Thursday, August 28, 2008

Resist the Devil!

James 4:7 exhorts us, "Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you. Resist the Devil and He will flee from you."

Some quick observations. It says resist not rebuke. We live in a day when Tele-evangelists tell you, "Just rebuke the Devil." My question for them is this, "If Michael the Archangel would not bring a railing accusation against him when disputing over the body of Moses, but instead said, 'the Lord rebuke you,' who are we to do otherwise?" We can't go out in our own power and defeat him by just saying, "I rebuke you." Second, to resist is a defensive posture, just as standing. Paul told the Ephesians, "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 withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand...Stand therefore..." We must defend the ground that Christ has already won.

Furthermore, the Scripture exhorts us, "Neither GIVE place to the Devil." The Devil has nothing on his own. It is only what mankind cedes to him. If only the body of Christ could see this! We are seated in Heavenly places! We are in Christ! Christ has already overcome, therefore, we have too! We stand in victory, defending what we already have been given at Calvary!!!

Let me warn you again, in the last days some will depart giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. In the last days, the devil will be cast down to earth and will devour as many as possible knowing that his time is short. In the last days, sorcery will be a major sin (Revelation 9:21; 21:8). Sorcery carries a two-fold meaning: "Witchcraft and Drug Addiction." I could go on and on about the drug culture and harmfulness of it, but you should know that already. I would like to mention the other aspect.

We live in a day when the fastest growing religion among teens is WICCA. Is it any wonder when we allow and even encourage our children to read Harry Potter? When we let them watch movies and cartoons with magic and the curious arts [When the Ephesians got saved, they had a bonfire for their books of magic and curious arts!!!]? When ghosts, goblins, and casting spells are a normal part of TV programming? As the father of a 4 almost 5 year old, I know how hard it is for them to tell the non-fiction from the make believe. I also know that witchcraft isn't harmless make believe. The devil will use whatever means possible to thwart the mission of the church and suck people into his lair. He is a glory-stealer and wants to steal from God the glory that belongs only to God!

Saints of God, MORE NOW THAN EVER WE MUST RESIST THE DEVIL AND NOT GIVE HIM ANY PLACE!!! Don't give him an inch. He's a liar and the father of them. He's a murderer, a thief, a destroyer, a devourer, a deceiver, an accuser, Apollyon and Abaddon. HE'S OUR ENEMY!!! I believe it's time to draw a line in the sand and say, "NO MORE!!!" We have given him too much credit, and too much territory as it is. It's time to take back what he stole, and defend what the Lord has given us!

It's time to say, "No more." No more young people being lost to drugs! No more loved one's going to Hell, if I can help it! No more, no more, no more!!! In these last days, in which we are living, while many are getting sucked in and deceived by the media into worshipping the "prince of the power of the air, Satan himself;" Let us stand firm against him! Resist him, and we're promised he will flee! Again, BE STRONG IN THE LORD AND PUT ON HIS ARMOR! FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH, FOR OUR TIME IS SHORT!!!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

AMEN! Thats good!