16 “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” 17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:16-20)
Yesterday we focused on our adversary in spiritual warfare. Today, we turn our attention to the battle.
As we think about the battle, there are many questions that arise. For example, how do we succeed? Or, what are our weapons? I am sure that the lessons we have been learning from our review of the Disciplines provide many answers, but Jesus also provides a unique perspective in today’s passage.
Please carefully read the passage and answer the questions below.
Today’s Questions:
- What assurances do you take from the passage?
- Jesus clearly had a high awareness of spiritual warfare, how would you assess your awareness?
March 15, 2016 at 7:57 am
As an heir to God’s throne He’s given me authority, enabled me to be an overcomer, and an assurance that nothing will harm me.
The ladies bible study did a book by Kay Arthur on Warfare, that had my eyes bulging and so much more aware of warfare. I see how the conniving one creeps through crevices left unguarded in our lives, and does battle. The mind is the devil’s primary target. It not only made me aware of warfare but how to put on the whole armour of God daily to fight the enemy. We are equipped but if you don’t know it you’ll be helpless.
March 15, 2016 at 10:26 am
In the world where athletes live, many describe success as a battle of the mind. In the spiritual world, the mind too is primary to the successful use of the authority Jesus speaks about as our tool in facing spiritual battles. So often we try to face battles on our own strength. When that happens, it is better that we fail. For when we succeed in our own strength, the devil has partly gained control of the mind and defeat will follow.
The words of Jesus to His disciples to rejoice not that the spirits submit to you but that your names are written in
heaven bring assurance that we are already on the winning side regardless of how difficult the battle may seem.
March 15, 2016 at 8:33 pm
QI. The assurances are as follows: (1) people’s acceptance or rejection of me as a disciple of Christ is symbolic of their acceptance or rejection of Christ and ultimately God (2) I can joyfully do God’s work (3) Satan has no place in heaven (4) I am both physically and spiritually protected by God, including having power and authority over demons (5) My name is written in heaven.
Q2. I am very aware of spiritual warfare both in ways that are somewhat subtle as well as in more obvious forms such as seeing God at work in delivering people from demon possession. But the greatest awareness is that He has brought me out of darkness into His marvelous light.