The Unseen Realm: Fighting Battles with the Spirit of Truth
Fighting Battles with the Spirit of Truth
1 John 4:1–6
By Pastor Tammy Long
1 John 4:1–6
By Pastor Tammy Long
Quick Glance: For Your Heart Today
We are in a series called The Unseen Realm: Discerning the Spirits and Ready for Battle. Scripture reminds us that our struggle is not only against flesh and blood, but also against spiritual forces of darkness. That means the battles we face aren’t just in what we can see—they’re also happening in the unseen realm.
In today’s text, John reminds us that not every spirit is from God. Some voices sound wise, even spiritual, but they carry deception. That’s why we must test the spirits and hold every thought up to the truth of God’s Word. Our greatest weapon in this unseen battle is the sword of the Spirit, which cuts through lies and anchors us in God’s truth.
3 Takeaways
Take this breath prayer into your week:
Inhale: Jesus, reveal your steps,
Exhale: And guide my steps.
Full Sermon Manuscript: Estimated reading time: -24 minutes
We are in a series called The Unseen Realm: Discerning the Spirits and Ready for Battle. Scripture reminds us that our struggle is not only against flesh and blood, but also against spiritual forces of darkness. That means the battles we face aren’t just in what we can see—they’re also happening in the unseen realm.
In today’s text, John reminds us that not every spirit is from God. Some voices sound wise, even spiritual, but they carry deception. That’s why we must test the spirits and hold every thought up to the truth of God’s Word. Our greatest weapon in this unseen battle is the sword of the Spirit, which cuts through lies and anchors us in God’s truth.
3 Takeaways
- Test the Spirits.
Every spirit that exalts Christ is from God; deception always diminishes Him. - Truth Isn’t Always Popular.
God’s people recognize His voice even if the world ignores or opposes it. - God’s Word Is Our Sword.
Scripture equips us to cut through lies and fight battles of fear, shame, rejection, and chaos.
Take this breath prayer into your week:
Inhale: Jesus, reveal your steps,
Exhale: And guide my steps.
Full Sermon Manuscript: Estimated reading time: -24 minutes
Fighting Battles with the Spirit of Truth
Good Morning, Family
This morning we are continuing in our series, The Unseen Realm: Discerning the Spirits and Ready for Battle. And over these past weeks we’ve been training for battle:
We began with ARMing ourselves by Accepting the reality of the unseen realm, Refusing to fear because God is near, and Mobilizing prayer; asking the Spirit to open our eyes to His presence and His army surrounding us.
Then last week, we learned how to discern interior spiritual movement by practicing S.L.L.: Stop to pause and notice what we’re feeling, Listen for the movement of our hearts to notice if we’re facing toward God (consolation) or away from God (desolation), and then to Look to Jesus, because whichever way we are facing, especially when facing an interior battle, Jesus invites us to stay close and draw closer.
Now, as we continue our battle training, let’s go back to our anchor scripture for this series.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
As we’ve been studying, Paul affirms there is a battle going on not just against flesh and blood, but also against spiritual forces. And that’s exactly the vision Frank Peretti captures in his novel Piercing the Darkness.
As we prepare to hear God’s Word this morning, I want to introduce our text with this scene from the novel.
The Wednesday night prayer meeting at Pastor Mark and Cathy’s house was packed. The lawsuit against the Christian school had shaken everyone, and questions spilled everywhere.
Family, this is our reality, too. We can hear words that sound wise, even spiritual. We can have thoughts that pop into our minds that feel persuasive and true. But not every voice we hear and not every thought we think comes from God’s.
So how do we know the difference? How do we learn to discern the Spirit of truth from the spirit of deception?
Well, that’s the same question John addresses in our text for today. Let’s turn to 1 John 4:1–6.
This morning we are continuing in our series, The Unseen Realm: Discerning the Spirits and Ready for Battle. And over these past weeks we’ve been training for battle:
We began with ARMing ourselves by Accepting the reality of the unseen realm, Refusing to fear because God is near, and Mobilizing prayer; asking the Spirit to open our eyes to His presence and His army surrounding us.
