16-Jun-2024 – Forgiveness is a strong weapon to defeat Satan

Published by Sunil Binkam on June 16, 2024June 16, 2024

“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” – Matthew 9:13

During Jesus’ time, the Pharisees could not understand why Jesus was mingling more with sinners and tax collectors. Moreover, when Jesus forgave sins, they were very uncomfortable because they knew only God could forgive sins.

“But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins.” – Matthew 9:6

The Son of man has the power to forgive sins on earth. When Jesus was referred to as the Son of man, He was representing Himself as the promised seed of the woman and the promised son of David—the Messiah. Being a man in the flesh, whatever Jesus did was actually an example for all of us because we should also be able to do as He did.

Furthermore, there is a deeper revelation when Jesus said, “the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins.” If the Son of man is the Messiah and the long-promised seed of the woman, He must bruise the head of the serpent, which is Satan.

The Pharisees thought of a fight or war in traditional terms, with bows and arrows and swords. But God’s plan was different. Satan’s advantage over us is our sinfulness and unforgiven sins. When sin is unforgiven, one must face the consequence of that sin, and the wages of sin is death.

As the Messiah, when Jesus forgives, He does so with authority. His forgiveness truly releases the burden of sin from the individual. This is why Jesus told the Pharisees to learn the meaning of, “I will have mercy, and not sacrifice,” justifying it with, “I came to call the sinners to repentance.” Even through the Old Testament prophets, God foretold the forgiveness He planned for us.

Forgiveness is a very strong weapon against Satan. Jesus’ forgiveness of our sins defeats Satan’s claim of ownership. It releases us from the bondage of sin. When we accept the Lord as our personal Savior, we receive the authority to become children of God.

This forgiveness is a powerful weapon not only for Jesus but for us too.

“Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” – John 20:23

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” – Matthew 6:14

From these verses, we clearly understand that being the Son of man, whatever Jesus did, is for us to follow and practice. Having faith in Him will enable us to accomplish this. Today, in the “Hear Him” series, God wants us to hear about why He forgives us and why we need to forgive each other.

Prayer

Dear loving heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace and love. Thank You for today’s message about the power of forgiveness. Help me, Lord, to practice this, to live by example, and to show forth the character of Jesus in my life and through my life. I pray in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen!