Striving For The Finish Line

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12: 2NIV).

“Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name
of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, ‘In
the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.’ Seven
sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day, the evil spirit
answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you? Then
the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He
gave them such a beating that they ran out the house naked and bleeding.
When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were
all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.
Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds.
A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and
burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total
came to fifty thousand drachmas. In this way the word of the Lord spread
widely and grew in power” (Acts 19:13-20-New International Version).

The Bible has a lot to say about Satan and fallen angels. Yet demonology
is a subject, which is hardly taught in Bible colleges and seminaries. There
might be reasons for not being taught. But the born-again, Bible believing
Christian can’t afford to be ignorant about the character and the plans of Satan.
The narrative quoted above from the book of Acts, occurred in the city of
Ephesus during one of the missionary journeys of the apostle Paul. The Holy
Spirit saw fit to record it for the purpose of instructing and warning God’s
children of all future generations. So, the warning is also applicable in our day.

During the three and a half years of Jesus’ earthly ministry, He delivered
many demon-possessed people and those who were oppressed by evil spirits.
In addition, the Lord Jesus acknowledged that Satan is the god of this world.

Holy God sent His only begotten Son into the world as an atoning sacrifice
to destroy the works of the devil. Yes! “God made him [Jesus] who had no sin
to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God”
(2 Cor.5:21). The Lord Jesus paid the ransom for mankind with His sinless
lifeblood at the cross of Calvary, so that everyone who turns to Him for His
forgiveness and puts his or her trust in Him receives the gift of eternal life.

That is why the Lord Jesus makes it clear to all who turn to Him that they
must be born-again or be regenerated by the Holy Spirit. The Bible insists that
there can’t be the redemption without a repentance that leads to regeneration.
But the moment a sinner repents and receives Jesus as Savior and Lord, he
or she is rescued from the kingdom of darkness and is translated into the kingdom of light (cf. Co.1:13). Positionally, the born-again Christian is a new
creation (cf. 2 Co.5:17). Practically, however, he or she needs to work out his
or her salvation with fear and trembling (cf. Phil. 2:12). That’s sanctification.

I am saved by grace through faith—and this not from myself, it is the gift
of God—not by works, lest I should boast (cf.Eph.2:8-9). So, in order for me
to work out my salvation, I must keep in mind that Jesus set me free from the
prison of sin, that He is setting me free from the power of sin, and that he will
liberate me from the presence of sin when He comes in His glorious kingdom.

Although the Devil is a defeated foe, he still poses a real threat to people.
The born-again Christian needs to acknowledge his or her former way of life.
Just as the apostle Paul wrote: “As for you, you were dead in your trespasses
and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world
and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in
those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time,
gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and
thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath” (Ephesians 2: 1-3).

In our day, no aspect of society or human endeavor is immune from satanic
influence. Demonic influence is prevalent throughout the world. Its adverse
impact pervades all societies and human endeavors through educational
systems, governments, philosophies, religions, science, and the social media.

Since we are living in the last days, satanism and occultism are rampant in
the postmodern and transhuman societies of the West. Besides experimenting with the Ouija boards, young adults are targeted with occultic videogames and above all, with pornography. And when those are combined, tragedies strike!
Unfortunately, even born-again men and women fall into the deadly trap
of sexual immorality. In addition, some Christian leaders fill the list. Surely,
pornographic paraphernalia attract evil spirits that refuse to leave the place
where they are kept. And sexual immorality makes Christians very vulnerable.

Years ago, three Christians were prayerfully attempting to help a demon
possessed person. During the exorcism, the evil spirit said, “Pastor “X” and
Pastor “Y” I know about, but who are you to tell me to come out, when last
night you have committed adultery with so and so’s wife?” At that moment,
the life of the two pastors were placed at risk because of one man’s hypocrisy!

It is for freedom that Christ has set me free! So then, God forbid that I
should use my freedom in Christ as a license to cover up my sinful desires. In
order to live free in Christ, I must embrace the cross daily and never look back!

~ Prayer support ~ Biblical counseling freely available