The All-Important IF

Spiritual warfare, and the tactics of the enemy of our souls, has been on my mind a lot lately. This ministry of intercession and recruiting people to pray is one that the devil particularly dislikes, so it's a frequent target.

This morning, I read the account of the temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4. You probably know this passage. Jesus had just completed forty days of prayer and fasting in the wilderness. The devil came to him three times with temptations. Every one of the temptations began with the taunt "IF". If you're the Son of God.

I hadn't thought much about that word until today, when I finally realized that there was no "if" in the equation. Jesus knew He was the Son of God. So did the devil. 

The enemy was simply taunting Jesus by questioning the truth they both knew. In a way, he was saying to Jesus, "How sure are you?"

It's the same tactic he uses with us. If you've been made free from ... prove it by... If you're a child of God... If you have authority... 

Jesus, however, has already countered the attack. "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36) "If any man is in Christ, He is a new creature." (2 Cor. 5:17) "Behold, I have given you authority over... all the power of the enemy..."(Luke 10:19)

The enemy may stand against us, our faith, and our work, but, IF the words of Christ are true, the enemy can only have victory if we concede defeat in a battle that Jesus has already won.

Our victory in battles of spiritual warfare depends on how well we know the words of Christ and how certain we are of their veracity.

If the words are Christ are true... and they are, we can stake our lives (and all our battles) on that truth. He died, was buried, and rose again to defeat sin and death. To conquer the grave. To deliver the fatal, crushing blow to the head of the serpent, the enemy of our soul. 

We serve a victorious king and we have a defeated enemy.

No matter what lies he whispers today, let's resist. Stand firm. Remember Whose we are and Who has won the victory. Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Battles will come. Struggles are inevitable. Defeat is entirely optional. We have a conquering King and we fight, not in our own power, but in His. 

"Take heart. I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

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In case you missed yesterday's post, here's the link: Breaking the Burn Ban and Taming the Fire of Hell
Other posts you may have missed: A Month of Gratitude: The One Who Always Keeps His Promises and When Good Comes From Evil

#warfare #spiritualwarfare 

Dealing with an unclean spirit, part 5: Victory in Jesus

When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed. But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away from him all his armor on which he had relied and distributes his plunder. (Luke 11:21-22 NASB)

In these verses, Jesus gives a brief but vivid summary of the power of sin and the victory of the gospel in the lives of mankind. He portrays the devil (Satan) as a "strong man" who is fully armed to guard his territory, the lives of the unredeemed. The power of the evil one is strong and he has weapons that are effective for securing his hold on our lives. Guilt, condemnation, temptation, and lies are the weapons he uses to entice us into ongoing sin. He creates a stronghold thereby, through which he secures his position. 

Jesus, however, is stronger than the "strong man" and is fully capable of attacking and overpowering the evil one. When we allow Jesus to have His way in our lives, He "takes away", completely removes, those things by which we have been held in bondage. The condemnation, guilt, temptation, and lies of the enemy are cast out and replaced by the Spirit of God. Liberty comes with the Spirit, and it is the kind of freedom that only Christ can give.

There is a battle for our hearts and it is waged with deadly seriousness. The enemy would prove himself strong, for he is skilled in this warfare and knows how to use his weapons with precision. Having struggled with temptations of my own, I can confirm his skill, as you likely can, too.

In the midst of this battle, there is good news. The enemy of our souls has been overcome and defeated by the power of the cross. We do not have to live as those in bondage. We can be free, for Christ has broken the chains of sin and death. If we are willing to accept His gift of life and love, we can live in the freedom that He brings. 

Will a relationship with Christ remove the influence of condemnation, guilt, temptation, and lies from the enemy? Not exactly. What Christ removes is the power of the evil one. If we are willing to resist, Christ will give us the victory. Every time.

There is a strong one loose in this world, creating havoc at every opportunity. Praise God, though, there is one stronger who has overcome and set us free. If we are free, let us live as those who have been redeemed. Let us reject the lies, embrace the truth, and live in the freedom that only Christ can give.