DO NOT BE SO PREOCCUPIED WITH FIGHTING THAT YOU FORGET THAT THE BATTLE HAS BEEN WON
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“These things I have spoken to
you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but
be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”—John 16:33
For many people, the way of war has been with them for so
long that it is hard to imagine living a life of rest and peace. This is true in the natural world and in the
spiritual sense. Many nations of the
world are experiencing war, at some level within their borders. The Church is also fighting a battle. The Church is fighting over the issues of
homosexuals, is the Bible to be taken literally, women in the ministry, divorce,
heaven and hell, money, the five-fold ministry gifts to the body of Christ, the
nine gifts of the Holy Spirit and many others.
During all of this fighting, I believe that the Church has lost sight of
the bigger issue; its’ very real enemy Satan, who seeks to deceive and distract
us from understanding that Satan is a defeated foe.
The Bible tells us that Satan walks about as a roaring
lion seeking someone whom he may devour, and that we are to resist
him. “Be
sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring
lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing
that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1
Peter 5:8-9). Notice that the Scripture tells us what
Satan’s trying to appear as, a roaring lion—Not that he is a roaring lion. This is a huge difference. Furthermore, we are taught how to deal with
this “want-a-be lion”; we are to resist him steadfast in the faith. We can do this. Every time the enemy comes to your mind telling
you something that does not line up with what the Word of God says, you simply
must say, “Satan I resist you in Jesus Name.”
Find out what the Word of God has to say on the issue that you are
facing, and then begin to say those things what the Word has declared. You will soon discover that your faith is
increased and your enemy has decreased.
Scripture declares that when Jesus was raised from the dead that He was
seated at God’s right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality,
and power and might and dominion; and every name that is named, not only in
this age but also in that which is to come.
God has put all things (all things are all things) under Jesus’ feet, and gave Him to be the head over all
things to the church (Ephesians 1:20-23).
When we have a long drawn out battles with Satan over
everyday manners, then we have lost our focus that Jesus is Lord, and that Satan
is a defeated foe. We as Christians are
given the responsibility to enforce Satan’s defeat. Dr. Charles Stanley said, “You should never
be so preoccupied with fighting that anxiety makes you lose your focus on the
joy of knowing God. Rather, remain at
peace, knowing that you are fully victorious and secure in Christ, and that He has
already defeated the Enemy.
Prayer—Father I thank
You that Jesus has defeated Satan and that I no longer must feel like I am
fighting a loosing battle. I thank You
that I go through my day in the power of the Spirit enforcing Satan’s defeat, and
that I am more than a conqueror in Jesus Name. Amen.
