fencepostdigest

Actively confronting evil is a choice to be made and every Believer can make that choice, but one thing for sure each one will be confronted by evil every day that passes. We can passively ignore the confrontations and choose to think that no harm will fall and consequences will not come or we can be engaged in the battle.

God’s infallible and inerrant Word empowers us to grasp God’s sovereignty over all things, but does not give us a pass from of our decisions. The Word is just as clear about the fact that God governs all things with His wisdom just as every human is responsible for their thoughts, intentions, and deeds.

We find it compelling that we are just as unable to remove guilt from our activities because God allows all things to happen. Neither are we able to place blame for causality on to another for Scriptures are clear that we are able to choose life or death because we choose to obey or disobey God, “However, if you turn aside and do not obey, but are lured away to worship and serve other gods, 18 I declare to you this very day that you will certainly perish! You will not extend your time in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess. 19 Today I invoke heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set life and death, blessing and curse, before you. Therefore choose life so that you and your descendants may live! 20 I also call on you to love the Lord your God, to obey him and be loyal to him, for he gives you life and enables you to live continually in the land the Lord promised to give to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 30:17-20 NET2..

God has given us the capacity to make wise decisions according to our faith and He will judge us accordingly, “Therefore we are always full of courage, and we know that as long as we are alive here on earth we are absent from the Lord— 7 for we live by faith, not by sight. Thus we are full of courage and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So then whether we are alive or away, we make it our ambition to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or evil.” 2 Corinthians 5:6-10.

We can only understand what we have believed by embracing the teachings of the Bible which in turn enable us to enter into God’s call. This is what Paul meant when he wrote, “Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13 But evil people and charlatans will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves. 14 You, however, must continue in the things you have learned and are confident about. You know who taught you 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:12-16.

Our dedication to God may not be good enough if we are not equipped. And if we are not equipped we will not be prepared to actively confront evil. Jesus is Lord.

Jesus is Lord.

I Understand that there is disagreement with the idea that Believers in Jesus Christ have but one nature, not two. The fact remains; sin is vanquished but every Believer has difficulty on how to deal with the temptation to sin. The problem is traditional theological understanding which may contradict what God’s Word really says and many do not know how to respond. The fact remains; Believers in Christ have but one nature in Him.

Believers do not have competing natures, and that new nature replaced the old.

I am not at all playing a word game here. I am not attempting to convince myself to be holy, and righteous until I am something I am not. God’s Word teaches us that the power of sin is broken in the life of the Believer because of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As a result I am to believe this to be so.

Paul does not write that Believers retain sinful flesh at the New Birth. Absolutely we sin, but when we sin it is contrary to our new nature in Christ, not because we have two personalities: one sinful and one righteous.

Believers have made a serious mistake by thinking We have a dual personality: a new and old nature. The idea of dual natures often causes Believers to excuse sin by blaming the old nature, “The Devil made me do it.” No, neither is true for Followers of the Christ ‘choose’ to follow the temptations provided by the Tempter, the Devil. “Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him.  Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full-grown, it gives birth to death. Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters.” James 1:12-16 NET2. Jesus is Lord.

For many centuries there has been and continues to be a discussion and viable disagreement concerning the ‘old self’ and ‘new self’ within the Church. Those fires have not ceased and most likely will not.

Old Self Crucifixion

Many amongst us hold tightly to the thought that at the moment of salvation Believers receive a ‘new’ self and retain all aspects of the ‘old’ self. Salvation thus becomes only an addition, but not a transformation necessarily. The way I see it this is not consistent with biblical teaching. Paul writes in Romans 5 and 6 that the old self was done away with. The Apostle says that ‘the love of Christ controls us’ and follows with, “Therefore, from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 ESV. Paul further states that we died to sin and are alive to God in the Risen Savior, Jesus Christ, “For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.” Romans 6:5-7. Therefore, salvation is, indeed, transformation and the old self is gone; replaced by the new self in Christ Jesus.

No Spiritual Half-Breeds

I would suggest that for a Believer in Christ to have both an old and a new self is to argue that the Believer’s spirit is half lost and without Christ and half is ‘born-again.’ How can this possibly be for there is no biblical support for such a half-breed in the Word of God. I find it impossible to assume that one can be in Adam and in Christ at the same time, and just as difficult or impossible to have an old and new self in the same body.

