How to Win an Unfair Fight
by Andy Taylor
Some contests aren’t fair. The arm wrestle matches I did with my kids when they were little, for example. I’d play along for a while, let them get some sense of hope, before crushing them with my superior strength. Of course, I don’t bother arm wrestling them now that they are men!
So, what about our contest with Satan? In 1 Peter 5:8, this enemy of our souls is described as a roaring lion who is looking around for someone to devour. Er, aren’t we described in the Bible as sheep? That does not seem like a fair fight at all. One swipe of the lion’s paw and a sheep is done. Oh, and, according to James 4:7, we’re supposed to resist him. No prizes for guessing whom a betting man would put his money on.
The staggering truth, however, is that, even as sheep, we are victorious over this powerful enemy, because we are in Jesus. He has even given us authority and power over all the works of darkness (Luke 10:19). So, really it is Satan who is intimidated. Within Ellel Ministries, we are regularly rejoicing with those who have been set free from the power of the enemy in their lives - addictions broken, fear banished, torment gone. None of that happens because of us, or our own power, or our clever prayers, but simply because of Jesus and His power and authority invested in us as His children. What a gift of freedom He has given us!
But today’s verses (and the passage in 1 Peter 5) give us a vital insight into the starting point of the battle we are in and how to win. Humility. Both scriptures talk about humility immediately before our engagement in resisting the devil. Humility is taking the position of the lowest. It is recognising that our strength is not our own, but comes from God, who is the ultimate authority. He rules supreme above everything seen and unseen, and our start-point in any battle is to recognise this and live in the reality of it. He is the Creator and I am the created. He is more and I am less. He is high and I am low.
From this position, God moves in power and we can overcome the enemy. So, today, let’s humble our hearts so that, regardless of the enemy’s strategies, we can see victory through Jesus.
Andy Taylor is Director of Ellel Grange, UK National Director and is a member of the Executive Leadership of Ellel Ministries. He joined the team in 1991 and has served the Lord at Ellel Ministries centres in the UK, Australia and the USA. Andy is married to Cath and they have three boys.
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