We are the courageous victors!
We ought own it!
We are not victors because of something we have done but because of what Jesus has done (Rom. 8:37). We are not victors because we have never stumbled into sin but because we refuse to stay down (Prov. 24:16). We are courageous victors because we follow the one who defeated Satan, sin, death, and the grave. He picked you to be on His team (John 15:16)! He called you into His mission (Matt. 28:19-20)! He granted you great power and authority over all devilish tempters (Luke 10:17-20)!
Yet the Prince of Darkness still fights the valiant followers of Jesus (Paranormal Part-1). This Devil desires us to remain fearful, faithless, and quietly Living in the Shadows (Paranormal Part-2). Sadly, that old snake has struck many with the venom of his five favorite attacks.
1. Doubt
Is God’s Word really reliable? Is His plan for me really best? Does He really love me?
Jesus called the Devil a liar. That old slimy salamander is nothing more than a filthy liar who would have you spend your whole life unsure of God’s intentions and integrity. Please understand something… God is not the one you should be questioning! God is love! God is Good! You are His! We the courageous victors must stop doubting this truth!
Genesis 3:1 The serpent was more subtle than any beast…and he said unto the woman, “Yea, hath God said…”
2. Distraction
Satan is not only a master manipulator of the truth but of reality itself.
He has the ability to make attractive that which is extremely destructive and damaging! He is a peddler of crap. He specializes in taking an innocent party and scamming them into trading lasting joy for momentary pleasure. He’s convinced many to pursue conflict rather than peace, lust rather than love, and peevishness rather than patience.
Sadly, I have often gorged myself at this Satanic banqueting hall, feasting upon that which only brings sadness and never satisfaction.
Luke 22:31 Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.
3. Defeat
If Satan can make you feel like a failure then you might not even try. The crazy thing is, you are not a failure – no matter what you did last week, last month, or last year. Theologically speaking, you are not a defeated Christian because Christ has secured your victory through His death and resurrection. You must understand that it is Satan who is the defeated foe. There is no need to Defeat the Devil. Christ has already done that. We simply need to believe it!
I Corinthians 15:57-58 Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable…
4. Delay
“Give your life to Jesus, just not this week!” “Yes, you need to stop dishonoring your relationship by having uncommitted sex and get married, but let’s wait until you can afford the wedding you both deserve.” That grimy little mud-sucker is tricky! “Yes, by all means, get baptized but not until the time is right!” “You need to seek out help, find someone with whom you can be open and share your struggles, but now is certainly NOT the right time!” And in this state of mind so many enter their coffin having never taken the opportunity to do what they knew they ought.
1 Thessalonians 2:18 We would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
5. Division
There is only one thing in this world that the Devil truly fears, the church! The church is the body of Christ, the family of God, endowed with God’s power and gifted with God’s Spirit. Oh if that smarmy centipede could divide the church he would certainly defeat it! And thus he tries desperately. He does this through local gossips strategically placed in each local assembly by his demonic agents. He does this through prideful pastors who are more concerned about denominational politics than the advancement of Christ’s kingdom.
Ephesians 4:3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
So then, remember dear reader, we are the courageous victors!
Own it!
We who have been miraculously saved by the grace of God must recognize the victory that is ours. We don’t have to fall to the five favorite attacks of our enemy!
Join us for the Grand Finale of PARANORMAL this Sunday at Southern Hills! This is a Question & Answer time with Pastor Josh regarding the Biblical view of the paranormal. To add a question please comment below:
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