The Struggle Is Real (The Flesh, The World, and the Devil) - Isolation and Lies [Ryan Ashley]

John 8:44-45, Genesis 3:1-15, Luke 4:1-13, 2 Corinthians 2:11

For Jesus, the devil’s primary strategy to ruin the soul and society isn’t what most of us expect. It’s lies. More specifically, it’s deceptive ideas that play to disordered desires that are normalized in a sinful society. In this teaching, we explore how we are transformed by Spirit and truth, and deformed by isolation and lies. 

The Devil’s Strategy:

Deceitful ideas, that play to disordered desires, that are normalized in a sinful society.

Remember when the snake comes to Eve with Malevolent intent… it does not come at her with a sword or stick or drone, but with an idea.

3 Great Questions in Life:

1.   Who is God? (Theology)

2.   Who are we/am I? (Anthropology/Identity)

3.   What is the good life? How do we live? (Morality/Sociology)

Creator – Design – Intent – Morality – Accountability

It is by the Spirit and Truth that we are transformed into the image of Christ and set free to live in line with all that is good in the world, and it is by isolation and lies that we are deformed into the image of Satan and enslaved in a life of evil and death.

We are transformed into the image of Jesus by Spirit and Truth. 

“Mental Health is an ongoing process of dedication to reality at all costs.”

M. Scott Peck

By Isolation and lies that we are deformed.

“Jesus is a teacher who doesn’t just inform our intellect but forms our very loves. He isn’t content to simply deposit new ideas into your mind; he is after nothing less than your wants, your loves, your longings.” 
James K.A. Smith, You Are What You Love

“The general human failing is to want what is right and important, but at the same time not to commit to the kind of life that will produce the action we know and the condition we want to enjoy. This is the feature of human character that explains why the road to hell is paved with good intentions. We intend what is right, but we avoid the life that would make it a reality.”

Dallas Willard