Resist and Win

“I often laugh at Satan, and there is nothing that makes him so angry as when I attack him to his face, and tell him that through God I am more than a match for him” – Martin Luther

What we’re up against every day is Satan, whom the Bible describes as a roaring lion who seeks people to devour.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Temptations come our way day in and day out…over and over and over. But one thing is amazing to know. Satan might be stronger than us, but God is WAY stronger than Satan any old day. All we have to do to get the victory is turn into God’s arms and fight the battle with Him. I read the end of the Bible. We win.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

This verse speaks amazing volumes about God’s power. It’s a promise to Christians that if we are in God and letting Him fight for us, the devil is going to take off with his tail between his legs because he knows for a fact that he’s no match for our great and powerful, wondering and majestic, awesome and mighty, loving and strengthening, glorious God!

Just because we’re on God’s side, doesn’t mean there won’t be temptation to do wrong. Even the smallest thing…one thought, one look…can be deadly. If Satan gets even one of the hairs on our head, he can rope us in very quickly. One little glance can send us into a very long stare. Sin is around every corner, and our job is to seek God to help us overcome this temptation. How can we do this? By putting on His armor.

“Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints...." Ephesians 6:10-18

With this protection from God, we will be able to fight the devil knowing that we are not vulnerable. This armor of God is something we have to put on each morning before our feet even touch the ground. This takes time spent reading God’s word, learning about how we can equip ourselves to fight, knowing who our Commander is, and preparing our minds and hearts to fight strongly and resist. The battles, big and small, can be won, but not without the help of our God. But God promises to be there with us, watching, protecting, helping, and healing us. We’re not alone.