Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Luke 11:21 and following. Indeed, Jesus Christ was sent to earth to take away all strength from the evil one in order to annihilate him. The sick man described in the parable of the mute possessed as the people of Israel. While this healing is criticized as the work of the forces of evil, this parable explains that the Lord is sent to destroy the devil settled on earth, that evil does not fight itself, and that the stronger man (the Lord) comes to take possession of his house and the possessed peoples who have become silent in their prayers. For the deep desire of every man is to be free and happy. But, on the contrary, he is a slave and unhappy. Often he denies it, and yet he is bound with a heavy chain, that of sin, and irons hinder his movements. He is unable to break this terrible servitude on his own.
Most men, however, seek to persuade themselves that they are free, while they must see in them an unfulfilled thirst for happiness. They have vain impulses towards the light, aspirations that never come true. Hence a feeling of weariness that they seek to forget by immersing themselves ever more in the “train of this world” (Eph 2.2). But their agitation, their feigned cheerfulness and their incessant feasts always end sadly (Pr 14. 13). Under all these appearances hides in reality a great misery. Yet man always seeks to “escape” – at least in his thoughts. He starts, as soon as he can, fully lost in pleasures, listens to the constant suggestions of fashion. He increases the comfort of his home and seeks to satisfy all the lusts of his natural heart (Mt 15. 19-20). “Satan leads the ball” in order to mislead men, using all the media ever more for this purpose.
That is why God, who loves his creatures and desires to bring them back to Him, calls them once, twice… but very often they do not pay attention to it (Jb 33. 14). They resist and by dint of being voluntarily deaf, end up no longer hearing His voice. One can even harden oneself to the point of no longer feeling the anguish that sin creates at the beginning in consciousness. Sometimes it is only on a deathbed – if we do have one – when we give back one’s soul to God, that terror is felt (Job 3. 5; 18. 14) But then it is often too late! This is why the Word says, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts (Hb 3. 15). In his perfect humanity, the Lord Jesus always sought direct contact with men. He knows the “spiritual hunger” that often devours our soul. All miseries find a deep echo in His heart. He knows well what the solicitations of sin are – how particularly attractive it seems to young people! Only he – says Scripture – knows the heart of man, deceitful and incurable (Jer 17. 9), always ready to give in to the proposals of the Enemy.
Because he is powerfully armed and he uses it for the offensive. He despised men, like Goliath, who considered the Israelites too vile fighters for him. Has he not conquered all men, since all have sinned? Was there a single descendant of Adam who was able to resist him victoriously? How does the Enemy base his terrible empire on men? Let us mention some of the means used, generally very attractive to the flesh:
The degrading lust of the flesh, along with sins and corrupting evil, has become more and more commonplace. (Gen 3 . 1:4), gradually leads men, despite their place received at the moment of Creation, to behave, since they have fallen into sin, like beasts for no reason (2 Pet 2. 12).
– The “whirlwind of this world” leads men, with all its forms of vanity, its grandiose receptions, its spectacles – There is absolute incompatibility between God and the world (Jk 4. 4). He wants to make him forget the essential: “Is he in good standing with God?” The eternal fate of his soul depends on it. He seeks to lead him to perdition, in this pond of fire and brimstone where so many men will come to join him (Mt 25. 41; Rev 20. 10) .
– Man’s intelligence, too, is often diverted from its true purpose. “Knowledge” easily takes a harmful turn: Unbelievers are easily deceived by philosophy, rationalism, and especially the “latest data” of science – whose conclusions are quickly contested.
– Occultism is also constantly gaining ground, despite the very strong warnings of the Scriptures (Dt 18. 10-14). Astrology flourishes daily on the airwaves, cleverly designed to fool a clientele easy to mislead for the “merchants” of promises of health, happiness … “Do not fear their fears, do not be troubled, but sanctify the Lord, Christ in your hearts” (1 P 3.14-15).
– The thirst for wealth and the tyranny of business become for some – by their own admission – their only reason to live. Often an inexplicable greed for the “collection” develops in them, whatever it may be; or a real passion for music, art and even “letters”.
The weapons that the Enemy uses are perfectly adapted, he knows our “tendencies” and he exploits them. So, we must examine ourselves to fully understand the weapon he prefers to cause our defeat, instead of us being “more than victors”. The resources of the Christian are in Christ alone. But the strongest comes to bind him: When all seemed lost to man “justly captive” and hopeless, praise be to God! There is One who has occurred: The Lord Jesus (Luke 1.78-79). He had mercy on our estrangement from God. He came to “proclaim good news to the poor,” to “proclaim deliverance to the captives” (Luke 4.18). Talking about Him brings great joy to the one who realizes a little how much he has been loved. A power superior to the strong man, the Son of God entered this world. God was manifested in the flesh. Lying first in a manger, for lack of space for him in the hotel, he will grow in wisdom and stature, with God and men.