Then last week, we learned how to discern interior spiritual movement by practicing S.L.L.: Stop to pause and notice what we’re feeling, Listen for the movement of our hearts to notice if we’re facing toward God (consolation) or away from God (desolation), and then to Look to Jesus, because whichever way we are facing, especially when facing an interior battle, Jesus invites us to stay close and draw closer.
Now, as we continue our battle training, let’s go back to our anchor scripture for this series.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
As we’ve been studying, Paul affirms there is a battle going on not just against flesh and blood, but also against spiritual forces. And that’s exactly the vision Frank Peretti captures in his novel Piercing the Darkness.
As we prepare to hear God’s Word this morning, I want to introduce our text with this scene from the novel.
The Wednesday night prayer meeting at Pastor Mark and Cathy’s house was packed. The lawsuit against the Christian school had shaken everyone, and questions spilled everywhere.
Amy Ryan asked, “Did Principal Tom really try to cast a demon out of that little girl?”
Pastor Mark answered honestly, “Yes, he did.”
“Now that was a dumb move.” Brent muttered aloud, “How did he even know if it was a demon or not?”
“He didn’t have any idea what he was doing,” Judy jumped in, “and now he’s gotten our school into hot water it’ll never get out of! We’ve done something wrong — we wouldn’t be in court if we hadn’t.”
The room was tense. Her words were echoed—harsh and accusatory. The conversation continued, with questions, suggestions and complaints.
At one point, Wayne Corrigan, their attorney, spoke up, steady but firm: “Listen, people. This isn’t just a legal battle. This is a spiritual battle. Don’t forget that.”
Soon after, another woman named Donna spoke up: “I feel a real spirit of defeat in this group tonight,” she said, “and I just want all of us to know we don’t have to accept any of this! God is our Victory, and He’s already won for us. All we have to do
is move in and take that victory, just pick it like ripe fruit!”
Amens filled the room. People nodded. And on the surface, it sounded right.
But in the unseen realm, God was stirring in Cathy’s spirit. She leaned toward her husband, Pastor Mark, and whispered, “Honey, I don’t trust her, something’s off.”
Watching nearby, the angel warrior Tal, felt it too. Even as prayer began to rise from the little group—strengthening heaven’s army—Tal sensed darkness lingering. Somewhere in the group the Destroyer had planted an insidious seed. Not every spirit in that room was from God.
Family, this is our reality, too. We can hear words that sound wise, even spiritual. We can have thoughts that pop into our minds that feel persuasive and true. But not every voice we hear and not every thought we think comes from God’s.
So how do we know the difference? How do we learn to discern the Spirit of truth from the spirit of deception?
Well, that’s the same question John addresses in our text for today. Let’s turn to 1 John 4:1–6.
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming; even now it is already in the world.
You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world. Therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Anyone who knows God listens to us; anyone who is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.
Unpacking the Text
Family, let’s step into the world of John’s first readers for a moment.
This letter wasn’t written to people with leather-bound Bibles or Bible apps. It was written to small house churches scattered throughout the Roman province—little gatherings meeting in living rooms and courtyards, learning about Jesus and what it meant to be a follower.
And how did they learn? Messengers were sent—emissaries carrying letters from the Apostles teaching the Good News of Jesus. Like Paul, John also churches under his care. He would send leaders to encourage them and teach them about Jesus.
But here was the problem. Not every messenger claiming to be a prophet came from God. They may have sounded convincing and spiritual, but their message came from a false spirit.
And the listeners were vulnerable. They were dependent on what they heard. This became such a concern across the region that Paul sometimes signed his letters with a distinct marking so believers would know they were truly from him.
So John writes to his readers: “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”
And he gives them two tests:
First, he says listen to what they say about Jesus. Every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ came in the flesh is from God. Every spirit that denies Him is not. The Spirit of God will always exalt Christ. The spirit of deception will always diminish Him, twist Him, or push Him aside.
Second, look at who’s listening. John says, “False prophets are from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us.” In other words, truth may not be popular, but God’s people will recognize it. And deception will always find an audience in the world.
That test formula worked in John’s day, and still has truth for us. But our world is far more complex. There are countless voices, influences, messages tickling our ears and seeking to shape our hearts and minds every day! And some of those even claim Jesus followers. But as Jesus himself said, not everyone who says Lord, Lord truly knows him.
