We discussed yesterday how Satan exists, and that we, as Christians, have power and authority over the evil he seeks to bring into our lives. In this discussion, we affirmed that Jesus had triumphed in the battle! Today I want to discuss a little more about our adversary and the source of his fleeting sense of power. The existence of lack and evil in this world, I believe, is perpetrated by people; yet, their fundamental cause is found in the angelic realm, specifically through Satan and the fallen angels who chose to serve him rather than the Lord of all. When we talk about the devil and Satanic influences in modern culture, it’s natural for educated people to become defensive — because the enemy doesn’t want us to know who he is! “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world that he didn’t exist,” Kevin Spacey’s character declared at the end of the movie Usual Suspects. I completely agree with this statement!

Friend, whether you like it or not, you have an enemy. Satan is real, and he is at work in the world against God’s Kingdom. Through deception, temptation, and the sense of lack, Satan seeks to destroy the lives of Christians. This is because the last thing he wants is for you to realize the fullness of your sufficiency, goodness, and abundant life in Jesus! The devil is on the loose, and if you allow him, he will wreck your life. What is his objective? To triumph over more people before his final defeat! Jesus will eventually destroy him, but he wants people to join him on the losing side, which he achieves by making it appear appealing. Therefore I urge you to bring awareness to knowing your authority in Christ! Through the blood He shed on the cross, you are more than a conqueror. Stand firm in His power and his presence, and He will fight for you, protect you, and keep you out of harm’s way.