The World Stole the Church
Chapter 13
Implementation Difficulties
The World, the Flesh and the Devil
There will be difficulties implementing 1 Corinthians 14:26-33; we all can be sure of that!
The World, the Flesh and the Devil will oppose you! This is because the World is composed of people of the Flesh; and the Flesh is corrupt!
Contrary to and not withstanding what the World has to say about it; we are all living with the spiritually fallen nature of Adam which is dead toward God and His Righteousness!
“17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good?
there is none good but one, that is, God:
but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.”
- Matthew 19:
“19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:”
– Matthew 15:
“9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
– Jeremiah 17:
“1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”
– Ephesians 2:1
In just about every way you might imagine this opposition will occur!
There are at least five ways opposition to obeying the instructions of 1 Corinthians 14:26 – 33 may occur.
- The Fleshly Nature is involved in all;
This can occur from individuals who have not been born again or who are carnal believers.
In either case, the Flesh is operating to oppose God’s Will!
1.Dead in trespasses and sins
Jesus gave us a surprising statement in Matthew 7:
- That few would find the way to Eternal Life,
- That many that said “Lord, Lord” would not find it,
- That among religious workers that did many wonderful works, only a few would find Eternal Life!
Matthew 7:
“14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life,
and few there be that find it.
| 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. | Rom 2:13, Jam 1:22, Mat 25:11-12, Luk 6:46 |
| 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” Matthew 7: |
2.Carnal Christians
We learn in Romans and Galatians that the Believer who is not taking up the Cross, but walking in the Flesh, is against God the Holy Spirit;
| “7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. | 1Co 2:14, Jam 4:4, 1Jo 2:15-16, Eph 4:18-19 |
| 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. – Romans 8: |
| “16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. | Gal 5:24-25, Gal 5:19-21, Eph 2:3, 2Co 7:1 |
| 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” – Galatians 5: |
In both cases, the Flesh is opposing God and His Will!
The Scriptures refer to the unbeliever as the Natural Man.
“14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
– 1 Corinthians 2:
The Natural Man has only been born once; born of the flesh;
Jesus makes clear that all of us must be born again; born into this world of the flesh and born again of the Holy Spirit of God!
| “6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. | Gal 5:16-21, Rom 8:4-9, Eze 36:26-27, Job 14:4 |
| 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” – John 3: |
- Idolatry and fear of change can be involved in opposing God
Rather than trusting God, our fleshly will wants to hold onto things as they are.
God wants us to surrender to His Will and trust Him to provide for us.
“5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:” – Colossians 3:
“And covetousness, which is idolatry:” – Colossians 3:
To covet or hold onto this world in the place of God’s Will is Idolatry!
- Unbelief and rebellion against God and His Will
The Flesh rebels against God and His Will! It is part of being dead to His Righteousness.
“7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”
– Romans 8:
““4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
“7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:
| “4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. | Joh 15:19, 1Jo 2:15-16, Rom 8:7, Mat 6:24 |
| 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? | 2Co 6:16, 1Co 6:19, Num 11:29, Gen 6:5 |
| 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. – James 4: | Mat 23:12, Pro 3:34, Psa 138:6, 1Pe 5:5 |
| 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. | 1Pe 5:8-9, Eph 4:27, Eph 6:11-12, 1Pe 5:6 |
| 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” – James 4: | Zec 1:3, 2Ch 15:2, Mal 3:7, Psa 145:18 |
- Unlearned in God’s Scriptures
Those who are not familiar with the Scriptures may resist being in a group where sharing personal Spiritual experience is invited;
It is important that one of the ground rules be
that sharing is completely voluntary and that silence is accepted
while group members meditate on Scripture and their experience.
- Individuals not given opportunity
Time and place along with the procedures involved must be arranged for
by those in spiritual leadership.
Leadership begins at the top!