“Never give the devil a ride. . . . He will always want to drive. . .
Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Satan uses people and circumstances, but they are not our real enemy, he is. He works through people and circumstances, then delights in watching us react without ever realizing that he is the source.
Matthew 16:23 When Satan used Peter to try to prevent Jesus from going to the cross to complete the task God had sent Him to do, “Jesus turned away from Peter and said to him, “‘Get behind Me, Satan! thou are an offense to Me.”
Satan used Peter, but Jesus knew that Peter was not His problem. So He “turned away” from Peter and addressed the source of the problem – Satan.
So:
(1) Identify the source of your problem.
At the cross Jesus prayed: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). When you understand that Satan’s strategy is to use other people to tear you down, it’s easier to forgive them.
You don’t have to carry the weight of resentment, or lash out, or even change them; you can leave them in God’s hands YOU WILL NOT BE EXEMPT FROM THE DEVIL’S ATTACK, but you’ll be shielded from it and you won’t be discouraged or defeated by it. You see, if the Devil can’t defeat you outright, he’ll settle for keeping you pinned down. That way you’ll never move forward in victory.
(2) Use the authority God has given you.Jesus said: “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:18-19).
So identify the source, and use your GOD-GIVEN AUTHORITY.
We live in a world where there is evil all around us, it comes at us from all angles from any source that the devil can find to attack us without us knowing that it was from him…..
If a friend or a co-worker says something to you that is offensive or makes you angry… STOP and think… do not react to it… This is exactly what the enemy wants you to do. Look directly in the eye of the offender and say three POWERFUL WORDS “I FORGIVE YOU” then start praising the Lord… he will run so fast, as if this is something he can not stand… forgiveness and praise are his enemies.”
Written by Carolyn Spring-Baker
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