Winning Your Personal War with Satan (1)
“Be self-controlled and alert.” 1Pe 5:8 NIV
When nations decide to end a conflict their leaders sign treaties that allow for the restoration of peaceful relations between them. Christ’s death and resurrection defeated Satan fairly and squarely. Then Christ the victor “ascended up on high, [and] he led captivity captive” (Eph 4:8). He was welcomed back to heaven as conqueror. But here on earth no treaty was ever signed between Satan and God’s people. You are still his target. He continues to be a thief who comes to “steal, kill and destroy” (Jn 10:10 TLB). He still “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1Pe 5:8 NIV). But Christ’s victory on the cross has positioned you to walk in daily triumph over him. However, winning your personal war with Satan isn’t a matter of brains or brawn; it’s a spiritual battle and you can only win it by employing God’s strategies for victory. For the next few days let’s look at them: “Be self-controlled and alert” (1Pe 5:8 NIV). Being “self-controlled” implies staying in charge of your emotions, thoughts, words, decisions and actions. It requires taking responsibility for your own life: not allowing people, circumstances, or the Devil to take the steering wheel from your hands, usurp your power of attorney and gain control. Being “alert” means being conscious of your weaknesses and Satan’s corresponding ploys. You can’t afford to coast, run on autopilot, or go with the flow. Being alert exposes Satan’s well-laid strategies, enabling you to stop him dead in his tracks.
January 15, 2013 | Permalink12 Responses to Winning Your Personal War with Satan (1)
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Jessica says:
Very fitting for temptations to eat during this fast! Praying for all to overcome short tempting for full victory.
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Tonia says:
Well said. Thank you for your prayers.
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Grace says:
Thank you Pastor, Lord help me to stay alert always as satan sends his bullets my way. Help me to always remember that the battle is not mine but it is yours oh Lord.
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Nina says:
So much need to hear this today. As I’m on my 10th day of fasting I have ask the Lord to help me with my emotions, decisions and to guide the path of my children and I. I need his strength. Thank You so much.
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Lisann says:
Amen!!!!!!! I really needed to hear from The Lord today, and this is, a word of WARNING!!!!!
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asaph Gatundu mwangi says:
Amen just on time when am in war in my heart with a very close person. The devil is a liar. I will come out strong.
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Jennifer Moore Daugherty says:
Complete Victory! YES!
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Doug says:
Praying, Planning, and realizing God is in control, as I restart my fast
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Yesterday, I was feeling ill. This cold or flu knocked me for a loop. And although I did not deviate from the foods on my fast, I did eat a little more than I should have eaten. I did not overeat but I did not let the hunger settle in and turn to God for guidance and strength. When I realized what Satan was doing – guiding my flesh to have authority over my fast – I repented, asked for forgiveness. I renewed my commitment to this fast and letting my hunger for God overrule the hunger in my stomach. The long lasting results will outweigh the short term hunger.
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Clover says:
Thanks a lot for this message, because I have been experiencing a battle going through with my fast. I talked to the Lord and ask for His guidance and the tools that I need to continue. I have asked for His forgiveness, because I did make a promise/commitment to this fast which I have broken. Today I have been doing great because “Greater is He that is within me, than he that is in the world.” I claim the authority that I will not let the devil intimidate me in anyway especially with food. I am determined to go on in Jesus’ name asking that He leads me and His will be done.
An amazing insight. How we need to exercise this and this is possible truly through fasting and prayer!