"F"reedom from the "E"nemy

I think we can all agree who the "enemy" I am referring to is.  Big picture, Satan.  Smaller picture, everything that causes us to stumble and sin.  In our moments of battle, we tend to console ourselves with the obligatory, "I'm only human" mantra.  But bottom line is, we know that God expects more from us. 

Do you realize that God won't let Satan push too far?  Even Jesus was face to face with the enemy in Matthew 4.

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.  “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

God has this story in the Bible for us to see that the enemy is everywhere and will tempt all of us!  Satan is a liar.  He wants us to spend our money on wasteful things.  He desires us to desire things other than Jesus.  Satan tells us we aren't good enough, we aren't strong enough, we aren't brave enough, we aren't good parents, we aren't good students, we aren't good at anything.  Lies!  God tells us in Ephesians 4:27, and do not give the devil a foothold.

Once you give Satan the opportunity to step into your world, he won't leave.  He's a pot stirrer.  There is absolutely nothing better for him than to see you struggling and walking a path without God.  And we all face the enemy everyday.  If Jesus faced him, we surely must stand guard.  

So how can we set ourselves free from the enemy?  How can we stand firm in our beliefs when Satan is tearing us down daily?  Above all, we have this promise:

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.- Romans 16:20

God has promised us, "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."- John 8:36

There is no world with God losing and Satan winning.  It doesn't exist.  Yes, we are only human but God is greater than any scheme Satan can throw at us.  God will not allow us to be tempted or tormented beyond what He feels we can handle.  AND furthermore, God walks with us through any temptation or torment that is put in our path.  Remind yourself right this minute, Jesus went and sacrificed himself on the cross for us mere humans.

Don't spend another moment allowing Satan to control your thoughts.  Friends, he is so not worth it!  Instead, fix your eyes on Jesus and remember what HE has done for you.  "Jesus Christ is the key which unlocks the door of the prison cell of our own making." (Kenneth Pillar)  Unlock the door, step into the light. 

Our battles are best won on our knees, in the Word and praying to God.  Freedom is ours.  We are the victorious ones who are given salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus.  We can't let Satan gain even a small foothold, or he will most definitely take a mile.  

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, 

there is freedom.- 2 Corinthians 3:17

If I've learned one thing this year in my Bible Study, it's that God is in the details.  God knows what Satan is doing in our lives even before we know what's coming.  But where God is, there is freedom from Satan, freedom from sin, freedom from bondage.  Step into the light.  Step out in faith knowing that God has you securely in His grip.  

We can't escape the schemes of sin and Satan on our own.  We will never be good enough, strong enough, brave enough, better enough to break the cycle of lies that Satan throws at us everyday.  Not one bit.  But Jesus IS.  Only Jesus can break the cycle of schemes and lies.  Freedom comes from God alone.  Don't give up.  Rest in the strength only God provides and never settle for the lies that Satan stirs up.  You, my friend, are a child of God.  You are strong through Him.  You are brave with Him by your side.  He will never leave you or forsake you.  Trust in Him who sacrificed His life for you so that you may live in freedom with Him.