KAPUT

I do not believe Scripture gives validity to a dualistic view for the person we were before we trusted Christ is no more. Our nature has been changed and transformed. We are new creations, not merely the same old creatures with new personalities. What I do know is that the ‘old self’ is the unregenerate nature of who I once was in Adam. It is not the dark side of my new nature in Christ. The old self is no more for It has been crucified, put off, laid aside; kaput. And as defined by Webster’s, “utterly finished, defeated, or destroyed.”

Transformed

The Bible uses the word ‘transformation’ in reference to the Believer in Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” The word is defined as, “to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure” and is used to describe Christ’s transfiguration. We must not separate justification (immediate transformation from death to life) from sanctification (spiritual transformation into Christ-likeness).

Who I Am IS Not Who I Was

All of this takes us to Romans 7:14-25, “Did that which is good, then, become death to me? Absolutely not! But sin, so that it would be shown to be sin, produced death in me through what is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual—but I am unspiritual, sold into slavery to sin. 15 For I don’t understand what I am doing. For I do not do what I want—instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I do what I don’t want, I agree that the law is good. 17 But now it is no longer me doing it, but sin that lives in me. 18 For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I want to do the good, but I cannot do it. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but I do the very evil I do not want! 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer me doing it but sin that lives in me. 21 So, I find the law that when I want to do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God in my inner being. 23 But I see a different law in my members waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”

Christians Serve Only God

Recalling the early days I had with these verses; about 60 years ago, my questions were simple and produced by Paul. As a 15-year-old high school freshman I had no ideas about what theology is nor any inkling about what my pastor was addressing as he was preaching through Romans. However, I did have questions.

1. How, as a redeemed Christian, was Paul “being unspiritual and sold into slavery to sin?”
2. How was a redeemed Christian, Paul, doing that which he hated?
3. How was this redeemed Paul controlled by sin and not by the Savior?
4. How does sin live in the Christian?
5. As a Christian, How is “evil present with me?”
6. How can God the Holy Spirit be powerless in the presence of the law of sin?
7. How can a Christian be ‘wretched’ when the Risen Christ is Savior and Lord?
8. How can Paul the Christian not know ‘Who would rescue ‘this body of death?’
9. How can a Christin be ‘2 persons at the same time?’
10. How can a Christian ‘serve the law of God and the law of sin’ at the same time?

Paul answers, “Can any of these questions and more be true?” with 2 words, “Absolutely not!” in verse 14.

Concerning the idea of serving two masters, Jesus spoke clearly, “you will love one and hate the other.” Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:20-21, “I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.” Our Lord and this Apostle make it certain that a Follower of the Christ is to be obedient to God alone for the body of the Believer is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is Lord.

This is a question that seems to ‘pop up’ more than I care to answer, but here I am again; attempting to give the same answer to the same question for the ‘zillionth time.’ The answer is, “Yes” and “No.”

My Sin Does Not ‘Cause’ Me to BE a Sinner

Yes, I do sin, but, “Does this make or ‘cause’ me to be a ‘sinner?’” Some will errantly say, “Yes, because of the very act itself.” Sometimes, I give this answer which may or may not satisfy. I happen to be a sports fan of all things ‘sports’ at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, and this includes Women’s and Men’s sports teams. But because I live in the DFW area and before that in far away places such as Chiclayo, Peru I have not been able to attend one sporting event there for more than 50 years. Anyway, I am a Red Raider fan, but this does not make me a member of the TT Women’s soccer team; a Red Raider participant. In fact, I do not like the game of soccer, but I want those RR women to WIN!! “GunsUP!!” In reality, I am NOT an actual Red Raider, only a fan.

I Do NOT Practice Sin

In like fashion, I do sin, but I do not ‘practice’ sin at every turn. The Apostle John writes, “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:5-10 ESV.

Our Problem is NOT the Sin but the Temptation Leading to Death

James writes, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am being tempted by God, for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1:12-15. Our issue is not the sin, but the real problem is the immediate result of the temptation to sin. Each of us is tempted and often. At the moment one fails to be faithful toward God desire then conceives, and “gives birth to sin” which results in spiritual death. This is a very powerful and real issue for everyone who claims to know the Christ as Savior and Lord. This illustration of death provided by James should get the attention of everyone who gives attention to Scripture. This should stop sinners where they are because death can be terrible and life-ending for those who practice sin, not just an occasional result for some. John writes, “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.” 1 John 5:16-17.

Powerful words, yes? Absolutely. Sadly, there are many who claim to know Christ as Savior, but do not and live in sin which demonstrates their lost condition. Their daily practice of living in sin can cause physical death without Christ which will result in eternal damnation. For we find this warning, again from John in his revelation, “And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:13-15.

