WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:03.203 All over the world, there is an invisible war-- 00:03.269 --> 00:07.273 not a war for money, power, or land, but for minds, 00:07.340 --> 00:09.275 hearts, and souls. 00:09.342 --> 00:12.345 And the enemy is Satan the Devil. 00:12.412 --> 00:15.181 Many have no idea there is a struggle at all, and the 00:15.248 --> 00:18.418 Devil has them completely in his clutches. 00:18.485 --> 00:22.021 Frankly, even many of you, watching right now, are in 00:22.088 --> 00:25.658 the devil’s grip and don't even realize it. 00:25.725 --> 00:27.894 But God is waking some up. 00:27.961 --> 00:31.431 Some do understand, and as God opens their eyes to 00:31.498 --> 00:34.901 the reality of that spiritual war, they long 00:34.968 --> 00:37.003 to fight back. 00:37.070 --> 00:38.304 To take back their mind. 00:38.371 --> 00:40.206 To take back their families. 00:40.273 --> 00:42.675 To take back their lives. 00:42.742 --> 00:45.245 The good news is that Jesus Christ is willing to 00:45.311 --> 00:49.416 fully equip us for our fight against the devil 00:49.482 --> 00:52.252 and to support us every step of the way. 00:52.318 --> 00:56.923 But we must be willing to use the tools He provides 00:56.990 --> 00:58.792 us for our struggle. 00:58.858 --> 01:02.028 Are you willing to fight back in this spiritual war 01:02.095 --> 01:03.329 for your mind? 01:03.396 --> 01:06.166 If so, then join us for this episode of Tomorrow’s 01:06.232 --> 01:09.269 World, where we will teach you how to Armor Up 01:09.335 --> 01:11.204 Against the Devil. 01:11.271 --> 01:17.811 ♪ 01:17.877 --> 01:18.878 Hello! 01:18.945 --> 01:20.480 Welcome to Tomorrow’s World, where we help you 01:20.547 --> 01:23.616 make sense of your world through the pages 01:23.683 --> 01:24.818 of your Bible. 01:24.884 --> 01:27.787 It’s wonderful to have you here, and today’s topic is 01:27.854 --> 01:31.057 a matter of life and death. 01:31.124 --> 01:32.892 In addition to the information we'll cover 01:32.959 --> 01:35.895 today, we'll be offering a free DVD that will 01:35.962 --> 01:39.766 illuminate the invisible spirit world for you in a 01:39.833 --> 01:42.402 way you've likely never understood before. 01:42.469 --> 01:45.472 It’s called “The Occult & the Spirit World.” 01:45.538 --> 01:48.241 Keep an eye on your screen throughout the program for 01:48.308 --> 01:52.345 the information you need to get this free DVD. 01:52.412 --> 01:54.247 Now here at the beginning, we should take some time to 01:54.314 --> 01:56.282 disabuse some of our viewers of 01:56.349 --> 01:59.352 a very deceptive myth. 01:59.419 --> 02:02.555 Polls vary widely in terms of what people believe, 02:02.622 --> 02:05.024 but research by the Barna Group has suggested that 02:05.091 --> 02:09.662 even among self-identified Christians, most believe 02:09.729 --> 02:13.933 the devil “is not a living being but is [merely] a 02:14.000 --> 02:16.135 symbol of evil.” 02:16.202 --> 02:17.670 My friends, those individuals 02:17.737 --> 02:20.573 are deceived and have fallen for one of the 02:20.640 --> 02:25.378 Devil’s most popular lies: that he does not exist. 02:25.445 --> 02:29.282 Make no mistake: Satan is very real. 02:29.349 --> 02:32.919 Jesus Christ Himself calls the Devil a murderer and 02:32.986 --> 02:37.123 the father of lies in John 8:44, and when Peter 02:37.190 --> 02:40.493 argued with Him about the Savior’s coming death, 02:40.560 --> 02:44.864 Jesus addressed Satan personally and directly, 02:44.931 --> 02:49.135 as we read in Matthew 16:23... 02:49.202 --> 02:50.436 “But He turned and 02:50.503 --> 02:53.740 said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! 02:53.806 --> 02:56.376 You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of 02:56.442 --> 02:59.679 the things of God, but the things of men.’” 02:59.746 --> 03:02.549 The Devil is real and he is powerful. 03:02.615 --> 03:05.118 And he will do everything in his power to influence 03:05.184 --> 03:08.388 you and your family--to keep you from truly 03:08.454 --> 03:12.292 knowing God and from seeking God’s purpose for 03:12.358 --> 03:13.393 your life. 03:13.459 --> 03:16.229 Hopefully, you want to fight back. 03:16.296 --> 03:19.165 But before we do so, we need to understand what 03:19.232 --> 03:20.700 we're up against. 03:20.767 --> 03:26.372 The Apostle Paul describes our plight in Ephesians 6:12... 