The Enemy Is NOT Winning, Despite What You See

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We all have those moments when we feel we are losing ground in our spiritual walk in the Lord. The enemy will try every trick in the book to take our focus away from God. But, despite what you see, the enemy is not winning.

Peter was one of Jesus’ closest friends yet he was almost taken in by Satan. Even though Peter knew how he would fall, he fell. The enemy might take us down for a moment, but just like Peter, Jesus in His love is always there to pick us back up.

 Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.  But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32 (NLT)

Satan tried it once, and in this verse, he was trying it again. Back in the Old Testament, he tried his hand at tearing down Job, but Job didn’t fall into Satan’s hands.

According to today’s verses, Satan thought that he had another opportunity. This time within the inner circle of Jesus’ followers. He saw the potential to get Peter to follow him which would’ve put a stain on Christianity. Jesus, however, revealed this plan to Satan’s victim.

Satan’s Prey

Shortly after Peter had declared Jesus as the Son of the Living God, Jesus warned him that Satan wanted him. In His warning, He told Peter that he would deny Him not once, but three times. Just before that, in his pride, Peter said these words.

 “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.” Luke 22:33

Jesus not only told Peter what would happen but when, and how it would happen. Of course, the words of our Lord became a reality. What an eye-opener for Peter! He had such a close relationship with Jesus. Yet Satan used an unknown man and two servant girls to turn him against his Lord.

How much more do we need to guard our relationship with the Lord? How much more do we need to make sure we stay tuned to Him daily?

Satan’s Small Victory

Satan had a small victory when Peter denied Jesus three times that night. But it turned out to be a valuable learning lesson for him. The enemy tried other ways to defeat this apostle through imprisonments and beatings during his ministry.

Satan thought he had defeated one of Jesus’ faithful followers. But because of the love the Lord Jesus had for him, Peter remained a valuable asset for the Kingdom of God.

Once as a teenager I was going through a hard time. I just needed the encouragement of another Christian. So I went to see one of my neighbors to ask for prayer. After I asked her, she burst into tears. She said she was feeling sorry for herself wondering how God could possibly use her. The enemy had her convinced that she was worthless. That day God had sent me to her, she prayed, God lifted my burden and revealed His purpose for her.

It was then we both realized we were valuable assets to God’s Kingdom. You are also a valuable asset to His Kingdom as well. Even though you may stumble or fall, Jesus is right there to pick you up.

No Matter What, The Enemy is Not Winning

The Enemy Is NOT Winning

He has the same love for you and me as He had for Peter. He will also give us warning signs when the enemy tries to take us for his own. But contrary to what we might feel, the enemy is not winning.

The fact is, the enemy is not winning now and will never win. For all eternity, Jesus will reign victorious and Revelation 20 tells us about the fate of our enemy.

Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:10

Lord, thank you for the guidance and encouragement we receive through your Word. You have also given us fellow Christians we can lean upon for prayer and support. We do go through challenging times feeling the enemy might overtake us.

During those times we pray that the Holy Spirit would remind us of this important verse. Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world.

The enemy isn’t winning because God Is Still Out There, No Matter What Others Say.

A related post you may be interested in is called Now That Is Bad – To Be Banished From God’s Presence.

Take some time to read Luke 22 for yourself.

Featured Image Photo by Julien L on Unsplash

 


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