Garwood Presbyterian Church

Using Your Spiritual Radar

Genesis 4:7, Ephesians 6:10-12, I John 2:15-17, I John 5:3-5

Introduction: Bats have a built in radar given to them by God so that they can catch food and be guided away from danger. What is the radar that God has given to Christians to guide them away from danger?

1. Our Spiritual Radar
   1. The Holy Spirit is our built in radar from God.
      1. John 16:13.
      2. The Holy Spirit will tell us what is of God and what is not, what is right and what is wrong, what is good for us and what is bad and dangerous for us.
   2. God's Word in the Bible also gives us guidance and confirms the direction that the Holy Spirit has given us.
   1. Psalm 119:105.
   3. Godly counsel from other Christians also gives us guidance from God.
      1. Proverbs 15:22.
   4. We should take all of this to the Lord in prayer.
      1. Asking God directly and getting confirmation from Him.
      2. James 1:5.
2. The Three Areas We Will Be Attacked & Put In Danger From, and What We Can Do About It
   1. From the world.
      1. In obvious ways like through alcohol, drugs, sexual immorality, and gambling.
      2. Through unobvious ways:
         1. Like capitulating to our capitalistic culture and buying a lot of things for ourself.
         2. Like spending a lot of time in front of our television sets and wasting our life.
      3. I John 2:15.
      4. However, the good news is that Christians can overcome the world, I John 5:3-5.
   2. From our own sinful nature.
      1. From our desires.
         1. James 1:13-14.
      2. From our emotions.
         1. Like staying angry, Ephesians 4:26-27.
      3. From our thoughts.
         1. I Corinthians 10:3-5.
      4. From our priorities.
         1. What are your top priorities?
         2. Your top priorities should be to love God and to love people, Matthew 22:36-39.
      5. "Sin desires to have you, but you must master it." Genesis 4:7.
      6. We master sin by dying to ourself.
         1. Mark 8:34.
         2. Romans 6:6-7.
         3. Galatians 2:20.
   3. From evil spiritual forces, Ephesians 6:10-12.
      1. So put on the armor of God and pray in the Spirit, Ephesians 6:13-18.
      2. As children of God, evil spiritual forces do not have control over us, I John 5:19.

   Conclusion: There are dangers from within and without, seen and unseen, all around us. But God has given us spiritual radar as His children. So use your spiritual radar, Christian! Listen to the Holy Spirit and Christian counsel. Then confirm their guidance by consulting God's Word in the Bible and through prayer. And thank God that He has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.