Who Has the Upper Hand?
by David Cross
Forgiving those who've sinned against us isn't just a nice Christian principle. Paul says that it's actually essential if we're to stop the powers of darkness getting the upper hand and a destructive opportunity in our lives. This takes the issue of forgiving others to a whole new level of significance from being just a nice thing to do.
Satan got the upper hand to rule over mankind in the Garden of Eden when our first forebears chose to follow his advice. Thankfully, Jesus has now given His followers the opportunity to sit with Him above the rule of the Evil One (Ephesians 2:6). That’s an amazing offer for us, to be able to rise in Christ above the authority of the spiritual ruler of this rebellious world.
However, as Paul tells us in today’s verse, unforgiveness creates a problem for where we are able to sit, because it’s contrary to the teaching of Jesus. It doesn’t stop Him loving us, nor does it stop us being one of God’s precious children, but, sadly, any issue of unforgiveness in our lives lies under the hand of the enemy and gives him an opportunity to carry out his plans against us.
How Satan must hate it when we make the heart choice to forgive those who have sinned against us and so remove that issue in our lives from his grasp! What a Saviour we have in Jesus, and how life-changing is His teaching when we apply it into our lives! How wonderful is the culture of God’s Kingdom compared to the ways of the world, not least in the radical concept of forgiving others and being forgiven by God!
David Cross David is part of the Executive Leadership of Ellel Ministries, with particular responsibility for the Ellel centres in Western Europe. He is married to Denise and they have three grown up children and eight grandchildren. David has been a civil engineer and ski-touring instructor in the Highlands of Scotland. He is passionate about the teaching and practice of the healing and deliverance ministry of Jesus and has written several books: Soul Ties, Trapped by Control, God’s Covering, The Dangers of Alternative Ways to Healing(co-authored with John Berry), an A to Z Guide to the Healing Ministry, What`s Wrong with Human Rights? and, most recently, God`s Way out of Depression. You can follow a daily thought from David on Twitter: @dmcross62
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