Daily Encouragement: Day 352

Adapted from Handbook to Spiritual Growth

DELIVERANCE FROM OUR ENEMY

It is foolish to ignore the methods and power of the enemy. This makes our families and us vulnerable while Satan and his forces work unnoticed and unchallenged. Many overlook the fact that about 25 percent of Jesus’ ministry as recorded in the gospels involved deliverance from demonic affliction.

We must recognize that we have been given authority and victory in the spiritual warfare (Matthew 10:1; Luke 9:1; 10:19). Christians have all we need to wage warfare against Satan (Ephesians 6:10–18). Though we have no resources of our own, we have all we need in Christ by virtue of our union with Him (Colossians 2:9–15).” Because of the cross, Satan is a defeated foe (John 12:31). Christ has “disarmed the rulers and authorities” (Colossians 2:15) and is exalted “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion” (Ephesians 1:21; Philippians 2:9–11; 1 Peter 3:22). Furthermore, as believers in Christ, we have been raised with Him and seated with Him in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). The Lord “delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13). In our new position, we have authority in Christ and power in the Spirit.