Overcoming our adversary

August 27, 2007

By Greg Ebie

I watched two brothers wrestle on the floor. The younger boy was half the size and strength of the older and would jump on top of his brother’s back. At times he would attack with fists swinging; at others he would get up and kick him in the back. When the older brother would defend himself, the younger would yell to his dad, “It’s not fair; tell him to go easy on me.”

I couldn’t help but think to myself, If he goes much easier he is liable to get hurt.

Still as these brothers wrestled, both were learning to use their strength. As the years go by, both will come to understand they have an adversary who won’t even think about going easy on them. Who will they look to then for help?

“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3, NIV).

One of Satan’s greatest lies is to convince us he does not exist, that evil is just a force and not a person. Satan is real. Together with his demonic forces the devil has one prime objective: “To steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). We are engaged in a fierce struggle against spiritual forces. It is a war that lasts our entire lifetime.

What is our hope to overcome the enemy? Our prayer cannot be, “Lord, tell him to go easy on me.”

God must strengthen us to persevere through each trial and difficulty we face. If God does not strengthen us, Satan could certainly crush us. But we can also ask God to defend us against the enemy, to protect us from Satan’s attack. The key to spiritual victory is to recognize our own weakness. It is impossible for us to win the war against Satan; only God can give us victory.

One final thought: Pray with thanksgiving because God is faithful! The Lord has won the victory over Satan in the past, and will continue to take us from victory unto victory.

Whatever you are facing today, cry out to God for help. He will strengthen you, protect you, and give you the victory.

D. Greg Ebie is senior pastor of Praise Assembly of God in Garrettsville, Ohio, and an author of Daily Bread devotionals.