More than a conqueror…

The enemy hit yesterday and with force to the point that I took a Covid test. This was an attack against my health, not fully realized until I prayed, until there was only one red line on the test, until the feelings of dying went away. This happens after acts of obedience and makes me feel like a gazelle being chased by a big cat.

Today’s devotional was a familiar topic: “you must die to self” but the reading from “Born for Battle” was more helpful. It talked about winning the battles, not because I am able but because of what Christ has done to enable me. It refers to instructions for war that begin with:

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. 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. (Ephesians 6:10–13)

Yet this is not the beginning of this battle plan. The entire book of Ephesians speaks to what Christ has already done. As yesterday’s devotions pointed out, I am already seated in heavenly places with Christ. This book on spiritual warfare says, “The true order of faith is not that we have to live an earthly life with a view to heaven, but that we are called to a heavenly life with a view to earth… So we go into battle not from the perspective of our circumstances here on earth, but from our position above in Christ.”

I am already at the top of this mountain, placed there in Christ that His will might be done here. I do not have to fight for victory, because He says I am more than a conqueror through Him that loved me. From this exalted position secured in Christ, and by being clothed with the armor of God, the powers of evil must back off as I resist the enemy. I will not win if I try this from a human perspective as in getting in a panic when trials come and not looking at them from God’s perspective. This puts me below the powers of darkness instead of abiding above them in Christ.

While this may sound more philosophical than reality, the events of yesterday and what happened before this attack came is my evidence. God asked me to do something, and when I did, I invaded enemy territory and brought to it the love of Christ. The enemy was not happy with that. However, God gave me words to say and the attack on my body stopped. No other explanation.

Born for Battle points out that concentration on the first part of Ephesians is vital to be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. It is filled with powerful descriptions of what Christ has done. I must think about those truths rather than falling into fear or having a ‘poor me’ attitude. While Christians get messages about prayer, too often they are “fix my problem” messages rather than “yield to God and resist the devil” messages. No wonder he does not flee when our concerns are for personal comfort rather than Spirit-filled resistance based on the fact that he is already a loser.

PRAY: Jesus, You have done it all. Fear of death is conquered, as are Satan’s schemes to take Your people out of Your hands and into His. We are seated in heavenly places and this enemy can never undo what You have done. I am Your child — now and forever, and as I pray Your will, You give me confidence that You not only hear but will answer. The enemy cannot stop You; You have totally defeated him.