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by Rev. Fr. V.V. Paulose, Toronto, Canada
"The devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister Him." (Mathew 4:11)
Are you struggling to come out of an evil problem?
Demons are not mere fantasies - they are real. The devil is a vicious fighter against righteousness. These are not "flesh and blood enemies; but evil spirits in heavenly places." To live a victorious life in Christ, we should have defensive and offensive mechanisms. We need supernatural powers to defeat Satan, and God has provided this by giving the Holy spirit within us, and his armour around us. Whenever you are tempted or feel frustrated, do not forget to use "the sword of the spirit - which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17).
When Jesus was tempted in the desert, He simply quoted the Bible. Three temptations. Three declarations. It is written…. "(Luke 4:4). "It is written… (Luke 4:8). "It is said…"(Luke 4:12). Jesus' survival choice of weapon was the Scripture. Don't miss this point here. Everything you and I need for the desert survival is in the book. We simply need to observe it. Rely on the Scripture. Doubt your doubts before your beliefs.
Jesus told Satan, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Mathew 4:4). Hang in there. Your time in the desert will pass. Jesus did it. The devil left Him.
Before his conversion, St. Augustine (354-430 AD) had a reckless life with plenty of concubines and a son and yet, was still waiting for love and peace. Once in his frustration and sorrows, he heard a child- like voice say, "lege" ( take up and read). At his house, he picked up a book written by Paul, Epistle to the Romans, and opened instantly and read, "Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don't participate in the darkness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarrelling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think of ways to indulge your evil desires" (Romans 13:13,14).
"No further did I read, for instantly at the end of the sentence, by a light as it were of serenity infused into my heart, and all the darkness of doubt vanished away" - St. Augustine. Those words of Scripture made a saint from a sinner.
Read and apply the word of God in your daily life. "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path" (Psalm 119:105).
Jesus, we are defenseless without You and your word. By your death on the cross, you had already crushed the head of the devil. Let your word scare the devil and his evil activities. Let us be delivered from all satanic influences. We pray for immediate deliverance for those who are under evil spells. All we ask in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
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