Reading: Ephesians 6:10-18
"Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor 15:57)
Christ is the Captain and we are His soldiers. Our weapons are not nuclear, chemical or biological but spiritual. Through them we destroy the enemy's war machine (2 Cor 10:4,5).
The devil is usually goodlooking! He is a masquerader. He came to Jesus in the wilderness as His promoter (Mt 4:5-10). Jesus unmasked him through the spiritual sensitivity gained during the forty days of prayer. On another occasion the devil camouflaged as his wellwisher. Jesus had no difficulty to discern him because of his prayer-wrought alertness (Mt 16:21-23). Prayer is a fine-tuner to catch Heaven's signals.
The devil was after Christ from Bethlehem to Calvary. He tempted Him at all points. But Christ never once yielded (Heb 4:15). The Scriptures unfold His secrets of consistent and complete victory. First and foremost, Christ had surrendered Himself voluntarily to the authority of the Father. While coming into the world, He assured his Father: "Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God" (Heb 10:5-7). He never went back on His commitment. Only the one under authority can exercise authority. That military official observed this clearly in the life of Jesus. He recognized that Jesus had been functioning under His Father's orders. So all that was necessary was a single word of command to the devil (Mt 8:8,9). Apostle James unequivocally said, "Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you" (Js 4:7). A life of submission to the Father will make Satan compulsorily submit to us.
To have victory over Satan, vigilant prayer is a must! That's the only way to overcome the weak flesh by a willing spirit (Mt 26:41). Satan strikes us when most unexpected, at the hour of slackness and slothfulness. It was "while men slept" that the enemy sowed tares (Mt 13:25). Only watchful prayer is capable of atuning to the heavenly wavelengths. Jesus Christ overcame the evil one through prayer.
Would Jesus say this? Would He do this? Would He endorse this? Answer to these questions would save us from the devil's snares and schemes. A close and regular study of the Gospels is a must to learn Christ's way of defeating the enemy.
On to victory, follow your mighty Commander,
On to victory, follow where Jesus may go,
On to victory, close to your shield and defender,
On to victory, conquering every foe! - (C.S. Kauffman)
R. Stanley
Leave a Comment: