Living Free - May 31, 2017
Know Your Enemy
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
“Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, ‘It has come at last—salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth—the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.’” - (Revelation 12:10–11 NLT)
THOUGHTS FOR TODAY
The war we are fighting against the enemy is very real. Earlier this week we mentioned the constant accusation of worthlessness we feel when we are depressed. Today’s scripture points out the true source of these thoughts. “The accuser” is Satan.
Do you sometimes go out the door in the day and feel accused of inadequacy? Do you ever toss and turn on your bed in the middle of the night filled with a sense of shame and despair? Who is accusing you? Satan. And talk about persistence! He accuses us “day and night.”
CONSIDER THIS . . .
In John 8:44 Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees, a group of legalistic Jews, about the devil (Satan). “For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies” (NLT).
Satan is not only a liar but also the father of lies. In John 10:10, Jesus says this about him: “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy” (NLT). Who does he want to steal from and kill and destroy? Us! And one of his primary tools is lies.
Here is the second half of that verse: “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” Satan is out to kill us. Jesus came to bring us life—a satisfying one. Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our sins. When we receive him as Lord and Savior, our sins are forgiven. That’s the truth. But Satan brings those sins up to us and tries to condemn us for them. That’s a lie. Just like the believers described in today’s scripture, we can defeat the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and our testimony. Jesus shed his blood for us and we are forgiven. That’s the truth. That’s what we need to declare to the world—and to our enemy when he comes at us with his accusing lies.
Lord, thank you for Jesus. Thank you that he died on the cross for my sins. Thank you that since I received him as my Lord and Savior, my sins are forgiven. Help me to boldly declare that truth. In Jesus’ name . . .
THESE THOUGHTS WERE DRAWN FROM . . .
Understanding Depression: Overcoming Despair through Christ by Donald G. Miles, Ed.D.
This study deals with depression, a condition common throughout the world, and is suggested for use in support groups and Christian counseling.
• Understanding what depression is and how it affects relationships
• Understanding the relationship between depression and spiritual warfare
• Ways to fight depression with scripture, prayer, and mutual support
• Understanding the special prayer needs of depressed persons
• Bible-based coping skills
• How to pray for healing and what to expect
• Serves as a powerful evangelistic tool by providing a way to minister to people's felt needs and then lead them to Christ
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