Our focus for this study from John 10, specifically verse 10.
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
John 10:10
Read the verse again. Not just the end of the verse but the beginning.
You must know that the thief, Satan, is not a gentleman. He does not play fairly by any rules of war. He is a terrorist of your soul. He wants to kill joy, steal peace, and destroy relationships.
But there is hope. Jesus came that we may have life, and have it more abundantly. Jesus came to redeem and reclaim any territory in your life, heart, and soul that Satan has stolen. We need to know the power we have through the Holy Spirit and through the finished work of Jesus on the cross. Let’s not focus on the enemy, let’s focus on our Victor. What does He tell us?
He tells us we have authority over the enemy.
Luke 10:19–I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
1 John 4:4–You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
He tells us the weapons Satan uses against us will not prosper if we tap into His power.
Isaiah 54:17–“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper;
And every tongue that [a]accuses you in judgment you will condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord.
When my kids attended Carver Elementary School, there was an old, feeble crossing guard who seemed barely able to hold up the stop sign. And yet, each time he did, a long line of cars—much stronger than he was—obediently stopped. Why? It wasn’t because he was bigger and stronger than the line of cars, but because he had authority.
That is what God gives us—Authority. Sadly, many Christians don’t realize this. They walk around as the defeated ones, when in reality God has given them every tool necessary to walk out into every troubled situation and hold up that sign of authority. And Satan must obey, for we call on the name of Jesus for our authority.
At the name of Jesus, every knee shall one day bow.
At the name of Jesus, people are healed and become whole.
At the name of Jesus, storms are calmed, winds die down.
Today, be confident in the authority that you have been given as a child of the One, true, living God—the King of Kings and the Lord of lords.
Praying for you today!
Sara