(Satan Is Your True Adversary)
TO THE BIBLE: Ephesians 6:12-13 GNB
“For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. So put on God’s armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy’s attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.”
LET’S TALK
“Father, I bind that woman who gave me a wicked look at the grocery store today, in Jesus’ Name,” Barbara declared loudly.
“Hey, Barb!” Simon exclaimed, having heard her outburst, “You don’t pray like that against people.”
“Well, I don’t like the way she looked at me; I think there’s something evil about her,” she tried to explain.
“She’s only human and she can’t of herself do you any harm; it’s Satan who’s the real enemy, ok?” Simon enlightened her.
It’s common to find Christians praying against perceived human “enemies,” thinking they’re the reason for the troubles in their lives. This is an error borne of an ignorance of God’s Word. The opening scripture says “…We are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces…,” meaning that the real adversary therefore couldn’t be any human. Someone may hate and despise you, but he’s not your enemy. Your real adversary is the devil and his cohorts—“principalities,” “powers,” “rulers of the darkness of this world,” and “spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12); these are not flesh and blood!
Satan tricks people into thinking that other people are their enemies, in order to divert attention from himself. So while they’re busy “at war,” he runs rampage and causes havoc all around them. But you’re smarter than that! You’re aware of his crafty schemes and tricks (2 Corinthians 2:11). So what do you do? You “…resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). You don’t resist people. Rather, you’re to love them and do them good (Matthew 5:44). Why? Because they’re not the enemy! The arch-enemy of the believer is Satan. He’s the accuser of the brethren, but he’s a defeated foe (Revelation 12:10), and he’s under our feet!
Go Deeper
1 Peter 5:8-9; 2 Corinthians 2:11
Pray
Dear heavenly Father, I give you thanks for the opportunity to be blessed by your precious Word today. I’m not ignorant of Satan’s devices and refuse to fall prey to them. I keep Satan and the cohorts of hell under my feet, where they belong, in Jesus’ mighty Name. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
ONE YEAR
Luke 7:36-50, Joshua 1-2
TWO YEAR
Romans 3:26-31, Psalm 98-100
Act
Tell the devil to clear off your family, health, academics, finances and everything else that concerns you, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ!
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