Christ Lives in Every Believer 

What must be understood is that every Follower of the Christ does sin, but this does not mean that sin is a daily and ongoing activity. Paul encourages us, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:8-14.

Struggle With Temptation

Christ lives in me just as the Apostle states and in  Romans 7:13-20 the struggle with temptation toward sin is a daily battle, “Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.” The daily spiritual battlefield is found in the heart and mind of every Believer; this is virtual and it is real. Some may think this is ‘spiritual imagery’ of which Paul speaks and if one thinks this Satan has won the battle for the soul.

In Romans 6:1-4 we find that a Follower of the Christ does not live in sin, but walks in newness of life with the Christ there Paul write of spiritual victory accomplished at the Cross by the Risen Christ,  “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” The old hymn ‘Victory in Jesus’ speaks to what Paul writes as truth. “Victory in Jesus, My Savior forever…”

Today’s Final Answer

This is my final answer today for a question asked many times and will be answered again and again. I am a saint saved by grace, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:4-10.

Jesus is Lord.

Life experiences  tell us there is a need for intolerance and we know that the Christ was the most tolerant, broad-minded Man who ever lived. Yet, in other things He was one of the most intolerant and narrow-minded of all. Let us examine that through the view of the Bible.

One of the operative words of our time is tolerance. In our culture we have stretched it like plastic wrap in order to be inclusive of everything and everyone. We have become tolerant about divorce, the use of alcohol and drugs, wickedness in high places, immorality, crime and religion. As result conviction has been drained from the foundational beliefs of our Nation, and nationally our people have largely become godless.

In America, anyone can be in any town  and practically say that all roads lead to Dallas, Texas because of our incredible Interstate Highway System. Near Houlton, Maine one can jump on I-95 South and travel all the way to South Carolina and turn right on to I-20 West and go all the way to Dallas, Texas. However, from other locations in America there are other highways that will take you to the DFW Metroplex, too. But, this is not true about going to Heaven. Not every religion will get everyone there. Jesus is the only way.

Jesus Christ came from His throne in Heaven via human frailty to become man, “Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory – the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father. “ John 1:14 Net2. He did not stay around long as a man for He was crucified, “Pilate addressed them once again because he wanted to release Jesus. 21 But they kept on shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What wrong has he done? I have found him guilty of no crime deserving death. I will therefore flog him and release him.” 23 But they were insistent, demanding with loud shouts that he be crucified. And their shouts prevailed.” Luke 23:20-23.

Just yesterday I was in conversation with a person who said to me, “You are intolerant because there are many ways people can go to Heaven?” I was not and am not shocked by that statement because I have heard this same argument over and over many times.  At the same time I am saddened because as this person claims and many others as well, “I am a Christian.”

What so many professing Christians have said to me about intolerance, these same people are absolutely clueless about what the Bible says. Unfortunately, just as this person mistakenly does, many believe and rely upon creedal statements which guide their belief systems rather than the inerrant Word of God. They have “What the Bible says” from various parts of the New Testament which talk about love and grace, but in turn have no idea about what the Bible teaches about these things.

Jesus clearly teaches that there are two roads in life and only one leads to Heaven. One is a broad, well-lit for this world yet lacking in faith, convictions and morals, and is the easy, popular and careless way to destruction. This is tolerance at the very worst. However, Jesus says in loving, compassionate and intolerance, “Enter through the narrow gate, because the gate is wide and the way is spacious that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 How narrow is the gate and difficult the way that leads to life, and there are few who find it!”  Matthew 7:13-14. Jesus told His disciples in John 14:6 that He is the only to the Father.

Fewer and fewer people listen to folks like me and you who know Jesus by faith and understand this road of intolerance. No other religion or philosophy which allows for  the sin of tolerance will direct folks to Jesus Christ who one day will be the final Judge, ““When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate people one from another like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 25:31-34.  And finally, “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, that person was thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15.

Intolerance is not bad for tolerance leads to eternity in Hell.

Jesus is Lord.

Some History Concerning Ephraim Who is Named in Hosea
The Book of Isaiah was written between 701 and 681 B.C some eighty years after Hosea was written between the years of 786-746 B.C. during the reign of Jeroboam II. History is oftentimes important when we read the Word of God.
The prophet Isaiah writes in Isaiah 7:8, “For the head of Aram is Damascus and the head of Damascus is Rezin (now within another 65 * years Ephraim will be shattered, so that it is no longer a people ),”
All the metaphors found in Hosea’s prophecy were intended to illustrate the serious condition of Israel (which is referenced as Ephraim in Hosea) and of which His words of warning were intended would lead to judgment.

