KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Friday, November 10, 2017
Chapters: Luke 22:1-38, John 13-14
Message: Defeating Satan With The Armor of God
Hello My Friend,
Satan, the devil, dragon, serpent, corrupter, deceiver, Lucifer, he has many names, but all the same he is wicked, corrupt, conniving, deceiving, and scandalous, and the culprit behind all evil. While Satan cannot force us to do anything, just like God cannot force us, he can influence us. You see, Satan feeds off of our emotions, things like our desires, lusts, pride, guilt, anger, and envy. Think about it, we are around temptation all day long, but it never comes to mind, except when we are weak through our emotions, and that is what Satan uses as fuel to ignite that fire in us to become tempted. Just as Satan can influence us so can Jesus, and let me tell you, He is the only one who can give us the power we need to overcome Satan’s influence. And just because we are saved that does not mean we are exempt, while Satan cannot take our soul, he can influence us to do evil things. We can defeat Satan, with the armor of God. “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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.” – Ephesians 6:11-12.
If anyone knows how to trick us into doing something that goes against God it is Satan. You know, it is often disbelief that can cause one to be controlled by his influence, and it does not matter if we know who Christ is. Judah Iscariot, he walked with Jesus every single day for about three and a half years, yet never believed Him to be the Messiah or the only begotten Son of God. The power of Satan not only influenced Judas, he down right got inside of him we find this written in the Book of Luke as we read again about his betraying Jesus.
“Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.” – Luke 22:1-6.
“Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot,” Unlike the other two Gospels we read, Luke names the culprit behind the evil that would cause Judas to betray Him. An unsaved soul has no power to overcome Satan, still today, he is capable of using one to manipulate and destroy life. The thing is, once Satan has gotten them to do what he wants, he will destroy that life. While a saved soul can certainly be influenced and corrupted by Satan, its soul cannot be touched because it belongs to Jesus. As Jesus continues speaking, He reveals to Peter how Satan was trying to influence him as well, but something surprising is said.
“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.” – Luke 22:31-34.
“Satan hath desired to have you,” There is a war going on, just like any war it is used to take control, this is a spiritual war, one in which both Satan and Jesus contend for our souls, while Satan sets out to destroy them, Jesus sets out to save them. Do you think that Jesus does not already know who will betray Him? Of course, He does. The only reason I can think of as to why God allows a person who is under the power of Satan to be among the saved is so that some can get scared enough to turn to Jesus. After the disciples ate, Jesus did something that no one would have expected, He takes a basin, fills it with water, kneels before each disciple, and starts washing their feet then later explains why He did it.
“For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” – John 13:15-20.
“The servant is not greater than his lord;” Jesus was saying that no one was exempt from the influences of Satan, even He was tempted by him, and if Satan could have gotten Jesus to go against the Scriptures by a fraction he would have done what he intended to do, destroy God’s testimony. We all get tempted, and many, many will become controlled by the power of Satan, but God is greater and more powerful than anything Satan can do to us, if we believe in and receive Christ as our Saviour. You see, many of the disciples were not saved yet themselves. Yes, they were believers, but believing is not enough, they must receive Him also. The disciples start asking Him all these questions, and Jesus, quite frankly, was upset over them.
“Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” – John 14:5-9,21-23.
“and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” God allows Satan to influence us, to sift us like wheat so can make the choice to love or hate His Son. I recall before I dedicated my life to Christ how angry, hurt, and in pain I was, I knew where my life was headed and did not like what I was seeing, but I also knew God did not like what He was seeing either. Fear, and quite frankly, guilt are the very things that get us on our knees to be converted. We can defeat Satan’s influence, but the only way we can do that is by getting as close to Jesus as we can, He alone is the only one to give us the power to defeat him. “Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:5-7.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” – John 14:6.
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for watching over me, protecting me, and giving me Your power to resist the wiles of the devil. I understand that circumstances and my emotions are the fuel that Satan often uses to influence me from living by faith and even doing Your work, and while I know he cannot overtake my soul, he can do a great job at influencing me to stop doing what You intend for me to do. Lord, I know I missed out on opportunities because I got under the wiles of the devil, he tried to destroy me, but You restored me, and I will be forever grateful for that. Give me Your power, mercy, and grace, strengthen me, guide me, and put Your hedge of protection around me so that I can be powerful against every deception that Satan tries to influence me with. You alone are my power, I know I can do and endure all things through You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: http://readytofollow.com/
Receive The KJB Daily Devotions In Your Email: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
Missed A Message: http://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/
Visit I’m Following Jesus: http://imfollowingjesus.com/index.html
Like I’m Following Jesus On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byhisstrength
Copyright © 2017 I’m Following Jesus, All rights reserved.