The ultimate trap would be for a human to ignore God’s warnings. If a human’s body dies, without the human accepted Jesus as the only begotten son of God, that human’s spirit is eternally separated from God. If the devil can convince humans that they are unworthy or unable to take the things God has promised, they will miss out on God’s best for them.
20 The born again spirit is a new creature, unskilled in the word of God and must learn to use God’s word, like a weapon to defeat temptation.
In Hebrews 5:12-14 Paul told humans they should have already learned but had not because they didn’t hear or attend to the word of God. They needed to use their senses and learn to discern. As a human learns what God has provided it is necessary to exercise faith in order to grow spiritually. That human learns to dismiss the lies of the devil and hold to God’s word as reality.
We see in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 instructions for dealing with our thoughts. 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 exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. It is necessary to teach our spirit and soul to give place in our thinking to God’s word while refusing the devils lies. For example: scripture calls the born again Christian the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. That is a truth that doesn’t change. The devil would like to cause confusion. The same way he lied to Eve. He tries to accuse God of evil. The devil tries to convince the human they should listen to him. There is a way to deny him access. Humans have to learn to read, write and speak. Before we write or speak, words form in our mind. If we hear another human speak words, they are received in our brain and is processed. We can choose to answer, dismiss or store the information. The devil and familiar spirits clamor false doctrines and lies about God. They use any communication that will cause humans to doubt God’s faithfulness, purpose and will. God is faithful, and he will not let humans be tempted beyond their ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, so the human may be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
If any thought argues a human cannot be born again, saved from hell or accept Jesus as savior, that thought is a lie and should be cast down. When the human speaks truth out loud, that puts the human in agreement with God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Any thought that is contrary to these scriptures is a lie. Philippians 2:5-8 Paul told us to have the mindset Jesus had. While he was equal with God he humbled himself and became obedient, even to the death on the cross. In order to successfully control our thoughts, we have to use our words. It is impossible to speak one thing and think another. Here is an exercise to prove that point.
Start counting from 1 to 100 silently to yourself. After you pass five, while you continue to count to yourself, say out loud, your name and birth date. The counting in your mind has to stop to allow your brain to form the words you say out loud. We can arrest our thoughts by speaking the truth in love and cast down those deceitful thoughts. Philippians 4 is full of gems of good confessions. Look at verses 6-8. Be careful (or anxious) for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. That is clear instructions. Humans need to guard their minds and remind themselves of God’s promises. Solomon, the wisest man ever, instructed his children to write God’s word on the doorpost, keep them around their neck and meditate on them day and night. If humans do, they will keep our soul in peace and ensure the absence of fear. Fear is confidence that evil will happen. It comes from giving credence to an evil report. It isn’t fear that brings humans to know God. Scripture tells us in Romans 2 it is the goodness of God that brings men to repentance.
Read Psalms 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. Do these scriptures contradict each other? The reference in verse 10 clearly says that fear is the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We need to rightly divide the word and understand the word translated fear could have been respect, revere or reverence. A better interpretation would be, “To reverence God: his will, his ways and instructions, is the beginning of wisdom.” King David and Solomon instructed their children to attend to God’s word and instruction.
There is a difference in living in fear and being responsible. Jesus told us in Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. We believe God wants us to ask him for the things we need and want. We prepare, work and make ourselves available to do his will. We expect if we ask anything, according to his will, in Jesus name, it will be done of our father which is in heaven. Dread does not express favorable expectations. Ephesians 6:18 tells us to pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
21. Peace of mind, Shalom, or well-being is offered with the new birth. Recorded in John 14:27 Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” God spoke to Joshua and it is recorded in Joshua 1: 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whither soever thou goest. Psalms 31: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. All these scriptures give us the idea that we can be brave and strong. In the same way, a human takes or accepts redemption, we take health and peace of mind. The Apostle Paul faced many hardships. Through every hardship, he had peace of mind, confidence, and purpose. No other New Testament Apostle was credited with as many books in the bible as Paul. Humans who trust God and attend to his word to do it can live in peace even in a world that is falling apart. Psalms 91:7 which reads, “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.” This is a promise. We take God’s help. We take the angel’s help. Even when the world is in chaos around us we can have peace. This comes from knowing and understanding by the Holy Spirit speaking to our spirit.
Acts 21 tells us Paul understood there were dangers facing him on the journey. It was witnessed by many, time and time again they prophesied that he would be faced with trouble. Paul said he was ready. That confidence came from understanding God had a plan and purpose for Paul that was more important than the temporal discomfort or inconvenience. Humans have to count the cost. How much would a human be willing to suffer if it meant that human would see others come to experience redemption through Jesus Christ? Romans 8:31 “If God be for us, who can be against us?” Paul continues in verses 37 – 39, “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. “I am persuaded 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. 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.” That is what God says about those who trust him.