Category Archives: Spiritual Warfare

What Satan Did to Eve: Deception

Posted on August 22, 2025 by russellmckinney

“The Wiles of the Devil” series (post #3) And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. (1 Timothy 2:14, N.K.J.V.) But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your … Continue reading →

Posted in Deception, Discernment, Lying, Personal, Prophecy, Satan, Series: "The Wiles of the Devil", Spiritual Warfare, The Devil, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Satan Did to His Fellow Angels: Rebellion

Posted on August 20, 2025 by russellmckinney

“The Wiles of the Devil” series (post #2) The Bible tells us quite a bit about angels, but it leaves certain parts of the story blank. First, it doesn’t tell us how many angels there are. Second, it doesn’t tell … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Children, Church, Demons, Disobedience, Family, Fatherhood, Government, Headship, Husbands, Parenting, Pastors, Politics, Rebellion, Satan, Series: "The Wiles of the Devil", Spiritual Warfare, Submission, The Devil, Wives, Work, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Wiles of the Devil

Posted on August 18, 2025 by russellmckinney

“The Wiles of the Devil” series (post #1) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11, N.K.J.V.) The Greek word translated as “wiles” in this verse … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Deception, Demons, Discernment, Satan, Scripture, Series: "The Wiles of the Devil", Spiritual Warfare, The Devil | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Problem with Trying to Please Everybody

Posted on August 8, 2025 by russellmckinney

Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. (Genesis 5:24, N.I.V.) By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death. “He could not be found, because God … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Choices, Commitment, Contentment, Courage, Criticism, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Humility, Obedience, Persecution, Priorities, Problems, Service, Spiritual Warfare, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Walking in the Midst of the Fire

Posted on May 9, 2025 by russellmckinney

And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Anger, Attitude, Commitment, Complaining, Courage, Depression, Disappointment, Doubt, Faith, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Chastening, God's Omnipresence, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Work, Human Life, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Restoration, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How to Spot a Work of the Devil

Posted on March 14, 2025 by russellmckinney

Life is filled with all kinds of unpleasant situations. As Job 14:1 says, “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.” But how can you tell the difference between one of life’s inevitable troubles … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Demons, Discernment, Persecution, Personal, Problems, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Devil | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Self-Preservation & Jesus

Posted on January 10, 2025 by russellmckinney

A man interviewed for a job at a famous art gallery that housed dozens of priceless masterpieces. As part of the interview process, he was asked, “If a fire broke out in this gallery and you could only save one … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Brokenness, Commitment, Courage, Crucifixion, Death, Disappointment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Extending Forgiveness, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Work, Human Life, Ministry, Missions, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Personal Holiness, Preaching, Priorities, Problems, Prosperity, Revenge, Sacrifice, Sanctification, Service, Spiritual Warfare, Submission, Suffering, Trials, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Problem of Deprived Harvests

Posted on December 3, 2024 by russellmckinney

Judges 6:1-6 describes a pitiful situation. An alliance army of the Midianites, the Amalekites, and some other unnamed “people of the East” (referring to the lands located east of Canaan) was absolutely terrorizing the Israelites as the Israelites tried to make their … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Disappointment, Disobedience, Fear, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Rebellion, Satan, Sin, Sowing and Reaping, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Devil, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Filling in the Gaps of My Learning

Posted on November 20, 2024 by russellmckinney

I grew up in a small, rural, conservative Southern Baptist Convention church. I believed in Jesus as my Savior at a young age, was baptized, and joined the church. I went to Sunday School just about every Sunday and stayed … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Bible Study, Children, Church, Disappointment, Discipleship, Doubt, Faith, Parenting, Persecution, Perseverance, Personal, Prayer Requests, Problems, Scripture, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Bible, Trials, Trusting In God, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

God Sent? Or God Allowed and Used?

Posted on November 15, 2024 by russellmckinney

Somewhere along the way in my ministry, I picked up a daily devotion book written by Phillips Brooks. Brooks was a famous Episcopalian pastor in the Boston area in the 1800s. In the devotion for May 2, he writes: Faith … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, God's Omnipotence, God's Omnipresence, God's Omniscience, God's Will, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Rebellion, Sickness, Sin, Spiritual Warfare, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments