All over the world, there is an invisible war--
not a war for money, power, or land, but for minds,
hearts, and souls.
And the enemy is Satan the Devil.
Many have no idea there is a struggle at all, and the
Devil has them completely in his clutches.
Frankly, even many of you, watching right now, are in
the devil’s grip and don't even realize it.
But God is waking some up.
Some do understand, and as God opens their eyes to
the reality of that spiritual war, they long
to fight back.
To take back their mind.
To take back their families.
To take back their lives.
The good news is that Jesus Christ is willing to
fully equip us for our fight against the devil
and to support us every step of the way.
But we must be willing to use the tools He provides
us for our struggle.
Are you willing to fight back in this spiritual war
for your mind?
If so, then join us for this episode of Tomorrow’s
World, where we will teach you how to Armor Up
Against the Devil.
♪
Hello!
Welcome to Tomorrow’s World, where we help you
make sense of your world through the pages
of your Bible.
It’s wonderful to have you here, and today’s topic is
a matter of life and death.
In addition to the information we'll cover
today, we'll be offering a free DVD that will
illuminate the invisible spirit world for you in a
way you've likely never understood before.
It’s called “The Occult & the Spirit World.”
Keep an eye on your screen throughout the program for
the information you need to get this free DVD.
Now here at the beginning, we should take some time to
disabuse some of our viewers of
a very deceptive myth.
Polls vary widely in terms of what people believe,
but research by the Barna Group has suggested that
even among self-identified Christians, most believe
the devil “is not a living being but is [merely] a
symbol of evil.”
My friends, those individuals
are deceived and have fallen for one of the
Devil’s most popular lies: that he does not exist.
Make no mistake: Satan is very real.
Jesus Christ Himself calls the Devil a murderer and
the father of lies in John 8:44, and when Peter
argued with Him about the Savior’s coming death,
Jesus addressed Satan personally and directly,
as we read in Matthew 16:23...
“But He turned and
said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan!
You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of
the things of God, but the things of men.’”
The Devil is real and he is powerful.
And he will do everything in his power to influence
you and your family--to keep you from truly
knowing God and from seeking God’s purpose for
your life.
Hopefully, you want to fight back.
But before we do so, we need to understand what
we're up against.
The Apostle Paul describes our plight in Ephesians 6:12...
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and
blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the
heavenly places.”
Jesus Christ Himself declares in
the inspired words of Scripture three times that
Satan the Devil is “the ruler of this world.”
His description is recorded in John 12:31, John 14:30,
and John 16:11.
The Apostle Paul calls the Devil
“the god of this age.”
And as the ruler of this world, his influence
on every facet of society is vast.
We certainly see it in our entertainment industry,
which embraces and promotes themes, concepts,
and images that are the very opposite of the laws,
commands, and way of life taught by God
in the Bible.
Yet entertainment is hardly the limit of the
Devil’s influence.
We see that influence in our educational
institutions, our halls of government,
and, frankly, even many of our churches.
Increasingly, perversity and sin is celebrated
while righteousness and godly virtue is vilified.
In fact, things have gotten so bad, that even
many of those pushing back against the latest
perverse fads don't even realize how much
perversion they've already accepted as “normal”.
Ephesians 2:2 describes Satan as “the prince of
the power of the air,” and, indeed, his influence
is pervasive --woven into the very fabric
of society.
And seeing the obvious wrongs, many of us are
content to pat ourselves on the backs, thinking
we've got it right.
All of “those folks” are deceived and confused,
but not us, right?
You might think, “No, I’m not among the spiritually
confused and deceived.
I’m a good, clean, church-going Christian.
I see through the lies and perversions of this
day and age.
The devil certainly doesn’t have a
hold on me.”
Yet, most of you watching this very program right
now have your vision of reality partially obscured
by his deceptions, even as you believe you don't.
Don't get mad, but I’m not here to make you happy.
I’m here to help you repent.
And the warning of the Apostle Paul in
1 Corinthians 10 and verse 12 applies to all of us:
“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed
lest he fall.”
Jesus inspired the Apostle John
in Revelation 12:9 to describe the devil as one
“who deceives the whole world.”
And, my friends, those who are deceived do not know that they
are deceived.
Our very own confidence that we're not deceived--
that we have the enemy figured out, that we
understand who the real bad guys are and what the
real truth is--can be the very tool the Devil uses
to keep us in a state of deception.
My friends, God has not abandoned us to face the
Devil unequipped.
With the help of Jesus Christ, we can defeat the
Devil in the war for our mind, if we will take full
advantage of the tools God provides.
We'll examine those tools in our next segment.
But first, I want to give you a brief opportunity to
request our free offer today,
“The Occult and the Spirit World.”
