Satan Is Your Enemy, Not People
I know there are times when it feels like others are truly your enemy, by the things they say or how they treat you, however, they are not your real enemy-satan is. While he does use people as part of his strategy, he is always the one behind the warfare. You must remember this at all times. Don't let satan catch you off guard. He will come at you especially during times you are tired both physically and emotionally. He comes only to kill, steal and destroy-your family, your testimony, your finances, your relationships and your health. satan is the father of lies, he was a murderer from the beginning and there is no truth found in him (John 8:44).
Satan has been deceiving people since the Garden of Eden where he first deceived Eve. He appeared to her and asked "Did God really say, you must not eat from any tree in the garden?" which caused her to question God (Genesis 3:1). Make no mistake, satan knows the word of God and he will distort it for his evil schemes. He is very crafty and cunning. He will appeal to your flesh and twist the word of God. The end result is always death.
This is why it is critical for you to keep your armor on at all times, remember who you are in Christ, and stand on His promises. You cannot defeat satan on your own; you and I are no match for him, it is only by the power of the Holy Spirit and the power of God that we can stand. "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)."
Your goal, my goal, as a Christ follower is to continually show love and keep an attitude of forgiveness. We must pray for, forgive and bless those who mistreat or despitefully use us (Matthew 5:44). Not because they deserve it, but because this will break the power of satan and no root of bitterness or resentment is able to spring up in us. Also because Jesus said that if we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us (Matthew 6:15).
If you want to have victory, it is important to put on the full armor of God daily. This is something we are to do, God doesn't do it for us. Yes, He keeps us and shields us with His power (1 Peter 1:15), but it is up to us to put on the armor. So what is this armor Paul speaks about in Ephesians?
First, we have the belt of truth. Continue to immerse yourself in the truth of God's word. satan is the master deceiver, and if you don't know the truth, you will indeed be no match for satan and his lies. Next, we have the breastplate of righteousness. This is the righteousness found only in Jesus Christ, in whom our identity lies. This righteousness guards our hearts and minds against the accusations and fiery darts of satan. Third, we have the verse that speaks about having our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. We must be aware of the traps and snares satan puts before us and be prepared. The shield of faith is the next piece of armor. satan will try to cause us to doubt God's word and His promises. No matter what comes, we must have faith in God and believe He will do what He says He will do. The helmet of salvation is another piece of armor that we need to keep in the forefront of our minds. We must renew our minds in the word of God so that we don't fall into temptation and will be able to discern truth versus deception. Next, we have the sword of the Spirit. This is the word of God. There is power in the word. When Jesus was tempted by satan in the desert, He countered everything satan said with the word of God. We are to do the same thing when confronted. Once we become a child of God, the battle begins. satan is the "accuser of the brethren, who accuses them day and night before God (Revelation 12:10)." We can overcome Him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. The final piece of armor is to pray in the Spirit on all occasions. Prayer is a very powerful weapon in the life of the believer. "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:16)." Pray about everything that concerns you. God cares for you and there is nothing too small or nothing too great that He cannot handle.
You and I have an enemy of our soul and he wants nothing more than to wreck havoc in our lives. However, in Christ, we are overcomers! Jesus defeated satan and all the forces of evil at the cross. "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; He took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and the authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross (Colossians 2:13-15)." Jesus is at the right hand of God continually interceding on our behalf and there is NOTHING that can separate us from His love (Romans 8:34-35).
Stand firm my friend, and always be prepared! There is a battle and it will continue until the day Jesus calls us home. Just remember who is behind the battle and know that Jesus is greater than anything you will face in this life. Keep your armor on!
Satan has been deceiving people since the Garden of Eden where he first deceived Eve. He appeared to her and asked "Did God really say, you must not eat from any tree in the garden?" which caused her to question God (Genesis 3:1). Make no mistake, satan knows the word of God and he will distort it for his evil schemes. He is very crafty and cunning. He will appeal to your flesh and twist the word of God. The end result is always death.
This is why it is critical for you to keep your armor on at all times, remember who you are in Christ, and stand on His promises. You cannot defeat satan on your own; you and I are no match for him, it is only by the power of the Holy Spirit and the power of God that we can stand. "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)."
Your goal, my goal, as a Christ follower is to continually show love and keep an attitude of forgiveness. We must pray for, forgive and bless those who mistreat or despitefully use us (Matthew 5:44). Not because they deserve it, but because this will break the power of satan and no root of bitterness or resentment is able to spring up in us. Also because Jesus said that if we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us (Matthew 6:15).
If you want to have victory, it is important to put on the full armor of God daily. This is something we are to do, God doesn't do it for us. Yes, He keeps us and shields us with His power (1 Peter 1:15), but it is up to us to put on the armor. So what is this armor Paul speaks about in Ephesians?
First, we have the belt of truth. Continue to immerse yourself in the truth of God's word. satan is the master deceiver, and if you don't know the truth, you will indeed be no match for satan and his lies. Next, we have the breastplate of righteousness. This is the righteousness found only in Jesus Christ, in whom our identity lies. This righteousness guards our hearts and minds against the accusations and fiery darts of satan. Third, we have the verse that speaks about having our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. We must be aware of the traps and snares satan puts before us and be prepared. The shield of faith is the next piece of armor. satan will try to cause us to doubt God's word and His promises. No matter what comes, we must have faith in God and believe He will do what He says He will do. The helmet of salvation is another piece of armor that we need to keep in the forefront of our minds. We must renew our minds in the word of God so that we don't fall into temptation and will be able to discern truth versus deception. Next, we have the sword of the Spirit. This is the word of God. There is power in the word. When Jesus was tempted by satan in the desert, He countered everything satan said with the word of God. We are to do the same thing when confronted. Once we become a child of God, the battle begins. satan is the "accuser of the brethren, who accuses them day and night before God (Revelation 12:10)." We can overcome Him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. The final piece of armor is to pray in the Spirit on all occasions. Prayer is a very powerful weapon in the life of the believer. "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:16)." Pray about everything that concerns you. God cares for you and there is nothing too small or nothing too great that He cannot handle.
You and I have an enemy of our soul and he wants nothing more than to wreck havoc in our lives. However, in Christ, we are overcomers! Jesus defeated satan and all the forces of evil at the cross. "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; He took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and the authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross (Colossians 2:13-15)." Jesus is at the right hand of God continually interceding on our behalf and there is NOTHING that can separate us from His love (Romans 8:34-35).
Stand firm my friend, and always be prepared! There is a battle and it will continue until the day Jesus calls us home. Just remember who is behind the battle and know that Jesus is greater than anything you will face in this life. Keep your armor on!
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