THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 12:22-29
“If it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (Matthew 12:28)
Humans were made to rule creation in the Spirit’s power (Genesis 1:16-28,2:7).
When we rebelled against God, Satan became the strong man.
Throughout history, no child of Adam has been able to beat the strong man.
One way or another Satan tricked and trapped every human being… until Jesus.
Jesus loves and obeys God, refusing Satan and receiving the Spirit.
“When the devil had finished all this tempting… Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit. (Luke 4:13-14)
Jesus as the promised seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15) is finally crushing the serpent.
After the cross, the victory is complete, all authority belongs to Jesus (Matthew 28:18).
Satan is bound, we are free… but that doesn’t keep Satan from pretending.
Satan still whispers his lies, like he did in the garden… and many listen.
Jesus is in charge, and we need to believe it, and live like it.
We submit to the Spirit of Jesus, not the demons of Satan.
Like Jesus we battle in the wilderness all the time; like Jesus we have the Spirit.
Which strong man will you submit to – Jesus or the Jerk?
Whose words will you believe – the Deliverers or the Deceivers.
Believe it or not, “the kingdom of God has come upon” us.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You HAVE overcome the devil and taken back creation for God and for us. Satan is a liar, and is good at it, but he cannot beat You. I choose to stand with You!