03:26.439 --> 03:29.509 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and 03:29.576 --> 03:32.178 blood, but against principalities, against 03:32.245 --> 03:35.848 powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this 03:35.915 --> 03:39.819 age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the 03:39.886 --> 03:42.155 heavenly places.” 03:42.221 --> 03:44.457 Jesus Christ Himself declares in 03:44.524 --> 03:48.661 the inspired words of Scripture three times that 03:48.728 --> 03:52.632 Satan the Devil is “the ruler of this world.” 03:52.699 --> 03:57.003 His description is recorded in John 12:31, John 14:30, 03:57.070 --> 03:59.472 and John 16:11. 03:59.539 --> 04:01.174 The Apostle Paul calls the Devil 04:01.240 --> 04:03.242 “the god of this age.” 04:03.309 --> 04:06.713 And as the ruler of this world, his influence 04:06.779 --> 04:10.183 on every facet of society is vast. 04:10.249 --> 04:12.952 We certainly see it in our entertainment industry, 04:13.019 --> 04:16.089 which embraces and promotes themes, concepts, 04:16.155 --> 04:19.359 and images that are the very opposite of the laws, 04:19.425 --> 04:22.161 commands, and way of life taught by God 04:22.228 --> 04:23.229 in the Bible. 04:23.296 --> 04:25.665 Yet entertainment is hardly the limit of the 04:25.732 --> 04:27.166 Devil’s influence. 04:27.233 --> 04:29.102 We see that influence in our educational 04:29.168 --> 04:31.604 institutions, our halls of government, 04:31.671 --> 04:34.941 and, frankly, even many of our churches. 04:35.008 --> 04:39.379 Increasingly, perversity and sin is celebrated 04:39.445 --> 04:43.082 while righteousness and godly virtue is vilified. 04:43.149 --> 04:45.952 In fact, things have gotten so bad, that even 04:46.019 --> 04:48.655 many of those pushing back against the latest 04:48.721 --> 04:52.291 perverse fads don't even realize how much 04:52.358 --> 04:56.696 perversion they've already accepted as “normal”. 04:56.763 --> 05:00.133 Ephesians 2:2 describes Satan as “the prince of 05:00.199 --> 05:03.069 the power of the air,” and, indeed, his influence 05:03.136 --> 05:06.739 is pervasive --woven into the very fabric 05:06.806 --> 05:08.174 of society. 05:08.241 --> 05:11.844 And seeing the obvious wrongs, many of us are 05:11.911 --> 05:14.847 content to pat ourselves on the backs, thinking 05:14.914 --> 05:16.449 we've got it right. 05:16.516 --> 05:20.219 All of “those folks” are deceived and confused, 05:20.286 --> 05:22.188 but not us, right? 05:22.255 --> 05:25.591 You might think, “No, I’m not among the spiritually 05:25.658 --> 05:27.060 confused and deceived. 05:27.126 --> 05:29.662 I’m a good, clean, church-going Christian. 05:29.729 --> 05:32.532 I see through the lies and perversions of this 05:32.598 --> 05:33.666 day and age. 05:33.733 --> 05:35.134 The devil certainly doesn’t have a 05:35.201 --> 05:37.070 hold on me.” 05:37.136 --> 05:40.840 Yet, most of you watching this very program right 05:40.907 --> 05:44.777 now have your vision of reality partially obscured 05:44.844 --> 05:48.715 by his deceptions, even as you believe you don't. 05:48.781 --> 05:52.318 Don't get mad, but I’m not here to make you happy. 05:52.385 --> 05:54.721 I’m here to help you repent. 05:54.787 --> 05:57.423 And the warning of the Apostle Paul in 05:57.490 --> 06:02.695 1 Corinthians 10 and verse 12 applies to all of us: 06:02.762 --> 06:07.433 “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed 06:07.500 --> 06:10.303 lest he fall.” 06:10.369 --> 06:12.271 Jesus inspired the Apostle John 06:12.338 --> 06:16.075 in Revelation 12:9 to describe the devil as one 06:16.142 --> 06:19.145 “who deceives the whole world.” 06:19.212 --> 06:23.015 And, my friends, those who are deceived do not know that they 06:23.082 --> 06:24.584 are deceived. 06:24.650 --> 06:27.687 Our very own confidence that we're not deceived-- 06:27.754 --> 06:30.289 that we have the enemy figured out, that we 06:30.356 --> 06:33.126 understand who the real bad guys are and what the 06:33.192 --> 06:37.797 real truth is--can be the very tool the Devil uses 06:37.864 --> 06:41.634 to keep us in a state of deception. 06:41.701 --> 06:44.604 My friends, God has not abandoned us to face the 06:44.670 --> 06:46.773 Devil unequipped. 06:46.839 --> 06:49.542 With the help of Jesus Christ, we can defeat the 06:49.609 --> 06:53.412 Devil in the war for our mind, if we will take full 06:53.479 --> 06:56.849 advantage of the tools God provides. 06:56.916 --> 07:00.253 We'll examine those tools in our next segment. 