”Be sober, watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
The Bible is clear: we have a real enemy, whose goal is to destroy us. Our enemy is the devil, who is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. There are Christians whom the devil cannot devour, because they are submissive and trusting in the grace of God. Grace gives you access to divine rest and puts circumstances on your side.
Grace is the key to winning a spiritual battle
When the battle rages, we are often tempted to take matters into our own hands and do them our way. But carnal efforts are not effective against the devil’s attacks and seductive wiles.
Ephesians 6:12
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the authorities, against the rulers of this dark world, against the spirits of wickedness in the heavenly places.
In spiritual warfare, you are fighting a battle against an invisible adversary, whom you cannot defeat by your own strength or skill. Leave aside your pride which wants to encourage you to react with human means.
2 Corinthians 10:4
4 For the weapons with which we fight are not carnal; but they are powerful, by the virtue of God, to overthrow fortresses.
1 Peter 5:5
5 Likewise, you who are young, be subject to the elders. And all of you, in your mutual relationships, clothe yourselves with humility; for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Ephesians 6:11 instructs us like this:
Ephesians 6:11
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can stand firm against the wiles of the devil.
Your armor is totally dependent on the grace of God that empowers you to deliver you. When you submit to God, He gives you more grace. His power equips you to resist the devil, who will flee from you (James 4:4-7). The devil will have no power against you, in the face of your trust in God.
2 Corinthians 12:9
9 and he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will much more gladly boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Jesus has already won the victory for you. He opened the door and gave you access to God’s grace (John 1:17). You are armed and extremely dangerous against the kingdom of darkness. You do not fight for victory, but on this victory!
Ephesians 6:10
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Meditate on this truth until you have complete trust in Christ and the wonderful work of the cross. Draw your strength from Him. Through your communion with God, you will remain strong, firm, and steadfast in the face of life’s challenges and torments.
John 16:33
33 I have spoken these things to you, that in me you may have peace. You will have tribulation in the world; but take courage, I have conquered the world.
In the “Engaging in spiritual warfare” series, you will discover why the devil can do nothing against a child of God who has faith and trust in His grace to obtain victory against the storms of life.
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