A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Dr. Larry Ollison)
Scripture for the Day (February 17, 2015)
For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12, Amplified Bible)
In 1 Timothy 6:12, we are told to fight the good fight of faith. That is the only war we as Christians are to wage as New Testament believers. Satan has been defeated by Jesus in the spirit realm and he does not have access to the spirit of a Christian. So he attacks us in the realm of the soul. Yes, we must fight the battle of faith, but where does this battle take place? The battle of faith takes place in the mind.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Peter 5:8).
Satan is not a roaring lion, but he is like a roaring lion. He is our enemy and he does seek to devour us. But how does he do it? Well since he is not a lion and is only like a lion according to verse 8, all he has is his “roar.” It is the tool he uses to destroy us. He speaks with his mouth into our thought realm and what we do with his words is our choice.
When you hear a lie, you can do one of two things. You can recognize it as a lie, reject it, and forget it. Or, you can ponder it, repeat it, and believe it. When you believe a lie, you usually will act on it. That can be deadly. If you believe a lie about a friend and you repeat it, you become a part of it. And when the truth is finally revealed, and it always is, you will stand there with egg on your face and probably a relationship will have been destroyed. Satan is a liar and he destroys relationships, but only if we believe his lies.
Jesus said in John 8:44 that Satan is the father of lies. Every word that proceeds out of Satan’s mouth is a lie or part of a deceptive plan. We are to resist him and not listen to the roar.
James 4:7 tells us to submit to God, and resist the devil, which causes Satan to flee from us. Then verse 8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” How do we resist the devil? How can we keep from listening to his lies? How do we draw near to God? These may seem like complicated questions, but the answer is really quite simple. Remember, the fight of faith takes place in the mind. That’s where Satan attacks. He moves into our thought realm and throws his lies at us. So we must be prepared.
In the same way our bodies need regular food, our soul needs a steady supply of God’s Word. Let’s say in a week you eat 21 meals. Would it be healthy for you to eat all your meals on Sunday and not eat the rest of the week? No, that would be silly. But that’s what many Christians do spiritually. They try to get enough Word in one day to last a week or
longer.
You must fill your mind with the Word of God daily. Plant the Word of God in your mind and then when Satan steps into your thought realm, he won’t be able to walk without stepping on a “Word of God land mine.” You will be so full of God’s Word that Satan will not be able to stay. That’s how you resist the devil, and the result is, he will flee.
So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls. (James 1:21, Amplified Bible)
