SET FREE FROM DEMONIC OPPRESSION
But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.
1 John 4:4 (NLT)
Let’s start with the bad news. You have a very real enemy who hates you. Satan—which means accuser or adversary. John Mark Comer, in his book Live No Lies, says this: But for Jesus, the devil is not a fictional villain… he is a real and cunning source of evil and the most influential creature on earth.
Cheery, right? We also have many Hollywood-based misconceptions of our enemy. The Bible doesn’t depict him as wearing a red jumpsuit while poking people in hell with a trident. Here’s how Peter describes our enemy:
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)
He’s actively at work in our world right now. And he’s not alone. Other fallen angels, called demons, are also actively opposing you. In Ephesians 6:12, Paul makes it clear that these spiritual forces are very real, even though we can’t see them.
But there’s good news, too.
As born-again believers who have passed from death to life, we belong to God. His Holy Spirit indwells in us. We see Jesus encounter demon- possessed people in the gospels, and these stories may give us pause. Could that happen to us? In short, no. You are sealed with the Spirit, and He is greater than the spirit of this world. Our enemy’s end is already written— the victory belongs to God. As His dear children, we share in that victory.
We must remain on guard, putting on the whole armor of God to resist the enemy and his forces (see Ephesians 6:10-18). While we are set free from demonic oppression, it doesn’t mean that we’re completely removed from the world where those forces have power. Take heart in knowing that Jesus has overcome and that through Him, we can as well.
APPLICATION: How often do you think about invisible spiritual forces? Would you say you’re living on guard? Take a few moments to consider the various pieces of the armor of God listed in Ephesians 6:10-18. What would it look like for you to armor up?
PRAYER: God, I rejoice that the victory is Yours. Thank You for allowing me to share in this. Please help me to be on guard against the temptations and traps of this world, my flesh, and the enemy. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?