In our last meditation we saw
that our Lord Jesus Christ grants His powerful presence in the hearts of all
God’s children. That is the precondition for overcoming Satan’s assaults.
Obviously, we cannot lean back and let God’s Spirit do the entire job. We are
called to be actively involved. We should not only grow strong in the Lord, but
Paul persuades us also, saying:
“Be (or: grow, become)
strong in ... His mighty power...” (Ephesians 6:10**)
For the apostle Paul overcoming Satan’s assaults is a
continuous battle to win! In Meditation 120 we saw that I am never able
to win that battle on my own because of my own sinful nature. Yet, as a child
of God, my powerful Lord lives within me by His Spirit. He is stronger than
Satan with all his demonic tactics.
Therefore, the question is: What is my responsibility
in this continuous battle?
a.) To keep my relationship with Jesus Christ and His Spirit intact.
The Lord Himself warns us that we cannot win these
battles on our own: “… apart from Me you can do
nothing.” (John 15:5*) The
apostle Paul reminds us that we cannot resist Satan’s assaults if the Spirit of
God does not control our lives. Paul writes to the Ephesian Christians: “Do
not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live.” (Ephesians 4:30*)
The Christians in Thessaloniki he alerts: “Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:19*)
b.)
To acknowledge my inadequacy to win these battles because of my sinful nature.
Paul
testifies: “Each time He said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My
power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my
weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.” (2
Corinthians 12:9*)
Already
the prophet Isaiah (8th century BC) declares that “God gives
power to those who are tired and worn out; He offers strength to the weak. Even
youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on
the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They
will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31*)
To
the Christians in Corinth (Greece) the apostle Paul sharply contrasts God’s
power and our weakness so that we should not mix God’s power up with the
incapacity of our sinful nature: “This precious treasure-- this light and
power that now shine within us-- is held in perishable containers, that is, in
our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is
not our own.” (2 Corinthians 4:7*)
c.)
To submit to God’s leadership under combat conditions.
God
knows Satan’s nature and demonic schemes completely. That’s why it is imperative
to follow His orders. Already in the Old Testament we read how Israel fought
under God’s leadership. Through Moses, God gave His people the rules of warfare
they should keep: “Before you go into battle, the priest will come forward
to speak with the troops. He will say, 'Listen to me, all you men of Israel! Do
not be afraid as you go out to fight today! Do not lose heart or panic. For the
LORD your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies,
and He will give you victory!'” (Deuteronomy 20:2-4*)
King David acknowledged God’s
leadership in combat: “The LORD is my light and my salvation-- so why should
I be afraid? The LORD protects me from danger-- so why should I tremble? When
evil people come to destroy me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble
and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will know no fear. Even
if they attack me, I remain confident.” (Psalm 27:1-3*)
God encourages Israel in battle
by mouth of the prophet Isaiah, saying: “Don't be afraid, for I am with you.
Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you.
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. See, all your angry enemies
lie there, confused and ashamed. Anyone who opposes you will die. You will look
for them in vain. They will all be gone! I am holding you by your right hand--
I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, Do not be afraid. I am here to help
you. Despised though you are,
O Israel, don't be afraid, for I will help you. I am the LORD, your Redeemer. I
am the Holy One of Israel.” (Isaiah 41:10-14*)
c.) To rely on
God’s strategy and wisdom.
To submit to God’s leadership
under combat conditions also means to wait for God’s commands and act on God’s
initiative. I think of two instructions from the Psalms that also are
applicable to relying on God’s leadership in a clash with Satan: “Wait
patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the
LORD.” (Psalm 27:14*) “Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and
our shield.” (Psalm 33:20***)
Obviously, in the fire of conflict
we sometimes might not know how to act wisely and in accordance with God’s will.
Therefore, God inspired the apostle James to encourage us in such confusing
situations with the words: “If you need wisdom-- if you want to know what
God wants you to do-- ask Him, and He will gladly tell you. He will not resent
your asking.” (James 1:5*) And king David (11th century BC)
testifies to God’s response when he needed His help: “When I called, You
answered me; You made me bold and stout-hearted.” (Psalm 138:3*)
d.) To grow in
understanding how to apply the power God’s Spirit provides in demonic
encounters.
Not only does the Lord Jesus live through His powerful Spirit in my heart. He also wants to give me the power I
need to stand firm during Satan’s attacks. The apostle Paul writes to the
Christians in Ephesus: “I pray that you will begin to understand the
incredible greatness of His power for us who believe Him.” (Ephesians
1:19*) To the believers in Colosse (Turkey) Paul writes: “We also pray that
you will be strengthened with His glorious power so that you will have all the
patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy...” (Colossians
1:11*) The apostle speaks to the Philippian Christians of his long experience
with the application of Christ’s power in his life: “I can do everything
with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” (Philippians
4:13*)
In
the last meditation we saw that our Lord Jesus Christ – by His Spirit - has
granted His powerful presence in the hearts of all those who are born again.
And in this meditation we realize how my relationship with Him should be if I
want to overcome Satan’s assaults on Jesus’ life within me. In the following meditations
we will discover how God wants us to defy Satan’s powerful attacks while we submit
to His leadership under combat conditions.
Translations: * New Living
Translation; ** New International Version; *** New King James Version
About conversion, see
meditations 19-26.
About Holy Sprit’s
ministry, rebirth or baptism in God’s Spirit, see meditations 27-34, 37 and 44.
About personal,
Christlike love for God the Father and God the Son, see meditations 56-62.
About not bringing
sorrow to God’s Spirit and not stifling Him, see meditations 49-55.
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