Under the influnce (4)

Day 5

Memory Verse

James 4:7 NIV

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

Intro

Welcome to todays devotion called Under the Influence. It is a reality that we have an enemy who hates God and His people. He wants more than anything to destroy all that He loves and that includes the people of God. We all will experience spiritual war against the enemy but we don’t have to fear him. Because we can find victory in Jesus.

Pause

I enter Prayer by taking a moment to pause….. to breathe deeply and meditate on God's truth, allowing it to travel through my mind, will and emotions. As I slowly inhale…. I refocus on the goodness and faithfulness of God and….. exhale….. I release anxieties, worries and fears that have already entered this day. (pause)

As I steal my mind I pray James 4:7 for the Lord is the spirit (that lives in me), and wherever the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom (pause)

Title: Did you eve play the childhood game called hide and go seek. In this game one person would turn their backs and count while everyone else ran to hiding places. The objective is for the person counting is to go and find everyone who is hiding. Often times, when you are a person hiding, you can be in a hiding spot and another person who is trying to hide will show up at your hiding spot. The problem is they can’t hide there. Why, because it space is already occupied. This same occupancy can be said for the people of God. It ‘s often questioned if followers of Jesus can be possessed be demons. to answer the question quickly no. As believes our bodies have been occupied by God Himself. As a Christian, we need to understand that our faith centers around the fact that Jesus Christ's sacrifice has redeem and free us from sin and the influence of the enemy. The apostle Paul, in his teachings, shares that believers' bodies are not their own but actually belong to Jesus. Let’s spend some time today and talk about what the Bible says about the security and protection of followers of Jesus, and the assurance we have that we cannot be possessed by Satan. God’s word teaches us that Jesus' death and resurrection offer us redemption from sin and freedom from Satan's control. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have a spiritual rebirth and become a new creations, through His sacrifice. This transformation marks a divid form the kingdom of darkness and makes us immune to its power. The Holy Spirit's Presence:One of the most precious gifts we receive as believers is the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. When we accept Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live in our hearts, guiding, empowering, and protecting us. The Holy Spirit is much stronger than any demonic force and acts as a shield against evil. With the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, we are safe from demonic possession. According to the apostle Paul, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. we find this in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Since we belong to Jesus, who bought us with His blood, He has authority over our lives. This means that no other entity, including Satan or demons, can claim power over us. We are under Jesus' protection, and He has ultimate authority over everything, Just as He declared in Matthew 28:18 . And this power and authority has been given to believers to cast down Satan’s works by the Mighty Name of Jesus. The name of Jesus holds incredible power and authority. As followers of Christ, we have the privilege to use His name, which gives us victory over evil forces. In Luke 10:19 Jesus Himself said, "I have given you authority to overcome all the power of the enemy". With the Holy Spirit and Jesus' authority, we have the strength to resist and defeat any attempt by Satan or demons to oppress us. But because of Jesus and His death and resurrection, He achieved a great victory over sin, death, and all the forces of evil. As followers of Christ, we share in this victory. The apostle John reassures us, saying, "The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). Because of Jesus' triumph, we can be confident that we are protected from demonic possession and empowered to live freely and righteously. As a follower of Jesus you can have full confidence in your security. Jesus' sacrifice and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit make you immune to the control of Satan and demons. Your body belongs to Jesus, and He has ultimate authority over it. Through the power and authority given to you by Jesus' name, you can stand strong against any attempts from the enemy of power over you. Remember that you are secure in Jesus, and His victory ensures your protection and freedom. In this unwavering faith, you find strength, comfort, and the ability to live a life that reflects the love and grace of our Savior.

Ask: God help me to deepen my understanding and experience of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that lives in me?

Ask: God remind me of the the power of the Holy Spirit you have given me to resist the temptations and attacks of Satan in my life?

Yield/ Father, Thank You for the assurance that as a follower of Jesus, I am protected from the influence of Satan. I seek a deeper understanding of the Holy Spirit's presence in my life. Empower me to resist temptation and exhibit the fruit of Your Spirit. Show me any areas where I need to surrender and address unresolved sin. Guide me in every decision and use me to bring light to darkness. Thank You for the victory I have in Jesus. In His name, I pray, Amen