So we must learn how to continue growing in discerning the spirits.
Last week we learned to pause — to notice the stirrings in our hearts, to pay attention to consolation that draws us toward God and desolation that pulls us away from God. That spiritual awareness is an important step in discernment.
But today I want us to sharpen that practice into battle readiness. Because spiritual discernment isn’t just about noticing our inner stirrings. It’s about holding what we hear in that little space where we pause and holding our thoughts up against the truth of God’s Word, which is our sword for battle.
Think about how subtle false spirits, the spirits of deception, are. They have a battle plan, too.
We hear the message of the world that says, “I’ve got to look out for number 1— because I’m worth it.” And without realizing it that message can shape how we approach relationships and decisions.
From all kinds of sources we’re constantly told, “This is what success looks like.” And before we notice, we’re measuring our worth by someone else’s definition.
Or we can find ourselves sucked into what the latest popular talk show hosts say, “really matters most.” And next thing we know, we may find ourselves prioritizing things that leave us feeling empty instead of closer to God.
These voices seep into our heads and sound convincing. They sound normal. But if we don’t pause and test them, they become assumptions we carry inside us.
Without discernment, we can end up living in lies without even realizing it — weighed down, discouraged, deceived because we haven’t challenged the message or messenger against the spirit of truth.
That’s why John’s words are still so important. Not every spirit is from God. The Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception are both at work, battling in our world. And every generation of humanity must discern in its own season. The forces of evil haven’t disappeared — in fact, they’ve kept up with the times and continue to be slick, sneaky, and deceptive.
But God has given us just what we need to grow in discernment. God’s Word, illuminated by the Spirit, can cut through the noise as our filter for truth. God’s Word is our chief battle weapon.
This letter wasn’t written to people with leather-bound Bibles or Bible apps. It was written to small house churches scattered throughout the Roman province—little gatherings meeting in living rooms and courtyards, learning about Jesus and what it meant to be a follower.
And how did they learn? Messengers were sent—emissaries carrying letters from the Apostles teaching the Good News of Jesus. Like Paul, John also churches under his care. He would send leaders to encourage them and teach them about Jesus.
But here was the problem. Not every messenger claiming to be a prophet came from God. They may have sounded convincing and spiritual, but their message came from a false spirit.
And the listeners were vulnerable. They were dependent on what they heard. This became such a concern across the region that Paul sometimes signed his letters with a distinct marking so believers would know they were truly from him.
So John writes to his readers: “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”
And he gives them two tests:
First, he says listen to what they say about Jesus. Every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ came in the flesh is from God. Every spirit that denies Him is not. The Spirit of God will always exalt Christ. The spirit of deception will always diminish Him, twist Him, or push Him aside.
Second, look at who’s listening. John says, “False prophets are from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us.” In other words, truth may not be popular, but God’s people will recognize it. And deception will always find an audience in the world.
That test formula worked in John’s day, and still has truth for us. But our world is far more complex. There are countless voices, influences, messages tickling our ears and seeking to shape our hearts and minds every day! And some of those even claim Jesus followers. But as Jesus himself said, not everyone who says Lord, Lord truly knows him.
So we must learn how to continue growing in discerning the spirits.
Last week we learned to pause — to notice the stirrings in our hearts, to pay attention to consolation that draws us toward God and desolation that pulls us away from God. That spiritual awareness is an important step in discernment.
But today I want us to sharpen that practice into battle readiness. Because spiritual discernment isn’t just about noticing our inner stirrings. It’s about holding what we hear in that little space where we pause and holding our thoughts up against the truth of God’s Word, which is our sword for battle.
Think about how subtle false spirits, the spirits of deception, are. They have a battle plan, too.
We hear the message of the world that says, “I’ve got to look out for number 1— because I’m worth it.” And without realizing it that message can shape how we approach relationships and decisions.
From all kinds of sources we’re constantly told, “This is what success looks like.” And before we notice, we’re measuring our worth by someone else’s definition.
Or we can find ourselves sucked into what the latest popular talk show hosts say, “really matters most.” And next thing we know, we may find ourselves prioritizing things that leave us feeling empty instead of closer to God.
