1 John 3:7-8 The Message
7-8 So, my dear children, don’t let anyone divert you from the truth. It’s the person who acts right who is right, just as we see it lived out in our righteous Messiah. Those who make a practice of sin are straight from the Devil, the pioneer in the practice of sin. The Son of God entered the scene to abolish the Devil’s ways.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
By grace, every believer in Jesus Christ has been transferred from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son (Colossians 1:13-14 Message).
13-14 God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He’s set us up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating.
We live in the world now as children of light and endeavor to bear the fruit of that light (Ephesians 5:8-10 Message).
8-10 You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You’re out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.
Yet as glorious as this may be, we know that darkness is not yet fully eradicated from our lives.
The truth is that, by their baptism, everyone who becomes a citizen of Christ’s kingdom is caught up in a vast cosmic conflict of eternal significance.
But, praise the Lord, the Evil One has been powerless to prevent God’s adopted children from knowing salvation—but having tasted that measure of defeat, he now seeks to do everything in his power to prevent us from living as true heirs of our Father’s eternal kingdom.
He is totally committed to disrupting and destroying what it means for us to “be imitators of God” (Ephesians 5:1) and to “walk as children of light” (v 8).
His one great aim is to stop us trusting in Christ—to knock you off the narrow road, and keep you off of the narrow road, before we reach the gates of glory.
We should never ignore the alarming terms which Scripture uses to describe the devil nor understate the urgent terms in which we are urged to withstand him.
Peter urges us “be sober-minded” and “watchful” because our “adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
He Gets the Last Word
8-11 Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.
Satan is a real , vicious enemy. He trades in doubt, division, and destruction. He comes at us from all directions, spiritually, ethically, morally and intellectually.
With the ferocity of a supernaturally empowered beast, he seeks to maul us and shred our faith to pieces.
What is a Christian to do when faced with such a vicious determined enemy?
The good news for us is this:
“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”
Though he may still prowl, his defanging has already begun, and ultimately, he will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:7-10 Message).
7-10 When the thousand years are up, Satan will be let loose from his cell, and will launch again his old work of deceiving the nations, searching out victims in every nook and cranny of earth, even Gog and Magog! He’ll talk them into going to war and will gather a huge army, millions strong. They’ll stream across the earth, surround and lay siege to the camp of God’s holy people, the Beloved City. They’ll no sooner get there than fire will pour out of Heaven and burn them up. The Devil who deceived them will be hurled into Lake Fire and Brimstone, joining the Beast and False Prophet, the three in torment around the clock for ages without end.
Defeat is certain for the devil and his minions—and, through Christ, victory over him is yours, Christian.
In Christ, God has given you the spiritual power to “stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10-12 Message).
A Fight to the Finish
10-12 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no weekend war that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
He offers you indestructible armor in the gospel and His very word as your sword (v 10-18 Message).
A Fight to the Finish
10-12 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no weekend war that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
13-18 Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
When you fall, you are forgiven.
The devil has no power over you.
James puts our charge succinctly: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
7-10 So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him make himself scarce. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.
So, where is the battle for you?
Is it against a particular sin or in a certain trial?
Declare the name of Jesus above all other names, take up the means of grace God offers us in Christ—including your company of fellow soldiers—and, by simply believing the gospel of God, force the prowling lion to tail tucked retreat!
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Jehovah God, lead me. Don’t let me be lead astray by my enemy. Don’t let me follow a pathway of evil and sin, Lord, but help me to reject a life of sin and choose to follow Jesus. Remind me that if I continue in sin, that there ultimately won’t be any sacrifice to take away my sins (Hebrews 10:26). Help me to repent of my past wrongs, and so to follow the way of Christ—the way of love and forgiveness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 