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ISAIAH 59:19

"OUR DEFENSE"

I. THE ENEMY. "WE WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD."
        A. "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the..."
                1. Sometime before creation of man, He created angels of various
                   ranks and orders.
                2. One of the angels of the highest order rebelled against Him.
                        a. This angel was described as, "perfect in beauty..."
                        b. He drew a third part of the angels with him.
                3. Originally, only one government in the universe. Light of life.
                4. Now a second government.
                        a. Opposed to the first.
                        b. Government of death and darkness.
        B. The purpose of the enemy.
                1. To draw you away from God.
                2. "The enemy has come to rob, steal and destroy."
        C. The method of the enemy.
                1. To appeal to the baser nature of man, to make him a slave to his
                   own fleshly lusts.
                        a. The effect is always destructive.
                        b. More obvious forms alcoholism, drug addiction.
                        c. More subtle form is sex.
                2. Thus, to follow the enemy is to follow the path to destruction.
                3. To         the good, natural, God given drives by seeking
                   unnatural fulfillment.

II. "WHEN THE ENEMY COMES IN LIKE A FLOOD."
        A. There are times when we seem to be singled out for special attacks.
                1. The pressure is like a flood.
                2. We are almost overwhelmed.
                3. We recognize that those forces against us are more powerful than we.
                        a. I don't have the strength to resist the flood.
                        b. Am I doomed?

III. THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD WILL LIFT UP A STANDARD AGAINST HIM.
        A. Though the forces that are against us are strong, that power that God has
           given to us is stronger.
                1. "Greater is He that is in you that he that..."
                2. "You shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit."
        B. The standard that the Spirit lifts is the Word of God.
                1. When the enemy came as a flood against Jesus.
                        a. He seems to know when to attack.
                                1. Jesus had been fasting 40 days and was hungry.
                                2. Use God's power to feed your own flesh.
                        b. Jesus used the Word, "It is written..."
                2. "Thy Word have I hidden in my heart..."
                        a. The Word of God in my heart is one of my best defenses
                           against the enemy.

IV. WHAT TO DO WHEN ENEMY COMES IN LIKE A FLOOD.
        A. "Resist the devil..." James.
                1. Peter tells us the devil is going about like a roaring lion...whom
                   resist steadfastly.
                2. In Hebrews you have not resisted unto blood.
        B. Call upon the Lord.
        C. Get into the Word.