Jesus is the Victory

The Story

Screwtape letters. Our understanding of Angels and Demons is often skewed. There is a real Spiritual battle going on against the forces

The Devil is our True Enemy

Ephesians 6:10–12 ESV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

The Devil has been scheming ever since he rebelled against God and led a group of angels to follow in his lead

Lucifer was a high-ranking angel but not much is said regarding his true status

Lucifer’s rebellion was led by his pride and selfish ambition; he desired to be “like the Most High”

Angelos=Messenger; Satan=Adversary

Everything that God is, Satan directly goes against.

Satan prides himself in leading those within the world toward total opposition to God

Angels desire to do the will of God and be a part of God’s work within the world (send messages, protect His people, etc.), while Satan and his demons (henchmen) are trying to combat the work of God

Daniel 10:13 ESV

The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia,

Angels and demons are still at work today. We do not know exactly what this looks like but we know that their is chaos and confusion within the world at every corner. Their is a lot of brokenness, sin, and opposition to God. This is the work of Satan still at work in the world.

1 John 5:19 ESV

We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

Satan still holds power within this world but will not for much longer and does not hold all the power and control because GOD has the ultimate power

Jesus is Greater (But how do we know what is of God and what isn’t?)

1 John 4:1–6 ESV

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Antichrists are those who are literally ANTI Christ. They go against Christ coming in the flesh and His work in the world

(False Prophets and “lesser” Antichrists) Those who are not of God listen to those who are not of God and those who are of God listen to those who are of God (This listening results in doing)

What you put in will often effect what comes out

The Lord is greater than Satan who lives within the world. By His Spirit, we can overcome the works of the Devil and His plans of destruction

The spirit of error is from anyone or anything that does not acknowledge the truth of the Apostle’s message about Jesus. “We are from God” “Whoever is not from God does not listen to us”

Story about listening to sad music all the time in High School. Explicit words. This was not life giving and instead resulted in a lot of depression and anxious thoughts. The works of the Evil One had a hold of me in this time. “Do not give the Devil a foothold” - Ephesians 4

Jesus is Greater and gives us the ability to flee temptation by His Spirit

James 4:7 ESV

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

But how do I do this?

We Fight with Spiritual Weapons against the Enemy

Ephesians 6:13–18 ESV

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Helmet of Salvation: Jesus died and rose again; your salvation is secure in Him

Breastplate of Righteousness: You have been made righteous by what Jesus has done for you on the cross.

Belt of Truth: The freedom you have in your TRUE identity with the Lord

Sword of the Spirit: The Word of God; learning the Bible and holding firm to it when temptation strikes

Shield of Faith: Knowing that God is faithful to His promises and you do not need to doubt who His is. It is okay to have questions but you can be assured of God’s faithfulness to you

Feet of Peace: Seeking “Shalom” (Peace) on Earth even in the most chaotic of times

2 Corinthians 10:3–4 ESV

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

Our allegiance to the Almighty God makes Satan quiver. He is given power over us in us relinquishing that power to him.

The Spirit gives us power and the ability to stand firm. It is easy to succumb to the instant gratification and sins of this world but we must think of what is to come in the future eternally rather than what will happen in the next 5 minutes, 5 days, or even 5 months

“Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy's will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys.”

C.S. Lewis, Screwtape Letters

We have many reasons to just give up, throw in the towel and start indulging in all of the things that the world has to offer. We may feel lost and that you are forgotten. You are not forgotten. Jesus wants an intimate relationship with you and desires you to obey Him out of the love He has shown you.