Freedom in Christ: The Tools (Part 1)

COMMENTS

Okay.  We’ve learned about the lies.  We’ve learned about our authority.  How do we use the latter to combat the former?

NOTES

James 4:7 says, “Submit therefore to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”  That’s a command!  “Resist the devil.”  Many of us, including me, grew up knowing that we should resist him but were never given the training or the tools to know how to do it.  I thought that I just had to somehow drum up the will power to not do what Satan was tempting me to do.  When I try to do things on my own (in my own name), Satan is stronger than I am; and often, my will power isn’t strong enough to win the battle.

There are two different “battle plans” that, if followed, will enable you to submit to God and resist Satan.  I repeat:  the purpose here is to SUBMIT TO GOD and to RESIST SATAN.  We will cover the first one today and the second one in the next posting.  The first should be done every morning for your protection and for those over whom you have authority (like your kids or a parent under your care).  The second procedure is specifically for those times when you’re under attack.  This may seem new and, even, unorthodox to some of you; but you will find it to be very biblical.

DAILY BATTLE PLAN

1. Daily submit to God.  Pray the following prayer of submission:  “Heavenly Father, I give you control of my intellect, emotions, will, and body.  I invite you to be Lord of my life in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”  (Italicized words are critical!)
2. Put on the armor of God.  Pray:  “Lord, I put on your provision of armor:  the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.” (Eph. 6:13-17)
3. Bind Satan.  This is not a prayer.  It is a statement to Satan.  Eyes should be open, and words should be spoken with authority:  “Satan, I bind you.  You will not have control of my intellect, emotions, will, or body.  I loose myself from every stronghold and all bondage in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”  (Italicized words are critical!)

This is a good start.  Take some time to familiarize yourself with this and, hopefully, get comfortable with it if it’s is new to you.  If you’re uncomfortable, think about this:

1. In step one above, we submit to God.  Jesus submitted to the Father and told us to do the same.
2. In step two, we put on the whole armor of God.  God, through the apostle Paul, commanded us to do so.
3. In step three, we implement our God-given authority to resist the devil.  Jesus did that; He trained his early followers to do that; and in James 4:7 (quoted above) He instructed us to do that.

God has given us the tools to live in freedom and victory.  These are some of them—more next time.