Scriptures For Meditation — 1John 3:8; Eph 6:10-18

Prevailing Over The Powers of Darkness

From our meditation of the past two days, we have seen that biblically speaking, the word “darkness” does not just refer to the absence of visible, physical light, but can often also figuratively or symbolically speak about—

• The Consequence of Satan’s dominion and power over a person, place or thing; or

• The Manifestations of The Works of Satan —

The Good News – 1 John 3:8; In Christ Jesus, we have the victory!

Not Just Against, But Also In and Through…

However, it is very important for us to realise that the consequence of Satan’s dominion and power, and the manifestations of his work, are not just talking about what he does against believers, but also what he works in and through believers, as he manipulates us to sin or walk in disobedience against God!

As the bible infers in the first part of 1John 3:8; the primary work of the devil that Christ came to destroy is the sin that holds us bound and separates us from God and makes us liable to the judgement and damnation of hell!

Rulers of Darkness

The second scripture Eph 6:10-19, tells us what our battle is, who our battle really is against, and what we must do to prevail over these evil forces — The Rulers of the darkness Of This World!

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. (Eph 6:23 AMP)

Ruler: Someone with authority, influence or power over a person, place or thing.

As we read in yesterday’s devotional, darkness is a usurper and can only exist or prevail whenever or wherever light is absent!

Jesus tells us in Matt 28:18, that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him; that also includes authority over the rulers or powers of darkness and all their works!

The bible enjoins us to — Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. [Eph 6:11 NLT]

The Strategy of the devil against believers is to Hinder, Oppress, Obstruct, Intimidate, Discourage, Entice, Harass or Destroy.

Eph 6:13 Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious].

Eph 6:14 So stand firm and hold your ground, HAVING TIGHTENED THE WIDE BAND OF TRUTH (personal integrity, moral courage) AROUND YOUR WAIST and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (an upright heart),

Eph 6:15 and having strapped on YOUR FEET THE GOSPEL OF PEACE IN PREPARATION [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news].

Eph 6:16 Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Eph 6:17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

Eph 6:18 With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.

PRAYER FOCUS

Ask the Holy Spirit to turn the searchlight of the truth of the word of God upon your life and let Him expose the areas where the works of Satan have held sway.

Let Him reveal the manifestations of the enemy’s work in his wiles against you; pray that the victory of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary and the power in His Name and in His shed blood will avail and prevail on your behalf in those areas.

Pray especially also, for the Holy Spirit to reveal to you, the areas where you may have been giving room for the works of the enemy to manifest in or through your life.

Pray as David did in Ps 19:12-14 —

Who can understand his errors or omissions? Acquit me of hidden (unconscious, unintended) faults.

Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous (deliberate, willful) sins; Let them not rule and have control over me. Then I will be blameless (complete), And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my [firm, immovable] rock and my Redeemer.

Amen.

Shalom,

Pastor Wale Ola