This is your scripture for today, may it empower you. Please share widely and make someone's day.
Title: Your enemy Satan was defeated publicly and openly by Jesus Christ.
“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”
The Lord Jesus Christ in John
10:10 declared "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
The thief He was referring to was the enemy of God and mankind Satan. Here Jesus Christ referred to Him as a thief, a murder, and destroyer. Elsewhere in the word of God he is do referred to as the adversary, the devil (1Peter 5:8), the wicked one (1John
2:13), that old serpent, the devil, Satan (Revelation 20:2), a liar and father of lying, (John
8:44), accuser of brethren (Revelation
12:10), the power of darkness (Colossians
1:13).
When Jesus died on the cross, it triggered a reaction from the thrown of God to release resurrection power, Jesus Christ with the force of resurrection power confronted Satan, made him surrender, took all his weapons, that is disarmed him, undressed him to skin and then made him march down a public highway, with hands tied behind his back and feet in chains. Jesus had a victory parade with angels of heaven, while Satan was being humiliated in defeat. Remember resurrection power is the greatest show of force the universe has ever seen.
So born-again child of God remember Jesus Christ defeated, disarmed and humiliated Satan on your behalf on the cross. When Jesus is Lord of your life, He is in you, in your born again regenerated spirit. He has total and complete authority over Satan. In His name and on His behalf you were given total and complete authority over Satan. You can and should rebuke Satan, you can and should bind Satan with chains, you can and should trample over Satan and demons, you can and should resist him steadfast in the faith, you can and should be sober and vigilant.
That is why Jesus Christ said in Luke
10:19 “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
In Matthew 12:28-29, Jesus said"But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.”
He cast out devils by the Spirit of God and He gave us authority to bind Satan and demons in His name and also gave us authority yo cast out devils by the Spirit of God.
In Mark
16:17 Jesus said “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;”
Psalms 91:13 His word says “Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.”
1Peter 5:8-9 says “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
Here we are exalted to be sober, alert and vigilant akin to a soldier on the front line of battle, always alert, active , making sharp turning motions to check over his shoulders who is where, what is happening. The enemy is always looking for an opportunity to attack - but resist him steadfast in the faith. As you do that the God of all grace, who has called us unto eternal glory by Jesus Christ will perfect you, establish you, strengthen you and settle you in position to accomplish His will and purpose.
Point of reflection:
Thank God that Jesus Christ, defeated, disarmed and triumphed over Satan on the cross.
Thank the Lord Jesus for giving you authority to trample over scorpions and serpents and all the power of the enemy,
Thank God for the grace to be sober, vigilant and the ability to resist Satan.