment for your Achilles' heel.

[4:14] P-P-E for your Achilles' heel, for your weak point. Personal protection equipment.

[4:25] You don't only need it against transmissions and coronavirus and maybe depending on what you are in the building trade or forestry or something.

[4:36] No. You also need it in your spiritual journey. journey. Why? Because you have an Achilles' heel. So, what is this?

[4:50] What do we have as our personal equipment? I mention it. Let me put it this way. So, you have to be sober. Be alert. Why?

[5:01] Jesus, that scripture, let me revisit it. It's very important. In Matthew chapter 26, verse 40. Jesus came back and found them asleep and he says that he came to his temple and they were asleep.

[5:15] Jesus said, could you not watch with me for an hour? Then the next verse says that, watch this. That's very poignant. Very important. Watch and pray that you do not.

[5:28] Oh. Ah. That's interesting. Ah. You see your Achilles' heel. Your weak point. The devil will use it against you. But there's something you can do so you don't enter.

[5:41] Watch and pray that ye enter not into sin, into temptation. Or Satan has an upper hand over you. Watch and pray. Because the truth is that really in your spirit, you are willing.

[5:54] But the problem is your Achilles' heel. Ah. Ah. Bro. Bro. This is your weak point.

[6:05] This is your weakness. You see, a lot of people don't know. And sometimes it's only you who knows. Yeah. Sometimes it's so personal. It's so deep in that you don't realize.

[6:18] People don't notice it because they only see when you have been flawed. Or when you have been, you know, you're falling into temptation and it becomes noticeable.

[6:33] But apart from that, what is meant to pull you down is already inside you. Unfortunately, the fact of life, what is meant to slow you down, what is meant to disqualify you, what is meant to pull you down, what is meant to derail you, is already inside you.

[6:56] It's not the lockdown. The lockdown made what is inside you flourish. What will pull you down is not from external, is already inside you.

[7:15] So be sober and vigilant. So he said, watch and pray. Watch soberness. Alertness is required because you should know your weakness. The fact that that brother is doing it doesn't mean you can do it.

[7:27] The fact that that sister is doing it doesn't mean you can do it. Because your weak point is different from his weak point or hers. So somebody might do it and they are fine.

[7:38] But you cannot survive three minutes in the pub. Because you used to be a chronic alcoholic. Yes.

[7:50] Others might watch that movie and get away with it. But you were watching with them. You were having internal emotions. Struggling. After the movie, you fell into trouble. And after the movie, they went too.

[8:02] It's just, it's just. Those days when I used to get the chance, maybe I sit with my wife and we'll be, maybe watching a documentary or even that sometimes. You know, when it gets my interest and my focus, I stay alert.

[8:14] I'll be watching. My wife, she will watch. And let's say we start watching at 9.20. Or, and she plans that 9.40.

[8:26] She's out of here. She's going to bed. Doesn't matter what you are doing 9.40. She'll get up and go. Me 9.40 is so good. I don't want to go. I don't want to. So I tell her, don't start this thing. Because you can't stop and go.

[8:37] I might continue. I need to eat into my sleeping time or my night. Don't compare yourself to others because your weaknesses are different.

[8:48] Your point of weakness might be different. Yeah. Some people can go into some environment and they can be okay. But sister, you know, you are in courtship.

[8:59] Cut down the night movement. Cut down the night movement. Cut down the night movement. Cut down the night movement. The others did it. And they didn't. But you, you know yourself.

[9:12] I think I should title this person. Know yourself. Some of us, we only know our staff. But you don't know yourself. Identity. Know yourself, bro.

[9:25] Know yourself, bro. So, it says that watch and pray. So, you don't fall into temptation. Why?

[9:35] Because the problem is not you. The problem is not just what is around. But the problem is not you.

[9:46] The problem is not your intention. You have genuine intention. You see, that's where a lot of Christians make mistakes. You use, you judge yourself by your intentions.

[9:57] Because God knows my heart. God knows. But you're still not working. So, you have to be fired. God knows my heart.

[10:08] I didn't intend to lie. But you did. Bible says, I quoted this scripture a few weeks ago. Or a few days ago. By God, actions are weighed.

[10:20] So, don't say what I do doesn't matter. What is in my heart is what matters. No, no. No, no, no. First, I'm all. Chapter 2. He says that by him, actions are weighed. Actions.

[10:30] What you do. In fact, he said, I will give unto everyone according to his works. Revelation chapter 22 verse 12. 2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 10. We shall all appear before the judgment seat of God, of Christ.

[10:43] And everyone will give account what he has done in the body. What you have done. Not what you thought in your head. Not what you have wishing in your heart. What you have done. What you are doing matters to heaven.

[10:56] Your works matter to heaven. Your works matter to heaven. Revelation chapter 2. He said, I know your works. He kept telling the churches. I know your works.

[11:06] I know your works. I didn't save you by works. But I'm observing your works. I didn't save you by works. But I'm observing your works. Don't let the devil deceive anyone to tell you that your works don't matter. Because you are saved by grace.

[11:17] Christ has done all the works. And that's all. No, no, no, no, no. He didn't save you. It didn't take our works to be saved. But it certainly takes our works to be judged. So he says that I know your works. I know your works.

[11:28] I know your works. Can you imagine? He said, I know your works. I know your works. That means I'm watching what you're doing. God is watching what you're doing. Even how you are listening to his message.

[11:38] He's watching it. He's watching it. No one will see you. But he's watching it. God said I'm watching it. So he says that the problem is not your intention, sister. There are many strong believers who have been overtaken by sin and fallen into temptation.

[11:54] And Satan has given them, has perfected them, giving them a terrible blow. Not because they wanted it, but because they underestimated the enemy they are fighting and dealing with.

[12:05] And they used their intentions to judge themselves. Don't let your intentions be the sole decision maker. You must let your weakness also get involved.

[12:18] In other words, let your weakness inform where you can stand and where you shouldn't stand. Because you know, there's nothing wrong with standing here. But you, sister, you, if you go there, you will survive.

[12:32] Others can go. Everybody can go. They are okay. But you, because of the peculiar weakness you have got. Brother, because of the uniqueness of your weakness. When you do what everybody is doing.

[12:44] You alone will be the one who ends up being a victim. So, it is not, we have to understand, you must know yourself. Know the word. Know your weakness.

[12:56] When I say know yourself, know your weak point. And then, your heart for the word should make you sacrifice. Go extreme. Just so you stay safe.

[13:08] Just so you stay safe. Others will not do that. But you, it says that, lay aside the sin that so easily beset you. Hebrews chapter 12, verse 2, verse 1.

[13:20] So, it says that, let us, God doesn't do it for us. You have to lay aside the sin. Every weight. Some things are weight. You know it's a weight for you.

[13:31] But every sin that so easily ensnare you. So easily beset you. It is troublous. This is troubling.

[13:41] I know I'm talking to somebody who is, oh, I'm anointed. My lust is killing me. Oh, I love Jesus. But this is my lust. This is my lust. Oh, Lord.

[13:53] Who can help me? Who can save me from this wretched body? Yes. That is what is called being a Christian in the human. Being a Christian and being human.

[14:03] So, if you are, if you don't put systems in place to save you from yourself, to protect you from yourself, you certainly need a PPE to protect you from yourself.

[14:17] Because, boy, sister, you know I shouldn't trust you. Bro, you know I shouldn't trust you. Because you don't trust you. You don't trust yourself. You know. There's stuff to do. It says that lay aside every weight.

[14:29] And the sin that so easily beset us. Everyone has their sin. Did you see that? Their sin. Not a sin. Or not some sins. Their sin.

[14:41] Your own. There's this thing that easily gets to you. It's always getting you. Jesus said your spirit is willing. The spirit is willing. But the problem is my weakness.

[14:55] And so, to go past your Achilles heel. To be able to grow past, above your weakness, your Achilles heel. You certainly have to be sober.

[15:07] And be alert. Be vigilant. Watch out. Watch out. So, that's what he said. He said be sober. And be vigilant. Because your adversary.

[15:20] Your adversary, the devil. Antidocos. And diabolos. He is antidocos. He is diabolos.

[15:32] Your adversary. Your adversary is the enemy. He's opposing you every time. You don't have to do anything for him to work against you. He just doesn't like you.

[15:43] So, he's constantly opposing you. Opposing some adversary. He doesn't like you. Whether you pray or you don't. He doesn't like you. Whether you listen to messages or you don't. He doesn't like you.

[15:54] Whether you go to church or you don't. He doesn't like you. He's out to kill, to steal, to steal, to kill, and to destroy. John 10.10. He's out there.

[16:05] He does not like you. Your enemy. He's an enemy. And at the same time, he's a diabolos. He's a slanderer. He's a deceiver. He will twist things to trick you.

[16:19] He's a trickster. He will deceive you. He's a deceiver. Deceiver. And at the same time, an accuser. He will deceive you and accuse you. So, number one.

[16:32] Personal protection. Personal protection equipment for your spiritual journey. For your spiritual battle. Personal protection equipment.

[16:45] Number one. Be alert. Number two. Know your enemy. Don't just know your weakness. Know your enemy. Don't underestimate Satan.

[16:57] Because, you know, you know, there was a time you thought, I can deal with this. But it dealt with you. Satan will always trick you to sin. To fall into temptation.

[17:10] To fall. Because he, because your adversary, the devil, has a roaring, roaring, sorry. Roaring lion.

[17:21] Now, in the Bible, normally, Jesus is the one who is depicted as the lion. But now, he's parading himself just like a lion does.

[17:34] And so that it comes across like we have to trust Jesus. He's a lion of the tribe of Judah. We can't trust him. So, the devil said, you can also trust me. I'm also equally a lion. But he was, he's roaring to devour you.

