The human body, although created in the image of God, and by God, still has many problems. One of the problems is disease; we have so many I could not name them all, and they affect the body in many different ways. Some affect the whole body, others just particular members of our body, but if not taken care of it can destroy our body. Cancer is one we are all familiar with, it affects certain members of our body and if taken care of soon enough the member can be healed with proper treatment, but if not taken care of properly, it will spread and destroy the body, so sometimes the member must be removed. Even what we put in our body is important if we are to remain healthy, so we have to remain on guard constantly against all things that attack our body, both from the outside and the inside. I have just given you a picture of the problems with our human body, but I have also shown you a picture of our spiritual body (the church).
The church was designed by God, with Christ as the head, and like our physical body the church has many diseases which can make it unproductive or destroy it if they are not taken care of properly. Satan is the spiritual disease that is attacking the church and he comes in many forms, some can be avoided if we watch what the body is exposed to, and make sure it is protected by the whole word of God. Some can be cured with spiritual help, but some must be removed or they will destroy the body. God's word tells us how to care for our spiritual body if we will just study it and do what it says.
Matthew 16:18 “And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 18:15 “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established, and if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: But if he neglects to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.” Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” II Peter. 3:17 “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.”
Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” II Peter 3:18 “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever.” Psalms. 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
The Bible is full of warnings and promises, and gives us ways to defeat Satan, but we must read his word and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit if we are to accomplish it.
Things to ponder from the old cowboy preacher; If you want a healthy horse, don't feed him moldy hay, and if you want a healthy church, don't feed it false doctrine.
The Old Cowboy Preacher Jerry Canterbury