The Loser

from When The Devil Knocks by Pastor Craig Groeschel

Is the devil real? According to recent studies, only about six in 10 Americans are sure. The same studies report nine out of every 10 Americans say they believe in God. Basically, there are a lot of people who think the good guy exists, but not the bad guy. 

‬‭God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1:9‭-‬13

The devil is a deceiver who attacks your mind with lies. He is a destroyer who attacks your will with pride. And finally, he is an accuser who attacks your heart with accusations. He’s far weaker than God, so he does his most efficient battle when we don’t know what’s happening. Basically, the devil fights like a loser.

When someone lacks confidence, what do they do? They try to bring others down. The devil is fighting a losing battle in a war God already won. So he fights like a loser and covertly attacks God’s kids. 

How do we fight against a losing covert enemy? We don’t fight for victory. We fight from victory. We don’t fight in the dark. We fight in the light.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:11‭-‬17‬

We fight knowing our enemy is real and powerful. We realize the battle is not against the person next to us, the other party, or the culture. We don’t fight alone. We fight united, against a spiritual power who wants us dead forever. We fight by humbly receiving the gift of salvation. We fight with awareness of the enemy’s playbook, and by practicing our playbook: God’s Word.

We win with confession. We win when we put light next to darkness. We defeat our enemy by surrendering to our God. Famous author and theologian, C.S. Lewis, said it like this, “We do not come to God as bad people trying to become good people; we come as rebels to lay down our arms.” 

‬Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

‭‭James‬ ‭4:7

What do you need to surrender in order to accept God’s victory? Who do you need to confess to?

Pray: God, I’m done trying to fight my own battles or pretend they don’t exist. Today I surrender to You. Thank You for winning the war. Show me how to find victory in every area of my life. Amen.