Under the influnce (6)

Day 7

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)

Believers in Jesus Christ, let us be encouraged and empowered to move forward in the power of the Holy Spirit who resides within us. Over the past six days, we have dug deep into the five foundational ministries of Jesus, which provide us with salvation, the Holy Spirit's presence, healing for our bodies and minds, deliverance, and freedom. Today, we are reminded of the reality of Satan and his schemes, as he seeks to deceive and destroy. But as followers of Jesus, we cannot be possessed by Satan or demons. We should remember that we were bought with a price, and we belong to God, under His authority and control. However, we must be mindful of the enemy's tactics and the potential for open doors in our lives through unrepented sin. Let us close these doors and embrace our position as more than conquerors, exercising the power and authority we have in the mighty name of Jesus. For our last Devotion I want to spent the time we have today looking over all God has taught us the past six days

Embracing the Truth about Satan:

First we must reality of the existents of the enemy. In our journey of faith, it is vital to acknowledge the existence of Satan and his continued desire to cause destruction. He cunningly tries to convince us that he is not real, hoping to operate unnoticed in our lives. However, we stand firm in the truth that Satan is real, and his whole plan is to steal, kill, and destroy. We must remain vigilant, aware of his schemes, and rooted in the knowledge that we are not powerless against him.

Secondly, While we cannot be possessed, we must acknowledge that Satan can oppress the people of God. He often employs deception, discouragement, division, and distraction to oppress and hinder our spiritual journey. However, we stand firm in the knowledge that Jesus has overcome the world, and in Him, we are more than conquerors.

Thirdly we must close the doors of opportunity from Satan.To prevent Satan from gaining a foothold in our lives, we must be vigilant in identifying and closing any open doors. Unrepented sin creates vulnerabilities, leaving room for the enemy to exploit. It is essential to approach our Heavenly Father, who is faithful to forgive our sins when we confess and repent. Through His grace, we can close those doors and walk in freedom.

But be encouraged we do not need to fear Satan. As followers of Jesus, we have a position of authority and control. We cannot be possessed by Satan or demons because we have been purchased with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. We belong to God, and His people are under His loving authority and care.

Embracing our Authority in Jesus' Name:

Lastly, remember you have the power of Jesus name. embrace the power and authority we have been given in the mighty name of Jesus. We are not powerless against the schemes of the enemy. Through the Holy Spirit, we have been equipped to resist the devil, stand firm in our faith, and experience victory in every area of our lives.

Ask: Lord, help me walk in the truth that I am more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ and live out the victory You have secured for me.

Ask: Father show me the next steps I can take to grow in all that I have learned from you this week.

Thank You Lord for the powerful truths you shared with me this past 7 days. I surrender to Your authority and control, knowing that I am bought with a price through Jesus. Help me recognize and close any open doors that give the enemy a foothold. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, enabling me to resist his tactics and walk in victory. Guide me to live in the truth that I am more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your faithfulness and the freedom I have in You.

In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.