These voices seep into our heads and sound convincing. They sound normal. But if we don’t pause and test them, they become assumptions we carry inside us.
Without discernment, we can end up living in lies without even realizing it — weighed down, discouraged, deceived because we haven’t challenged the message or messenger against the spirit of truth.
That’s why John’s words are still so important. Not every spirit is from God. The Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception are both at work, battling in our world. And every generation of humanity must discern in its own season. The forces of evil haven’t disappeared — in fact, they’ve kept up with the times and continue to be slick, sneaky, and deceptive.
But God has given us just what we need to grow in discernment. God’s Word, illuminated by the Spirit, can cut through the noise as our filter for truth. God’s Word is our chief battle weapon.
Engaging God’s Word in Spiritual Battle
Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 to put on the full armor of God, but there’s only one offensive weapon in the whole set: the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Every other piece — the helmet, the breastplate, the shield — is defensive. But the sword? That’s what pushes back the enemy. That’s what cuts through the lies with truth.
In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul explains his strategy, he says: “We take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ.” Family, that’s battle language. That means when a negative or inappropriate thought rises in your mind — a whisper that sounds persuasive but suspect — capture it. Hold it up against the Word of God, and if it doesn’t match what God has said, throw it out.
Hebrews 4:12 says this: “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Sisters and brothers, God’s Word doesn’t just sit on the page. It’s meant to get inside us. It discerns us even as we are learning to discern spirits. It cuts through the fog and lays wide open what is true and what is false.
Paul writes this to Timothy: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” (2 Timothy 3:16, NLT).
In other words, the Word of God is not optional for believers. We need it for or very survival. It’s how we are trained, equipped, able to discern and made ready for the battles we face every single day.
Romans 12 puts it this way: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
I said last week that spiritual discernment takes practice and growth. It doesn’t happen by accident. And it happens as we let the truth of God’s Word wash over us, shape us, and renew our minds. That’s how we fight the battle of being pressed into the mold of this world. And how we learn to recognize the difference between the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.
In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul explains his strategy, he says: “We take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ.” Family, that’s battle language. That means when a negative or inappropriate thought rises in your mind — a whisper that sounds persuasive but suspect — capture it. Hold it up against the Word of God, and if it doesn’t match what God has said, throw it out.
Hebrews 4:12 says this: “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Sisters and brothers, God’s Word doesn’t just sit on the page. It’s meant to get inside us. It discerns us even as we are learning to discern spirits. It cuts through the fog and lays wide open what is true and what is false.
Paul writes this to Timothy: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” (2 Timothy 3:16, NLT).
In other words, the Word of God is not optional for believers. We need it for or very survival. It’s how we are trained, equipped, able to discern and made ready for the battles we face every single day.
Romans 12 puts it this way: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
I said last week that spiritual discernment takes practice and growth. It doesn’t happen by accident. And it happens as we let the truth of God’s Word wash over us, shape us, and renew our minds. That’s how we fight the battle of being pressed into the mold of this world. And how we learn to recognize the difference between the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.
A Basic Battle Plan
So what does this look like in practice? We’ve said the battle is real, the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception are alive and active in the world, and the only weapon we have and the only weapon we need is the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. But how do we actually wield it?
We’ll continue to unpack this in the weeks to come.
But for now, let me say, I know some of us don’t feel like we know the Bible well enough to do this. But here’s the good news: you don’t need to know a thousand verses to get started. You just need a basic battle plan, a few Scriptures you can draw like a sword when the enemy presses in or a false spirit is hovering.
You just need a few core truths that every believer can grip and swing with confidence. Then you can keep sharpening your sword by adding more Scriptures to your heart’s armory, building strength and readiness to fight whatever battles may come.
So, let’s look quickly at four of the most common battles we all face — and how the Word of God arms us for each one.
We’ll continue to unpack this in the weeks to come.
But for now, let me say, I know some of us don’t feel like we know the Bible well enough to do this. But here’s the good news: you don’t need to know a thousand verses to get started. You just need a basic battle plan, a few Scriptures you can draw like a sword when the enemy presses in or a false spirit is hovering.
