Shake Them in Their Boots! When Temptation Looms, Part 7
We have discovered that God has provided us with a powerful arsenal for our
protection: The Belt of Truth, the Helmet of Salvation, the Shield of Faith, and
the Boots of readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition, He has provided us with
two dynamic weapons through which we can become more than conquerors in the name
of the Lord.
The first of these aggressive weapons is God's own Spirit-inspired Word of Life
called the Bible. It is the offensive weapon that comes straight from God's Holy
Spirit: "And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Eph 6:17 NIV)
Did you ever contemplate just how Jesus defeated the devil during his 40 day
ordeal in the desert? He did so through the Word of God! (see Matthew 4-11) His
Word is so powerful that it puts the devil on the run! And what about Eve? Did
you ever contemplate what she DIDN'T do when she gave in to temptation? She
DIDN'T use the Word of God! Without His Word we are dead meat! (see Gen 3: 1-7).
Is this why so many believers lead a defeated life?
Time spent daily in the Word of God, especially when we let God's Spirit speak
to us through the Bible, is vitally important, time well-spent, time that will
gear us to victory! Without it, we might as well be walking around with a bull's
eye and the words "Shoot me!" Painted on our backs!
In the far-away country where I grew up, my mother was recently admitted to
a hospital. Her diagnosis? Alzheimer's and Lewy Body. In plain terms, my
mom is slowly but progressively failing mentally, and she will eventually lose
her mental abilities altogether. Not the most hopeful of diagnoses, is it?
Although daily in contact with my mom over the phone, you can imagine how concerned I have been, and how filled with anguished mental
conflicts. Should I go to the country of my birth and see my mom? Should I stay
here and take care of my current responsibilities? Would my going there
accomplish anything? Would I be welcome, or would my presence simply immerse my
mom into even greater depression? And as if I weren't confused enough, extended
family members then began to throw their conflicting opinions into the mix.
One evening as I was praying for my mom, I clearly heard the following words
addressed to me: "I will take care of her! Claim Psalms 91"
A bit puzzled, I opened God's Word to the book of Psalms. As I read these
powerful words, I immediately took heart, and I boldly proclaimed: "He who
dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I
trust… He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in
trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and
show him my salvation." (Ps 91:1-2, 15-16 NIV)
Immediately, all of my anguish evaporated and peace flooded my heart. I realized
that my mother could not be in better hands, even amidst the avid vultures. Oh,
the power of the Scriptures to defeat the devil! Oh, the power of its Author:
God's Spirit! Peace can only be experienced through Him!
Instead of demons making you tremble, turn it around! Make them tremble!
"You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe - and
tremble!" (James 2:19 NKJV)
With such a weapon at our disposal we cannot be anything but victorious!
"My dear children, you come from God and belong to God. You have already won a
big victory over those false teachers, for the Spirit in you is far stronger
than anything in the world." (1 John 4:4 The Message)
Do you feel like you've been the devil's bull's eye lately? Take up your
God-provided sword and make him flee instead of letting him beat you up!
Rob Chaffart