"They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony..." - Rev 12:1 (NIV).
Anyone who has rightly figured out that there is an enemy, Satan, waging a war against us believers would be interested in knowing more of how he works to fight him off better. Once the LORD asked Satan of his whereabouts. "Satan answered the LORD, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on" (Job 1:7). This was not a picnic walk out in the garden for as Jesus warned us Satan is but a thief who "comes only to steal and kill and destroy" (John 10:10).
When Satan confronted Jesus with temptations early in his ministry, he waved him off with the Word: "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve" (Mathew 4:10). To prevail over Satan, one must be cauched in the Word of God to level back at him with his seductions.
Aside, the believer once he is aware of Satan, must never hesitate to rebuke him. When once acting through Peter he put up an act insisting on his loyalty, "Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns" (Matthew 16:23).
Rebuke is certainly how the Apostle Paul also got back at the female slave who was being used for fortune telling, for "Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her" (John 16:10).
Should you encounter Satan as he is always on a deadly mission to have you over, master and level the Word of God back at him. Above all know that just as the Lord himself and the Apostle Paul did, you should never hesitate to confront and rebuke him into submission.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today by the power of your name, I rebuke Satan and free myself of him, and all my works, this I pray in Jesus's name.
Related upcoming events
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03/05/2024 - 04/05/2024 All day“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)
Every now and then one could be gripped with fear because of certain events sweeping before one’s life journey. It could be the finances that are stretched and incomes are no longer certain. Perhaps it is one’s job under threat. Perhaps it is a dreaded health report card. There could be fear about outcome of a matter under judgment and what it might mean to one’s future.
Fear has been elsewhere described as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.” Every life will experience fear at one point. Whenever we are faced with fear it is natural to look for something to grasp on. Sometimes we run for shelter wherever we can find. Perhaps we might seek out a friend for quiet confidence.
But there are those situations when there is no shelter in sight. There are also those cases where those we thought would understand our situation once we share our pain return only hurting and critical feedback. In such moments we might then turn and look within ourselves only to find the energy has all been sapped by this gnawing fear. We feel down and the urge to rise and move on all gone!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10) the word of God through prophet Isaiah assures us. But why? It is because the Lord has been there. He himself was faced with fear before his crucifixion but He looked to God.
Charles Spurgeon once wrote when faced with fear always remember, “Nothing is too hard for Him. He can find a way where there is no way. He can give us the idea that will make all the difference.” Psalm 91:2, says, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” So, when faced with fear, look to God to strengthen you. By looking to Him, the Lord will encourage and lift up your spirit, and make a way out of nowhere!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I surrender to you any fear that is in me for I know by looking up to you, you will always make a way out of nowhere, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
