Spiritual Warfare

“Sin doth not only still abide in us, but is still acting , still labouring to bring forth the deeds of the flesh. When sin lets us alone we may let sin alone; but as sin is never less quiet than when it seems to be most quiet, and its waters are for the most part deep when they are still, so ought our contrivances against it to be vigorous at all times and in all conditions, even where there is least suspicion. Sin doth not only abide in us, but “the law of the members is still rebelling against the law of the mind,” Rom. vii. 23; and “the spirit that dwells in us lusteth to envy,” James iv. 5. It is always in continual work; “the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,” Gal. v. 17; lust is still tempting and conceiving sin, James i. 14; in every moral action it is always either inclining to evil, or hindering from that which is good, or disframing the spirit from communion with God. ~ The Mortification of Sin by John Owen”

“See the contrary disposition of Christ on the one hand and Satan and his instruments on the other. Satan sets upon us when we are weakest, as Simeon and Levi upon the Shechemites, `when they were sore' (Gen. 34:25), but Christ will make up in us all the breaches which sin and Satan have made. He `binds up the broken hearted' (Isa. 61:1). As a mother is tenderest to the most diseased and weakest child, so does Christ most mercifully incline to the weakest. Likewise he puts an instinct into the weakest things to rely upon something stronger than themselves for support. The vine stays itself upon the elm, and the weakest creatures often have the strongest shelters. The consciousness of the church's weakness makes her willing to lean on her beloved, and to hide herself under his wing. ~ The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes”

“When men give the flesh the liberty that it craves, and pamper and please it, and do not deny and restrain it; when their great delight is in gratifying their bellies and pleasing their senses; whatever appearances they may have of religion—all is unsound. A flesh-pleasing life cannot be pleasing to God. 'Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh', and are careful to keep it under control, as their enemy (Gal 5:24; 1 Cor 9:25-27). ~ A Sure Guide to Heaven by Joseph Alleine”

“Those that have most of God, and are most rich in grace, shall be most assaulted by Satan, who is the greatest and craftiest pirate in the world.”

“In heaven we shall appear, not in armor, but in robes of glory. But here our arms are to be worn night and day.”

“Satan cannot deny but that great wonders have been wrought by prayer. As the spirit of prayer goes up, so his kingdom goes down.”

“In heaven we shall appear, not in armour, but in robes of glory. But here these are to be worn night and day; we must walk, work, and sleep in them, or else we are not true soldiers of Christ.”

“We must not confide in the armour of God, but in the God of this armour, because all our weapons are only mighty through God.”

“Prayer is nothing but the promise reversed, or God's Word formed into an argument.”

“It is a powerful and effectual indwelling principle, inclining and pressing unto actions agreeable and suitable unto its own nature.”

“The more men sin, the more are they inclined unto sin.”

“To let it alone, is to let it grow; not to conquer it, is to be conquered by it.”

“The best course to prevent falling into the pit is to keep at the greatest distance from it. He who will be so bold as to dance upon the brink of the pit, may find by woeful experience that it is a righteous thing with God that he should fall into the pit.”

“There is more evil in the least sin than in the greatest affliction.”

“Christ is the crown of crowns, the glory of glories, and the heaven of heavens.”