07:00.319 --> 07:03.422 But first, I want to give you a brief opportunity to 07:03.489 --> 07:05.558 request our free offer today, 07:05.625 --> 07:07.960 “The Occult and the Spirit World.” 07:08.027 --> 07:09.862 This free DVD contains three 07:09.929 --> 07:13.065 Tomorrow’s World programs that pull back the curtain 07:13.132 --> 07:15.868 on the invisible spiritual realm. 07:15.935 --> 07:17.904 “How to Overcome Satan” explains 07:17.970 --> 07:19.505 to you just how to face 07:19.572 --> 07:22.842 the spiritual conflicts ahead in your life. 07:22.909 --> 07:25.011 In “Modern Dangers of the Occult,” Mr. Ames explains 07:25.077 --> 07:28.748 how ancient ideas and spiritual dangers continue 07:28.815 --> 07:31.284 to affect us in the modern world. 07:31.350 --> 07:33.820 And in “The World of Angels and Demons,” I 07:33.886 --> 07:36.656 explore the reality of the spirit realm that exists 07:36.722 --> 07:40.960 all around us and affects our lives every day, while 07:41.027 --> 07:43.729 remaining unseen and unnoticed. 07:43.796 --> 07:46.232 Here’s the information you need to get your free copy 07:46.299 --> 07:48.467 of this eye-opening DVD. 07:48.534 --> 07:50.970 Then, I’ll be right back to explain how you can 07:51.037 --> 07:54.473 armor up in your own fight against the Devil. 07:55.241 --> 08:02.615 For today’s free offer call... 08:02.682 --> 08:07.954 Or go to... 08:08.020 --> 08:10.456 This clear and straight-forward resource 08:10.523 --> 08:13.159 will help you understand this vital truth-- 08:13.226 --> 08:16.195 straight from the pages of the Bible. 08:16.262 --> 08:18.698 If you're calling for the first time, you will also 08:18.764 --> 08:21.500 receive a free annual subscription to Tomorrow's 08:21.567 --> 08:23.035 World magazine. 08:23.102 --> 08:26.305 Ten inspiring issues discussing news, science, 08:26.372 --> 08:29.141 and modern culture will help you make sense of 08:29.208 --> 08:32.278 your world from a biblical perspective. 08:32.345 --> 08:35.882 Call today and join millions around the world 08:35.948 --> 08:38.584 who are turning to Tomorrow’s World for 08:38.651 --> 08:44.423 truth, prophecy, and hope in these confusing times. 08:44.490 --> 08:45.591 Call now! 08:45.658 --> 08:54.567 Or go to... 08:55.268 --> 08:57.136 I said at the end of the last segment that I would 08:57.203 --> 09:01.507 explain how you can “armor up” to fight the devil. 09:01.574 --> 09:03.509 I meant that more literally than you might 09:03.576 --> 09:04.610 have thought. 09:04.677 --> 09:08.180 In Ephesians 6, beginning in verse 10, the Apostle 09:08.247 --> 09:10.182 Paul tells all of us... 09:10.249 --> 09:12.084 “Finally, my brethren, be 09:12.151 --> 09:16.222 strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 09:16.289 --> 09:20.593 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able 09:20.660 --> 09:24.397 to stand against the wiles of the devil.” 09:24.463 --> 09:28.701 God has not left us defenseless against Satan. 09:28.768 --> 09:32.004 Quite the contrary--if we are willing to follow His 09:32.071 --> 09:35.441 lead and act on His instructions, Almighty God 09:35.508 --> 09:38.811 gives us everything we need for victory. 09:38.878 --> 09:40.980 Paul continues in verse 13... 09:41.047 --> 09:42.415 “Therefore take up the 09:42.481 --> 09:45.685 whole armor of God, that you may be able to 09:45.751 --> 09:51.257 withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” 09:51.324 --> 09:53.893 If you are willing to stand, face the 09:53.960 --> 09:57.063 temptations of Satan the Devil, and strive with all 09:57.129 --> 10:00.232 your might to overcome under the leadership and 10:00.299 --> 10:03.903 guidance of Jesus Christ, then this armor-- 10:03.970 --> 10:06.605 the Armor of God--is exactly what 10:06.672 --> 10:08.774 you need in that fight. 10:08.841 --> 10:11.377 And how well you understand every piece of 10:11.444 --> 10:14.814 that armor decides whether you become the victor in 10:14.880 --> 10:17.817 battle, or just another casualty. 10:17.883 --> 10:20.853 Paul describes that armor in detail in verses 14 10:20.920 --> 10:23.089 through 17 of Ephesians 6. 10:23.155 --> 10:25.324 Let’s begin with Paul’s admonition concerning the 10:25.391 --> 10:27.593 first piece in verse 14: 10:27.660 --> 10:29.562 “Stand therefore, having 10:29.628 --> 10:32.898 girded your waist with truth...” 10:32.965 --> 10:36.335 This is the middle part of an ancient soldier’s armor, 10:36.402 --> 10:39.305 corresponding to a belt or girdle, sometimes called 10:39.372 --> 10:42.441 the corselet, protecting the trunk. 