Defeated or Conqueror?

Which are you?  God’s word says we are “more than conquerors through Christ Jesus our Lord”.  Are we going to allow the enemy’s lies to suck us down into a pit, or will we stand on the solid ground of Christ our Rock, and His truth?

Often, we do not realize the battle that wages war against our thoughts and feelings.  The enemy frequently comes in with his subtle whispering lies, which must be cut off before they become a tangle mass of weeds in our thought life, strangling our spiritual lives also.

Satan knows when our “Spiritual Armor” has a hole in it and he knows exactly where to thrust his fiery darts.  It is important to make sure that we are fully prepared for the battle by being clothed in God’s armor of truth, righteousness, good news of peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer.

In my life, the enemy starts attacking me in the area of truth, then it moves to righteousness and faith and if it is not stopped, I find myself naked and wounded, feeling like a failure and defeated.

Satan usually attacks me in the area of being a good wife, mom, worker, friend and Christian.  His attack can sound like this. “You are such a failure as a wife.  There you are making mistakes again, you disappointed your husband; you will never get it right.”  In the area with children, it can sound like this: “You are not showing them enough love or attention and today you were impatient with that little boy over there. Really, are you a good example of Christ?”

The barbs of the enemy can go on and on.  I am sure you have heard accusations against you also.  Satan is called the accuser of the brethren and he always comes to kill, steal and destroy.  He is wily and always throws in some truth with his attack and often we don’t stop his barbs at the beginning with our shield of faith and Christ righteousness. If we do not quickly confess our sins or weaknesses and apply the truth and righteousness of Christ to our life (His righteousness cleanses us and changes our hearts), we will be defeated and can fall into a spiritual slump.

As God’s word says “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive our sin.”  The Lord is faithful to forgive our errors, our sin, and when we come before Him, admitting our faults and weaknesses; His grace covers us fully.

Instead of remaining in that place of defeat; we can stand strong in the truth of God’s word which cuts off the lies of the devil. We then find ourselves depending on Christ’s righteousness to change and protect our heart instead of depending on our own ability to do “everything” right. He is the One that gives us courage to lift up our shield of faith, which enables us to ward off the devil’s barbs that now fall harmless to the ground.  Finally we are able to continue forward on our journey of life, confident in our salvation and excited about sharing the good news of Christ to others. 

Yes, we are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus our Lord!  He has overcome the world and He has defeated the enemy!

Ephesians 6: 10-18

“Finally be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might.  Put of the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Therefore, take up the full armor of God that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.  Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one.  And take the Helmet of Salvation, and sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.”

Lord Jesus, when we err and sin and feel like a failure, may we run to You immediately and put on your armor; Your righteousness, which cleanses us from all unrighteousness.  Lord may we realize that we need not to stay in a place of defeat, but we can run to you right away and be more than a conqueror through You.  Amen

 

“Submit yourself therefore to God and resist the devil and he will flee.” James 4:7

Being able to resist the devil, means we must first humble ourselves and submit our thoughts and lives to the Lord.  Whenever we surrender unto the Lord, we will be triumphant!

triss curtis