You just need a few core truths that every believer can grip and swing with confidence. Then you can keep sharpening your sword by adding more Scriptures to your heart’s armory, building strength and readiness to fight whatever battles may come.
So, let’s look quickly at four of the most common battles we all face — and how the Word of God arms us for each one.
Four Battles We All Face
One battle is Fear. When fear surrounds you-
The spirit of deception says: You’re alone. You’ve been abandoned.
The spirit of truth of God’s Word says: I will never fail you. I will never abandon you (Hebrews 13:5).
This promise runs all through Scripture. God has always been the One who goes with His people. So, when fear rises and the enemy whispers that you’re on your own, you lift the sword of the Spirit and declare: My God has not left me. He is here and I’m not alone.
Another battle is Shame. When shame weighs you down-
The spirit of deception says: Your failure defines you. You are worthless and God is done with you.
The spirit of truth in God’s Word says: So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
Family, if you belong to Jesus, shame does not get the last word. Failure is not final. Condemnation is not your story. When we confess our sins, Christ is faithful to forgive, and you are free. This is the sword to carry into the battle with shame.
Another battle is Rejection. When you feel unlovable-
The spirit of deception says: No one really loves you as you are.
The Spirit of truth in God’s Word says: I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow — not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38, NLT).
Family, every human heart needs this reassurance. God’s love is steadfast and unshakable. When the lie whispers that you are unwanted, this truth declares: You are deeply, eternally and unconditionally loved by God. Just the way you are. This is the sword that cuts through the battle of rejection and loneliness.
Another battle is When Life Feels Out of Control -
The spirit of deception says: My life or the world is in chaos and God doesn’t care.
The Spirit of truth in God’s Word says: The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all (Psalm 103:19).
Even when life looks upside down, God has not lost control. The enemy wants you to believe chaos has the final say — but the truth is, our God reigns. There is nothing that happens that does not touch God’s heart or that can’t be used for his purposes. This is the sword you hold when everything around you feels like its coming a part.
Sister and Brothers, these are just a few battles we all face — fear, shame, rejection, and even the chaos of a world that feels out of control. And God has given us His Word as our sword for each one. Not as a mantra or magic words to spout, but as the power of truth reminding us of who God is and who we are: beloved children of the Most High God.
I know there are also battles personal to you that may not be my battles. So, I want to encourage you — don’t go unarmed. Sharpen your sword. Hide God’s Word in your heart, so that when lies and deception come, and they will, you’ll be ready to fight and stand firm.
Because we are not fighting against flesh and blood. There’s an unseen realm at work, but we can fight with the Sword of God’s Word and discern God’s Spirit of Truth as the Holy Spirit enables us.
The spirit of deception says: You’re alone. You’ve been abandoned.
The spirit of truth of God’s Word says: I will never fail you. I will never abandon you (Hebrews 13:5).
This promise runs all through Scripture. God has always been the One who goes with His people. So, when fear rises and the enemy whispers that you’re on your own, you lift the sword of the Spirit and declare: My God has not left me. He is here and I’m not alone.
Another battle is Shame. When shame weighs you down-
The spirit of deception says: Your failure defines you. You are worthless and God is done with you.
The spirit of truth in God’s Word says: So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
Family, if you belong to Jesus, shame does not get the last word. Failure is not final. Condemnation is not your story. When we confess our sins, Christ is faithful to forgive, and you are free. This is the sword to carry into the battle with shame.
Another battle is Rejection. When you feel unlovable-
The spirit of deception says: No one really loves you as you are.
The Spirit of truth in God’s Word says: I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow — not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38, NLT).
Family, every human heart needs this reassurance. God’s love is steadfast and unshakable. When the lie whispers that you are unwanted, this truth declares: You are deeply, eternally and unconditionally loved by God. Just the way you are. This is the sword that cuts through the battle of rejection and loneliness.
Another battle is When Life Feels Out of Control -
The spirit of deception says: My life or the world is in chaos and God doesn’t care.
The Spirit of truth in God’s Word says: The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all (Psalm 103:19).
Even when life looks upside down, God has not lost control. The enemy wants you to believe chaos has the final say — but the truth is, our God reigns. There is nothing that happens that does not touch God’s heart or that can’t be used for his purposes. This is the sword you hold when everything around you feels like its coming a part.