This free DVD contains three
Tomorrow’s World programs that pull back the curtain
on the invisible spiritual realm.
“How to Overcome Satan” explains
to you just how to face
the spiritual conflicts ahead in your life.
In “Modern Dangers of the Occult,” Mr. Ames explains
how ancient ideas and spiritual dangers continue
to affect us in the modern world.
And in “The World of Angels and Demons,” I
explore the reality of the spirit realm that exists
all around us and affects our lives every day, while
remaining unseen and unnoticed.
Here’s the information you need to get your free copy
of this eye-opening DVD.
Then, I’ll be right back to explain how you can
armor up in your own fight against the Devil.
For today’s free offer call...
Or go to...
This clear and straight-forward resource
will help you understand this vital truth--
straight from the pages of the Bible.
If you're calling for the first time, you will also
receive a free annual subscription to Tomorrow's
World magazine.
Ten inspiring issues discussing news, science,
and modern culture will help you make sense of
your world from a biblical perspective.
Call today and join millions around the world
who are turning to Tomorrow’s World for
truth, prophecy, and hope in these confusing times.
Call now!
Or go to...
I said at the end of the last segment that I would
explain how you can “armor up” to fight the devil.
I meant that more literally than you might
have thought.
In Ephesians 6, beginning in verse 10, the Apostle
Paul tells all of us...
“Finally, my brethren, be
strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able
to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
God has not left us defenseless against Satan.
Quite the contrary--if we are willing to follow His
lead and act on His instructions, Almighty God
gives us everything we need for victory.
Paul continues in verse 13...
“Therefore take up the
whole armor of God, that you may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
If you are willing to stand, face the
temptations of Satan the Devil, and strive with all
your might to overcome under the leadership and
guidance of Jesus Christ, then this armor--
the Armor of God--is exactly what
you need in that fight.
And how well you understand every piece of
that armor decides whether you become the victor in
battle, or just another casualty.
Paul describes that armor in detail in verses 14
through 17 of Ephesians 6.
Let’s begin with Paul’s admonition concerning the
first piece in verse 14:
“Stand therefore, having
girded your waist with truth...”
This is the middle part of an ancient soldier’s armor,
corresponding to a belt or girdle, sometimes called
the corselet, protecting the trunk.
This portion is what kept the other parts in their
place, attaching to the breastplate, for instance,
and providing a place for the sword to be hung.
In “armoring up” against the devil, Paul first
points us to truth.
Defeating Satan requires a passionate devotion to the
truth of God, and to truth over falsehood, in
general.
Jeremiah 17:9 warns us that our hearts are
deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.
We often lie to ourselves, rationalizing the things
we want over the things that, deep down, we know
are true.
How much does truth matter to you?
When you hear uncomfortable truths
explained to you from your Bible, are you willing to
change your life in response to that truth, or
do you make excuses, hoping it will fade from
memory?
Anyone wishing to defeat the devil must care about
the truth.
Now after describing the belt of truth, Paul then tells us
to “... put on the breastplate of righteousness...”
The breastplate protected the chest and the heart of the
soldier.
And God says our breastplate is to be
righteousness.
If you want to protect your heart and the source
of your life from Satan the devil, you will seek
righteousness.
Jesus commands this of all who long to be
true Christians, in Matthew 6:33...
“But seek first the
kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all
these things shall be added to you.”
And God doesn’t leave us in confusion about the
righteousness of God.
He inspired King David to write of God in Psalm 119
and verse 172 that
“all Your commandments are righteousness.”
Are you seeking to live in concert
with the Ten Commandments of God?
Jesus said that hate and lust break the sixth and
seventh commandments.
Failing to observe the seventh day Sabbath breaks
the fourth.
Little white lies are still lies and violate the
ninth.
In whatever way you willingly break the
commandments of God instead of seeking to
allow Christ to overcome that part of your life,
you're sinning, and your heart becomes more
vulnerable to the Devil.
You are missing a major part of your armor.
The next piece of the Armor of God that Paul
describes involves our feet, of all things...
“... and having shod your feet with the preparation of
the gospel of peace...”
Even today, we sometimes refer to troops sent to fight
as “boots on the ground.”
To be a nimble and agile fighting force, soldiers
had to be prepared to move and march at a moment’s
notice--always at the ready.
This part of the Armor of God asks how devoted we
are to supporting the Gospel of the Kingdom of
God, which Jesus Christ is taking to all nations in
many ways--including through the program you
are now watching.
As longtime viewers of Tomorrow’s World know, we
never ask for donations on our program, and all the
literature we offer is always absolutely free,
with no strings attached.
