Revelation 12:9-11: “And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night.11 "And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death.”
John piper says, “he is a million times stronger then you, and wants to kill you!” He is speaking of the devil. The devil is not a myth or a fairy tale that religion makes up to scare its followers. The devil is also not the “ruler” of hell. In fact, he is not there yet. No the devil is alive and well and is the god of this world. That is why this world is filled with hate and sinful abominations. This is the reason why the most horrible things take place and the reason our newspapers and TVs are filled with such evil. Satan is not some spook to be taken lightly or some ridiculous looking ghoul with pitchfork and cloven hooves. He is a seductive and lusty creature that ensnares and lures by pleasure and gratification. For the Christ-follower he is not to be trifled with, however, as a Christ-follower, either are we. No, we are no match for the deceiver of this world, except that we are children of the Most High. “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
The devil is an accuser. He is good at what he does because he has things to accuse us of. We are sinners and we do that very well. However, satan wants to destroy you and discredit all that you have accomplished. That accomplishment is not a worldly thing; it is an eternal thing. Because you have surrendered your total life to Jesus you have a bull’s-eye on you. You have been marked of God, and you have begun to walk the path that He has set out for you. You have abandoned the former path. This means that you stop, you turn from your sins, and you start on a life that is pleasing to God; and satan cannot stand it.
How can we stand against such an enemy? The scripture says, “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death.” The blood of Jesus, the lamb and the word of their testimony, their walk, overcame the god of this world. It was by their walk and their talk, and the redemptive power of Christ in their live that let them overcome satan and his accusations and seductive charms.
Do we as Christ-followers go looking for a fight with satan? No. However, he is no match for the power of the blood of Christ that has been applied to each Christian who has put their faith and trust in Jesus. If we walk on our knees in humility, reach out to this world in God’s love, and do the work of an evangelist, sharing the work of Christ on the cross, we have nothing to fear. We are called to be an over-comer because of Jesus’ sacrifice.
Tomorrows Readings:
Old Testament: Nahum 1-3 New Testament Rev. 13
Jason, can you hear that??
ReplyDeleteIt's me shouting the victory here in Texas.
I have been wrestling hard with hopelessness, despair, and depression. This has been going on for over a month and is affecting every area of my life. Just this morning I was praying for deliverance from this when the thought crossed my mind that I might be under intense attack. I went on Facebook just as I was thinking that, and here was this post. Just exactly the encouragement that I needed. We really do wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against prinicpalities, powers, and the rulers of this world. And we can't underestimate their power. It's just that God's is greater.
Yesterday, as I was struggling so very hard with this and with my identity in Christ and in life, God showed me Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven." He reminded me in this and in following verses that because He shines so brightly through us as believers, we will be attacked in every manner possible. But not to worry about it because He has overcome the world. He already has the victory so why am I panicked about the obstacles in my way?? They look huge from down on my knees looking up at them. But that's the only position I can take so that they will be destroyed.
God be praised! Victory is ours! To God be the Glory forever and ever!
I like Christmas. The birth of the little baby and the hope of the world's beginning is neat. (And where else do you get singing angel choirs serenading shepherds, huh??)
But...
I LOVE Easter...because that's where the victory over the evil one becomes tangible. Where the rubber meets the road...where the flesh and the spiritual meet.
He ALWAYS overcomes. God is love, and in the end...
Love wins.