Keys to the Kingdom
One morning, while it was still fairly dark outside and my mind was fuzzy, I was making my bed by a dim light. Standing by the window, I peeked through the curtains and was confused that I couldn’t see anything. Then my brain kicked in and I realized the shade was still pulled down. Duh! I couldn’t see the reality of anything outside.
As believers, we cannot allow the devil to take advantage of us and pull the wool over our eyes. It’s a good day in hell when our enemy deceives an unsuspecting Christian who’s asleep at the wheel. Satan will tempt us to doubt that God loves us unconditionally, hears our prayers, or is even interested in anything that’s happening in our day-to-day lives. Doubting these basic truths will cause us to lose our trust in God’s unfailing faithfulness.
What the imprisoned apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Ephesus is still the truth for us today. His letter is meant to ground, shape, and challenge all believers in their daily Christian walk. “I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope He has given to those He called — His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:18-20 NLT). The goodness and greatness of God flows through Christ Jesus into the hearts of every Christ follower. If it’s hard for you to believe that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is inside you, then decide right now to believe and accept this vital truth.
When a ripe-for-the-picking believer is lured into questioning and doubting, it’s because he/she has been sideswiped by the devil. Lucifer the Devious can’t be trusted any further than you can throw him because he hates, lies, cheats, deceives, and destroys. Everything he touches turns to misery. Christians can’t afford to spare one minute listening to his slimy rubbish. “Don’t give the slanderous accuser, the Devil, an opportunity to manipulate you!” (Ephesians 4:17 TPT). Where I come from, we say: “I wouldn’t touch that with a ten-foot pole.” Yep, Eve should’ve just walked away from that trap.
The apostle Paul knew there would be times when believers would face disappointment and frustration in their spiritual growth. He wrote to remind us that most of the progress we make comes little by little. Our spiritual battles are won through the light of practicing God’s Word. Even when we slip and miss the mark, the Lord helps us to see clearly as we get up and continue walking in His marvelous light. “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand” (Psalm 37:23-24 NLT).
We must be on guard against the sly lies and strategies of Satan. Believers have the courage and strength to live boldly for God because all the forces of hell are anemic compared to the supernatural power that is in us through Christ Jesus. This is a truth we need to grasp, activate, and practice every day.
The Key: Let’s pick up our sword (Bible) and kick some devil.