September 17, 2008
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Satan’s “Power”
So many people out there are stuck in sin and defeated. Fear, shame, sexual bondage, envy, anger, depression, and other sins are rampant. Even after people confess their sins openly and receive counseling and initial deliverance, some are still weak in their confidence of God reigning within them so when past temptation returns to them, they quickly crumble and fall back into what they were just freed of (Luke 11:24-26). They give up and believe the lie that Satan and his temptations are too powerful for them.
What we must understand is that the only power Satan has is the power that we give him. Jesus has already overcome him for us (John 16:33, Matthew 28:18) and the Spirit of Jesus lives within us (1John 4:4). God has promised that no attack of the Enemy will prosper or be too great for us (Isaiah 54:17, 1Corinthians 10:13) and God has equipped us with weapons to demolish spiritual strongholds (2Corinthians 10:3-5). Colossians 3:3 says that we already died to sin (also Romans 6:11)!!! If all this Scripture is true (which it is), then why are so many people still under bondage?
Lets look again at some of the common ways Satan binds people… fear, shame, sexual bondage (lust), envy, anger, depression. Notice that all of those sins first begin with the mind. For most of them we don’t even have to act on for them to become bondage. If you keep thinking depressing thoughts, you will likely become a depressed person. Christians have to understand that Satan’s only way in is through our mind. The only way he can get any “power” over us is when we entertain the thoughts he tries to plant in our mind. So how do overcome him?
Hebrews 12:2 – Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Colossians 3:2 – Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.
Psalm 119:11 – I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
We have to understand that our victory against sin and Satan is not through our own flesh, its through God’s power alive within us. When we fix our eyes on God, Satan can’t get in. Rather then focusing on the world and its temptations and evils, we instead focus on the One who has overcome and the One who loves us, is with us, and gives us victory. When temptation comes, we refute it with the Word of God and then turn to praising our God. Its in Him we find peace (Philippians 4:6-7).
John 8:32 – Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
