AUGUST 16, 2025
Topic: “INTIMACY AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE IN THE CHURCH“
Text: Job 1:6-9
Memory Verse: “ Now there was a day when Sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.” Job 1:6
In Matthew 16:18, Jesus Christ proclaimed, “On this rock I will build my church.” The church is therefore founded by Christ; hence the Church is a divine institution. This divine nature was the hallmark of the early church. The pouring of the Holy Spirit produced in the lives of the disciples a spirit of oneness and unity that was quite remarkable. Each member had intimacy with God and with one another. Can this be said of the twenty-first century church?
Our text for today depicts the Sovereign God seated on the throne amidst His angels and Satan also presented himself. His duty is always causing spiritual warfare for God’s people.
If Satan was bold enough to tempt Jesus Christ, the Son of God, nobody can escape his temptation. He tempted our first parents and did the same to Job. He continues in the business of tempting people. The more a Christian aspires to be in intimacy with God, the more Satan tries to bring about spiritual warfare. This is why Apostle Peter writes in 1Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be watchful, your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. We should therefore submit ourselves to God, and resist the devil and he will flee from us. James 4:7.
The Church of God should not be intimidated by the devices of the devil, as long as we are in intimacy with God. The church of God will continue to march on; the powers of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18b. For the individual Christian, God has promised us that, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians10:13. Let us therefore claim God’s promises and always “look to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” Hebrews 12:2a.
PRAYER: Our dear heavenly Father, grant your Church the grace and fortitude to continue to march on, no matter the spiritual warfare she faces in Jesus’ name, Amen.