Get mad at the devil.  It’s time to understand that we’re in a war here.  He hates you.  He hates your kids.  He hates God.  He hates everything you stand for.  He always has and always will. He is relentless.  He will kick you when you’re down.  He doesn’t fight fair.  There is no truce time – no peace time – no down time.  He is the Accuser.  He is the Liar.  He is real.  He is not some “symbol” of evil.  He is your Adversary.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to give him more prominence than he deserves.  I don’t go looking around every corner for him and I don’t think about him every moment of the day.  But, I am aware of him and his devices.  If I ever forget that, I get into trouble.  Yes, I am perfectly capable of messing up all by myself.  I am a sinner, saved by God’s grace, that’s for sure.  But, the devil is an opponent we’d better not forget about.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.  1 Peter 5:8-9

Personally, Peter teaches us to remain constantly vigilant.  Relationally, we remember that our struggles are not the fault of our spouse, or kids, or neighbors, or bosses, or friends.  We fight an unseen enemy who is relentless in his attacks on our relationships with others.  If he can divide us – he wins.  Because he knows that in unity God commands a blessing.  He wants to kill, steal, and destroy us – and our relationships.

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.   Ephesians 6:12

How do we fight the enemy?  By submitting to God, resisting the devil, and using the spiritual weapons God so graciously gave us.  Among them are:

• The Word of God.
• The Name of Jesus.
• The Blood of Jesus.

We fight the devil’s lies with Truth.

• Jesus, the living Word of God is Truth.
• The next time the devil is beating you down, look in the mirror and say this with conviction:  “therefore there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”  Say it!  Say it and mean it.  You’re agreeing with God’s Word.
• Or say this: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!”
• This is not some “psyco-babble hyper build yourself up gimmick”  It is God’s Word.  Act on it!

We fight his accusations with the Blood of Jesus.

• Understanding that although yes, it is true, I am a sinner, Christ paid for my sin and declared “it is finished.”  Therefore, I must truly repent and ask for His forgiveness.
• Now, I am forgiven and made clean so the devil’s accusations hold weight no more.

This is war!  Sometimes it’s not pretty and we may stumble once in a while.  That’s why we need each other to encourage and stand with each other.  (Yep, that’s in the Bible too.)

I will close with a rather famous scripture about standing strong against the enemy.  Please don’t mis-picture this instruction from Paul about the whole armor of God.  Please don’t picture yourself putting on some sort of antiquated Roman armor.

That won’t do you one bit of good!

Instead, do what it says:  walk in truth, live righteously, be ready to share the Gospel, take the Word of God as an offensive weapon etc.  You will be amazed at the strength you’ll find in God to wrestle and resist the enemy.

Ephesians 6:13-18

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.  

• Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 
• For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 
• In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 
• Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 
• Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. 
• Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

I love you guys . . . it’s such an honor to serve you.

Stand your ground!

Steve 🙂