The Bible: The Believer's Scouting Report - Part Three
“And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.” Romans 16:20 (KJV, emphasis added)
In Romans 16:20, the word “bruise” means to break into pieces or to crush or scatter one’s strength. In the past two blogs, we have been examining five different strategies of the Flesh, the World and Satan (FWS) in their attempt to contaminate and corrupt our relationship with God. So insight of these strategies will put us in the position to scatter and crush the strength of Satan’s lies and schemes in our lives. As a review, the five different strategies include:
To invoke our instincts
To intensify its influence
To invigorating our intemperance
To incite intimidation
To instigate your insurgence
Today we will close our study with the last two strategies: Inciting intimidation and Instigating your insurgence.
Strategy #4: Inciting Intimidation
Intimidation intoxicates FWS. It knows that intimidation insures its chance of successfully dominating your life. FWS would love to lead you by your nose with a hideous hook!
One of the ways FWS intimidates is through fear. Fear is situated in the weakness of our humanity and holds countless number of people in hostage. Fear is usually fixed in people, places and things. The power to overcome fear is not innate or developed by natural causes or conditioning. Our Scouting report reveals:
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.” 1 John 4:18a (KJV)
The only way that FWS can get into your head is to intimidate you. It can only intimidate you when you give it the invitation to have its way with you. This will always happen when we entertain its lies and embrace them as fact. In this way, we fold to the treachery of FWS! We must stop leasing space in our minds to these losers and level them with the truth. Here is a passage of scripture that rips the hinges and destroys the doors of FWS intimidation.
“And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named , not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.” Ephesians 1:19-21 (KJV)
Have you ever given serious thought as to how much power does it takes to resurrect a Person from the grave after He has been dead for four days? When you and I can internalize and exercise this phenomenal truth in our lives we will rout and render the bully’s lies utterly powerless. This truth will tear you away from trepidation and transport you to a triumphant platform. However, you must turn to trusting this truth!
Finally in order for our enemy, FWS, to regain the territory that has been ripped from its control, the bully will make a desperate call to the rebellion and hostility that is in our heart by nature.
Strategy #5: Instigating Your Insurgence
“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Romans 8:6-7 (KJV)
Because we have a disposition directed by depravity, the bully will try to take advantage of the natural hostility that all humans have because of the fall of man. I refer to this as a head case of hostility toward heaven. It is also deliberate defiance against divine direction.
It's inconceivable to consider that there is a part of us that champions anarchy in our hearts and aligns itself with the arch-enemy of God and man. Again I submit to you that we do not have to concede to the cry of the carnality in our hearts. This is because the power of the cross of Christ delivered a crushing blow and buried that old body of death in Him! Therefore, from this time forward, we walk in newness of life!
“Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:3-4 (KJV)
We do not have to relinquish this reality of hope! Remember greater is the Lord’s Presence in our hearts than the external and internal pressure from FWS. So now that we aware of the five strategies, we must strip the satanic steps of FWS before they become strongholds in our minds. Let’s purpose to position ourselves in the power of the Word and practice His presence in our lives.
For the Glory of God,
PBKSR