The Believer’s Victory 2

He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you

Luke 10:18-19

Yesterday, we began our conversation about the believer’s victory by emphasising the fact that we are more than conquerors because Jesus won the victory for us long before the battle even started. Today, we will take the conversation a bit further by examining the flip side of this conversation: the devil’s loss.

To help us understand the heavy loss the devil has suffered, Paul painted a picture for us in 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 when he says, “…we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world for our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

Ordinarily, the devil’s greatest moment of victory would have been his success in getting the angry mob of Jewish leaders to kill Jesus in the most humiliating manner possible. Yet, in that moment, God’s greatest victory was achieved. Now, all the devil is left with are schemes, strategies, and devices; lies and manipulations.

Peter truly took time to expose him when he said, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). That’s the point: he is not a Lion! He may prowl like one or roar like one, but we know who the Lion of Judah is.

Why is it very important to know all these? It is because the devil’s deception is more powerful than his afflictions. In fact, the reason his afflictions are powerful is that his deception is strong. The devil constantly comes to give you a reason why it’s okay to be sick and not to spiritualize simple sickness too much. The moment you buy into the lie, he will keep you in the affliction longer than necessary. He will tell you it’s simply human to be angry, but he is gradually enslaving you to the spirit of anger until you become comfortable and think you can’t be free. No! The devil is not that powerful; he was defeated long ago, and all he has left for his operation now are his deceits and lies.

Next time the devil comes at you, remember to talk back to him. The best way to talk back is to declare the words of the Lord. Tell him what the scriptures say about your situation and remind him that he has no place, that he is defeated, and watch him walk away shamefully. Victory is yours in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER