Defeating the Devil on His Turf

Just because you and I live in a fallen world doesn't mean that we have to live in bondage. Remember what Jesus said, "You're in the world, but not of it." What makes us so special or different? It is Christ in us who makes us who we are; it is our faith in Him and not our works. Therefore, we have nothing to boast about except Him. In the scripture below, Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, gives us the key to living a victorious life.

Romans 1: 16 - 17, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." NKJV

The key to living in victory, while existing in this present world is to live always by faith. Let's take a moment to gain a better understanding of what living by faith really means to a Christian. In Ephesians 2, Paul taught us that we are born again by faith. However, just because we're saved by faith doesn't mean we stop living this new life by faith. You may ask, "Why are we required to live by faith, and what exactly does that mean?"   

Even though you and I are saved, we still have a flesh nature that wants to regain control of our will and cause us to live by sight. This is called walking in unbelief. Israel gave us a good example of what walking around in unbelief does to the people of God. They died in the wilderness... not inheriting the Promise Land under the leadership of Moses. So as long as we live in this flesh suit, we must crucify self daily; we accomplish this by faith. As we live by faith, it empowers our spirit man to overcome our flesh nature so that we are able to live a spiritually victorious life. Jesus tells us in Matthew 24 that those who endure this world "until the end" shall be saved. We're not only saved by faith, but we are to endure this world by faith.

To walk by faith simply means that we look to our heavenly Father and not self to direct our steps. It also means that we keep His commandments because we love Him. The more we love God, the easier it is to obey His commands. Take notice of the priority that I placed on your fellowship before the Word. Anyone can make the Word say what they want it to say. This is called perverting the Word for the sake of personal lust. For this reason, we must also listen to the Father and wait on Him to direct our steps or decisions from His Word. As disciples who follow Christ, we are made accountable to our heavenly Father as we walk faith. It is this submission of walking and living by faith that gives us power to resist the Devil. As we are submitted to God and resist the Devil, then he has to flee from us. Faith is our victory that overcomes this world. Through faith I am saved, and through faith, I live a victorious life in Christ.

You Can Do It,
Pastor Asa