10:42.508 --> 10:44.543 This portion is what kept the other parts in their 10:44.610 --> 10:47.413 place, attaching to the breastplate, for instance, 10:47.480 --> 10:50.649 and providing a place for the sword to be hung. 10:50.716 --> 10:53.786 In “armoring up” against the devil, Paul first 10:53.853 --> 10:56.288 points us to truth. 10:56.355 --> 10:59.992 Defeating Satan requires a passionate devotion to the 11:00.059 --> 11:02.595 truth of God, and to truth over falsehood, in 11:02.661 --> 11:03.763 general. 11:03.829 --> 11:06.766 Jeremiah 17:9 warns us that our hearts are 11:06.832 --> 11:10.903 deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. 11:10.970 --> 11:14.373 We often lie to ourselves, rationalizing the things 11:14.440 --> 11:17.676 we want over the things that, deep down, we know 11:17.743 --> 11:19.278 are true. 11:19.345 --> 11:22.181 How much does truth matter to you? 11:22.248 --> 11:24.283 When you hear uncomfortable truths 11:24.350 --> 11:27.053 explained to you from your Bible, are you willing to 11:27.119 --> 11:30.656 change your life in response to that truth, or 11:30.723 --> 11:33.325 do you make excuses, hoping it will fade from 11:33.392 --> 11:34.460 memory? 11:34.527 --> 11:38.764 Anyone wishing to defeat the devil must care about 11:38.831 --> 11:40.266 the truth. 11:40.332 --> 11:43.636 Now after describing the belt of truth, Paul then tells us 11:43.702 --> 11:48.174 to “... put on the breastplate of righteousness...” 11:48.240 --> 11:51.043 The breastplate protected the chest and the heart of the 11:51.110 --> 11:52.244 soldier. 11:52.311 --> 11:54.480 And God says our breastplate is to be 11:54.547 --> 11:57.316 righteousness. 11:57.383 --> 11:59.618 If you want to protect your heart and the source 11:59.685 --> 12:03.889 of your life from Satan the devil, you will seek 12:03.956 --> 12:05.724 righteousness. 12:05.791 --> 12:08.627 Jesus commands this of all who long to be 12:08.694 --> 12:11.497 true Christians, in Matthew 6:33... 12:11.564 --> 12:13.099 “But seek first the 12:13.165 --> 12:17.536 kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all 12:17.603 --> 12:20.506 these things shall be added to you.” 12:20.573 --> 12:23.175 And God doesn’t leave us in confusion about the 12:23.242 --> 12:24.977 righteousness of God. 12:25.044 --> 12:28.214 He inspired King David to write of God in Psalm 119 12:28.280 --> 12:30.549 and verse 172 that 12:30.616 --> 12:34.520 “all Your commandments are righteousness.” 12:34.587 --> 12:36.088 Are you seeking to live in concert 12:36.155 --> 12:38.424 with the Ten Commandments of God? 12:38.491 --> 12:41.694 Jesus said that hate and lust break the sixth and 12:41.760 --> 12:42.995 seventh commandments. 12:43.062 --> 12:45.397 Failing to observe the seventh day Sabbath breaks 12:45.464 --> 12:46.532 the fourth. 12:46.599 --> 12:49.768 Little white lies are still lies and violate the 12:49.835 --> 12:51.103 ninth. 12:51.170 --> 12:53.038 In whatever way you willingly break the 12:53.105 --> 12:55.541 commandments of God instead of seeking to 12:55.608 --> 12:59.645 allow Christ to overcome that part of your life, 12:59.712 --> 13:02.348 you're sinning, and your heart becomes more 13:02.414 --> 13:04.383 vulnerable to the Devil. 13:04.450 --> 13:08.387 You are missing a major part of your armor. 13:08.454 --> 13:10.489 The next piece of the Armor of God that Paul 13:10.556 --> 13:13.592 describes involves our feet, of all things... 13:13.659 --> 13:17.129 “... and having shod your feet with the preparation of 13:17.196 --> 13:19.565 the gospel of peace...” 13:19.632 --> 13:23.469 Even today, we sometimes refer to troops sent to fight 13:23.536 --> 13:25.738 as “boots on the ground.” 13:25.804 --> 13:28.641 To be a nimble and agile fighting force, soldiers 13:28.707 --> 13:31.911 had to be prepared to move and march at a moment’s 13:31.977 --> 13:34.613 notice--always at the ready. 13:34.680 --> 13:38.017 This part of the Armor of God asks how devoted we 13:38.083 --> 13:41.020 are to supporting the Gospel of the Kingdom of 13:41.086 --> 13:44.490 God, which Jesus Christ is taking to all nations in 13:44.557 --> 13:47.626 many ways--including through the program you 13:47.693 --> 13:49.195 are now watching. 13:49.261 --> 13:51.730 As longtime viewers of Tomorrow’s World know, we 13:51.797 --> 13:55.434 never ask for donations on our program, and all the 13:55.501 --> 13:59.104 literature we offer is always absolutely free, 13:59.171 --> 14:00.773 with no strings attached. 