Resisting Satan and Rejoicing in Christ’s Love - Br Suresh

Introduction: The Defeated Foe and Our Privilege

Satan, though a defeated foe, employs many schemes and tactics to undermine us (John 10:10). One of his primary strategies is to snatch the Word of God from our hearts, causing us to forget what we’ve received (Mark 4:15). Yet, it is our privilege, no matter how weak or helpless we may feel, to resist him in the name of Jesus Christ (James 4:7). What a glorious privilege it is to stand against the enemy, trusting in our Lord and Savior, His perfect love, and His complete justification. God looks at us as though we have done everything perfectly through Christ’s righteousness (Romans 5:1).

The Call to Resist Satan with the Word

Peter’s words to the crowd, “You disowned the Christ,” were not meant to accuse but to open their eyes to the truth (Acts 3:14-15). Just as Jesus resisted Satan with the Word of God (Matthew 4:1-11), we are called to come into the love and acceptance of Jesus. Satan seeks to distract us from our love and devotion to Christ by:

• Leading us to blame others or view them as enemies (Ephesians 6:12).
• Encouraging self-pity or feelings of defeat (2 Corinthians 10:5).
• Dimming the reality of Calvary’s victory in our hearts (1 Corinthians 1:18).

We must take this spiritual battle seriously, recognizing Satan’s lies and standing firm in the truth of Christ’s victory (1 Peter 5:8-9).

Illustration: The Power of Focusing on Calvary

I recall a story shared by Brother Victor about a godly man who was bedridden for many years due to illness. Another godly man visited him and remarked, “I always go to visit him because he strengthens me.” When asked how he maintained such joy and victory despite his struggles, the sick man shared his approach: When Satan whispered lies, saying, “God doesn’t love you; look at your life, unwell and confined to bed,” he would respond, “Ah, you’ve come. Come, let’s go look at Calvary together.” Satan cannot withstand the truth of the cross (Colossians 2:15). At Calvary, we see Christ’s great love and the price He paid for us—nothing could stop Him (Romans 8:37-39). By turning our eyes to the cross, we overcome the lies of the enemy and rejoice in Christ’s love.

The Overcoming Life in Christ

We are called to resist Satan’s lies and rejoice in the great love of Jesus (1 John 4:4). The hymn reminds us: “From all that dims Thy Calvary, O Lamb of God, deliver me.” We pray for washed eyes to see the enormous, all-satisfying love of Christ poured out for us (Ephesians 3:17-19). God calls us to live in the heavenly places, to walk in the overcoming life, and to stand against Satan’s schemes by His grace and power (Ephesians 2:6; 6:10-11). This is not by our strength but through the power of the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6).

Amen.