Developing A Battle Plan Against The Devil’s Attacks (2)

                                       

Yesterday we started by understanding important facts about the attacks of the devil and they are:
1.Attacks from Satan are not authorized from God.
2.Attacks from Satan can be resisted and defeated. (here).

Let us see a few other important truths from our Bible passage (1 Peter 5:8 – 9) today:
“Knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” Continue...

You wouldn’t be able to resist the devil effectively if you don’t know that other Christians, just like you, have faced the same thing you are currently facing. Therefore, what you are going through is never unique, no matter how special it seems because somebody, somewhere is going through the same thing and somebody somewhere has gone through the same thing victoriously. Therefore, if the devil defeats you, it is not because God’s grace is not sufficient but because you allowed it.

“Seeking whom he may devour.” The word “may” in verse 8 is different from the word “shall” because the devil is seeking whom he “may” devour means that the devil needs your permission to succeed and that is why the devil sought for permission, from God, to attack Job (Job 1:9-12). In the Old Testament, the devil could not attack Job directly but in the New Testament that we are living in today, Jesus said to Simon, “Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.” (Luke 22:31).

In the Old Testament and the Gospels (i.e. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) Satan seeks permission from God before attacking the believer but in the New Testament, starting from the book of Acts of the Apostles, the devil seeks permission to attack from you and I. The devil doesn’t go to God for permission again because he doesn’t have that access like before but he gets his permission from believers who are often unaware. DEFEAT, FOR A CHILD OF GOD, IN THE ATTACK OF THE DEVIL IS A SELF-PERMITTED RESPONSE. You can refuse to permit the devil.

When you bring these understanding to everything the devil throws at you, you will find that he wouldn’t be able to defeat you. If other saints have been victorious in what you are facing, then make sure that you don’t give the devil the permission to defeat you in your faith, your health, your family, your destiny or you career.

Prayer: Lord, I side with Your word in my situation and I take a stand of faith today, that the devil will not defeat me in my journey in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible References: 1 Peter 5:8 – 10; I Timothy 6:11 – 12

Source: Spirit Meat