14:00.839 --> 14:02.675 When you contact us for your copy of 14:02.741 --> 14:04.376 “The Occult and the Spirit World,” 14:04.443 --> 14:06.212 it'll be no different. 14:06.278 --> 14:07.813 Jesus said to His true ministers, 14:07.880 --> 14:12.284 “Freely you have received, freely give.” 14:12.351 --> 14:15.921 Not all are faithful to that command, but we refuse to 14:15.988 --> 14:17.756 do it any other way. 14:17.823 --> 14:20.693 That effort is made possible by many of you 14:20.759 --> 14:23.929 who have become donors and co-workers with us, and by 14:23.996 --> 14:26.932 the love and financial support of the members of 14:26.999 --> 14:30.102 the Living Church of God, who meet every Sabbath in 14:30.169 --> 14:32.738 congregations all over the world. 14:32.805 --> 14:35.774 And Jesus Christ notices those who support His 14:35.841 --> 14:36.942 Work. 14:37.009 --> 14:39.578 He notices when you share your copy of Tomorrow’s 14:39.645 --> 14:42.147 World magazine with someone else, or tell them 14:42.214 --> 14:44.650 about our program or ministry. 14:44.717 --> 14:47.920 Christ is passionately using His people to take 14:47.987 --> 14:51.957 this message all over the world, and when you care 14:52.024 --> 14:55.160 about that, as well, you are beginning to fulfill 14:55.227 --> 14:59.131 the charge of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 2:5... 14:59.198 --> 15:05.304 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus...” 15:05.371 --> 15:06.639 Yes, being devoted to the preaching 15:06.705 --> 15:08.841 of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God is a vital 15:08.907 --> 15:12.611 element of the full Armor of God. 15:12.678 --> 15:14.680 Those who do not care about reaching the world 15:14.747 --> 15:17.750 with that message might as well run into battle with 15:17.816 --> 15:21.153 the Devil barefoot. 15:21.220 --> 15:23.155 We'll continue discussing the rest of God’s 15:23.222 --> 15:25.658 magnificent armor in a moment. 15:25.724 --> 15:27.726 First, let me give you another very brief 15:27.793 --> 15:30.562 opportunity to request today’s free DVD, 15:30.629 --> 15:33.132 “The Occult and the Spirit World.” 15:33.198 --> 15:34.466 If the Devil is 15:34.533 --> 15:37.836 the “ruler of this world” and the “god of this age,” 15:37.903 --> 15:40.439 you might wonder how he came to be so. 15:40.506 --> 15:43.175 Would God give rulership of the world to an evil, 15:43.242 --> 15:46.178 malign spirit being like Satan? 15:46.245 --> 15:49.748 No, He would not, and yet the Devil is in that 15:49.815 --> 15:52.451 place, and will be there until Jesus comes to 15:52.518 --> 15:55.821 replace Him forever, in power and glory. 15:55.888 --> 15:59.191 Today’s free DVD explains how this condition 15:59.258 --> 16:00.926 came to be. 16:00.993 --> 16:04.029 Order your copy now, and I’ll be right back to explain 16:04.096 --> 16:06.498 the rest of God’s Armor. 16:07.399 --> 16:09.168 This clear and straight-forward resource 16:09.234 --> 16:12.071 will help you understand this vital truth-- 16:12.137 --> 16:15.074 straight from the pages of the Bible. 16:15.140 --> 16:15.841 Call now! 16:15.908 --> 16:21.613 Or go to... 16:22.247 --> 16:23.282 Welcome back. 16:23.349 --> 16:26.418 We are describing the armor God provides for us 16:26.485 --> 16:29.455 to wear in our battle against Satan, and we've 16:29.521 --> 16:31.990 got three pieces left. 16:32.057 --> 16:36.095 Paul continues in Ephesians 6 and verse 16... 16:36.161 --> 16:39.064 “... above all, taking the shield of faith 16:39.131 --> 16:42.000 with which you will be able to quench all 16:42.067 --> 16:44.603 the fiery darts of the wicked one.” 16:44.670 --> 16:47.673 Now according to Paul, our living faith-- 16:47.740 --> 16:50.709 our deep and abiding trust that God means what 16:50.776 --> 16:54.480 He says, trust strong enough for us to obey Him-- 16:54.546 --> 16:58.484 acts as a shield against the “fiery darts of the 16:58.550 --> 16:59.585 wicked one.” 16:59.651 --> 17:02.888 And the wicked one can and does attack us. 17:02.955 --> 17:06.191 Many of us--many of you watching right now-- 17:06.258 --> 17:10.229 face health trials, financial crises, family and 17:10.295 --> 17:13.599 relationship troubles, and personal tragedies. 17:13.665 --> 17:16.869 Life in this world is hard, and continuing to 17:16.935 --> 17:21.807 obey our Creator and our Savior can seem difficult. 17:21.874 --> 17:24.943 Such trials can seem to cloud our vision of Their 17:25.010 --> 17:27.679 love, care, and concern for us. 17:27.746 --> 17:32.050 We must cling to our faith in God in those times. 17:32.117 --> 17:34.853 To defeat the devil, we must cultivate that living 17:34.920 --> 17:38.857 faith that knows God is there, and which looks to 17:38.924 --> 17:42.194 Him for a coming eternity that transcends all the 17:42.261 --> 17:45.330 trouble the Devil can create in this world. 17:45.397 --> 17:48.100 To defeat the Devil, we must seek God with a 17:48.167 --> 17:52.471 living faith, like that described in James 2, 17:52.538 --> 17:54.840 which will manifest itself in obedience to 17:54.907 --> 17:57.943 God’s Word--not a dead faith, which isn't strong 17:58.010 --> 18:00.913 enough to move from our heart to our hands... 18:00.979 --> 18:04.716 from our mind to our actions and choices. 18:04.783 --> 18:07.820 Next, Paul moves to another, vital part of 18:07.886 --> 18:11.890 God’s armor, telling us in Ephesians 6 and verse 17... 18:11.957 --> 18:16.295 “And take the helmet of salvation...” 18:16.361 --> 18:18.530 Now elsewhere Paul calls this piece of God’s 18:18.597 --> 18:21.333 armor the “hope of salvation.” 18:21.400 --> 18:24.803 The implication is that our hope in God’s salvation 18:24.870 --> 18:28.474 protects our minds in the same way a helmet protects 18:28.540 --> 18:30.242 a soldier’s head. 18:30.309 --> 18:33.579 And in this sin-and temptation-drenched world, 18:33.645 --> 18:37.749 increasingly twisted by Satan’s demonic worldview, 18:37.816 --> 18:41.320 our minds need all the help they can get. 18:41.386 --> 18:43.188 We live in a world that, to many, seems 18:43.255 --> 18:45.257 increasingly hopeless. 18:45.324 --> 18:48.260 Society seems to be unraveling as our social 18:48.327 --> 18:52.164 bonds are ripped apart by infighting and conflict in 18:52.231 --> 18:55.100 which disagreements turn into hatreds. 18:55.167 --> 18:57.536 Many of our political leaders seem, at best, 18:57.603 --> 19:00.439 powerless to make the kinds of changes that will 19:00.506 --> 19:04.443 make a real difference, or, at worst, seem not to 19:04.510 --> 19:07.112 care--worried about little more than the next 19:07.179 --> 19:10.115 election and fiddling, as Nero is said 19:10.182 --> 19:13.085 to do, as Rome burns around them. 19:13.151 --> 19:16.522 In such an environment of moral and societal chaos, 19:16.588 --> 19:18.624 individuals become desperate. 19:18.690 --> 19:20.726 Some raise up political leaders or social 19:20.792 --> 19:24.296 influencers to almost cult-leader-like status, 19:24.363 --> 19:27.866 believing they will solve all this confusion, and 19:27.933 --> 19:31.203 sneakily deceptive worldviews creep into our 19:31.270 --> 19:32.504 minds. 19:32.571 --> 19:35.140 Some deviate from the truth in slight and subtle 19:35.207 --> 19:38.410 ways, while others are utterly perverse in their 19:38.477 --> 19:39.678 falsehood. 19:39.745 --> 19:43.582 But a focus on the real hope of salvation, offered 19:43.649 --> 19:46.919 by Almighty God, and the real eternity that 19:46.985 --> 19:50.822 salvation represents can help protect our minds 19:50.889 --> 19:54.560 from hopelessness and tempting influences-- 19:54.626 --> 19:57.930 reminding us of eternal truths and those things 19:57.996 --> 20:00.299 that truly matter in the world, 20:00.365 --> 20:03.702 a world that will one day pass away into the dustbin 20:03.769 --> 20:05.404 of history. 20:05.470 --> 20:07.606 Regrettably, even our so-called “Christian” 20:07.673 --> 20:11.577 churches teach a false, shallow idea of salvation 20:11.643 --> 20:15.480 that falls so infinitely short of what God actually 20:15.547 --> 20:16.949 intends. 20:17.015 --> 20:19.217 If you're interested in understanding that 20:19.284 --> 20:22.421 salvation--a message that has likely never been 20:22.487 --> 20:24.523 preached from behind the pulpit of your Sunday 20:24.590 --> 20:27.392 worship service--then requesting today’s free 20:27.459 --> 20:30.362 DVD is a great way to start your journey. 20:30.429 --> 20:33.398 In the meantime, we finally arrive at the last 20:33.465 --> 20:36.835 part of the armor of God-- and the only offensive 20:36.902 --> 20:38.670 weapon in Paul’s list. 20:38.737 --> 20:41.807 He continues in Ephesians 6 and verse 17, 20:41.873 --> 20:44.710 “... and the sword of the Spirit, 20:44.776 --> 20:48.180 which is the word of God...” 20:48.246 --> 20:49.815 How many people who call themselves 20:49.881 --> 20:52.751 “Christian,” let alone those of other faiths, are 20:52.818 --> 20:57.055 woefully ignorant of the Word of God, today? 