[17:47] No, no, no, no. Satan is never a friend. So, he uses deception. He will use deception to deceive you.

[17:59] Behind every sin is a lie. At the heart of every behavior or every motive is what the heart treasures or trusts.

[18:10] So, Satan will try to reinterpret what you should treasure or what you should trust. It makes you trust your emotions. Trust your feelings.

[18:23] Trust him. Trust the situation. Now, I'll be okay. This is fine. It's fine. He's deceiving you to trust what you're not supposed to trust. Trusting him. And so, at the base of every sin is believing in a lie.

[18:39] Because Satan lies to you. Two lies he really uses. Two lies. Number one is that, you know what? This sin, you can't deal with it. So, just take it like that and accept it.

[18:53] Accept it as your weakness. And I say, you know, little by little, Rome was not built in a day. A city is not built.

[19:03] So, little by little, one day. Hey, you're waiting for one day? I'm telling you. Before that day comes, Satan will finish you. He will finish you.

[19:16] He will lie to you that this temptation has come. It's a lie. Galatians chapter 5 verse 16. He said, walk in the spirit so you don't fulfill the desire. So, you can just what to do in order not to fulfill the desires of the flesh.

[19:30] You can. Yes, you can. Hallelujah. Yes, you can. There is something we can do. Listen. I mean, thank you, Jesus.

[19:42] Let me say this. My Christian brother. My Christian sister. I know you are genuine for Christ. But listen. Most of the temptations that are coming out against you.

[19:52] Satan is the mastermind behind it. One. And he is taking advantage of your personal weakness. And your Achilles heel. Two.

[20:04] It's very important to understand. So, Satan is behind it. Two. Your weakness. Three. The good news. Which most are not using. Is that you can be able to deal with it.

[20:16] You can be able to overcome it. Satan. Satan. He says that. Sin lies at your door. And his desire. Genesis chapter 4.

[20:27] Verse 7. God told a king. Sin lies at your door. If you do well. Will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well.

[20:38] Sin lies at your door. And his desire is to have you. But you should master it. That word rule over it is master. Dominate it. Have dominion over it. Sin wants to dominate you.

[20:48] But you must master it. Master it. So, you can. You can. So, one. Don't underestimate the enemy.

[21:00] Okay. There is an enemy behind what is coming against you. To make you turn your back on God. Or fall. Or sin. Or fall into temptation.

[21:12] Satan is behind it. Satan is behind. Number two. He knows and he is using your weakness. But number three. The good news is. We can overcome him.

[21:25] But much more. Number four. How do you overcome him? Number four. If you can overcome him. Number four. You must know that you cannot do it. Without being in tune.

[21:35] With the Holy Spirit. Or being strong. Watch this. This is very important. I quoted this scripture. I think a few sessions ago. So, I did the previous one. Or the one before the previous.

[21:47] That. Ephesians chapter 3. Verse 16. It talks about. That you be strengthened with might. By his spirit. In your inner man. The original Greek.

[21:58] Is into your inner man. Your inner man. Is where your strength comes from. By the Holy Spirit. In your inner man. Now. I don't want you to miss this please. So.

[22:09] The strengthening. Watch this. You'll be strengthened with might. Okay. Holy Spirit is strengthening you. With might. Like Samson was mighty. Today. In.

[22:21] Judges chapter. 15. We read. How Samson. Caught. 300 foxes. Put fire. Turn. Tied their tails together.

[22:31] Two by two. Put fire. Set fire on them. And send them in the enemy's camp. Because. The enemies troubled him. Samson.

[22:42] Bible says that. They. They. They caught him. And they brought him to his enemies. The people of Judah caught him. He said. Don't kill me. I will hand him. I will hand myself in. As long as you will not kill me. Promise. So we will not kill you.

[22:53] Just. Hand yourself in. They tied him with cords. And sent him to the enemy. When you go to the enemy. Bible says. I like this. Verse 19 or so. The spirit. Verse 14. Rather. The spirit of the Lord came mightily upon you.

[23:04] I like the verse 14 or so. The spirit of the Lord came mightily. I like that one. Mighty. Be strengthened with might. And guess what. The. The cords. Became like. Flax.

[23:16] Became like flax. That it's burned. That. That is burned with fire. And the bones. The things. What they've used to. Time. It just fell off. Something. Holy Spirit came upon.

[23:27] Listen. You cannot withstand. Kidab. Shoulder higher. You can't withstand against your enemy. In your own strength. So. I want to draw your attention to something brother.

[23:41] I want to talk to a Christian. Are you struggling with something? Are you finding it a battle? To overcome something? Number one. Thing you have to check. First.

[23:51] Look out for. Is. Are you reading your Bible? Are you praying? Three. Are you fellowshipping? Are you in fellowship? And. Four. Are you listening to messages?

[24:01] Is. If these things are in your life. You don't easily fall into temptation. Hmm. I never know that. Yeah. That's why I said it.

