“4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world hears them.
6 We are of God: he that knows God hears us; he that is not of God hears not us. Hereby know we the Spirit of Truth, and the spirit of error.” 1 John 4:4-6
There are many things in this world that are greater than we are. The devil himself is stronger than us. Our willpower cannot overcome the powers of darkness. Our God-given talents and intellect can defeat the wickedness of the worldly ways. We can quote all of the Scripture at the devil we want, and it will not stop the power of satan. I remind you, the devil knows the Scriptures better than most Christians.
There is ONE Who is Greater and there is NOTHING greater than HE in this world and that is the Spirit of the Lord. If the Spirit of the Lord is not working on our behalf, we are headed for destruction. Our foe is not defeated.
It is the Holy Spirit alone Who superintends the Work of God in our lives. As we vainly attempt to manipulate the righteous spirit world with our religious incantations, it is “WE”, not “HE Who is within us” who is engaging in a battle with the enemy of our soul.
Understand this, there is no further “battle” needed for victory over sin. The battle has been won. The enemy is indeed a defeated foe. When Jesus Christ gave up the Ghost at Calvary and uttered the words “It is Finished”, the penalty of sin was and is and will forever be paid for whosoever will believe AND the power of sin utterly broken. Jesus Christ made a show openly of every demon in hell; HE spoiled EVERY evil plan of every wicked principality and power at the Cross. It’s just that simple.
Sadly though many are taught that they must engage in this battle of victory over sin. No, not at all. As a Believer, the only fight we are called to fight is the good fight of faith. That’s it. Nothing more. With our faith properly placed in the Cross of Christ and not in our part of this man made method for victory over sin, the Holy Spirit is commissioned to perform HIS Ministry in our lives. As previously stated, it is HE (the Holy Spirit) Who is greater and can utterly expel those evil desires in the heart of man…yes, even us sanctified, Born Again folks whose heart will so easily and readily deceive us if we don’t rightfully discern the Word of God.
There is a fight to be won and the Holy Spirit lusts to envy; He is jealous over those things we give over to other methods for this victory. I’m speaking here to Believers whose faith is placed solely and exclusively in the Cross of Christ for our Salvation. It is that SAME faith, faith in the Finished Word of Christ Jesus, that engages the Holy Spirit to do His mighty work in our lives. It is then that He is able to produce fruit unto God. Not when we talk about it. Not when we think about it. But when we do it…purposefully place our faith in the Cross of Christ by denying ourselves, picking up all that He afforded us at Calvary and following Him. Then is enemy defeated. Then is the battle won. Then and only then will God be glorified.
The world does not understand the things of the Spirit of God. It is foolishness to them. Sadly, many carnally minded Christians also believe the Cross of Christ for daily living for God is foolishness and they too are perishing. Bound to worldly ways, the world is overtaking them one precept at a time. One line at a time, satan is making his play in their hearts. Surely in vain the net is spread in front of them and they will soon be captured if they do not turn from their wicked ways and fight that good fight of faith.
Fight the good fight of faith. Be determined to know nothing else among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
-Donna Clark Warren
Living in The Spirit 