20:57.122 --> 20:59.758 While the United States is claimed by some to be a 20:59.825 --> 21:02.561 “Christian nation,” a look at the reality behind the 21:02.628 --> 21:04.863 slogans would make you wonder. 21:04.930 --> 21:09.301 In its 2022 annual “State of the Bible” survey, the 21:09.368 --> 21:11.336 American Bible Society reported that the 21:11.403 --> 21:14.373 proportion of “Bible Users” in the U.S.-- 21:14.439 --> 21:17.776 that is, Americans who use the Bible at least 3-4 21:17.843 --> 21:19.778 times a year outside of Church-- 21:19.845 --> 21:24.149 has plummeted to only 39%. 21:24.216 --> 21:28.420 And, frankly, 3-4 times a year is a minuscule amount 21:28.487 --> 21:31.356 of contact with the Living word of God. 21:31.423 --> 21:33.325 Jesus said in Matthew 4:4, 21:33.392 --> 21:38.196 “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every 21:38.263 --> 21:41.333 word that proceeds from the mouth of God”-- 21:41.400 --> 21:44.403 which, itself, is a quote from the Old Testament. 21:44.469 --> 21:46.938 Can you imagine trying to live on 3 to 4 21:47.005 --> 21:48.907 meals a year? 21:48.974 --> 21:52.177 How can anyone expect to fight against the Devil 21:52.244 --> 21:55.547 when they will not pick up their sword? 21:55.614 --> 21:58.850 Don't be caught in a sword fight emptyhanded. 21:58.917 --> 22:01.987 The sword of the Spirit, the word of God, is your 22:02.054 --> 22:06.191 only weapon in your fight to defeat the Devil. 22:06.258 --> 22:09.761 And it is a weapon of incomparable power. 22:09.828 --> 22:13.432 My friends, putting on the Armor of God--not missing 22:13.498 --> 22:16.835 a single piece--is crucial to achieving 22:16.902 --> 22:20.439 victory in your personal fight against Satan the 22:20.505 --> 22:25.010 Devil in the battle for your heart, mind, and soul. 22:25.077 --> 22:28.880 Yet, even with this armor at your disposal, there is 22:28.947 --> 22:32.117 one more vital element you must possess, without 22:32.184 --> 22:35.787 which the Armor of God will do you little good. 22:35.854 --> 22:38.090 In our last segment, we will explain this 22:38.156 --> 22:41.827 essential ingredient to spiritual victory. 22:41.893 --> 22:45.097 But first, let me take one more opportunity to 22:45.163 --> 22:47.365 recommend today’s free DVD, 22:47.432 --> 22:49.601 “The Occult and the Spirit World.” 22:49.668 --> 22:51.203 The three Tomorrow’s World programs 22:51.269 --> 22:55.607 on this DVD were created to help open your eyes to 22:55.674 --> 22:58.443 the truth about the Spirit Realm and the powerful 22:58.510 --> 23:01.079 impact it has on your life. 23:01.146 --> 23:03.348 Richard Ames will lay out how you can achieve 23:03.415 --> 23:06.585 victory in the spirit battles ahead, and expose 23:06.651 --> 23:10.055 the foolishly neglected dangers of the occult. 23:10.122 --> 23:12.290 And I will separate myth from reality in my 23:12.357 --> 23:15.160 program, by pulling back the curtain on the Spirit 23:15.227 --> 23:19.097 Realm, with God’s word as your trusty guide. 23:19.164 --> 23:22.634 You need to understand the truth about the Occult and 23:22.701 --> 23:26.671 the Spirit World that many would prefer you did not know. 23:26.738 --> 23:28.907 Don't let them keep you deceived. 23:28.974 --> 23:30.208 Request your free copy of 23:30.275 --> 23:31.977 “The Occult and the Spirit World” 23:32.043 --> 23:34.646 and I’ll be right back to explain the final 23:34.713 --> 23:37.816 ingredient you need to achieve victory in your 23:37.883 --> 23:39.551 fight against the Devil. 23:40.452 --> 23:47.025 For today’s free offer call... 23:47.092 --> 23:53.131 Or go to... 23:53.198 --> 23:55.400 This clear and straight-forward resource 23:55.467 --> 23:58.103 will help you understand this vital truth-- 23:58.170 --> 24:01.506 straight from the pages of the Bible. 24:01.573 --> 24:03.708 If you're calling for the first time, you will also 24:03.775 --> 24:06.578 receive a free annual subscription to Tomorrow's 24:06.645 --> 24:08.413 World magazine. 24:08.480 --> 24:11.550 Ten inspiring issues discussing news, science, 24:11.616 --> 24:14.152 and modern culture will help you make sense of 24:14.219 --> 24:18.557 your world from a biblical perspective. 24:18.623 --> 24:21.226 Call today and join millions around the world 24:21.293 --> 24:23.695 who are turning to Tomorrow’s World for 24:23.762 --> 24:29.501 truth, prophecy, and hope in these confusing times. 24:29.568 --> 24:30.802 Call now! 24:30.869 --> 24:39.611 Or go to... 24:40.245 --> 24:41.313 Welcome back. 24:41.379 --> 24:44.850 Before we close, there is one more vital ingredient 24:44.916 --> 24:48.119 you need in your fight against the devil. 24:48.186 --> 24:50.922 We've discussed the Armor of God, described by the 24:50.989 --> 24:53.091 Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6-- 24:53.158 --> 24:54.593 the belt of truth, 24:54.659 --> 24:56.261 the breastplate of righteousness, 24:56.328 --> 24:58.830 the footwear of preparedness for the gospel, 24:58.897 --> 25:02.000 the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, 25:02.067 --> 25:06.538 and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. 25:06.605 --> 25:09.140 But being equipped with the Armor of God will not 25:09.207 --> 25:13.111 gain us the victory we need unless we also 25:13.178 --> 25:15.447 have courage. 25:15.513 --> 25:17.916 The wars of this world have all seen their share 25:17.983 --> 25:21.686 of soldiers understandably terrified of the danger 25:21.753 --> 25:24.022 that awaits them on the field of battle. 25:24.089 --> 25:27.993 And the Devil is counting on fear to stop you, too. 25:28.059 --> 25:30.929 But a soldier, even armed and protected with the 25:30.996 --> 25:35.934 Armor of God can achieve nothing unless he is 25:36.001 --> 25:38.503 willing to charge into the fray. 25:38.570 --> 25:41.973 And that takes courage. 25:42.040 --> 25:44.709 Satan makes a life of spiritual complacency a 25:44.776 --> 25:46.845 comfortable one in this life. 25:46.912 --> 25:50.348 Going along to get along, so to speak, is easy. 25:50.415 --> 25:54.319 Repenting of sin and making real changes in 25:54.386 --> 25:57.255 your life, especially when others around you don't 25:57.322 --> 25:59.491 understand those changes--and might even 25:59.557 --> 26:02.627 feel hurt or offended at those changes. 26:02.694 --> 26:04.629 That's hard. 26:04.696 --> 26:07.966 In seeking to follow God in reality--not just with 26:08.033 --> 26:11.970 lip service, but with a changed life--it can bring 26:12.037 --> 26:15.674 discomfort, stress, and even hatred from 26:15.740 --> 26:16.942 some quarters. 26:17.008 --> 26:20.045 And, of course, Satan will do all he can to throw 26:20.111 --> 26:23.915 obstacle after obstacle in your way. 26:23.982 --> 26:25.984 But we can take heart. 26:26.051 --> 26:29.754 The encouragement Jesus Christ gave His disciples 2,000 26:29.821 --> 26:34.359 years ago applies just as powerfully to us today: 26:34.426 --> 26:37.128 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me 26:37.195 --> 26:39.397 you may have peace. 26:39.464 --> 26:43.301 In the world you will have tribulation; but be of 26:43.368 --> 26:48.239 good cheer, I have overcome the world.” 26:48.306 --> 26:51.209 And writing to the followers of Jesus Christ, 26:51.276 --> 26:55.747 the Apostle John reminds us of this fact, telling us... 26:55.814 --> 27:00.185 “He who is in you is greater than he who is in 27:00.251 --> 27:01.853 the world.” 27:01.920 --> 27:05.890 So, take up the Armor of God with courage of heart. 27:05.957 --> 27:07.892 Because those who are willing to humble 27:07.959 --> 27:12.364 themselves and charge into battle soon find that they 27:12.430 --> 27:14.499 are not fighting alone... 27:14.566 --> 27:16.935 Rather they are standing side by side with the 27:17.002 --> 27:19.971 greatest spiritual warrior in history-- 27:20.038 --> 27:23.308 the Son of God, Jesus Christ. 27:23.375 --> 27:26.778 I hope you will choose to fight. 27:26.845 --> 27:29.481 I also hope you won’t forget to request today’s 27:29.547 --> 27:32.384 free item, “The Occult and the Spirit World,” 27:32.450 --> 27:33.585 and I hope you will come 27:33.651 --> 27:35.553 back to Tomorrow’s World next week. 27:35.620 --> 27:37.989 Gerald Weston, Richard Ames, Rod McNair, and I 27:38.056 --> 27:40.759 will be right here waiting for you, ready to share 27:40.825 --> 27:44.062 the teachings of Jesus Christ, the end-time warning this 27:44.129 --> 27:46.798 world needs to hear, and the good news of the 27:46.865 --> 27:48.867 coming Kingdom of God. 27:48.933 --> 27:51.269 Until then, take care. 27:52.137 --> 27:58.476 For today’s free offer call... 27:58.543 --> 28:03.548 Or go to... 28:03.615 --> 28:05.917 Call today and join millions around the world 28:05.984 --> 28:08.486 who are turning to Tomorrow’s World for 28:08.553 --> 28:17.862 truth, prophecy, and hope in these confusing times. 28:17.929 --> 28:18.963 The preceding program is 28:19.030 --> 28:21.766 produced by the Living Church of God.