STOP OVERRATING THE DEVIL
TEXT
"And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season." (Luke 4 verse 13, King James Version).
It's true that there are many Christians who arrogate to the devil more power and influence than he actually possesses. Similarly also, there are those who are afraid to confess the devil's defeat as the Scriptures have copiously stated for fear of repercussions. This ought not to be so.
The Scripture reading for today tells us that satan came to his end in his temptations on the Lord Jesus. The Bible records that "when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season." In other words, when the devil had run out of his temptations, he departed from Jesus. To many Christians, it seems unbelievable that satan's power is limited because all along, they think he's a superman that's exhaustless in power and influence. The truth is that during his encounter with the Lord Jesus, satan's temptations got exhausted as today's Scripture verse tells us.
The Bible informs us that the devil's sphere of temptations is limited to three areas: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (see 1st John 2 verse 16). By arrogating to satan more power and influence than he actually has, we oversize him. One basic truth that satan himself cannot dispute is that he's been defeated and stripped of his powers by the Lord Jesus. The book of Colossians chapter 2 verse 15 records of Jesus in regards to the devil and his cohorts as follows:
"And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it."
Having accomplished satan's defeat, the Lord Jesus handed over to us His victory over him saying,
"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10 verse 19).
Furthermore and contrary to what some people think, God has not abandoned us to satan to buffet with relentless temptations. The Bible says in 1st Corinthians chapter 10 verse 13 that "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
The grand summary of satan's complete defeat is tersely stated by the Lord Jesus in Luke 10 verse 18 saying,
"I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."
Following his complete defeat by the Lord Jesus, satan currently walks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour: "Whom resist stedfast in the faith, ... and he will flee from you" (1 Peter chapter 5 verses 8 to 9 and James chapter 4 verse 7). These are basic and liberating truths that we ought to hold close to our chests in our dealings with satan.
As you summon your courage to walk in these truths, you'll find satan's defeat a reality in your life, in Jesus name.
PRAYER:
Thank You dear Lord Jesus for defeating the devil for me and giving me Your Victory to live by, all the days of my life.