31-Mar-2024 – Your powerful faith can overpower the devil
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. -Philippians 4:13
Today is the last day of this month and also the last devotional on the theme of “faith”. So today God is willing to remind us about powerful faith. In this verse, the apostle Paul tell the church that, he can do all things through Christ which strengthens him.
If we think about doing something physically, we need knowledge in handling that physical activity and physical strength and capability to accomplish that. If we think about something like performing a non-physical activity like performing a negotiation, motivating someone, bringing a team or a family together we need to have capability and these are not so easy of things.
Now, Christ strengthens us, as per Paul, we can do anything and all of these things. If we check Bible, we can find evidence for this.
In whom (Jesus) are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. -Colossians 2:3
This verse says that the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hid in Christ. According to the gospel of John, without him (Christ), nothing was created. That means, the knowledge of everything that is created on this earth is well known to Jesus Christ.
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: -Colossians 1:16
This is the guiding verse of our online ministry “Everything For Jesus” as well. Everything is created wether it is in heaven or in the earth, both visible and invisible, thrones, dominions, principalities or powers created by him and for him.
This means, Jesus has authority over everything. In the name of Jesus, everything whether it is visible or invisible, whether that is a power or a principality, has to bow down on it’s knees.
Now this powerful Jesus Christ loves us and gave his life on the cross to deliver us from the bondage of sin, which was a hindering aspect in our lives that gave authority to devil to drag our lives towards the eternal hell fire. Now we belong to Jesus Christ and devil cannot have authority to drag us wherever he wants.
We ourselves can stand against him and resist him, and the devil must submit and obey even though he is stronger than us, because we belong to God through Jesus. But there is one thing that we need to remember.
God never wanted us to be mechanical but living. If there is a security layer without we being touched by any enemy, then we will just be mechanical without even realising the authority we have in Christ, the glory of God given to us.
That’s why he keeps us reachable, even though the devil does not have authority over us, he can still try to provoke us, tempt us. But when we realise our relationship with God, and when we realise the authority we carry in the name of Jesus, we stand by faith in that truth. Then the devil cannot stand against us.
That’s why Jesus said –
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. -John 16:33
Our powerful faith can overpower the devil
This theory is good to hear but how to practice in our daily life? I know a person whose thoughts are bad and the eyes are unholy from the childhood. during his young age after the studies, he realised that he belongs to the God almighty and consciously accepted Jesus as his personal saviour. Till then he was not even bothered about the weakness he has as a sin but only thing he was worrying was no one should catch him.
But once he accepted Jesus, day by day the guilt of his sin was heavier and heavier. But on the other side, God gave him opportunities after opportunities to train him in various aspects of the ministry of God. Like care taking in a church, playing keyboard, translating the word, leading youth groups and to teach the word of God in a church. This is a years together effort of God.
This person is still suffering from various vulnerable weaknesses, but God transformed him in various aspects and changed him completely. Now there is no fear of losing, but he stands on the promise. One truth this person always tells me that, “my failure to overcome the devil is my battle that I lost, but I am a soldier of Christ, I may be wounded but will not lose, I will stand!”.
Definitely one day, this person’s life will be a testimony among many for what God can do in the life of a sinner.
That’s why let us not leave the word meditation, prayer and waiting for the Lord’s word (Rhema). When we fall the first attack by the devil is to build the pressure of guilt, to prevent going into the presence of God! Don’t give him this chance. Stay stronger in your faith. Remember that it is not by your power but the power of Jesus only, you can win over the devil, without going into the presence of God, you cannot have this strength!
Prayer
Dear loving heavenly Father, thank you for your love and grace. Thank you for reminding us about the faith in our daily life and how this can enable us to be victorious in our situations. Help us to remember that we belong to you, to be enabled with the knowledge, wisdom, power and authority of Jesus Christ, in our lives. I pray in the name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Amen!
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