[24:13] Yeah. That's. It's. It's. Listen. It doesn't take anything complex. To stay out of temptation. It takes your spirit to be in fellowship. He strengthens you into your inner man.

[24:23] There's an inner man. Yeah. There's an inner man. I want to talk to you. I know you are very genuine. I know you want to make it. I know you are pushing. But sometimes. It's. It's like too hard. Pastor.

[24:34] It's hard. I'm struggling. Yeah. Because you are not reading your Bible. But. When I read it. I don't understand. You are not just reading it to understand. You are reading it to feed. Open your spirit.

[24:45] Listen to messages. It helps you to even. Appreciate the Bible. I mean. Sound teachings. Okay. Some preaching don't really do anything. They just really. Just make you feel hyped. It's not building you.

[24:57] It's not. It's not. It's not making you get into God's word. Okay. It's not. Expounding. Explaining God's word to you. Now. Get. So if you are struggling.

[25:08] Understanding the word of God. Develop. Develop a taste. I mean. Actually. When you are born again. You should actually have a taste. If you don't have a taste. There is something wrong. You need some. Medical attention.

[25:20] You've lost your taste buds. For God's word. You need medical. Spiritual medical attention. That's why you open your mouth. And say anything at all. About church and church people. When you hear anybody. Ask for church people. That's why the church people.

[25:31] The person is actually. Either not a Christian. Or very carnal. Or Satan uses. Satan uses them a lot. That's for Christians. And that's why me church people. That's why me church people. I don't want to. I just keep.

[25:42] I just keep myself to myself. That's why you are where you are. That's why you haven't made any impact. No impact. Zero impact. And God will judge you. The day you meet Jesus. You will see. You will see.

[25:52] You only believe in God for breakthroughs. Make an impact for Jesus. And stop the noise. Until you relate with people in the church. You will never know how genuine.

[26:02] You will never know how genuine your heart for God is. Much of it is feelings and emotive. I feel. I feel. I feel. Validate your feelings for God.

[26:13] By relating to his people. And let them step on your toe. Listen. Listen. Listen. Listen. You want to overcome temptation. It's very important. I know.

[26:24] Pastor. I'm struggling. I'm struggling. I'm struggling. Listen. It's as simple as reading your Bible generally. Make it a priority. Every day. Sit down. Read your Bible. It puts you in good spiritual shape.

[26:36] Yeah. I'm telling you. It puts you in good spiritual shape. And pray. You don't have to pray five hours. It's not five hours prayer. There are people who are praying plenty. But are not reading their Bible.

[26:46] And they are still following temptation. You need the strength. The strength. Solid meat. In your inner man. Be strengthened. So you take the word.

[26:59] And pray the word. And get yourself exposed to fellowship. Satan's one major skills. Or Satan's one major speciality.

[27:11] Is to defrock you. Or to disassociate you from fellowship. Or disengage you from fellowship. Every non-fellowshipping Christian. Is on his way down.

[27:27] Unless you're actually not a Christian. But you've been going to church. You didn't realize. You see. There are a lot of people. Who have been going to church. Who didn't even know they are not Christians. Until they come into contact. With the genuine word of God. They realize. Wow.

[27:37] I need to be born again. I need to do it properly. All the things you have been doing. Is religion. Religion. Mom. Sister. Dad. Bro. The noise.

[27:47] I've been church long enough. I've been church long enough. Long enough. Long enough. You don't have any relationship. With God. And your Bible. Apart from when you are in crisis. Oh God. You know. Oh God. That's not the kind of Christianity I'm talking about.

[28:00] I'm talking about the kind of Christianity. Where God has your heart. Your. Ay. Kudu Mabashanda. Your heart is God. Your heart is for God. Your heart is for God.

[28:11] And if your heart is for God. It's certainly be for his work. One. And his people. Jesus said. Do you love me? Do you love me? How can you call yourself a Christian?

[28:22] And there's zero heart beat for Christ. Do you love me? If you love me. He said. Feed my sheep. So that means that. Genuine love for Jesus.

[28:34] Will always be evidenced. In your attitude towards his sheep. Ma. Kudu Mabashaya. Alright. So. Any man.

[28:44] Any. Any man or woman. Who is not in. Active. Christian fellowship. A Christian I mean. Is on his way down. You are backsliding.

[28:55] Oh but. You know. I have been praying. Pastor you can't say that. Because I spend a lot of time in prayer. If it's a genuine prayer. It will move you into fellowship. How can you say. I've seen God. And you won't get up looking for the people of God.

[29:09] As soon as you come into contact with God. And you wake up from his sleep. You are looking. Look at. Bethel. We had Bethel in the Bible. Because someone encountered God. Bethel means the house of God. He encountered God.

[29:20] When he woke up from his sleep. He said. God was here. I didn't know. Genesis chapter 20 verse 16. Then. There's pillow. There's stone. He started building. A place for God.

[29:31] Started focusing his heart. On the house of God. And he called the place Bethel. Bethel. He said. This is none other. But the house of God. The place. Call that place Bethel.

[29:42] Because it's the house of God. When you have encounters with God. Then. One of the clearest signs. That you have genuinely encountered God. Prayer warrior. Prayer warrior. You pray. And you argue with people in the church.

[29:53] And you don't even like. I don't understand people who. You're an usher. You're a security officer. You're a prayer warrior. You never attend service.

[30:06] You only go and serve. So when we are. We are in service. You are knowing. You are. You are. Behind the altar. Only praying. And afterwards. So you have done this for so long.

[30:16] That being in service. Hearing God's word. And fellowship with others. Is not part of your Christian journey. Listen. You are grinding at a serious loss. Because. God is not so interested.

[30:28] In what you do for him. As. How much you enjoy him. God is more interested. In how much you enjoy him. Than how much you do for him. Because when you enjoy him.

[30:39] Then he begins to work through you. Oh. I feel like preaching. You know. Before. So. I want to just reiterate this. The reason why people.

[30:50] When lockdown. Came. And then. Lack of fellowship came. A lot of people backslided. Because. Fellowship is the lifeline. And is the oxygen. For effective Christian living.

[31:02] So those who. Disconnected themselves. From fellowship. In one way or the other. Look. Their confession changes. So I'm even tired of church. I'm even tired of God. All this thing. All this thing. All this thing. Because you went out of fellowship.

[31:13] That's why. And we can't commend you. We feel sorry for you. Because you are on your way down. But sometimes. Pride affects everyone. Apart from the one. Who has the sickness. So when you are.

[31:23] The Bible says that. Pride goes before fall. Before a fall. Yeah. Pride. Goes before a fall. And the Bible talks about how. There's a way that seems right. Before men.

[31:34] By the end thereof. You think it's the right way. But this thing is leading you to death. Disconnecting yourself from church. You are not hurting the church. You are hurting your future. You are hurting your work with God.

[31:46] You are hurting your work with God. Ah. I'm not even in that church again. I only watch online. See. See. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Online church is not real church.

[31:58] Yeah. It's para. Para church. Paramedics. They can't. They can't hospitalize you in the ambulance. You like this.

[32:09] So now. You've been hospitalized. Where? In the ambulance. No. It's just to help sustain you. Carry you to theater. To surgery. To main hospital. There's a difference between ambulance and hospital.

[32:20] Please. The same way there's a difference between actual church and online watching and viewership. The online viewership is not bad at all.

[32:31] Because some people might be in some places where you don't have a thought. You hardly have. So it's good. You get exposed. Thank God. But listen. When you get the chance. Feed that one. And now go and have other believers you actually interact and fellowship with.

[32:47] It is Christian. It's called Christianity 101. Serve and be saved. Love and be loved. Forgive and be forgiven.

[32:58] Tolerate and be tolerated. Accommodate and be accommodated. That is koinonia. Oneness. Fellowship. So when the lockdown came.

[33:10] A lot of people who were out of fellowship. Have been out of fellowship with Christ. Who? Yeah. Listen to the way they talk. The way they talk about God. And the things of God.

[33:21] Now when you see them. They are talking only business. I'm trying to get money. Money. Money. Money. Money. Money. Money. Money. Money. They are gone. They are gone. Oh. This one who used to sell the message. What are we.

[33:32] When are we going to serve? Now it's money. Money. Money. Money. Money. Money. And even the preacher. They are listening. They are listening to preachers. Who are teaching them. How to make a million dollars.

[33:42] In one year. That's the preacher. That's the preacher you like. How to make a million dollars. All your status. When you see your status on Instagram.

[33:53] On Facebook. On Twitter. Facebook. When we see your post. It's money. Money. Money. When we see your post. It's every other thing. Apart from things that draw people to Christ.

[34:03] Apart from things that elevate Christ. He. Now he say. I don't mean. I don't have to be religious. I don't have my. To wear my religion. No. You don't have to wear it. But when you are in love. You will certainly know. It shows on your status.

[34:15] When you are in love. When you are in love. With somebody. You will see your status. Eventually. It will come out. So. Fellowship. Satan.

[34:26] Always. Will attack fellowship. That's why Paul was going. From house to house. To find. House to house. To find those who are fellowshipping. So he can arrest them. And bring them to prison. Saul. When the church was.

[34:37] In Jerusalem. Was under persecution. So coming back. I just wanted to. I feel. God. By God's grace. It's. It led me. To mention.

[34:48] Because when you. If you say you are struggling. With temptation. Then you have to check. You are not reading your Bible. I'm telling you. If you don't read your Bible. For two days. When lust is beginning to rise. Check yourself. Because you're wondering.

[34:58] What am I becoming so lustful? What am I becoming so angry? What am I becoming so bitter? What am I becoming so. Is grumpy. About every little thing. In church.

