Everyone was gathered there. The angels were in full attendance, and then he showed up.

He acted like it was normal, and no one should be surprised by his presence.

Satan was in attendance, and his goal was to accuse the only man on earth that God has ever called upright. He told God all about Job (as if God didn’t know how he has blessed him) and the numerous blessings he lavished.

The Devil was certain that if God took away everything he had given to Job, he would turn against him.  He really thought that Job had no idea that suffering was a natural part of his Christian walk.

For some Christians, this is easy to believe.

If God were to take away everything from you and left you with nothing, the temptation to renounce your Christianity would be first on your list.

But what about the things that you are actually doing that Satan can throw in God’s face? How can we overcome the wicked one and the deeds that crucify Jesus repeatedly with our wrong choices and bad habits?

 

 

There comes a time when believers have to stand for God no matter what is happening around them, and that time is now. (2 Corinthians 6:2)

 

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. (1 John 2:12-14 NASB)

 

John was at this time stranded on the isle of Patmos. He was the oldest close disciple of Jesus to live and was about 90 years of age. The apostle had the seniority needed to address children, young men and women, older men, and women concerning how to overcome the wicked one.

He had been tasked with looking after Mary, the mother of Jesus, and some believe he went on to pastor a church in Ephesus. What we do know is his commitment to Christ stood the test of time when he was imprisoned because of sharing the gospel.

Here are 3 ways to overcome the evil one:

1. By abiding in the Word
2. Through saying no to the world
3. By mortifying the deeds of the flesh

 

 

1. You can overcome the evil one by abiding in the Word

 

John 15:7; John 8:31-32; Hebrews 4:12

What does it mean to abide?

Abide means to be, continue, or exist. It also means to rest, dwell, be firm, and immovable. This brings about the idea of staying in one place permanently.

To abide in the word is to spend quality time reading and studying God’s word. The Bible can pierce the darkest heart and bring restoration to the believer.

Are you one that would prefer a lie over truth?

When you abide in the word, the truth will saturate your heart and mind. And it will set you free.

God’s word was written for you, and with you in mind, allow yourself to dive into His word when you are hungry and thirsty.

There you will find bread and manna from the heavens with living water to quench your thirst.

 

2. Saying no to the world

 

James 4:4

Romans 12:2

I John 2:15-17

If we are not careful as daughters of God, we can allow the world to dictate how we should live. As Christians, we are called to stand for what we believe in. If you are a friend of the world, then you are the enemy of God. It is quite simple.

The world doesn’t decide for us; God already has.

Dare to take a stand and say no to the world even if it means that you are standing alone. Elijah thought he was the only prophet left.

He sunk deep into depression and self-pity. This powerful man of God reached a point where he wanted to die. But God opened his eyes to see that he was not alone. God was right there with him.

When you say no to the world and yes to God, you are not alone. God is with you, and he always has a remnant that is faithful to him elsewhere.

 

3. You can overcome the evil one by mortifying the deeds of the flesh.

 

Colossians 3:2-5

2 Peter 1:4

Romans 8: 5-9

As a child of God, your body is still fleshly. There is a constant battle fiercely raging that you may not even be aware of. Your flesh is at war with your spirit. So, even though you are a new creation with old things being passed away, your body still can control what you do.

It doesn’t have to be this way, but the one that you feed most will be the most dominant and have the capacity to overpower the other.

Are you feeding your spirit or flesh?

You have the divine nature of God at work in you. The Holy Spirit has also taken up residence in your life. Although the flesh is cunning, you can put it to death.

Every day you have to wage the war that is inside of you and feed your spirit, man. Dare to be different in an indifferent world while setting your affections on things above.

The desires of the flesh will always be materials things that you may want here on earth.

You can put your flesh to death every time it rears its ugly head by remembering what Jesus did on the cross for you. His death and resurrection have given you freedom from being enslaved to sin. (Romans 6:6)

Die daily to your flesh and walk in the spirit.

 

 

Reflection

 

1 John 2:1- My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

You may set out to die daily to your flesh, to abide in God’s Word, and to say no to the world, but you may find that you slip every so often.

This is why I love that the Bible says that we have an advocate in Jesus. He is our lawyer, and no offense is greater than his suffering and payment.

God will grant us pardon and forgiveness through Jesus Christ the righteous.

You will fall, but don’t stay there and wallow in your mess. Go to Jesus, repent, and keep abiding in his word, saying no to the world and putting your flesh to death. You can overcome the wicked one when you allow the Holy Spirit to take full control.

Jesus is our great example (Matthew 4:4) he overcame the evil one by using his Word to rebuke him. We have read and seen in our lifetime the miracles that Jesus can do.

Yet he saw fit to speak to the Devil and let him know that his word is just as powerful as casting him aside.

You can do it too. With Jesus by your side, you can overcome the evil one.

Read more about overcoming the evil one from desiring god.

I love you with the love of Christ.

Keneesha.

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