by Ron Graham
“And
he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give
unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the
enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:18-19. I’m sure you are all
familiar with the congregations who believe they can handle snakes without being
bitten or harmed in any why. Verse 19 above is often misinterpreted by these
folks. They believe that what Jesus is saying is that He has given all His
disciples the power to tread on literal serpents and scorpions. They believe
that it is only a lack of faith that allows them to be bitten and ultimately to
die from snakebite. These are foolish people who hold to a form of biblical
illiteracy.
“And
the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject
unto us through thy name.” Luke 10:17. The serpents and scorpions
Jesus refers to in verse 19 above are supernatural, evil spirits (demons). Jesus
gave His disciples His power – power to tread on demons. To advance the Kingdom
of God unhindered. When the 70 were
out on their mission they encountered the malevolent supernatural realm and
realized they did have power over devils through Christ’s name. The demons were
no match for the power of Christ; it was not the seventy’s power but the power
of Jesus (God Almighty) that prevailed against Satan and his horde.
These seventy
disciples of Jesus’ understood His words as follows: “I gave you the power
(authority, strength) that no matter what perils you might encounter, your
progress would not be detoured or hindered by My enemy.” No matter what
machinations and persecutions Satan had determined to throw at them, to thwart
the preaching of the gospel, they would prevail. Interestingly, He’s telling us
(His followers) the same thing today. As the serpents and scorpions (demons)
continually attempt to thwart the preaching of the Gospel, we too shall overcome
them – not by our power but with the power of God. “But as many as received him, to them gave He
power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his
name:” John 1:12.
Power comes only from the
Creator God of the universe. That power includes becoming sons of God, power to
overcome the enemy’s evils, and power to stand firm in our faith. When we
receive Christ and believe on His name, we are freely given this awesome
power.
The malevolent
supernatural beings have powers that humans can’t even fathom. They are beings
with varying ranks, and the higher the rank the more power they possess. But to
Jesus they were nothing, and He made it plain to His followers that by His power
these demonic beings had no power over them. Nor do they have power over His
saints today unless we allow them that power. How do we do that? We give them
power through our unbelief, and even our doubts. We are surrounded and
outnumbered by the demonic realm, yet with all their powers, which they wield
mightily over the lost, they have only the power over us that we allow them.
Many Christians allow the enemy sovereignty over their lives because they
continue to walk in fear and doubt.
We must
understand Jesus’ words “Nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Nothing can hurt
the real us. The real us is spirit and the world of the demonic
can’t touch us because we belong to Jesus. We are His property, His possession,
and we should all hold to His promise.
When men and
women go off to war they are supplied with materials to help keep them safe.
Among many other items they are supplied helmets, bulletproof vests, special
boots and clothing, and, of course, weapons. This is all helpful as they go out
to meet the enemy, but not sufficient protection to insure them no harm.
Compared to the protection God affords His children, our military’s protections
are wholly insufficient. God’s protection far exceeds anything even the fiercest
supernatural enemy has in his arsenal.
In Paul’s
epistle to the Ephesians he describes the protection we need as a full buffer
against the enemy. We have God’s power protecting us and we have the armor He
has issued each of His children. When we put on God’s armor it becomes
impossible for the enemy of our souls to breach that protection. The sad thing
is few Christians put on the armor and many more never even give their God-given
armor any thought.
“For
we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places” Ephesians 6:12. “Principalities”,
“powers”, and “rulers of the darkness of this world” are ranks of fallen angels.
Just as in military forces on earth, there are levels of
power, so it is with the satanic realm. God did not leave us helpless and naked
when it comes to standing firm against the enemy combatants. “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand.” Ephesians 6:13.
So what are
these pieces of God-issued armor? “Stand
therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the
breastplate of righteousness;” Ephesians 6:14. The first mentioned is that
of being girt with the truth (the word of God). When we have the knowledge of
the word of God firmly embedded in our minds and hearts we are indeed girt with
the truth and we become a formidable foe to be reckoned with. There’s mighty
power in His word, freely given to all who seek that truth.
The breastplate
of righteousness is only given to those who have become God’s peculiar people,
His possession – the born again. That breastplate (righteousness) is a God
ordained supernatural boundary impenetrable by the enemy. The picture so far is
that of an unyielding, fully protected soldier in God’s army – but hold on to
your hats, there’s more protection available.
“And
your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of
peace;” Ephesians 6:15. This one is obvious.
Wherever God sends us we are to be prepared “…to be ready always to give an answer to every man
that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and
fear:” 1 Peter 3:15.
The word “shod” actually means we are to bind to ourselves the Gospel of peace
in the sense that that binding is permanent. Preparation means exactly what we
think. We are to study the word of God so that we can’t be caught off guard by
any wacked-out supernatural being, or any human being for that matter.
“Above
all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the
fiery darts of the wicked.” Ephesians 6:16. The shield of faith is the
key to all the rest of the armor doing their individual jobs. If we have not
faith we have no shield. If we have faith in God then the shield He provides
covers us from head to toe. A lack of faith leaves us unprotected. Faith in
Christ effectively quenches the fiery darts of the supernatural realm.
“And
take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God:” Ephesians 6:17. To take the helmet of
salvation means we’ve been born again, it is the protection of our spirit.
Without salvation our spirit is fully open to the enemy’s attacks. As a matter
of fact, without salvation we would belong to the enemy. When we take hold of
the sword of the Spirit we’re taking hold of God’s sword. God’s inerrant word is
your sword of protection. Take hold of it and use it every day. It’s your power
base. Keep it near.
“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits
are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in
heaven.” Luke 10:20.
Jesus tells these 70 disciples, thus He’s telling us as His followers today, to
take no joy in the fact that the malevolent supernatural beings are subject to
us. It’s not our power that repels the demons – it’s not our strength that keeps
them at bay – it’s Christ’s power that prevails. God gets the glory for who we
are in Christ and how we stand for His Kingdom. Our rejoicing comes into play as
we realize that our names are written in Heaven.
“Praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto
with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” Ephesians 6:18. Prayer is our direct line
of communication to God; praying always with the desire and need for God who is
always in control to be ever vigilant on our behalf and on the behalf of our
brethren. Especially as we watch the persecution of the saints intensify in
these extreme last days.
The closer we
get to the Rapture of the saints our individual wills will be tested…for some,
most exceedingly. What kind of power could we possibly possess which would
enable us to stand against the enemy? It’s spiritual not physical. We have no
chance when it comes to physical strength to withstand the wiles of the devil.
That spiritual power given to us by Jesus Himself is far greater than anything
we might be faced with emerging from the enemy camp. Yes, the human followers of
Satan can kill our body but they can’t touch who we really are. “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not
able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul
and body in hell.” Matthew
10:28.
God bless you
all,
Ron
Graham
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