[35:09] And my. I can't. I just know what I want to do. Why am I becoming like this? Is this. Ah. Maybe you are not reading your Bible. Yeah. I'm telling you the truth. Yeah. Try it. Try it.

[35:20] And then add some prayer. And then. Be in fellowship. It strengthens you. Sometimes. Even if you are in fellowship. And you have not read your Bible. The way you should. It has a way of keeping. Because healthy fellowship.

[35:31] Will always inject the word of God. Into your system. Healthy. Like. Many people have become stronger. This lockdown. In our church. Many people have become. They call. Pastor. Thank you.

[35:42] You have become very strong. In my Christian world. I've learned so much. And I'm enjoying. Why? Because of the intensity. Of the word. The word. We are fellowshipping around the word.

[35:52] So the word is. The word is actually doing the work. By itself. Yeah. So get. Get. Get the word. And get the fellowship. It says that. We have written these things to you. What we have seen.

[36:03] What our eyes have seen. Are here. First John chapter 1. Verse 1. 2. 3. It says that. We have said to you. That you have fellowship with us. Because. Our fellowship. There is already. An existing fellowship. Oh.

[36:14] Thank you Jesus. There is already. An existing. Intrinsic. Intrinsic. Existing. Fellowship. Between God. And the us. This is very important.

[36:26] When he started. The communication. He didn't say. What I have seen. Verse 1. I'm going off. But I think. It's okay. That which. Was from the beginning. Which. Not I have said.

[36:37] Not I have heard. But we have heard. Watch this. We have seen. With our eyes. We have looked upon. And our hands have handled. Concerning the word of life.

[36:48] Verse 2. The life was manifested. And we have seen. And bear witness. And declare to you. That Italian life. Which was the father.

[36:59] And has manifested. To us. It's a corporate language. A corporate language. I'm drawing your attention to something. Brothers and sisters. A corporate language. Now look at the next verse.

[37:10] Verse 3. It says that. That which. We have seen. And had. We. And had. We. Seen and heard. We. Declare to you.

[37:21] Why? That. You may have. Oh. Oh. Fellowship. Not with me. With us. We already into something. Join. Us. There can't be.

[37:32] A singular Christian. There is a corporate Christian life. So there's already. An active Christian life. Going on. Join us. And watch this. And he said. And truly.

[37:43] Our. The us. Already have. There is. We say. Where two or three are gathered in my name. I am there. So there is always. A guaranteed. Connectivity. To God.

[37:53] The father and the son. When there is an us. In his name. So then you can't. Dissociate yourself. From the us. Because God has committed. His presence.

[38:04] And his koinonia. With an us. Join the us. So he said. We write these things. All that we are doing. Is so you can stay. In fellowship with us.

[38:15] So when Satan gets. Wants to trouble people. He annoys them. He says. I don't want to be part of the us. I don't want to be part of the us. I said. I got you. I got you baby. I got you baby. You talking. You talking.

[38:26] Go ahead. Don't mind them. This is for the hypocrites. Don't mind them. They annoy you too much. Don't mind them. You are tired of them. You just do your own thing with God. Don't mind them. No. Pray your prayer. Fast your own fasting. It will work for you.

[38:36] Satan is lying to you. Behind every sin. It's a lie. Don't underestimate your enemy. So one. You have to know your enemy. Sorry.

[38:49] One. You have to be alert. Two. You have to know your enemy. He's using lies against you. He's using tricks against you. And then three. Verse nine.

[39:01] Wow. First Peter chapter five. Verse nine. Resist him. You can't resist. James chapter four. Verse seven. He said resist the devil. You can't.

[39:13] God wants us and expects us to resist the enemy. So he said resist him.

[39:24] He says resist. Verse nine again. Whom resist not once in a while. Steadfast. Steadfast being constant.

[39:35] You. You. You. You. Family. Fairly. Like Colossians chapter two. Verse five. And you look. Colossians chapter two. Verse five.

[39:45] It says that. For though I be absent in the flesh. Yet I am with you in the spirit. Join and holding. Beholding. And beholding your order. And the steadfastness.

[39:56] Oh. This is so good. It's too good. It's too good. And beholding the steadfastness. Of your faith. In Christ Jesus.

[40:07] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. You must have the steadfastness of faith. He said. Whom resist. In Ephesians chapter six. Verse eleven. Ephesians chapter six. Verse thirteen.

[40:18] Eleven. And verse thirteen. It talks about how we should. It says. Put on the whole amount of God. That you may be able to stand against. That's resisting. So it's not just. Oh no. No. You take a stand against.

[40:30] You are standing. Verse thirteen. It says. Therefore. Therefore. Take up the whole amount of God. That you may be able to withstand. The original Greek. Translated. Resist. In first Peter chapter five.

[40:42] Verse nine. Is the same. Is withstand. It says. Resist. Resist him. One. Let's look at the amplifier. Thank you.