Sister and Brothers, these are just a few battles we all face — fear, shame, rejection, and even the chaos of a world that feels out of control. And God has given us His Word as our sword for each one. Not as a mantra or magic words to spout, but as the power of truth reminding us of who God is and who we are: beloved children of the Most High God.
I know there are also battles personal to you that may not be my battles. So, I want to encourage you — don’t go unarmed. Sharpen your sword. Hide God’s Word in your heart, so that when lies and deception come, and they will, you’ll be ready to fight and stand firm.
Because we are not fighting against flesh and blood. There’s an unseen realm at work, but we can fight with the Sword of God’s Word and discern God’s Spirit of Truth as the Holy Spirit enables us.
Communion and The Final Word
As we prepare for communion, I am reminded of another scene from Piercing the Darkness.
This is when the battle of the Christian school is played out in court, and accused of all kinds of wrongdoing. On the surface, it looks like just another legal case — but behind the arguments it’s good versus evil, truth versus deception.
Some voices are smooth, polished, persuasive — but their agenda is evil. They bend the truth and make the innocent look guilty. Other voices, quieter, are holding what’s true. It’s a clash in the seen and unseen realms, and the outcome feels uncertain.
By the end of that first day in court, the judge admits what everyone feels: no one is satisfied, the case isn’t settled, and there’s still much ahead. The battle isn’t over.
Family, isn’t that how life feels sometimes? Truth and deception battling it out in real time. And even if you’re faithfully wielding the sword of God’s Word the verdict can still feel unsettled in the moment.
But as we come to the communion table, we’re reminded that the true Judge has already spoken.
Jesus’ death and resurrection are the decisive Word. Sin will not win. Death will not win. The spirit of deception will not win. This is the verdict of heaven for all who belong to Christ.
So, let’s celebrate that truth right now as we remember what Christ has done for us.
On the night He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
[Let’s Eat and Drink Together]
As we prepare to close, our worship song response is a simple prayer.
For the Lord, to lead and guide us. To walk beside us. For if He leads us, we cannot stray. If He guides us and we follow we will walk in the Spirit of His truth. Amen.
This is when the battle of the Christian school is played out in court, and accused of all kinds of wrongdoing. On the surface, it looks like just another legal case — but behind the arguments it’s good versus evil, truth versus deception.
Some voices are smooth, polished, persuasive — but their agenda is evil. They bend the truth and make the innocent look guilty. Other voices, quieter, are holding what’s true. It’s a clash in the seen and unseen realms, and the outcome feels uncertain.
By the end of that first day in court, the judge admits what everyone feels: no one is satisfied, the case isn’t settled, and there’s still much ahead. The battle isn’t over.
Family, isn’t that how life feels sometimes? Truth and deception battling it out in real time. And even if you’re faithfully wielding the sword of God’s Word the verdict can still feel unsettled in the moment.
But as we come to the communion table, we’re reminded that the true Judge has already spoken.
Jesus’ death and resurrection are the decisive Word. Sin will not win. Death will not win. The spirit of deception will not win. This is the verdict of heaven for all who belong to Christ.
So, let’s celebrate that truth right now as we remember what Christ has done for us.
On the night He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
[Let’s Eat and Drink Together]
As we prepare to close, our worship song response is a simple prayer.
For the Lord, to lead and guide us. To walk beside us. For if He leads us, we cannot stray. If He guides us and we follow we will walk in the Spirit of His truth. Amen.
Posted in The Unseen Realm
Posted in Spiritual discernment, Testing the Spirits, Spirit of Truth vs Spirit of Deception, armor of God, Word of God as Sword, Overcoming Fear and Shame, God’s Unfailing Love, Living in God’s Truth, Spiritual Warfare, Unseen Realm Series, Shame, fear, rejection, Life Feels Out of Control -
Posted in Spiritual discernment, Testing the Spirits, Spirit of Truth vs Spirit of Deception, armor of God, Word of God as Sword, Overcoming Fear and Shame, God’s Unfailing Love, Living in God’s Truth, Spiritual Warfare, Unseen Realm Series, Shame, fear, rejection, Life Feels Out of Control -
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