I am a huge Star Wars fan. In the movie Rogue One, the Rebel Alliance obtained plans to the Empire’s secret weapon, the Death Star. Destroying the Death Star would ultimately mean overcoming the Empire. The Rebels knew they not only needed to get the secret plans, but study the plans, know their enemy, and then act decisively in battle. The same goes for Christ followers in our fight against the evil one. We need to know what we are up against so we can build a battle plan and take action.
What I’m about to share with you is the playbook of the powers of darkness. (hyperbole?) Stay with me here… it’s not going to be what you think. This isn’t just the classic battle between right and wrong. Our enemy is much more cunning. Where he tricks us isn’t just the struggle between right and wrong, but also in what’s wise and unwise.
We need to know what our enemy’s weapons are and how he intends to utilize them on us. Fortunately, we have everything we need to know about the strategy of the enemy in the book of 1st John.
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world."
John 2:15-16 ESV
The desires of the flesh are where the enemy tempts us with pleasure. The desires of the eyes are where the the enemy tempts us with possessions. The pride of life is where the enemy tempts us with power. It's on us to know where our vulnerabilities are in these 3 areas of our lives and to prepare for the fight against these weaknesses.
You don't need me to tell you where you've missed the mark in these areas of your life, but I will remind you of God's grace. We're told his grace is made perfect in our weakness.
Let's take advantage of this inside information John shared with us. It's the enemy's plans to wreck our lives when we focus pleasure, possessions, and power. These are the parts of your life where God wants you experience victory. Although we may not grow to become sinless on this side of heaven, we can grow to sin less and less.