The Lord Jesus’ victory over Satan on the cross: Before he let Himself be tied to the cross, the Lord said, “The head of this world comes and he has nothing in me.” It is in Golgotha that He is crucified. The men watered him with bitterness and outrage, while he suffered intensely. At the sixth hour, it was dark in the middle of noon. No one could empty, but Him, the cup of God’s judgment against sin. But in addition to atoning suffering, He was also to enter into death. The sentence had been pronounced by God against sinful man. For the only Righteous who lived here on earth was abandoned: God’s righteousness and holiness demanded it. What is Satan’s destiny ? It will be broken (Rom 16. 20), related (Rev 16. 20) and thrown into the pond of fire and brimstone (Rev 20. 2-3). From now on, this division of the remains of the strong man takes place; his prisoners were released. What about each reader?
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
Christ speaks of Satan’s kingdom and his defeat:
· Dominion of Christ
-Eternal Isa 9:5-6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us, and dominion will rest on his shoulder; He will be called Admirable, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
-Universal Za 9:10 I will destroy the chariots of Ephraim, And the horses of Jerusalem; And the arcs of war will be annihilated. He will announce peace to the nations, and he will dominate from one sea to another, from the river to the ends of the earth.
-On nature Mt 8:27 These men were seized with astonishment: What is this one, they said, to whom even the winds and the sea obey?
-On the Church Eph 1:22 He put everything under His feet, and He gave Him as the supreme head of the Church,
-On the heavenly powers 1 Pet 3:22 who has been at the right hand of God, since he went to heaven, and the angels, the authorities and the powers, were submitted to him.
· Neutrality impossible in the spiritual world
Mk 9:40 Whoever is not against us is for us. Luke 11:23 He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not assemble with me disperses. Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters. For either he will hate one and love the other; or he will cling to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Mamon.
· Spiritual purification, examples
Isaiah 6:7 He touched my mouth, and said, This has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin is atoned for. Za 3:4 The angel, speaking, said to those who were in front of him: Take away the dirty clothes! Then he said to Joshua, “See, I take away your iniquity, and I put on festive clothes from you. Jn 15:3 Already you are pure, because of the word I have announced to you. 1 Cor 6:11 And that is what you were, some of you. But you have been washed, but you have been sanctified, but you have been justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the Spirit of our God. Rev 7:14 I said to Him, My Lord, you know this. And he said to me: These are those who come from the great tribulation; they washed their robes, and they bleached them in the blood of the lamb.
· Divine promises, to those who obey
Ex 20:6 and who has mercy to a thousand generations on those who love me and keep my commandments. Dt 4:40 And keep His laws and commandments that I prescribe to you today, that you may be happy and your children after you, and that you may henceforth prolong your days in the land that Jehovah your God gives you. Isaiah 1:19 If the Lord of hosts had not kept us a small remnant, We would be like Sodom, We would be like Gomorrah. Mk 3:35 For whoever does God’s will is my brother, my sister, and my mother. Luke 11:28 And he answered: Blessed are those who listen to the word of God, and keep it! John 7:17 If anyone wants to do his will, he will know if my doctrine is of God, or if I speak of my leader.
From all of the above, we may wonder if man is a booty taken from the Enemy. Can he say with certainty that he is one of the fruits of the Lord’s victory over this cruel adversary? Are we part of the huge loot that has been taken from the opponent? (Esa 53.12). Are we one of the trophies of the One who won all the battles? Jesus said, “He who is not with me is against me; and he who does not assemble with me, disperses” (Luke 11.23). There is still time to take sides: “No one can serve two masters” (Mt 6. 24). To those who respond to His urgent calls, Jesus gives peace with God, rest and joy. An absolute, immediate certainty of being saved inhabits him: no more trial and error, no more uncertainty, no doubts. Scripture says: “For I know the plans I have formed upon you,” says the Lord, “for iarjects of peace and not of evil, in order to give you a future and hope” (Jer 29.11); “Do I take pleasure in the death of the wicked,” said the Lord, the Lord, “is it not rather that he turns away from his ways and lives?” (Ez 18.23). May everyone take such words to heart. Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow ” the parable of the lamp.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.