The Devil is a Loser!

Most Christians would agree with the title of this post in theory, but not in practice. My goal in writing this is to prove to the reader that our adversary is truly a pathetic loser. I once told an old retired denominational preacher that I liked to keep the devil where he belonged – under my foot! The preacher gasped and sucked half the air out of the room before he replied, “Be careful what you say, he was one of God’s most powerful angels!” He, like many people, has a false belief that the devil is a powerful enemy. My number one response to the devil nowadays is to simply laugh at him. I believe you will too once his weapons are exposed, and your authority in Jesus Christ is revealed.

At one time, Lucifer was a powerful anointed angel, his power did exceed that of a mere man. However, after iniquity was found in him (the fall of man), he fell from heaven like lightning, and said goodbye to his angelic powers. He was now referred to as Satan, and had successfully traded his angelic powers for what God had given Adam – authority and dominion over this earth. He used this new-found authority for a time, and was able to inflict misery upon God’s creation. I bet Satan was very proud of himself, knowing that God would not violate the integrity of His Word, and just “give” authority back to Adam. You’d think he’d realize that he couldn’t outsmart God, given his former occupation and his eyewitness to the glory and majesty of the Almighty God. However, He was blinded by pride. Well, God’s perfect plan for the redemption of mankind was already in motion, and God was making a way to restore the fellowship with man that He created us for, by removing the barrier of sin that kept our hearts far from Him. When Jesus came, He fulfilled the commandments and ordinances that were against us, and contrary to us, by taking them out of the way and nailing them to the cross (see Col 2:14). Jesus fulfilled the law on our behalf, and made peace between God and man by bearing all of God’s wrath toward sin. He actually become sin for us, therefore made a legal way for Him to descend into hell. (Now for the good part)

While down there, Jesus whipped the devil’s butt (for lack of a better term). He threw him a beating like none other: “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it” (Col 2:15). The devil was disarmed on two fronts: First Jesus took away his number one weapon which was condemnation over our inability to keep the 10 commandments, having fulfilled the law for us. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Secondly, what power he did have (namely the power to steal, kill, and destroy-look what he did to Job) was completely stripped. Heb 2:14…”that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Jesus basically pulled out all the teeth of the devil, so that now he walks about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. The good news, is he can only devour those that are ignorant of God’s Word – especially to the truth that he has been disarmed- he’s toothless!

Even though the devil is a loser, the Bible warns us not to be ignorant of his devices. Now, his biggest tools are fear and deception – he’s a liar. Any time he tries to attack you, he basically has to “bluff.” He will wait to see if you know the truth of God’s word concerning the matter and “call his bluff,”  or if you are ignorant or have received false teaching, and accept his bluff. If you accept his bluff by claiming whatever form of death he brings against you (ex: oh no, I guess I have cancer/arthritis/diabetes… now), then he has stolen your authority. You see, the only power he has now, is when someone yields their authority to him by believing his lies. This is why it is so important to know the difference between a blessing and a curse. Read Deuteronomy chapter 28 and remember that the curses listed have nothing to do with you because Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us…that the blessings of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus (Gal 3:13). Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you(James 4:7). You must know that the source of attack is not from God in order to actively resist the devil. You must also be sure to see past the people who are cooperating with the enemy, realizing that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places’ (Eph 6:12). Then remember that Jesus already disarmed them, and call their bluff!

Finally, take the shield of faith which will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one! Walk in love – because it never fails. Be bold, and don’t be afraid to swing the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. The battle’s been fought and won. Now go enforce the victory with the mighty name of Jesus – who went about doing good, destroying the works of the devil! We have the Greater one on the inside of us – let’s believe it, and act accordingly!

Spirit of Infirmity?

What is a spirit of infirmity?

Every disease has a life- a germ, which causes it to function. That evil life in
the germ did not come from God because it kills and destroys human life. It is
from Satan. It is that evil life: or spirit of infirmity that gives life to the
disease, or growth, just as your spirit gives life to your body.

    Just as your body, when the spirit leaves, it dies (James 2:26) and returns
to the dust, so your disease, when the spirit of infirmity is cast out, dies and
disappears.

    We all grow from a tiny cell. The life of that cell came from God. The body
lives because the life in the cell or "spirit of life" which God caused to
exist- grew and developed until it became a complete human body. So long as that
life, or spirit, remains in the body, the body continues to live. But as soon as
the spirit leaves the body, the body is dead; it decays and returns to dust.

    Many human sicknesses and diseases begin from a tiny germ, an evil Satanic
life, sent to live in and posses the human body and to destroy it. As long as
that life- that spirit of infirmity exists in the body, the growth or disease
lives and continues its destructive work. But as soon as the evil spirit- the
evil life or spirit of infirmity has been cast out of the body in Jesus' name,
that disease or growth becomes dead. It will decay and pass away from the body.
This is the process of healing.

    Dr.'s agree that a cancer is a living thing, and if one could expel the life
from cancer, the effects of that cancer would disappear from the body. But two
lives are warring against each other: the evil life of the cancer, and the
divine life from God which is in your body. Any medical method of destroying the
life of the cancer jeopardizes the life of the body.

    What is the answer? Only faith in the supernatural power and authority of
the name of Jesus! Command that spirit of infirmity to die and come out in
Jesus' mighty name, and it has to obey. I have seen this work over and over
again. 

Matt 8:16 "When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were
demon-possessed and he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were
sick..."