Facing Our Everyday Dragons
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So, the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. – Revelation 12:9 (NKJV)
Dragons! These mythical creatures—with colorful scales, long tails, sharp teeth, and flying capabilities—have fascinated people for centuries through stories of valiant heroes.
One consistent dragon characteristic is its deadly power to breathe fire. You wouldn’t want to encounter one without grabbing a sword and some armor first, along with a fistful of courage.
The Bible doesn’t mention a “dragon” until Revelation. In John’s depiction of end times, he tells of a frightening sign, “a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth.” (Revelation 12:3-4) While many of John’s images in this book are obscure to us, this dragon is clearly identified as “that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world (v. 9).”
It’s a fearsome description of an unseen spiritual war going on in heaven, between God’s archangel Michael and the dragon. The good news is that the angelic army, by the power of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, prevails and casts the dragon to earth.
The bad news is that the defeated Satan is still given limited liberty to continue his warfare here with great wrath, knowing his time is short. He’s using it to bruise us, God’s chosen children.
Friend, as God’s soldiers, we need to be alert to unseen spiritual battles going on all around us and that Satan is ready to assault us at every opportunity. The devil often disguises himself as different kinds of dragons—depression, persecution, anxiety, discouragement, fear, loss, humiliation, and more. It’s important to identify him as the source of these threats so we can counter his attacks.
If we’re going to succeed, we must prepare for daily warfare with God’s sword (in His word), His armor (which is His truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and spirit), and ultimately courage (provided by His power).
But while we can pray and study Scripture, we will only taste victory in the presence of Jesus Christ. In His commanding presence, we find the audacity and perseverance that will propel us forward to boldly enter the strife. Only by His blood on the Cross and His resurrection can we assert that Satan has no power over us. We need to rebuke Satan out loud, declaring he is not welcome on our Lord’s territory.
Today, as you encounter problems and weaknesses that threaten to unglue you, remember that Jesus is always by your side, ready to infuse you with His courage. Take hold of His unfailing love, and you’ll find the strength and confidence to face the daily dragons around you...fearlessly.
Questions for Reflection:
1. What are the dragons that afflict me most?
2. Which Christian friends and family members could I enlist in prayer for me in certain battles?
3. Which of the spiritual armor pieces do I need most from the Holy Spirit?
