No matter what you’re going to face this next week, you’re not going to face it alone. God is with you, he is in you, and he is for you. Philippians 2:13 says, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (NLT). - God is on your side! Believe it and claim it!
Satan and his demons are very real forces in the world today. But they are also forces that are under the authority of Jesus Christ. And as long as we too are living under Christ’s authority and protection, we have no reason to fear them. With non-Christians, the goal is to use them as instruments to fulfill Satan’s plan and to blind them to the gospel and even kill them before they have a chance to trust in Christ. But demons can also affect believers, as well. They can bring temptation, depression, and suicidal thoughts into our lives. If Satan cannot destroy your soul, he will attempt to destroy your witness and rob you of your joy in Christ.
Receive Christ as your Savior! - (1 John 5:4-5) - The most foundational way we can thwart the plan and purpose of Satan is by turning to Jesus, trusting in Him for the forgiveness of sins. When this happens, you drive a stake through Satan’s ultimate plan for your life and are free from his rule over you.
Resist Satan (James 4:7). The Bible speaks much more about our resisting Satan than it does about binding his power or exorcizing him. We do this by being prepared for his attacks, being aware of our weaknesses, arming ourselves (Ephesians 6), and remembering that victory over his influence in our lives is possible. It is fascinating that both the angels in heaven and the demons on earth and under the earth recognize the authority of Christ. The only part of creation that has not yet submitted to the rule of Christ is human beings. According to Philippians 2, one day they too will be brought under the rule of Christ. Yes, Christians can be demonized or influenced by demons. We can be tormented by demons, just like the man in Luke 8. Any area of our lives that is not under God’s control can be subject to Satan’s control. But, we don’t have to wait until God finally casts Satan and his angels into the lake of fire to experience victory over the evil one. We can resist him and his influence now (1 John 4:4).
Our journey as followers of Christ is only beginning when we step out upon the water. We face not a peaceful stroll across the sea, but a tumultuous battle, fighting to stay afloat with every step. Once we think we have finally mastered the art of walking alongside Christ, another storm will arrive, bringing with it a whole new set of challenges. Through these storms, the devil whispers in our ears, tempting us to abandon hope, to believe his lies. You aren’t strong enough, he tells us. You could never do the impossible. You are alone in this struggle. Christ has forgotten you. Christ cannot save you. With each whisper we believe, we chain ourselves to a heavy stone at the bottom of the ocean, sinking further and further into the depths.
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