Because the Northern Kingdom did not heed the message of God’s coming judgment they were taken into captivity by the Assyrians. Most of these folks did not return.
In their distress we find these words, “So it shall be when all of these things have come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind in all nations where * the LORD your God has banished you, and you return to the LORD your God and obey * Him with all your heart and soul according to all that I command you today, you and your sons, then the LORD your God will restore you from captivity, and have compassion on you, and will gather you again from all the peoples where * the LORD your God has scattered you.” Deuteronomy 30:1-3 NASB.
Historically, Israel’s twelve tribes were named for Jacob’s children or, in the case of Ephraim (and Manasseh), his grandchildren. Ephraim was born in Egypt to Joseph’s wife, Asenath. Joseph named his second-born son Ephraim, Now before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore to him. Joseph named * the firstborn Manasseh, “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” He named * the second Ephraim, “For,” he said, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” Genesis 41:50-52. Jacob blessed his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh and he decided to bless Ephraim first even though he was not the oldest. Joseph, of course protested this, but Jacob said that Ephraim would be greater than Manasseh .
In the Old Testament we find that Ephraim oftentimes refers to the Northern Kingdom even though the name Israel is most commonly used. Israel/Ephraim was taken into captivity by the Assyrians in 722 BC. The Southern Kingdom known as Judah was conquered by the Babylonians nearly 140 years later in 587 BC.
The name “Israel” was named “Ephraim” in Genesis 48 and this is tied to God’s blessings to Abraham which Followers of the Christ may inherit. “The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.” Galatians 3:8.
Sadly, most of us are ignorant of the biblical Truth concerning Israel and God’s promises to Abraham. God made them to Abraham which remained in place for a very long time before he separated from Jacob who was later called Israel and passed these blessings to his sons as he was dying. ” The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed? For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.” Genesis 18:17-19 NASB.
In Hosea we find a picture of sinfulness of humankind in Ephraim and the anger and forgiveness of Almighty God. We can read that Ephraim disobeys God and commits horribly evil things before Him. In 2 Chronicles 23 we find powerful words from the prophet Obed for the tribe of Ephraim who was standing before ‘the burning anger of God” and they suddenly recognized their need of repentance and obedience by following the words of the prophet Oded.

What we learn by reading the history of Ephraim is that God loves us and does so in spite of our sin. He is patient and merciful beyond our best comprehension of Him. He knows of our sin, disciplines and guides us and hears our cry for repentance. But, most of all He desires for us find relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. Furthermore, the history of Ephraim demonstrates flawed and sinful nature of every human just as Paul writes in his letter to the church in Rome, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” in Romans 3:23.
“O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like a luxuriant cypress; From Me comes your fruit. Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; Whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, And the righteous will walk in them, But transgressors will stumble in them.” Hosea 14:8-9 NASB.
Does God absolutely hate the sinner and not the sin alone? Absolutely, for the Word of God is true in all that it says and tells us that fact. Must I understand this in order to believe what I read? No. Should I accept this as truth? Only if I understand the Word of God to be absolutely true in spite of what I think or feel about certain things that I do not understand or wish to believe.
Tomorrow I will move to Psalm 5:5-6, “The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity. You destroy those who speak falsehood; The LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.” NASB

Jesus is Lord.

“Give ear to my words, O LORD, Consider my groaning.
2 Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, For to You I pray.
3 In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.
4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil dwells with You.
5 The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity.
6 You destroy those who speak falsehood; The LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.
7 But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house, At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.
8 O LORD, lead me in Your righteousness because of my foes; Make Your way straight before me.
9 There is nothing reliable in what they say; Their inward part is destruction itself. Their throat is an open grave; They flatter with their tongue.
10 Hold them guilty, O God; By their own devices let them fall! In the multitude of their transgressions thrust them out, For they are rebellious against You.” Psalm 5:1-10 NASB.

I am hopeful that each of these 10 statements have been read.
This is a prayer howbeit a somewhat strange one, we might think. This is also a cry for help for the one who is praying is in terrible anguish and surrounded by those who hate him. Verse 3 is fascinating, “In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.” In v 10 he is spectator who is about to witness his God do some really bad stuff to those who are intent on doing him harm, “Hold them guilty, O God; By their own devices let them fall! In the multitude of their transgressions thrust them out, For they are rebellious against You.” Why does he pray for such a conclusion? Let us see….

