Of course, if we are in Christ, our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life and we are heavenbound. Nothing can change this truth, but our adversary would love to make us miserable and ineffective here on earth, and to even cheat us out of our heavenly rewards.
Satan is real. Just under the surface of our everyday interactions, hiding in the shadows, clouded in mystery and confusion, the devil works to undermine what God is doing in us and through us.
This truth that satan is real and at work, must not be forgotten, nor ignored.
BUT GOD is BIGGER! He has given us everything we need to overcome the enemy and his schemes so we can become Conquers in Christ.
Angels, demons, spiritual warfare — they all exist, but we don't have to live in fear of the supernatural.
God has given us a powerful weapon against temptation and accusation. He has given us His Word and Paul remind us who God is, who we are, and what is true the Book of Ephesians.
When we walk in the truth and not in our flesh, we are battle ready, alert and VICTORIOUS! We can avoid falling prey to Satan’s destructive plans for us. According to Ephesians 6, we aren’t called to fight the devil; instead, we resist him by standing firm in the power of the Lord. Through God’s ability, we can overcome temptation, even when facing difficult circumstances.
The Holy Spirit brings God's promises to mind when we need them in our battles.
Our victory over Satan's schemes is by filling our minds with the truth of the Bible. Verse after verse we are given the authority in our battles. Speaking these verses into outloud and into our atmosphere allows us to take dominion.
However, there are two competing agendas that we face every single day on earth.
DEATH vs. LIFE
First, God has a plan for every nation on this earth. In addition, He has a plan for every man, woman and child on this planet, too. His plan can be contained in one word: LIFE.
By comparison, Satan has an agenda as well. His agenda can be summed up in an opposing word: DEATH. His intricate plan for every nation, every person is to steal, kill and destroy.
It is incredibly easy to think the world consists of what we see in our worlds every day, and completely miss the larger picture. This invisible battle happening all around us: life verse death are fiercely competing for our devotion in GOD!
RECOGNIZING COMPETING AGENDAS
Let’s talk about the challenge to recognize the subtle ways the Enemy achieves his agenda in our lives: he deceives, he lies, he corrupts, he brings shame, and then he dangles temptations.
These temptations are in things that will kill relationships, break up businesses, and destroy families and churches and small groups.
The enemy's work is diabolical and unholy.
And in his creativity, he’s distracted us with the obvious evils in the world. These heinous acts like sex trafficking, gender identity, racism and division in all areas are indisputably the work of Satan.
But what about our chronic struggle with our flesh that is displayed by deceit and greed and gluttony?
HOW THE ENEMY’S AGENDA HAS SHOWN UP IN MY LIFE
When I think about the sneaky ways the Devil has squirmed his way into my life, it’s through subtle factors like —
Arrogance and prejudice
My stubborn, know-it-all attitude
He uses these small lapses to plant seeds of doubt and anger, which are his favorite playgrounds.
Thankfully, we don’t have to play.
God has given us everything we need to overcome the Enemy’s schemes and become conquerors. He’s provided examples of spiritual warfare within the Scriptures as a reference for us, and He’s given us His wisdom and armor to combat temptation.
Let’s look at some verses to remember as you face the battles ahead.
We are in an “invisible war” with temporal and eternal consequences.
"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.” Ephesians 6:10-11
2 Thessalonians 3:3
"But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one."
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
1 Peter 5:8-9
"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings."
James 4:7
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Romans 8:37-39
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
John 10:10
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
Colossians 1:13-14
"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
John 16:33
"I [Jesus] have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
1 Corinthians 10:13
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