When you contact us for your copy of
“The Occult and the Spirit World,”
it'll be no different.
Jesus said to His true ministers,
“Freely you have received, freely give.”
Not all are faithful to that command, but we refuse to
do it any other way.
That effort is made possible by many of you
who have become donors and co-workers with us, and by
the love and financial support of the members of
the Living Church of God, who meet every Sabbath in
congregations all over the world.
And Jesus Christ notices those who support His
Work.
He notices when you share your copy of Tomorrow’s
World magazine with someone else, or tell them
about our program or ministry.
Christ is passionately using His people to take
this message all over the world, and when you care
about that, as well, you are beginning to fulfill
the charge of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 2:5...
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus...”
Yes, being devoted to the preaching
of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God is a vital
element of the full Armor of God.
Those who do not care about reaching the world
with that message might as well run into battle with
the Devil barefoot.
We'll continue discussing the rest of God’s
magnificent armor in a moment.
First, let me give you another very brief
opportunity to request today’s free DVD,
“The Occult and the Spirit World.”
If the Devil is
the “ruler of this world” and the “god of this age,”
you might wonder how he came to be so.
Would God give rulership of the world to an evil,
malign spirit being like Satan?
No, He would not, and yet the Devil is in that
place, and will be there until Jesus comes to
replace Him forever, in power and glory.
Today’s free DVD explains how this condition
came to be.
Order your copy now, and I’ll be right back to explain
the rest of God’s Armor.
This clear and straight-forward resource
will help you understand this vital truth--
straight from the pages of the Bible.
Call now!
Or go to...
Welcome back.
We are describing the armor God provides for us
to wear in our battle against Satan, and we've
got three pieces left.
Paul continues in Ephesians 6 and verse 16...
“... above all, taking the shield of faith
with which you will be able to quench all
the fiery darts of the wicked one.”
Now according to Paul, our living faith--
our deep and abiding trust that God means what
He says, trust strong enough for us to obey Him--
acts as a shield against the “fiery darts of the
wicked one.”
And the wicked one can and does attack us.
Many of us--many of you watching right now--
face health trials, financial crises, family and
relationship troubles, and personal tragedies.
Life in this world is hard, and continuing to
obey our Creator and our Savior can seem difficult.
Such trials can seem to cloud our vision of Their
love, care, and concern for us.
We must cling to our faith in God in those times.
To defeat the devil, we must cultivate that living
faith that knows God is there, and which looks to
Him for a coming eternity that transcends all the
trouble the Devil can create in this world.
To defeat the Devil, we must seek God with a
living faith, like that described in James 2,
which will manifest itself in obedience to
God’s Word--not a dead faith, which isn't strong
enough to move from our heart to our hands...
from our mind to our actions and choices.
Next, Paul moves to another, vital part of
God’s armor, telling us in Ephesians 6 and verse 17...
“And take the helmet of salvation...”
Now elsewhere Paul calls this piece of God’s
armor the “hope of salvation.”
The implication is that our hope in God’s salvation
protects our minds in the same way a helmet protects
a soldier’s head.
And in this sin-and temptation-drenched world,
increasingly twisted by Satan’s demonic worldview,
our minds need all the help they can get.
We live in a world that, to many, seems
increasingly hopeless.
Society seems to be unraveling as our social
bonds are ripped apart by infighting and conflict in
which disagreements turn into hatreds.
Many of our political leaders seem, at best,
powerless to make the kinds of changes that will
make a real difference, or, at worst, seem not to
care--worried about little more than the next
election and fiddling, as Nero is said
to do, as Rome burns around them.
In such an environment of moral and societal chaos,
individuals become desperate.
Some raise up political leaders or social
influencers to almost cult-leader-like status,
believing they will solve all this confusion, and
sneakily deceptive worldviews creep into our
minds.
Some deviate from the truth in slight and subtle
ways, while others are utterly perverse in their
falsehood.
But a focus on the real hope of salvation, offered
by Almighty God, and the real eternity that
salvation represents can help protect our minds
from hopelessness and tempting influences--
reminding us of eternal truths and those things
that truly matter in the world,
a world that will one day pass away into the dustbin
of history.
Regrettably, even our so-called “Christian”
churches teach a false, shallow idea of salvation
that falls so infinitely short of what God actually
intends.
If you're interested in understanding that
salvation--a message that has likely never been
preached from behind the pulpit of your Sunday
worship service--then requesting today’s free
DVD is a great way to start your journey.
In the meantime, we finally arrive at the last
part of the armor of God-- and the only offensive
weapon in Paul’s list.
He continues in Ephesians 6 and verse 17,
“... and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God...”
How many people who call themselves
“Christian,” let alone those of other faiths, are
woefully ignorant of the Word of God, today?
While the United States is claimed by some to be a
“Christian nation,” a look at the reality behind the
slogans would make you wonder.
In its 2022 annual “State of the Bible” survey, the
American Bible Society reported that the
proportion of “Bible Users” in the U.S.--
that is, Americans who use the Bible at least 3-4
times a year outside of Church--
has plummeted to only 39%.
And, frankly, 3-4 times a year is a minuscule amount
of contact with the Living word of God.
Jesus said in Matthew 4:4,
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every
word that proceeds from the mouth of God”--
which, itself, is a quote from the Old Testament.
Can you imagine trying to live on 3 to 4
meals a year?
How can anyone expect to fight against the Devil
when they will not pick up their sword?
Don't be caught in a sword fight emptyhanded.
The sword of the Spirit, the word of God, is your
only weapon in your fight to defeat the Devil.
And it is a weapon of incomparable power.
My friends, putting on the Armor of God--not missing
a single piece--is crucial to achieving
victory in your personal fight against Satan the
Devil in the battle for your heart, mind, and soul.
Yet, even with this armor at your disposal, there is
one more vital element you must possess, without
which the Armor of God will do you little good.
In our last segment, we will explain this
essential ingredient to spiritual victory.
But first, let me take one more opportunity to
recommend today’s free DVD,
“The Occult and the Spirit World.”
The three Tomorrow’s World programs
on this DVD were created to help open your eyes to
the truth about the Spirit Realm and the powerful
impact it has on your life.
Richard Ames will lay out how you can achieve
victory in the spirit battles ahead, and expose
the foolishly neglected dangers of the occult.
And I will separate myth from reality in my
program, by pulling back the curtain on the Spirit
Realm, with God’s word as your trusty guide.
You need to understand the truth about the Occult and
the Spirit World that many would prefer you did not know.
Don't let them keep you deceived.
Request your free copy of
“The Occult and the Spirit World”
and I’ll be right back to explain the final
ingredient you need to achieve victory in your
fight against the Devil.
For today’s free offer call...
Or go to...
This clear and straight-forward resource
will help you understand this vital truth--
straight from the pages of the Bible.
If you're calling for the first time, you will also
receive a free annual subscription to Tomorrow's
World magazine.
Ten inspiring issues discussing news, science,
and modern culture will help you make sense of
your world from a biblical perspective.
Call today and join millions around the world
who are turning to Tomorrow’s World for
truth, prophecy, and hope in these confusing times.
Call now!
Or go to...
Welcome back.
Before we close, there is one more vital ingredient
you need in your fight against the devil.
We've discussed the Armor of God, described by the
Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6--
the belt of truth,
the breastplate of righteousness,
the footwear of preparedness for the gospel,
the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.
But being equipped with the Armor of God will not
gain us the victory we need unless we also
have courage.
The wars of this world have all seen their share
of soldiers understandably terrified of the danger
that awaits them on the field of battle.
And the Devil is counting on fear to stop you, too.
But a soldier, even armed and protected with the
Armor of God can achieve nothing unless he is
willing to charge into the fray.
And that takes courage.
Satan makes a life of spiritual complacency a
comfortable one in this life.
Going along to get along, so to speak, is easy.
Repenting of sin and making real changes in
your life, especially when others around you don't
understand those changes--and might even
feel hurt or offended at those changes.
That's hard.
In seeking to follow God in reality--not just with
lip service, but with a changed life--it can bring
discomfort, stress, and even hatred from
some quarters.
And, of course, Satan will do all he can to throw
obstacle after obstacle in your way.
But we can take heart.
The encouragement Jesus Christ gave His disciples 2,000
years ago applies just as powerfully to us today:
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me
you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation; but be of
good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
And writing to the followers of Jesus Christ,
the Apostle John reminds us of this fact, telling us...
“He who is in you is greater than he who is in
the world.”
So, take up the Armor of God with courage of heart.
Because those who are willing to humble
themselves and charge into battle soon find that they
are not fighting alone...
Rather they are standing side by side with the
greatest spiritual warrior in history--
the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
I hope you will choose to fight.
I also hope you won’t forget to request today’s
free item, “The Occult and the Spirit World,”
and I hope you will come
back to Tomorrow’s World next week.
Gerald Weston, Richard Ames, Rod McNair, and I
will be right here waiting for you, ready to share
the teachings of Jesus Christ, the end-time warning this
world needs to hear, and the good news of the
coming Kingdom of God.
Until then, take care.
For today’s free offer call...
Or go to...
Call today and join millions around the world
who are turning to Tomorrow’s World for
truth, prophecy, and hope in these confusing times.
The preceding program is
produced by the Living Church of God.