[40:53] Withstand him. Be firm. That's the word I said. Not just steadfast. You are firm. More. More. More. More. Be firm. Be firm. Sister.

[41:04] Be firm. Brother. Be firm. Pastor. Be firm. Elder. Be firm. New convert. Be firm. Church leader.

[41:15] Be firm. Bishop. Be firm. Be firm. Be firm. Be firm in the faith. Against. Be firm in the faith.

[41:28] Against his onset. Rooted. Established. Strong. Immovable. And determined. Wow. I like these words. You are determined.

[41:41] That when church resumes. You are going. Doesn't matter. Nothing is stopping you. You are not running out of town. Finding all kinds of excuses. It's easy to find excuses. I'm determined.

[41:53] Doesn't matter. Come what me. I'm doing it the right way. Mm-hmm. Knowing the same afflictions. Identical sufferings. Are appointed to your brotherhood.

[42:06] The whole body of Christians. Throughout the world. It's not. This is. Hey. Hey. This is not new. It's not new. Right. Well. Because of my time. Let me just draw your attention to something I was saying.

[42:16] And I can't run up. Number one. I was talking about how. Satan uses two things. Okay. Two things. Uses. The two ways Satan tries to deceive us. Number one. He will tell you.

[42:26] That the sin is too much. Too much for you to handle. Okay. So that's Galatians. Chapter 5. Verse 16. Says that. Be a spirit. Walk in the spirit. So you do not fulfill the desires of the flesh.

[42:37] Now. In 1 Corinthians chapter 10. Verse 13. Listen. It says. It says that. No temptation has overtaken. Except. Such. As is common to man.

[42:49] But God is faithful. Who will not allow. God is monitoring what is happening in your life. And he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able. But with the temptation. So the temptation always comes.

[43:00] It's like you buy. A gadget. Or an item. Or something. It comes with a manual. No. The temptation will always come with a way of escape. It's there.

[43:12] The temptation will always come. So with the temptation. But with the temptation will also make a way of escape. That you may be able to bear it. It's your ability to escape.

[43:24] That makes you be able to bear it. God. The devil will tell you. No. This temptation. As for you. You can't handle this one. You never. You know. You can't overcome it. You know. So gradually. Little by little.

[43:34] Just take it like that. You know. Rome was not built in the day. We are all. Everyone has this. Oh Achilles heel. On your own. You might have to live with it. Even Paul. He prayed that God. Take this stone out from my flesh. And God said my grace is sufficient.

[43:45] So it's you to your. And please. Please. The devil is a liar. Behind every sin is a lie. Behind every sin is a lie. That. One of the lies.

[43:56] Is that. No. This one. You can't do anything about it. Just. Just. God understands. God. By your destiny will not forgive you. Your destiny will not understand. Others will leave you.

[44:06] Others will go ahead of you. Because sin is not. It's not. It's not a little thing. With your work with God. So.

[44:18] Satan will tell you that. You can. You know. You can never overcome this. That's a lie. And the other one he will also tell you. Another lie. He will tell two lies. Two ways he deceives us.

[44:28] One. He tells you. You cannot. Overcome this sin. Tell him. God is bigger than my sin. My God is bigger. So he will help me. He's bigger. And the second thing. We also tell you. Is.

[44:39] God doesn't really want to enjoy. You to enjoy your life. All this. Churches. Is too much restrictive. I mean. The guy likes you. You also like him. Why not? And just enjoy your life. It's just. Mutual. It's right.

[44:51] That you are being mutual with the devil. The devil is lying to you. Behind every sin is a lie. Behind every sin. He said. He told Eve. He said. God doesn't want you to. Enjoy your life.

[45:03] You. In Genesis chapter 3. Verse 5. And verse 6. The devil managed to tell Eve. That God does not want. He knows. For God knows that. In that day. When you eat it. Your eyes will open.

[45:13] And you shall be. Like him. Knowing. God doesn't want you to. Don't mind God. It's a lie. So he tries to convince you. That God doesn't want you to have the pleasure. It doesn't. In all these church people.

[45:24] They are putting too much pressure on you. Too much pressure. You are not even free to live your life. Why? Too much pressure. If you are not able to make it there. Everybody is calling you. Where are you? Why?

[45:34] Why? Why? Why? You go ahead like that. The devil is trying to lie to you. Devil. You are. Let me say something. Which I think sometimes people have to know this.

[45:45] Listen. Your absence in church. Will not affect the growth of the body of Christ. You. I quit. I quit. Bye. Bye. We will still continue serving God.

[46:00] Hey. We will still continue serving God. With. Without. We really. We can't afford not to have you. Please. We can't afford not to have you.

[46:12] We can't afford not to have you. Please. We need you. Be part of us. We need you. But listen. Don't let you enter your head. If you go. We will still continue. Didn't Judas leave?

[46:25] Judas left. He left. Bible said. He had a path in this ministry. Acts chapter 2 verse 17. This guy had a path in this ministry. But because he loved the wages of iniquity.

[46:38] Don't go please. We don't. We will do anything to have you. We will do anything. He will do anything for you. We will do anything to have you. In between. Because. Our fellowship is better. When you are with us.

[46:48] We are better. When we are together. We can't afford. Peter said. I go. I fish. Jesus said. I won't let you go. Jesus came. We want you. Please. We want you. But please. Just in case. You don't know.

[47:00] The church was going on before you joined. And you continue after you die. Or you backslide. The church. And God will still be working.

[47:14] Somebody have to know. I'm not doing the praise and worship again. I'm not doing the choir again. I'm not. Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye. God will still bless those of us who are doing it.

[47:28] We will meet on the other side. Now after life. Here and left. You will see the difference. You will see how a blessing of God makes a difference in a person's life. Don't run away.

[47:38] The fact that people are pampering you. And trying to follow up on you. Come to church. Come to church. It doesn't mean you are that. You are all that in a bag of chips. Listen.

[47:49] It's just Christian duty. So they care. But you. You. It's not marketing. It's not marketing techniques.

[48:01] You choose not to go. And see if they will backslide. They will be enjoying God. So Satan will tell you. God. This whole church thing. There's too much. It's too much.

[48:12] And every time. Every time you are calling me. Every time I have to do this. It's a privilege. Boy. Wake up. It's a privilege. For you to get to do anything. For God.

[48:23] You. Don't forget your history. Come on. You. You. And God consider you to do anything. God consider you among his people. And you are coming to bluff. Please. Please.

[48:33] Please. My friend. Wake up. Wake up. And come out of your. Self. Exaggerated opinion. You are not what you think you are.

[48:48] Church will do fine. Without you. Maybe no one has been bold enough to tell you. Today. By the special grace of God. May I submit to you. And announce you. Church will do very fine.

[48:59] Very. Very. Very fine. Without you. If you want to go. You go and see. But you. Will not do as fine.

[49:10] Without church. Na na na na na na na na. Yes. Sit down and tell you. That God is doing too much. Oh this. This pressure is too much.

[49:21] Hey. They are tired. They are asking me now. I should. I should. Be in bad this department. I should serve them. I have enough. I have had enough. Go. God will build his church. Why does this pastor talk like that?

[49:35] Because his heart is sold out for God. Except a grain of which falls down and died. But those of us who love Jesus. So it says resist their fast. This is my third point which I haven't made.

[49:46] And I think I've gone over and over. Listen. Resist. Firm. In the faith. So it takes faith. So three things it takes.

[49:58] PPE. The three. Spiritual protection. Personal protection. Against your Achilles heel. So you can grow past your Achilles heel. Three. Number one.

[50:09] Alertness. Number two. Understand your enemy. Number three. Stay in faith. Set up. Fought a good fight of faith. Now. Who resists in the faith?

[50:20] Here is talking about. The faith. It didn't say in faith. Per se. The faith. The faith. Is referring to. The set of truths. In the scriptures. The set of truths. Revealed in scriptures.

[50:31] The truth of scripture. Is what it takes. Because. Watch this. Behind every temptation. Is a lie. Behind every falling. Every sin. Is a lie. And under that lie.

[50:43] Is. Is. The lie. Will generate unbelief. Unbelief. Anytime. Sin overtakes somebody. The person has. Veered into unbelief.

[50:53] Believing that God is good. Okay. So believing that God is better. And God is bigger. The devil tells you. You can overcome. The temptation. God is bigger. He tells you that God doesn't want you to enjoy.

[51:04] No. God is better. So God is bigger. And God is better. I said earlier on. Behind. Our behavior. And our. Our. Our motives.

[51:17] All our motives and behavior. Every human motive and behavior. Has. At the core of it. The heart. In the heart. What the heart treasures. And what the heart trusts. If you trust God.

[51:28] You do well. If you treasure the things of God. You will do well. So. It says that. Resist. Steadfast. In the faith. The set of things.

[51:38] In Romans chapter 1 verse 25. The devil managed to trick people. To exchange. The truth of God. Who changed the truth of God. Kay. Into a lie. Swap it for a lie.

[51:51] Yeah. Change the truth of God. So the enemy will make change. Oh what God is saying is not true. You need the truth of God's word. You need. And sometimes we need someone who will say the word as it is.

[52:05] We need the truth of God's word. To be able. To withstand. Whom resists in the faith. Knowing that the same affliction. What is happening to you is not new. And that's also going through it.

[52:17] Amen. Amen. I pray you have received something. And it's been a blessing. Thank you for listening to this message by David Entry. When God speaks. Works show. And the works will surely show in your life.

[52:30] To hear more from David Entry. Follow him on Facebook. Instagram. Twitter. LinkedIn. And subscribe to Karis Church on YouTube. Don't forget to share and subscribe to our podcast.

[52:42] So you're always up to date. Be blessed.