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In the next section, we need to examine more closely the Worldly Battle. Why is the planet or the world in a battle in the first place? What factors play a role in this battle in our physical lives? Is there anything that we can do on this large scale?

So the pattern of this world Romans refers to how the people collectively choose to live on the earth. We, as believers, are told to not conform to the norms of how others live but to live to please God, who is not of this world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.

They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Question 4: In John 17 , Jesus gives a clear message through His prayer to the Father about the seriousness of our lives in this "world.

They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.

I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.

I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

O righteous Father! And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them. After reading John 17 , it becomes clear that if we are in the world but not of the world, we are going to have conflicts. Those conflicts are spiritual warfare.

Because the physical manifestations of the world, such as the trees, the ocean, and the sky are not the problem. It is the forces that control the world that are in conflict with God. Thus, if the world is in conflict with God, the world is also in conflict with us. The prayer of John 17 expresses the heart of Jesus, as He knows the battles that we will face in this world. The world hates those who follow Jesus. We are not called to be of the world, or worldly, but we are sent in to the world to be a witness of Jesus Christ.

This is a miraculous calling and it takes the miracle of the Holy Spirit living in us to fulfill it. It also takes training to discern between the ways of God and the ways of the world.

Because we are born into this world, we naturally think according to it. We constantly need to crucify our natural inclinations and desires to receive all that God has for us. The world promises instant satisfaction and pleasures that fulfill the desires of our flesh, a tempting offer but one that Christians must be constantly on guard against.

Jesus understood the temptations of the world. He knew that Satan would use every kind of enticement possible to lure man's heart away from God. Jesus also knew how difficult it would be for those who believe in Him but do not remain faithful due to the cares of the world.

Question 5: Look up Mark to answer the following questions. The battles of spiritual warfare are intense when a person decides to accept Jesus as their Savior. The enemy will attack from all angles, hoping to dissuade the person from fully giving their heart to Jesus.

He will use circumstances, events, people, things and even doubt in their minds to steal their heart back to his ways. The seeds that are sown in people's hearts will either take root on good soil, which is a heart fully surrendered to the Lord.

Or, they will be sown in places where the word is snatched away from them until they fall away. These types of battles are fought in the world but involve the spiritual forces of darkness that exist in the invisible realm around us.

Once we are made aware of the world's influences and how they are in contrast to God's ways, we must then learn how to operate in the world as a true follower of Christ. It is one thing to be naive to the world's deceptions, claiming innocence by ignorance, but once the truth is revealed, we have a responsibility to obey the Lord's directions for us.

Question 6: What does James say about our relationship with the world? How can you personally apply this verse to your life? For some of us, the hardest battles of spiritual warfare are fought within ourselves. We can understand the circumstances and situations that the enemy uses to destroy us. We can accept the truth of how the world lures and tempts us.

We can understand to some degree that the battle in the spiritual realm is ongoing and real, even though we cannot see it. But, to get a grasp on what is going on within our own hearts and minds can be the hardest, most exhausting, battle of them all. In this section, we are going to explore what the Bible teaches about the war within us, the constant struggle between flesh and spirit. Question 7: To begin to examine the battle within us we must first understand its nature.

The desires of the flesh are part of our human nature and its history goes back to the beginning of time, as we know it. Describe the setting in which the word "sin" is first used in the Bible.

See Genesis What was God's warning to Cain? Have you ever felt that overwhelming desire within you to let sin master over you? We make decisions according to how we think, feel and want. Top 10 Digital Bible Studies. Psalms: Managing Our EmotionsIn this twelve-session course, learn Top 5 Bible Courses for Christmas These were your favorite studies on this topic. Luke: Bring Each curriculum gives you resources to lead a group study, but is also perfect as your own personal study.

Biblical Marriage Use this session marriage course to discuss how to express grace and love to one another. Top 10 Studies for Summer Outreach Resources to equip you to reach out and disciple others.

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