Keep an Eye on the Enemy

…in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
2 Corinthians 2:11

I know I've used the verse above recently in a devotion, if not more than once. Apparently God wants me to keep writing about it, so it must be important that we stay aware of Satan's schemes. I mentioned a few weeks ago a real-time strategy game I occasionally play on the computer and how having a good economy is essential to winning. (And, consequently, weakening the opponent's economy is a good strategic move. Same goes for removing the flesh so that sin has no resources to grow in us.) Well, probably the next most important thing in this game is to know what the opponent is up to.

In the game, it's very important for me to find ways to peer into my opponent's base as well as see what else is happening on the map. If I can see in his base, I can tell what kind of attack he is preparing and build the correct units to counter it. If I am watching the map as a whole, I can see when his attacks head toward my base and be prepared by the time they arrive. Some units just aren't good against others, but each unit has a unit that will defeat it fairly easily. If I've been building units that aren't good against the ones my opponent builds, when either of us attacks, I'll lose. But, if I see what he has and then build the best units to counter that, it'll be fairly easy for me to win.

We need to keep this strategy in mind as we fight spiritual battles. Not every attack or defense is good against everything the enemy brings us. Sometimes we need prayer, other times fasting. Sometimes fellowship is important and sometimes we need to fight when it's just us and God going against Satan. (This last one is tricky, because Satan wants us to fight alone often so we'll lose. Always be sharing your struggles with Christian brothers and sisters!) In order to know what to do, we need to see how Satan is attacking and what he has coming next. We also need to be tuned in to Holy Spirit, because there isn't a formula. When the enemy is attacking a family, maybe the family needs to band together in prayer. But if a child is sick, maybe the parents should fast. None of these attacks are exclusive of the others and neither are our counters. We just need to be using the best ones for the battles ahead.

Father in Heaven we praise your mighty name. You are worthy, you are holy, you are righteous. We bless your name and we worship you. Thank you, almighty Father, that you make us aware of Satan's schemes. Thank you that we don't walk blindly into battle but instead we have the Spirit of the only Living God leading the way. Thank you that victory is ours! Teach us how to fight. Teach us how to strategize. Lord, we don't want to be outwitted by the enemy. In Jesus’ name, amen!

Keep an eye on Satan's schemes so you don't end up unprepared to fight him.

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Empowered To Sin No More

The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

“No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

John 8:3-11

Jesus came to seek and save the lost. In the above story, He saves a woman who, according to law, was deserving of death. This is no different than the grace He offers to each and every one of us, too. The law sets a perfect standard and we all have fallen short of it, therefore deserving death. Jesus instead says “I don’t condemn you.” But, He goes on to say more, “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

When He says this, however, it’s not another command just like all the ones we’ve broken before. If that were the case, it would just be one more rule for us to break and one more way to fall short. Instead, it’s empowering. When Jesus said this to the woman in the story, He empowered her to leave her sin and live righteously. She may have felt trapped in her sin, but these words were freeing, not condemning.

So, are there areas of your life that Jesus has forgiven you but you haven’t taken His empowering to leave your sin? If so, do so today. Leave your sin behind. Walk in freedom and righteousness. Don’t just resolve to do better in the flesh, abide in His Spirit and in His Word each day. As you do, the temptations to return to sin will fail in comparison to the greatness of knowing Jesus.

Father God, thank you so much for sending Jesus. Thank you for this story in which we clearly see Jesus’ love for people. Thank you that Jesus did not condemn this woman because He loves her and that He does not condemn us either. Thank you also that you empowered her and you empower us to leave our sinful habits. Please help us to recognize this empowerment and walk away from those sins you have already forgiven. Teach us how to abide in you and your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen!

Jesus empowers us to leave our sin.

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Freedom Within You

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2 Corinthians 3:17

I encourage you to meditate on this verse today. "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." Where is the Spirit of the Lord? The Spirit of the Lord is Holy Spirit, and Holy Spirit lives inside every one of us who relies on Jesus alone for our salvation. That means there is freedom inside of us! It's not something we have to keep searching for - it is within us. Psalm 139:7-10 says:

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

There is nowhere we can go without Holy Spirit. That means we have freedom within us ALL THE TIME! We are no longer bound by sin and destruction, but we are always free to live life to the fullest. We are free from all oppressions. We are free to enjoy the many blessings God bestows upon us!

Do you recognize your freedom in the Spirit each day? Walk in His goodness and mercy. Don't voluntarily submit to the arrest of Satan; resist the devil on the grounds of already having been freed! He will flee from you. You are free. Forever.

Father God, thank you that you sent Jesus to this earth to bring us freedom. Thank you for freedom. Please forgive us for when we have taken our freedom for granted. We want to experience life to the fullest in your freedom. Please teach us to walk in this freedom and live according to your Spirit each and every day. In Jesus’ name, amen!

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom, and the Spirit of the Lord is within you.

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Not to be Served, but to Serve

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Mark 10:45

Jesus speaks the above words to His disciples after they have been quarreling amongst themselves about who is the greatest. Two of them had asked if they could sit at Jesus' right and left in Heaven; they were seeking to be great. But He rebukes them instead saying they should not be desiring greatness. He gives Himself as an example, saying that if He didn't come to be served then no one should expect that - particularly not His followers. And I think it's because that desire for greatness is selfish and therefore rooted in the flesh. It does not spring from a godly heart. Jesus knows that desire will never be completely satisfied, so He cautions His disciples because He loves them and wants the best for them.

I think the same is true for us. As I was meditating in church this morning, Holy Spirit was prompting me with a corollary to Jesus' words: "I did not send you to be served, but to serve, and to give your life for my kingdom." I did not sense that "give your life" meant that the sole purpose was to die a physical death, but rather to have a life completely dedicated to His kingdom. It does imply a different death, however - death to our flesh. "give your life" means giving up personal desires and setting aside worldly aspirations in order to do the kingdom work the Father has set.

Where do you stand today? Are you expecting to be served in this world? In what ways are you striving to serve and give of yourself for His kingdom?

Hallelujah, God. Thank you that you sent Jesus not to be served, but to serve. Thank you that Jesus gave his life as a ransom for all of us. His blood has paid the price for our sins; for this we thank you and worship you. Holy Spirit, please help us to change any improper expectations we have about being served. Let us seek to serve and not expect to be served. Help us to see where we can give more of our lives for the Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen!

Jesus didn't come to be served, so you shouldn't expect to be either.


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