“Fear God alone, and your fear of your enemy will diminish and be overtaken in grateful praise.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – March 18, 2024
And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many. Mark 5:9, ESV
To deceive followers of Jesus into thinking he is non-existent is the devil’s primary strategy. After all, educated people may genuinely ask, “Aren’t demons and the devil ideas from the Dark and Middle Ages, and haven’t we been enlightened since then?” Sly, subtle, and convincing is the evil one. If Satan can use education and science to dissolve his very existence, then he can claim to be a hoax or even the imagination of the ignorant masses of the past. Billy Graham, the respected Christian leader and preacher, affirms the existence of the devil:
But don’t think of him [Satan] as just an evil person in a red suit and a forked tail; he is much, much greater than that. Satan is a powerful, spiritual being whose goal is to turn us away from God. He isn’t equal to God—but in ways that are largely hidden from us, he is engaged in a constant cosmic battle against God. Don’t take Satan lightly—for he is your enemy! The Bible says, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against… the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).
A struggle indeed, but Jesus shows us how to overcome!
Jesus encounters a man possessed by demons. His name is Legion. The Roman soldiers of the day served with a large group called a legion, several thousand men committed to killing and plundering on behalf of the King and country. These were disciplined men who worked tightly together as a unit. In a similar fashion, the devil and his demons are focused and organized on destroying or at least discrediting your faith. The evil one is called an adversary for a reason. Prowling like a lion to pounce on his prey or tempting you with fame, fortune, and even your family to form idols made with hands so your worship of the Lord is insincere and ineffectual. It seems the church and Christians can easily be divided, but not so with Satan; all his forces are aligned to strengthen darkness. Enemies of God are bound by their hatred to lead you to hate.
Thankfully, as we sense Satan’s approach, we, like the Psalmist, can call out for help, “I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies,” (Psalm 18:3). Greater is He than he that is in the world, so call out to Christ to fight your spiritual battles. Demons tremble at the name of Jesus and flee in the presence of the Lord. Our conflict is not with flesh and blood but with an unseen enemy who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. So, take seriously Satan’s temptations, and do not place yourself in a position for him to get a foothold in your faith. Ignore the Bible and live unaccountable to your peril. Keep growing in grace, and the volume of his threats will grow faint, transforming into a tired whimper. Fear God alone, and your fear of your enemy will diminish and be overtaken in sacred praise to the Lord.
Most of all, spend time with your Savior and the Holy Spirit will equip you with the spiritual armor required to be on the offensive with your evil oppressor. Your helmet of salvation protects your mind from lies and renews your thinking with truth so Christ can capture your imagination. Your breastplate of righteousness covers your heart with the love of God, so you are fully loved to fully love. Walk in your shoes of the gospel of peace to bring the good news of Jesus on your journey through life. Bring your shield of faith to take on the fiery darts of doubt and fear. And wield the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, to speak Scripture back to Satan to silence his threats. Satan is a loser, so stay faithful to the Faithful One, and He will guide you through evil attacks. The father of lies bows now and then to Jesus Christ…who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
“Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, lead me by your Spirit to call out Satan’s schemes with the truth of your Word, through Christ’s love, and in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
What temptation do you face where you need to invite in other Spirit-filled followers of Jesus for loving accountability?
Related Reading
1 Corinthians 15:57; Ephesians 6:11; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 4:1-21
Spurgeon Sermon – The Devil’s Last Throw
Spurgeon Sermon – Satan, Self, Sin and the Savior
Worship Resource
Brandon Lake: Jesus Be Praised/Holy Are You Lord
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