We learned yesterday that demons are real, evil and unclean, stronger than us, destroyers, and after God’s people.  Today we realize our victory over Satan and his soldiers. 

 

As the parable goes, a Christian and nonbeliever were walking down the road when Satan appeared before them.  The non-Christian hid behind the believer and said, "Protect me!  He's after me!"  But the Christian smiled and said, "No, it's me he's after.  He's already got you."  Demons want to tempt us to sin, ruin our witness, corrupt our lives.

 

Here's the good news: we can defeat Satan and his foot soldiers in the power of the Holy Spirit.  We can refuse their temptations and defeat their strategies each and every day.

 

First, receive Jesus.  Make him your Savior and Lord.  As he defeated the demons in Mark 5, so he has power over Satan and his temptations always.  Make him your Lord, and he will help you win the battle over temptation and sin every day.

 

Next, recognize temptation.  When sin knocks at your door, demons are hiding behind it.  And that sin will always take you further than you wanted to go, keep you longer than you wanted to stay, and cost you more than you wanted to pay.  Know that every sin is part of a demonic strategy to ruin your witness and life.

 

Now, run to the Spirit.  Every time you are tempted, go immediately to the Spirit for his help.  Don't try to win this battle on your own, because you cannot.  James 4:7-8 is God's antidote to temptation: "Submit yourselves to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and he will come near to you."  Submit to God's Spirit—be filled and empowered every day by him—then resist the devil with his strength and help.

 

Last, rescue others—all who belong to the enemy.  When Jesus healed the demoniac of Mark 5, he then sent him to be used to heal others.  To his family, and to the ten Gentile cities along the eastern edge of the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan river.  He became their first missionary, preaching the gospel of God's love and power for their lives and souls.  In a war, every soldier matters.  Where are you stationed?

 

Tomorrow we will examine how to defeat temptation and sin.

 

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