May 2nd
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 NIV
Organized crime provides a vivid picture of how Satan runs his kingdom. As the godfather of sin, Satan rules his “family” with violence, intimidation, and murder (John 8:44). He entices people to join the family through various temptations like money, sex and power. Through weapons like pornography, he subdues potentially threatening people, like would-be servants of God. He aims to destroy God’s plans for them and bring them under his control.
Satan used mafia-like tactics against Jesus. He first contracted killing Jesus through Herod’s execution of males 2 yrs. and younger. That failed, and Satan later tried to persuade Jesus to work for him (Luke 4:5-8), promising him authority and worldly power. Jesus resisted, but Satan finally succeeded (or so he thought) through Judas and the Pharisees, who conspired to have Jesus arrested, tried and crucified (Matt. 26:15-16; John 13:27).
Satan will try to entice us to work for his kingdom, just like he tried with Jesus. He will offer us all the pleasures of the world in exchange for allegiance to his kingdom. If we resist, we can expect him to send attacks our way. He does not give up easily. Though he may not try to murder us outright, he will try to destroy us through whatever footholds our sin has given him.
Satan is determined not to let anyone leave his family alive. He will do almost anything to either keep us under his power or keep us from being effective for God. The truth is that no matter how deep our bondage is, we CAN break free and live in victory! Jesus is infinitely more powerful than Satan. We can apply the blood of Jesus and cancel every satanic plan against our life.
The Bible says that God has good plans for us: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). This may be difficult to believe, especially if we have indulged greatly in sin. God can restore what the devil tried to kill, steal and destroy in our lives!
Questions for further thought:
Looking back over your life, what instances can you recall where Satan tempted you to abandon God’s plans for your life and pursue sin?
What weaknesses has Satan exploited in your life?
Do you believe that God has good plans for your life? If not, why?
Prayer: If you have been a slave to sin and are ready to break free from Satan’s grip, please pray this suggested prayer for freedom:
“Heavenly Father, I confess that I have sinned against you in the following ways: _____________ (list them). Father, please forgive me for my sin. I turn away from my sin and renounce it now. In the name of Jesus Christ and by the power of his blood, I cancel every plan Satan had for my life. I declare them null and void. By faith in Jesus Christ, I call all of God’s plans for me into existence now. Father, may your will be done in my life as it is in heaven. Please strengthen me to live for you exclusively. Thank you, Father! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!”