WAR HAS BEEN DECLARED FOR CONTROL OF YOU AND YOUR SOUL!

BIBLE PASSAGE:
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, 
because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.  
(1 John 4:4)

MEDITATION:
In his letter to the Galatians, 
Paul mentioned the battle raging in the souls of man.
“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit 
what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, 
so that you are not to do whatever you want.” (Galatians 5:17). 
It is a conflict much greater than we might imagine.
When two opposing forces are competing for control of our lives,
we can expect some painful and uncomfortable tensions. 

It’s probably not what most of us like to hear, or face as a reality, 
but we are ultimately under the control of either the ‘flesh’ or the ‘Spirit’.
We might have conflict with others at times, 
but there is a continual war in the spiritual realm that involves us.

Paul reminded the Ephesians that our struggles 
are much greater than what we are able to see in front of us.
In essence, it is a battle between good (righteousness) and evil (sin).
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, 
against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against 
the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)

However, the good news is, we have an ‘ally of righteousness’ 
that is greater our ‘adversary of evilness’. 
Our ‘ally’ wants what is good for us, but our ‘adversary’ is bent on
destroying us (for eternity, but also while we live out our lives on earth).
But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as 
sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness 
to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:20b-21) 

When we look at the ultimate goals of each force, the choice is easy, 
however the actions required for our choice is where we can struggle.
When we have victories over our adversary we can rejoice, but when we 
suffer defeat, we can become discouraged and feel the weight of guilt.

Thankfully, God knows of this constant struggle in our lives 
and His grace has given us the advantage we need for continual victories.
For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, 
how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and 
of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! 
(Romans 5:17)

We can have complete victory! 
We are told to submit ourselves unto God, and the devil will flee from us.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. 
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

If we want to stand on the podium of victory, then we need to submit to God.
The word ‘submit’ means, “to accept or yield to a superior force, 
or to the authority or will of another”. 
‘Accept’ and ‘yield’ 
means we gratefully allow God’s Spirit to reign in our lives.

ACTION:
Do you feel overwhelmed at times when the power of evil seems strong?
If so, then take to heart and put into action the instructions in God’s Word.
Accept God’s “abundant provision of grace” and His “gift of righteousness”.
When you do, you will have a natural desire to resist the 
desires of the flesh and embrace the righteous things of the Spirit.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace and righteousness! Your 
assurance that I can have victory over the desires of the flesh gives me 
the hope and encouragement I need for overcoming the tension that sin 
creates in my life. You know the battles I face and the weaknesses I 
have which result in victories for the evil one. But You are stronger 
than my adversary and when Your Spirit is actively in control, I know 
that I can rejoice in victory, as the evil one flees from me.”

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