Question: “What are foundational doctrines?”

Foundational doctrines of the Christian faith are plain and simple explanations of what we believe. But, sometimes this may be difficult to pin point exactly what they may be because there are so many different ‘faith groups’ out there whose ideas vary widely. For instance, I am a Southern Baptist and we have a clearly defined  statement of faith entitled “The Baptist Faith and Message” which is derived from the Word of God. However, there are a few doctrines which are seen as ‘common denominators’ and are found among every group. Among them there seems to be 5, and perhaps, 6 basic doctrines that all major Christian faith groups hold to. I have added a 6^th which is God’s Word. The 6 are: The Scriptures, the Trinity, the deity and humanity of Christ, the bodily resurrection, Man is sinful, and salvation by grace through faith.

1. The Scriptures: It is entirely inerrant and sufficient for all Christian life. The authority of Scripture is a foundational necessity because without it none of the other truths could be affirmed.  All doctrines are defined from of the authority of the Word of God. “You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:14-16 NASB..
2. The God of the Bible is a triune God, one God in three Persons.  I would think that one of most widely used texts to demonstrate this is from Matthew 28:19-20, “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always , even to the end of the age.”

Paul gives us insight into the fact of the triune God, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14.

And again he writes in Colossians 2:8-10, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,  and in Him you have been made complete , and He is the head over all rule and authority; See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells.”

From the Gospel of Luke we find this statement, “The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. “For nothing will be impossible with God.”  Luke 1:30-37.

3. The Deity of Christ and His humanity.  One must believe not only that Jesus is the Son of and that He was crucified, buried and arose on the 3^rd day. One must believe that Jesus is the Messiah. 1 John 2:22-24 says, “Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. 23Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.” John does not mix words there. The Apostle also writes in 1 John 4:2-3, “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.”  Later in 2 John 1:7 we find these words, “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.” Jesus seems to hint at the necessity of that in John 8:23-24, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. 24 “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

God’s Word contains harsh words for anyone who denies Christ as the Messiah.  “Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also. As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.”  1 John 2:23-24.

4. The bodily resurrection of Christ. “Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:12-13.

And Paul writes in Romans 10: 8-9, “But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

5. Man is sinful.  Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Frankly, the issue of salvation is that you get forgiven because you’ve sinned.  If you say you haven’t sinned and man has no sin 1 John 1:8-10 has this to say, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.”  Yes, lost folks are sinners and those who have been born-again are saints. Just a thought.
6. Salvation is by grace through faith just as Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8-10, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Everyone must believe in the grace of Christ in order to be born-again.  Romans 11:6 tells us concerning this grace, “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. “This is the response to Him that we are to have, believe in Him whom He has sent,” Jesus tells us in John 6:47-51, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. “I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”

I hope this helps. As has been stated, there are many more doctrines which are important, but these may be what one may refer to as being foundational a ndis the basis of your question. No doubt there may be a few more that can be added to these 6, but the list could be quite lengthy.

“This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. But every spirit who does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist; you have heard that he is coming, and he is already in the world now. You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:2-4. HCSB.

“Because this corruptible must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal must be clothed with immortality. Now when this corruptible is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting? Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” 1 Corinthians 15:53-57.

Yes, every Believer and Follower of Jesus Christ does have authority over Satan. However, I must qualify my statement by saying this, It is Christ in us Who gives us this authority for we do not have this power simply because of our relationship with the Son of God. We are given this “because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:2-4. We MUST recognize this statement for what it is. We are in Him and without Him we can do nothing. Jesus is quite clear about this, “Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15:4-6.
We must also be reminded with this statement in Jude 6-9 that we cannot face the power of a Fallen Angel without the authority of the Lord, “ And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire. In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

We must hold a deep respect for the authority of Satan because this power is allowed him by God. “The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.” Job 1:12. However, this respect for his power should not bleed over to his person. We are only human beings who are not able to stand up without the indwelling Spirit of God. It is God, not we alone who will fight our battles. What we do know is that our daily conflicts are spiritual in nature, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:10-13.

Are we able to defeat Satan? Yes, but not in our strength. Just as Paul was content with who he was in Christ Jesus because He empowered him for His glory alone. And when we boast, just as Paul did, we boast in Christ, “God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:28-31. But let us not stop there for Paul also writes, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.” Galatians 6:14-16.

Jesus is Lord.