2Cor.11:3] But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
[4] For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
Today, the word ‘fear’ is Often used as a phobia, Or a fear factor, meaning things that we are ‘scared of.’ But the apostle Paul uses the word fear, and afraid, when referring to the state of the Saint’s godly edifying. We too, use the saying sometimes that we are ‘afraid” that someone will ‘ruin their lives,’ and what we oftentimes mean is that they will not live up to their ‘full potential’ as an adult. Paul saw first hand what was ‘at stake,’ Paul knew that it was going to be godly edifying vs. “every wind of doctrine” as the Saints ‘weapon of choice.” They were going to either continue to be conformed to this world, or they were going to be transformed by the renewing of their mind. They like many today were going to live their sanctified lives one way or the other.
2Cor.12:19] Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? We speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
[20] For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
Therefore, Paul knew the danger that conformity to this world has upon the heart of the believer. And Paul ‘feared’ for their sanctified ‘state,’ and when the Lord told the Apostle Peter that Satan “desired to have” him, that he may ‘sift him as wheat,’ Satan desires to “have” us as well. He desires to “speak reproachfully,” as our lives continue to be a life unto ourselves, and unto others, and not unto the One who have given us eternal life, and His Word to be in His Likeness. And so, Paul’s ‘fears’ was not in the obvious fears that we have for our safety and life, Paul knew his hope, glory, and salvation. He knew that he trusted in a Spiritual life, and Spiritual glory unto the Father. Paul’s hope, glory, and life was not of this evil world, and this is why Paul would be “afraid,’ and have “fear” concerning the sanctified lives of the Believers. They fully knew that they were “in Christ,” and so does Satan, but Satan understands what godly edifying working within the Saints looks like, He saw first hand in the Apostles day how the “strong” in the faith put godliness on display to the Power and glory of God.
Gal.4:9] But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
[10] Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
[11] I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
Moreover, Satan also saw that these faithful Sons and Daughters worked together, and labored together with our Father, and destroyed Satan’s plan and purpose from working among them. And even though they were “in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation,” they “reproved,” and “cast off” the works of darkness, and the temptation of this evil world. What actually brought fear within the heart of Satan is godliness. This we can see with Adam, Satan saw God created man who would be in His mage and after His likeness. He was afraid of that “fellowship” between God and the Man, and that not only would God have a “help-meet,” God would give Man a “help-meet,” and not only that, but the Man would also have dominion over God’s Creation on the earth, and that he would also “subdue” this creation. Satan saw this Power was far exceeding the power which he was given. And Satan also knows that when we in Christ Jesus fully understand and appreciate what it means to be a living sacrifice, we are no longer walking in Adam, and after Adam, we are now walking in Christ, meaning he knows that he is now ‘up against,’ and in battle with the Lord again.
Acts20:31] Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
[32] And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
Furthermore, Satan fears the “strong” in the faith, he and his angels feared those in the Apostle’s Day, we know this is true based upon the persecution against them to ‘wipe them off the face of the earth.’ And when we continue to operate upon the carnal mind, and continue to be conformed to this world, he speaks reproachfully, and we glorify ourselves, and others, and Satan. This is his plan to be “like the most High God,” and by having Man ‘walk to the beat of his drum,’ he is able to accomplish one of the aspects of this. We might not see this is the case, but when Satan tempted the Lord, he said that he gives the ‘glory’ of all the kingdoms of the world to all that will worship him. But oftentimes we do not think that our loving, and being conformed to this world IS actually operating upon this power that Satan says is his. And not only that, our conformity to this world, and our desire for it becomes as ‘covetous,’ and by coveting the things of this world, we actually serve ourselves and Satan.
1stCor.4:14] I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
[15] For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
[16] Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
Nevertheless, the Apostle Paul feared when the Power of God would not be working with the believers who are now within the Body of His Son. And Paul knew the danger to godly edifying working within the believer, and so did Satan, we too ought to fully this Power for our godly “good.” And specifically what godly edifying means to our Father, and if we fully understood and appreciated the “depths of the riches both of the wisdom of God” that He has provided for our success as His Sons and Daughters, we would also “fear” when the temptation of this evil world comes up in our lives. And by being conformed to this world, we work with Satan to continue ‘a work’ he started since the beginning with Adam. And having Man walk according to his “power of the air,” he can glory, but we are to look at the things of this world and its evil ways and walk with a continuous “fear” about the lost souls, but most importantly, them who are already in Christ. And this is because the believer in Christ is the only one who can put the Power of God on display, but this can only be accomplished by the faithful Saints who desire to be a living sacrifice. And when they allow God’s word to work effectually within them, they strike the fear within Satan and the “Principalities, and powers in high places,” this is why we are taught about what the “Sword of the Spirit, and the Armour of God” is all about. Satan fears the Armour of God, but unfortunately, many Saints have fear to put it on, and by so doing, walk according to another power, and serving Satan, instead of our Father.
Col.1:28] Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Rod Jones
SUPPLY OF GRACE 
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