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This page last updated on March 3, 1999
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The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy (John 10:10). How do evil spirits interfere with our lives? Let me answer with a simple illustration. Imagine that you are standing at one end of a long, narrow street lined on both sides with two-story row houses. At the other end of the street stands Jesus Christ, and your Christian life is the process of walking down that long street of maturity toward Him. There is absolutely nothing in the street which can keep you from reaching Jesus. So, when you receive Christ, you fix your eyes on Him and start walking. But since this world is still under the dominion of Satan, the row houses on either side of you are inhabited by beings who are committed to keeping you from reaching your goal. They have no power or authority to block your path or even slow your step, so they hang out of the windows and call to you, hoping to turn your attention away from your goal and disrupt your progress by tempting you, accusing you and deceiving you. What is the enemy's goal in having his demons jeer you, taunt you, lure you, and question you from the windows and doorways along your path? He wants you to slow down, stop, sit down, and, if possible, give up your journey toward Christ. He wants to influence you to doubt your ability to believe and serve God. Remember: he has absolutely no power or authority to keep you from steadily progressing in your walk toward Christ. And he can never again own you, because you have been redeemed by Jesus Christ and you are forever in Him (1 Peter 1:18, 19). But if he can get you to listen to the thoughts he plants in your mind, he can influence you. And if you allow him to influence you long enough through temptation, accusation and deception, he can control you. If I could influence you to believe a lie, could I control your life? Yes. Let's fix our eyes on Jesus, "the author and perfecter of faith" (Hebrews 12:2) and take "every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). Lord, I know this world is a crazy, unsafe place, full of obstacles and impediments. I trust You today to protect me from the enemy, to light my path, and to watch over me with Your sure presence. © Copyright 1999, Media Management. All rights reserved. P.O. Box 21433, Roanoke, VA 24018 Telephone: 540-989-1330 Original posting located at Devotionals.net |
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My 2 cents worth: For me this story has been a life changer. It really illustrated to me that GRACE does indeed change everything. We walk the street that was cleared by GRACE, the street kept clear by GRACE. When Jesus died and rose again the battle was won once and for all! We have the Holy Spirit who provides the strength to walk down the street that GRACE cleared for us. When temptation comes and the Devil wants us to fall, we are reminded by this illustration that these temptations are just so much noise. The Devil can't put anything in the way of our walk in the Spirit toward Christ. He can only try his darndest to talk us into wandering off the street into one of his many sinful distractions. Just so much noise. I don't know about you, but for me, this illustration sums up how to beat Satan before he even gets a word in edgewise! I pray that you are similarly blessed by this devotional.
God Bless You!
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This page last updated on March 3, 1999
E-mail me at:
[email protected]